Dear Colleagues,
Next week, many faculty and staff will return to campus in preparation for the spring semester, which begins on Jan. 16. We know it will be unlike any other we’ve experienced as a university, as we continue to individually and collectively process the tragedy that occurred on our campus just a month ago.
Though the return to campus will come with complex emotions, we commend each and every one of our faculty and staff for your resilience and for your continued commitment to our university and our students. This is especially true for employees who have been working hard on campus the past few weeks, ensuring continued support during winter break for students, offering mental health and wellness services, and preparing our campus for the start of the spring semester.
The safety, security, and mental health of the UNLV community remain our priority, and these topics are certainly top of mind for us all as we prepare to welcome our colleagues and students back to campus.
Next Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 9 a.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, we’ll host an “all hands meeting” for faculty and staff. The meeting is scheduled for approximately 90 minutes and will include updates from university leadership on campus operations, safety and security, and mental health and wellness resources. Questions may be submitted anonymously in advance or may be asked during a Q&A session at the meeting. We respectfully ask that advance questions be submitted by noon on Monday, Jan. 8.
Division and unit leaders are asked to keep this time frame free of other meetings and commitments, and if possible, allow everyone who is interested to attend. For those who cannot be there in person, we will and post the recording afterward. And if you’re available a bit earlier, we invite you to join us for breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and enjoy some time to reconnect with colleagues.
We look forward to welcoming you back to campus next week, and we urge everyone to reach out to one another and – if needed – utilize the numerous wellness and counseling resources available through UNLV, the Vegas Strong Resiliency Center, and the Employee Assistance Program.
We’re committed to working hand in hand with our faculty, staff, and students as we progress through the recovery process and emerge as a stronger UNLV.
Warm regards,
Keith E. Whitfield, Ph.D.
President
Chris L. Heavey, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost