July 2, 2020
Dear Alumnae and Friends:
As we begin a new fiscal year, we would like to provide an update about AADC operations. The AADC continues to be vigilant about the health and safety of our alumnae, staff and volunteers and that of our loved ones in the wake of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. Our alumnae are located all over the country — as well as abroad — and differing rates of infection and differing rules of what we can and cannot do remain important to observe. We hope you and your family remain healthy and hopeful during this time of uncertainty.
Leadership Update:
On July 1, Jeanne Fox ’75 assumed her elected role as AADC President. Unexpectedly, Helen Galt ’69, who had been elected VP of Administration, has decided to step down as a member of the Board due to personal priorities. In her place, Jeanne Fox has appointed Lisa Dorio Ruch ’89 to take over as VP of Administration. Lisa had been elected to the position of Treasurer, which newly-elected general Board member Kathi Love ’75 has agreed to fill. Both of these appointments have been voted on and approved by the Board. These changes left two open Board positions to be filled by appointments, one of which will be filled by Dianne Mills McKay ’69. The second open position will be filled and announced in the near future. We greatly appreciate Helen Galt’s outstanding leadership and service to the AADC, most notably as Acting President, as a key member of the negotiating team that forged the Agreement with Rutgers in 2016 and as the leader of the revisions of our Bylaws. She was recognized with the awarding of the AADC Medal in 2017. We thank her for her dedication and wish her well.
Programs and Events Update:
The AADC will not be conducting in-person events for the foreseeable future in accordance with the edict by the Rutgers University Alumni Association on June 20 that all in-person events for alumni will be canceled for the remainder of 2020. This policy applies to all chartered members of the RUAA, which includes the AADC. Meanwhile, Rutgers University has issued a detailed plan regarding on-campus education and the measures being taken to ensure the safety of the students, staff and faculty, so much remains to be seen about returning to campus.
With much credit to our AADC Board, staff and alumnae, the AADC has pivoted
successfully to provide our programming virtually through the use of technology. The upside is that alumnae who live far from New Brunswick have been able to attend such events as our two-part Workshop on Anti-Racism, the AADC Sisterhood Book Club and "Tea with Tina." In the wake of the restrictions on our ability to be together in person, we are providing innovative ways to exchange information, have fun, conduct our usual events and introduce new ones. You can expect to meet virtually for the Alumnae
Council session on November 7. Details will be available as we get closer to that date.
Operational Update:
The reality of the pandemic is impacting us close to home. The AADC Board of Directors continues to examine our operating budget very closely. The economic repercussions from COVID-19 did not spare the AADC. We came to the difficult realization that our organization would need to make some changes, effective for the fiscal year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021, while continuing to offer innovative programs and opportunities for alumnae to engage and connect.
To offset costs, staff compensation across the board will be reduced for the new fiscal year. Whether our staff is working remotely from home during the pandemic or when they eventually return to campus at the Ruth Schilling Hennessy Alumnae Center, we are confident that they will continue to perform with their usual high level of professionalism and commitment to fulfilling our mission.
We are implementing new remote office hours that we believe will allow us to maximize our work and save on expenses. The AADC will be open remotely from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm Monday thru Thursday and will be closed on Fridays. We will schedule meetings, programs and events accordingly. We hope that you will reach out and plan volunteer activities and your work with staff liaisons based on this new schedule.
New President of Rutgers University:
Dr. Jonathan Holloway began his position as President of Rutgers University on July 1, succeeding Dr. Robert Barchi. The AADC sent him a letter to welcome him to Rutgers and wish him well as he takes on the leadership of the University. For more on Dr. Holloway, please visit the Rutgers website at
https://www.rutgers.edu/welcome-president-holloway
.
We all must make changes. Our alumnae community will continue to come together in many ways to help each other. We are encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response to our virtual events and programs. Thank you for your continued support to ensure a vibrant and strong future for the AADC. Please stay safe and healthy. We can’t wait to see you in person again!
In Sisterhood,
Executive Committee, AADC
Jeanne M. Fox ’75, President
Lisa Dorio Ruch '89, VP Administration
Linda Caldwell Epps ’73, Ph.D., VP Development
Karen Lynch ’79, VP Alumnae Relations
Tina B. Gordon ’72, VP Marketing & Communications
Stephanie Cayne ’89, Ed.D., Secretary
Kathi Love '75, Treasurer
Valerie L. Anderson ’81, MBA, Executive Director
