Dear UVM community,
I imagine you all share my pride as you took part in events during this Research Week.
We have had a packed schedule of Research Week events showcasing the broad impact of our proud R1 university. Whether it was at the Electrify Vermont Summit presenting the latest sustainable technology, our Earth Day panelists sharing their research in planetary health, our amazing students sharing their work at the Student Research Conference, or any of the other events this week ... it has been truly amazing to see our community of scholars and their work. The celebration with so many of you at our We R1 UVM event on Wednesday was filled with energy, appreciation, and fun and truly drove home how the work being done here is changing lives. Our Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Kirk Dombrowski, framed it so well when he explained to the crowd that our R1 designation is about so much more than the numbers—it is the life-changing research advancements that are taking place at UVM that matter—and that it is being done by our community of faculty, staff, and student scholars. I hope you’ll take a moment to view this photo gallery from the event.
We have another signature event coming up on June 17 that highlights research, as well as innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. This year’s RISE Summit, run by our Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships, is themed Research as a Public Good. What an important topic to be focusing on at this time. With fundamental challenges to research facing higher education, we all need to do what we can to convey that federal and private investments in research yield financial returns, and more importantly, societal returns—research IS a public good. Register for RISE while there is still space available and take part in what is going to be an important and timely event.
Earlier this week UVM and other institutions were invited to sign a Call for Constructive Engagement drafted by the American Association of Colleges and Universities. UVM has signed and has been added to the list of institutions in support of the fundamental principles of higher education. Importantly, though, we are doing much more to support and defend higher education, in ways that we believe will address the needs of our community and support the areas of our work facing the greatest uncertainty and challenge. In this environment, we must carefully weigh all our actions—and make strategic choices about the timing and modes of our decisions and advocacy. That work includes providing information to and meeting with individuals in our community who are or feel at particular risk. We are also working closely with partner institutions, research programs, and organizations like EPSCoR to determine effective strategies that will enable important research to continue. Our Operations Groups meet regularly to develop responses to change, deliver programming, and convey necessary and important information to specific constituencies within our community. We are actively engaged and will continue to consider actions that can make a material difference and put UVM in the best position for success in the current environment. What is most essential is that we continue, undistracted, with the critical mission-driven work we do to educate our students and create new knowledge through our scholarship, research, and creative work.
On Wednesday evening, we held a Student Safety Forum at the Billings-Ira Allen Lecture Hall with Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak, Burlington Police Chief Shawn Burke, UVM’s Chief Safety and Compliance Officer Mike Schirling, and UVM Police Chief Timothy Bilodeau. My deep appreciation goes to Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak and each of the speakers who presented. Safety is a priority at UVM, and it was great to hear about the approaches Burlington is undertaking, and how safety is at the top of the list of priorities for Burlington. My gratitude also to the participants who asked our speakers thoughtful questions. The session was recorded and will be updated with captions shortly.
We are gearing up for commencement and it is going to be a remarkable celebration. Last week we announced our commencement speaker and honorary degree recipients. I am thrilled we will have Dr. James M. Betts ’69 to address the class of 2025. I know his remarks will inspire us all. His career as a surgeon and volunteer firefighter exemplifies what it means to be in service to those in need. We will also be granting a Doctor of Humane Letters to David A. Daigle and Roy V. Hill II who have both had significant impacts within our UVM community and beyond. I am excited to share our day with them and to recognize their achievements.
And finally, I want to put a call out for nominations for the Our Common Ground Staff Awards. The nomination process is open until May 2. Please take a moment to consider a staff member who embodies our values in their work and their interactions with colleagues and nominate them!
Warmly,
Patricia Prelock
Interim President