Welcome to the start of a new academic year. The summer has flown by, as I am sure is the case for many of you. I have been busy meeting so many new colleagues, including at our West Campus Academic Budget Forum earlier this month. We recorded this session, which was hosted in-person and via livestream. The video is now available online and you can click here to view.

As we begin a new year, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that our faculty, staff, and students have done an amazing job of continuing our academic mission through COVID-19. Now that we return to in-person learning, I am struck by the fact that you have experienced the full spectrum from fully in-person, to nearly fully remote, to hybrid. I appreciate all that you did to pivot in these ways.

In alignment with our SUNY system colleagues and per CDC guidance, we enter this year with many restrictions eased. With that said, many of the principles remain constant moving ahead.

Monitoring your symptoms regularly and staying home when ill are still valuable tools to keep our community healthy. In your classrooms and workspaces, please encourage your students to stay home when they are sick. Please also be flexible with your attendance policies so students feel empowered to make the right choice. We trust you to use your best judgement in managing your classes, particularly in supporting students who miss class. As always, the Provost’s Office and the Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) are available to help if you have questions or need assistance (e.g., recording lectures that can be provided to students who miss class).

When it comes to situations such as mask use in indoor settings and in crowded outdoor venues, individuals should make those choices based on personal risk assessment and management; if you choose not to wear a mask, please be respectful of those who do. You can find more information on what the university is doing, and what you can do, to keep our campus healthy and safe in the recently published special Stronger Together Healthcare Update.

Knowing that in the last two years, the one constant has been change, faculty and professional staff may observe a greater number of students in need of support or showing signs of distress. Please be sure to consult the Red Book resource guide. This is a one-stop website with guidance on a number of resources to help when you notice a student may be struggling.

As another resource, if you’re looking for a refresher on many key policies and other support for academics, please refer to this helpful message from Vice Provost Elizabeth Newman.

I am looking forward to having our campus full again as all our students, faculty, and staff begin the new academic year. Thank you for all you do for Stony Brook. I know this to be a community that cares deeply about your students and colleagues. I wish you a successful start to the new year and look forward to working with you all.