Dear students, 

Welcome back and happy first day of classes! 
 
I hope you had a wonderful summer and are as excited as I am about getting the new academic year underway. 
 
Last night, I had the opportunity to experience the magic of Convocation and Twilight Induction ceremony welcoming new Catamounts to our community. As a new Catamount myself, I shared those feelings of wonder, awe, and gratitude for becoming part of this UVM community—a place dedicated to advancing knowledge and making the world a better place for everyone. 
 
A part of Sunday’s experience that really resonated with me was the commitment to Our Common Ground values—a commitment that you all made when you joined this community. It underscored for me a role I have as your university president to provide the space for you all to engage, use your voices respectfully, and learn from each other. There will undoubtedly be difficult national and global events that rightly draw attention and drive discussions on campus. I know many of you will feel compelled to speak up and to speak out about many such issues. 
 
I encourage you to express your diverse perspectives, without me, as the president, weighing in on critical issues such that it might diminish the openness of dialogue and debate. I have confidence that you can—in your classes, with people from across our community, and on your own—explore issues, think, learn, and share your insights. The university embodies a broad range of ideas and, out of respect for that plurality of voices, the university cannot align itself with singular viewpoints. My role as your university president is not to presume to be a singular voice, but to foster the space for discussion, reflection, and learning built upon Our Common Ground. Together, we can uphold this deep responsibility to encourage critical thinking and civil discourse in hopes of fostering dialogue, mutual respect, shared understanding, and meaningful engagement. 
 
I also want to encourage you to engage with your fellow members of this incredible campus community and embrace all it has to offer. Learning and personal growth takes place both inside and outside of the classroom, through courses, meetings, clubs, athletics, lectures, events, and even chance encounters when you least expect it. Get to class and get out on campus: attend special lectures and panel discussions, study with friends, cheer your fellow Catamounts at an Athletics event, join an organization, try something new—get engaged and get involved! This is a magical time in your life—one you’ll remember forever. Make the most of everything before you.

Again, welcome back! Remember that our staff and faculty are deeply invested in your success; reach out if you need our help. I am thrilled to see so many wonderful and inspired individuals coming together. UVM is a special place, made even more special by what each of you brings to our community. I can’t wait to see what you’ll do next, on your own and together. 
 
Sincerely, 
 
Marlene Tromp