I don't need to tell you that nearly everything we do now is influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. We're a month in to a near-worldwide quarantine that required us here in Maine to empty our classrooms and residence halls prematurely, leaving us to manage remote learning, instruction, and work -- and even research, clinics, and art where possible -- as best we can. We made the health and safety of our communities our top priority, as we should. The goodwill displayed by our students, faculty, and staff has been the brightest spot in these challenging times, and I want to thank you again for your dedication to our students and universities.

You know what's happening nationally. Americans have banded together to stay home and stay safe. And yet there's a yearning for a return to normalcy -- to class, to work, to our public spaces. The national conversation in higher education now includes the inevitable question:  Will we come back in the fall?

I am ready to say we will. 

You'll see  media reports today that I've launched the Fall 2020 Safe Return Planning Committee so that our Presidents and I can welcome students, faculty, staff and the public back to our campuses in the fall safely. The Fall 2020 Safe Return Planning Committee will balance our eagerness to return to normal with student, faculty and staff, and community health, and we'll be working closely and transparently with our state public health leaders and UMS scientists to ensure that we do. If health concerns preclude learning, working, and gathering in close proximity, Maine's public universities will continue their work to serve students with a mix of either socially distanced classroom experiences or other high-quality instructional delivery options and accommodations that promote learning and academic progress at whatever distance is necessary.