Provost's Message Spring Newsletter 2021

Hello Colleagues,

We are trying something new this semester: a short monthly newsletter that includes messages, data updates and articles about our faculty accomplishments. I am so happy that this first newsletter coincides with good news about COVID-19. As you likely know, Los Angeles County is now including everyone age 16 or older in its vaccine reservations beginning April 15th. This means that all university employees, and their families will be eligible to get their vaccine! For detailed information on how to make your reservation, please see this updated CSUN employee vaccination information.

Our plans for fall 2021 continue to develop. Thank you all for your heavy lifting in building the fall schedule of classes. The fall semester will be our most complex logistically because of our desire to bring more students back to campus for classes and co-curricular activities, while also adhering to all public health and safety requirements.

In order to facilitate this decision-making, President Beck has formed the Fall 2021 Tactical Repopulation Team (TRT). The group, chaired by William Watkins, Colin Donahue and myself, has as its first priority the fall academic program, with guidance on how we can support on-campus instruction.

We are planning for 25-30% of all fall classes having some on-campus experience. The momentum we gain in fall will allow a smoother transition back to campus for spring 2022, when we expect to be fully back on campus.

One feature of the newsletter that I am excited to include is a short interview with a faculty member. This is an opportunity for me, and for the rest of the campus, to get to know one of our colleagues better and learn about their work.

Now let’s look at some exciting news!

Mary Beth Walker, Ph.D.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs