From the President
Winter Quarter Welcome and Updates
Jan. 5, 2022
Dear Colleagues,
Happy New Year. I hope that you were able to relax and rejuvenate over the holiday break -- particularly with the start of classes so soon after the New Year's Day holiday, and in the face of the continuing complexities of the pandemic.
As you saw in last night's email message from Chancellor Miner, we heard from some employees and students about concerns with on-campus classes and services during this time of increasing Omicron cases. If you have concerns, there is flexibility for instructors to work directly with their dean to temporarily move on-campus classes online through Jan. 28, and for classified professionals to discuss possible options with their manager. I know that, as always, students will be served well during this period.
I understand it is wearying to continue to weather this pandemic. I want you to know how much I appreciate your dedication to our students, and your unwavering concern for their learning and overall well-being. I also want to extend a very special thank you to Student Health Services Director Rosafel Nogra, clinic staff, and Dean of Student Development Michele LeBleu-Burns for their work.
Despite this temporary response to the evolution of the pandemic, we are continuing to work our way back to a more typical campus environment. As I have said on other occasions -- and speaking very personally -- I am sad not to have yet experienced the vibrancy of the De Anza campus under normal circumstances. The engagement of students on campus is one of the many attributes of the college that I had heard about for so long -- and one of many reasons I am so honored to have become president. Certainly the excellence of the college was always the main reason, and while so much else has changed during the pandemic, De Anza being "Tops in Transfer" and "Tops in Career Training" has not.
We will plan for another student survey at the appropriate time this quarter, to continue to understand what students need and want from us in terms of classes and services. I will look forward to sharing those results at a Senior Staff Conversation and Q&A, and am eager to see you at the first Senior Staff Q&A of the quarter next Monday. And as a reminder, strategic planning workshops for January 24, February 28 and March 14 are scheduled to replace the Senior Staff Q&A. Strategic planning has never been more crucial than during this period of change, and I encourage all of you to participate in the workshops.
Thank you again, and all the best for a wonderful 2022. I have every confidence this will be a good year, with much to look forward to.
With appreciation,
Lloyd