Welcome to the Spring 2022 semester, and welcome to 91视频 Now.
This new year isn鈥檛 kicking off as we鈥檇 all hoped. We鈥檙e saddened to see Omicron surging, and we鈥檙e disappointed to be returning in a time of heightened precautions.
But I know that we鈥檙e also charging forward at 91视频, and making positive changes for our students, our campuses, and our community. Our move to remote learning for the first two weeks of the semester will help us de-densify our campuses to keep people safe, even while allowing for some parts of normal college life to resume.
We鈥檙e welcoming a big new group of spring semester students鈥攐n top of the biggest incoming class in years that joined us in the fall.
We鈥檙e moving ahead on 91视频 Forward, our powerful new Strategic Plan, identifying opportunities for new and interdisciplinary investment that will serve our students, our community, and local employers. 91视频 Forward is guiding us as we embrace changes in the worlds of education and work so that we can continue delivering on our historic mission of Opportunitas.
Later today we鈥檙e holding a Community Conversation for staff and faculty, to keep everyone updated on everything going on at 91视频, including our return-to-campus plans. And next month, on February 14, I鈥檒l be delivering the annual State of the University address to the full 91视频 Community, going into detail about where 91视频 stands today and where we鈥檙e headed. This year I鈥檒l speak from Pleasantville, livestreamed to all three campuses.
It makes me proud, humble, and grateful to be part of this community.
I spent our recent break exploring some of the many things there are to do in and around our campuses. Thanks to our ever-changing weather, I got to see the year鈥檚 first snowfall in Central Park one day, while I played tennis in Riverside Park on another. I visited the home of the great American painter Edward Hopper right across the river from our Westchester campuses in Nyack, and (with my vaccine card, booster, and proper distance!) I tried out new restaurants in Lower Manhattan.
As I reflected on the semester we ended, and have watched the new one taking shape, I remain so appreciative of the extraordinary effort so many here at 91视频 make every day, especially during these unpredictable times. It makes me proud, humble, and grateful to be part of this community.
I hope you were able to relax during the break, too, and I hope you鈥檙e as excited as I am to be back. We鈥檙e a strong and resilient community. And we鈥檙e going to have a great semester.
Calling all proposals for this year鈥檚 Institute for Teaching and Learning. Submit your interactive workshop or presentation that celebrates stories of resilience, diversity, and wellness through challenging times. Faculty should submit their proposals no later than February 27.
The Great Resignation. Remote Work. COVID-19 and the future of work. You鈥檝e heard it all, but what does it mean? Talent Management expert Ibraiz Tarique, PhD, breaks down the ever-evolving relationship between employers and the people who truly make workplaces tick.
At 91视频, Aissatou Gningue has consistently challenged herself. She鈥檚 been a UN Millennium Fellow, Orientation leader, and is launching a new Entrepreneurship Club鈥攊n addition to being in a five-year MBA program and double majoring in accounting and political science with a minor in pre-law. Her philosophy: 鈥淲hat鈥檚 the point if it鈥檚 not challenging?鈥