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Dear Colleagues,
Over the past two weeks, as we have collectively grieved the loss of our beloved colleagues and started to pick up the pieces of our shattered campus and hearts, I have seen the very best of humanity. The outpouring of love and support from all over the world for the families of Dr. Jerry Cha-Jan Chang, Dr. Patricia Navarro Velez, and Dr. Naoko Takemaru, for our still-hospitalized colleague, and for the entire UNLV family is a testament to the impact faculty have on the lives of individuals and communities. Faculty, staff and students have shown up for each other in countless ways, each giving their time, effort, and empathy to those around them who needed it most. I hope that we can all draw comfort and strength from these expressions of love as we move forward together on the path to recovery.
Though our hearts are heavy and the shadow of this terrible tragedy looms large, the end of a semester brings cause for celebration. Thousands of students will complete their degrees and fulfill lifelong dreams, colleagues will reach professional milestones, and many of us will pause to gather with family and friends for winter holidays. In this most difficult time, celebrating the good in our lives can be an act of resiliency that helps us heal, but also honors the legacy of our colleagues, who were all so dedicated to their students, fellow faculty, and families. I encourage you to look for the light in the world and celebrate it in whatever way feels right to you.
Last week, we shared resources to help you complete your fall semester with self-care and compassion. This week, our focus will be on using the break between semesters to restore, reflect, and prepare for what we know will be a very different and sometimes challenging spring semester.
As we part for the winter break, please remember the unlvstrong page as a source of campus updates and resources available to support your wellbeing. We will continue to curate resources recommended by our campus experts in trauma-informed approaches to teaching and student support and will share those with you in the coming weeks. In the meantime, be kind to yourselves and each other, and take time to rest and heal.
If you have any specific concerns or needs, please do not hesitate to contact us at facultycenter@unlv.edu.
Please take care,
Beth Barrie
Vice Provost for Teaching and Learning Innovation
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