Here we go again….

Ready to take on another semester and one that is, once again, like no other.

I remain impressed with our entire community as we have managed through the ways that COVID-19 continues to impact us. It hasn’t been easy, but the willingness to work hard and do what is necessary has made all the difference.

By adhering to the protocols: wearing masks, social distancing, monitoring your health, and avoiding gatherings, you are what made us successful in Fall2020. Whenever you engaged in zoom class and completed coursework, you contributed to our success.

When so many others across the region, the state and the country chose to make do with fully remote semesters, we pushed forward… and we made it. And now, as we begin this new semester, I know you will once again do your part and make us successful again this semester.

I look forward to a very different experience on campus this semester with our new Raider Rapid Results (R3) testing program for students. You may have heard about it, and what it means for expanding on campus participation in clubs, intramurals, and co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. We’ll still be wearing our masks and keeping our distance, but we will be able to engage in ways not possible in the fall. Students living on campus must participate in the R3 program. All other students can opt in to the program to be included in the expanded activities. The R3 program is also available to faculty and staff.

As a community of scholars and educators, we embrace opportunities to learn and study. We have been selected by the CDC to join in a study of mask use in Institutions of Higher Education in the United States. Members of the campus community will be asked to help collect data for this nationwide study.

I am so looking forward to seeing you back on campus, and I encourage everyone to get engaged in the activities and programs planned for this semester whether virtually or on campus. We start this week with our Black History Month activities.

Best wishes as you begin your first two weeks of Spring 2021 remotely.

President Laurie A. Carter