Update from President Kolison
10/1/20
It is Thursday and time for another update. First, Happy Thursday! It is hard to believe that we are approaching the mid-point between the first day of classes and the November break. I’m very happy to point out that our COVID-19 numbers remain low, which shows how we can positively contribute to our campus by remaining vigilant and abiding by both practical regulations and common sense to protect ourselves and those around us. Today, I have a few topics to update you on including recognizing our FREDheroes:
Update on Pool testing: Students, it is comforting and inspiring to know your academic success is important enough that you are willing to make these temporary sacrifices to keep us opened. Thank you! I am very proud to say to colleagues across the country that Fredonia students are doing what it will take to conclude our semester successfully. I hope you saw the message on Tuesday regarding the latest round of pool (surveillance) testing. Three hundred and twenty-four (324) tests were conducted last Friday at Steele Hall, and they all came back negative! Our positivity rate from pool testing–based on a grand total of 797 pool tests and 2 positive cases–is now under 1%. As I mentioned last week, we are putting an ambitious plan into action in the next two weeks to test 1,000 students and 500 employees weekly.
Ensuring Stability in University Leadership: I am sure that you have noticed that we have many senior leadership positions that are being handled on an interim basis. In my experience, it is good practice to transition such positions to “permanency” appropriately and timely. Doing so is good for planning strategically, projecting institutional stability, fund raising, and recruiting of students among other benefits. Accordingly, I want you to know that I have begun conversations about these opportunities with key groups across our campus. At the conclusion of my conversations, I will announce to the campus community the direction we will take regarding these opportunites. It will be soon.
Initial observations and vision for SUNY Fredonia: I have shared my initial observations and thoughts about a vision for SUNY Fredonia with several persons at this point. I believe it is time that I post them to an accessible site so everyone can access them and know what I am thinking when it comes to our great university. I will work with the Marketing and Communications team to have the document posted by Monday, October 5th. I am also happy to share the document in advance of the various virtual conversations that I will be holding soon, many of you have been sending your thoughts about Fredonia, and your suggestions for the kind of things that you would like me to consider as I shape my vision for the university. Please know that I am inspired by your interest and support for the work of shaping the President’s priorities for the university. Thank you.
End-of-semester residence hall information: The Office of Residence Life will soon be communicating plans to help students smoothly move out of the residence halls for the end of the semester. The plan will cover students who will return home for the November break and those students who are staying through November break until the end of final-exam week. Look for that email shortly.
Village of Fredonia water: It is, frankly, disheartening that we are still talking about this situation three weeks after it started. Fortunately, the Village of Fredonia and Chautauqua County Health Department lifted the Boil Water Order yesterday. The Facilities Services team is currently replacing filters in campus water fountains and hydration stations.
Recognition of FREDheroes: I want to take a moment in this week’s message to acknowledge another group of FREDheroes who have been on the frontlines of our efforts to keep everyone safe this semester. The custodial staff has been a vital part of our reopening. They have worked tirelessly and have taken precautions themselves so that they stay safe while making sure we all are safe as well. During your travels across campus, when you see a member of the custodial team, take a moment to stop and say “thank you” for all they have done.
That is what I have to share with you on this Thursday. I am looking forward to our virtual conversations with faculty and staff this month. I hope your week has been good. I will reach you again next Thursday with other updates.
Stay safe.
Very truly yours,
Dr. K.
______________________________________________________________
Stephen H. Kolison Jr., Ph.D.
President