A community pulling together

We are all experiencing a stressful and challenging time as we first anticipated and prepared for the Flood of 2011 and now are dealing with its aftermath. Our initial concern was, of course, for the personal safety of our students, faculty and staff.

We have lost seven days of classes due to the university closure. Faculty leaders and academic administrators are working to adjust class periods, schedule additional sessions as necessary, and establish other ways for students to achieve all course learning outcomes.

Fall Semester will not be extended in December and final examinations will be held as scheduled during the week of December 12 – 16, 2011.

Now, with the campus closed through the week, we turn to the needs of Bloomsburg University’s hometown, the Town of Bloomsburg. My emergency management team has met daily not only to make the difficult decisions about the status of the university, but also to hear about community needs we can meet. We currently are housing Pennsylvania National Guard troops on campus and providing BU shuttle buses and equipment to assist with clean-up efforts.

Although it may seem inconsequential at a time like this, we decided to move ahead with athletic contests this week. Most of the games, with the exception of soccer, are being hosted by the Huskies’ opponents and the competitions give all of us a little diversion when we sorely need it.

Recovery from a natural disaster of this magnitude will take months, if not years. We expect to have potable water on campus again on Thursday and will be ready to welcome our students back over the weekend for classes to resume Monday, Sept. 19.

When classes resume, the need for volunteers will continue and BU efforts will be cordinated through the Solve Office. Our friends, neighbors and members of our campus community will continue to need our help and I encourage you to lend a hand.

Thank you to the essential employees who have been instrumental in the recovery efforts both in Town and on campus. Also, I want to thank all faculty and staff who have and continue to volunteer during this time

Welcome back Huskies!

If you were in Bloomsburg this summer, you know this campus doesn’t sleep between mid-May and the end of August. But there’s definitely a new level of energy on campus at this time of year. We will need all of the energy we can muster for everything that is happening, starting this week.

On Thursday, Sept. 1, you will be part of our first Husky Pride Day. You’ll see a lot of maroon and gold all over campus to build excitement for the season’s first football game at Redman Stadium that evening. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. when our Huskies — who are ranked 10th in the nation — go against Ashland University. I hope you’ll be there and support the Huskies all season long.

October is going to be one of the busiest months of 2011-12. We’ll have Homecoming on Oct. 8 and Parents and Family Weekend on Oct., 29.

Also in October, we’ll have the first Zeigler Professional Development Institute conference for the College of Business. Additionally, we are hosting the annual PASSHE Diversity Conference.

Speaking of diversity, you will be asked during the spring semester to share your perceptions via the Campus Climate Survey. All students, faculty and staff will be invited to help us examine how different groups experience BU. I encourage you to share your experiences, voice your thoughts and help us realize our vision of an inclusive institution.

Other surveys you may receive will collect information on student engagement, residence halls and campus risks. If asked to complete one or more of these surveys, please accept.

The new academic year will require a high level of mindfulness as we move forward with a balanced budget while continuing to be good stewards of every dollar. It will be intense as we solidify the new general education model that melds academic and co-curricular opportunities.

And, it will be both thought-provoking and inspiring as we examine new concepts and ideas together.

I wish you a wonderful, fulfilling year.