Today marks the midpoint between our transition to remote instruction and the end of the spring 2020 semester. So much about how we work together has changed in the past four weeks. I could not be prouder of our community’s response to arguably the largest challenge in WKU’s history.
You have demonstrated the essential best of our University; and through our actions and decisions we have displayed to the wider world our core values: Grit. Determination. Perseverance. Creativity. Compassion. Service to a greater good. All while ensuring we support each other and every member of the WKU Family.
In part because we have demonstrated our ideals, we continue to be in a strong position with our incoming first-year class and our returning students.
During the past several weeks the leadership team and budget office, in consultation with the Board of Regents, have created financial scenarios and budget contingencies for next fiscal year. This work continues through the Budget Executive Committee and the university’s budget creation process.
While we have four weeks to go before the end of the semester; we also must focus our attention on the milestone that is four months ahead of us – the scheduled start of the fall 2020 academic term.
Today I am announcing four Restart WKU Committees reporting to the COVID-19 Task Force, each with a distinct area of responsibility.
Additionally, in just a few moments we will share a video with our spring 2020 graduating seniors to announce our work to begin planning a Commencement celebration during Parent and Family Weekend in September. After surveying our seniors twice, it’s clear this is what they want. Of course, this date is tentative; whatever we do will be guided by our public health officials. If the COVID-19 pandemic prohibits a celebration in September, we will regroup and alter our plans, again with our spring 2020 graduates as the guiding voice. We look forward to joining them back on our Hill to honor and celebrate their extraordinary work and achievements at WKU.
I don’t know what the fall semester will look like. Regardless of what it holds, our institution will be successful because of its people. We will harness the creativity of the WKU community to think differently about how we accomplish our mission, and we will be prepared for any eventuality.
