91探花

The start of every academic year at the 91探花 is unique and exciting in its own way, but in all of our University鈥檚 160-year history, we have never had an autumn quarter like this one. I expect we are all feeling a mixture of both anxiety and excitement about the transition back to shared spaces and experiences. As we manage through, remember to pace yourself, and please respect the choices and boundaries that others set to keep themselves safe; you can never know what health or life issues others may be dealing with or what losses and disappointments they have experienced. Our great strength is our deep sense of caring and the recognition that we are all interconnected. By extending grace, patience and kindness to one another 鈥� and ourselves 鈥� we can co-create a healthier community, grounded in equity, wellness and compassion. And, please don鈥檛 hesitate to ask for help if you need it. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. In the sidebar, you will find resources that can be useful as you ease into the year.

Over the last few weeks, as I鈥檝e attended my first in-person meetings with colleagues and students, I鈥檝e been bolstered immensely by once again being engaged with our outstanding community of people united by a mission of teaching, learning, discovery, patient care and public service. It鈥檚 exciting to welcome not only the more than 8,800 first-year and 3,000 transfer students across our three campuses who are new to the University, but also our sophomores and last year鈥檚 incoming transfer students who will be experiencing the UW鈥檚 campuses and classrooms for the first time. In addition to our many returning faculty and staff, we also get to welcome new faculty and staff who joined our community over the last year and a half, as well as several new deans and leaders. And I鈥檓 delighted to be welcoming two new chancellors 鈥� Chancellor Kristin Esterberg at 91探花Bothell and Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange at 91探花Tacoma, making this the first time in history that all three 91探花campuses have been led by women.

I am so proud of the commitment we鈥檝e already shown to keeping each other and our surrounding communities safe: from wearing masks and getting vaccinated, to the incredible work of the facilities team and other onsite staff members who have made our physical spaces clean and safe to return to. Thanks to the extremely high rates of vaccination among our students, faculty and academic personnel, and staff, and to the work of our health-care workers throughout our region, we are one of the most vaccinated universities in . As a reminder, all students听补苍诲 personnel are required to聽be vaccinated unless they are granted an exemption, and it鈥檚 easy to get a free, safe, effective vaccine if you still need one.

On Wednesday, we begin another year of learning, growth and impact 鈥� the things that define our shared Husky experience. As we do, I encourage you to take a moment to reflect on the experiences that have brought you here, and on the future you hope to create, wherever you may be. If you鈥檙e on our Seattle campus on Wednesday, you鈥檒l hear bells ringing periodically throughout the day 鈥� the historic Denny Bell, the 91探花Carillon Bells and the Gordon Stuart Peek Foundation Memorial Change Ringing Bells. Bells have traditionally signaled both beginnings and endings, celebrations and remembrances. At this moment of transition to once again sharing spaces, we hope they remind you to reflect with empathy on our shared experience of the past year and half as we move ahead together.

I also invite you join me on October 19 for my Annual Address, which will once again be held in w菨色菨b蕯altx史 鈥� Intellectual House and livestreamed. As we continue our efforts to end the spread of COVID-19 and combat the systemic racism and inequity that have so often been amplified by the pandemic, I look forward to talking with our whole community about how we can work together to support equity and the well-being of everyone at the UW.

The last 18 months have been like no other, but through it all, our mission has remained clear: building a better world, for all. Our capacity for kindness, empathy and compassion is great, and our ability to chart our path forward together is strong. I am grateful to be undertaking this crucial work with you.