Dear UVM community,

As the spring semester draws to a close, I want to take a moment to pass on my sincere gratitude for all you have done to get us to this point.

We have successfully completed one of the most challenging spring semesters imaginable thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our staff, the dedication of our faculty, and the resilience, determination, and deep community spirit of our students.

The statistics paint a compelling narrative: From February 1 through May 15, we conducted almost 250,000 COVID-19 tests—close to a third of the tests conducted within the State of Vermont during the same period. During that window, both our positivity rate (0.3%), and that of the state (1.49%) were excellent. We applaud the state for its leadership and support, and it’s heartening to note the example set by our UVM community.

Collaboration, agility and flexibility have been integral to this achievement. Faculty taught almost 1,480 class sections that were fully or partially in-person. And for students who were not comfortable being on campus, nearly 1,500 sections were offered in a remote or online format. This gave students options, and importantly, it meant they could continue progressing toward their degree.

But, of course, there is so much more to this story than the numbers.

Throughout this time, we have not only faced the fear and hardship wrought by the pandemic, but we have tackled issues that go to the very core of who we are as a society—the values we share and those we seek to understand.

Issues of equality. Political divides and threats to our democracy. And the importance of ensuring a safe environment for all members of our society.

These concerns have deep and tangled roots. They are difficult and they are demanding. They require serious and honest examination, along with thoughtful and often uncomfortable discussion. We have started this work, but there is more to be done.

So, as I reflect on this past semester, and the academic year it bookends, I hope that you will take pride in what you have achieved. We did better than most universities in the country and, in doing so, demonstrated the power of a strong and dedicated community.

With my best wishes for a summer that recharges, Suresh

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Suresh Garimella
President