As we head into the Thanksgiving long weekend, I am writing to express my deepest gratitude to the entire Niagara College community for your hard work to ensure this Fall term got off to a great start, in these most unusual of circumstances.
For those who are learning, teaching, and working on campus, thank you for your commitment to following the health and safety protocols that are in place to keep our community safe and healthy. We all share a responsibility to one another to follow the advice of public health, adhere to physical distancing guidelines and other health and safety measures.
As the first long weekend of the academic year begins, I ask that you please remember to follow provincial directives to limit gatherings to your household, practice physical distancing, wear masks in public spaces and frequently wash your hands in a collective effort to once again flatten the curve of COVID-19.
I would also like to provide a few updates on previously announced initiatives. At the September 2 Fall LauNCh event for employees on Zoom, I was proud to announce the creation of a Diversity and Inclusion Taskforce, in collaboration with NCSAC. Much work has been underway to launch this initiative, including a consultation with the Advisory College Council. Please watch for a call for membership nominations and additional information in the coming weeks.
I have been thrilled with the participation, dialogue, and ideas that have been shared in the past few weeks in my Conversations with President Sean Kennedy: Igniting our imagination small group discussions. I have so enjoyed engaging with you and look forward to connecting as the Conversations schedule continues through this term. A virtual session on October 14 has been added to the schedule and is open for registration here. Watch for more dates to be released during the coming weeks.
The last week of October will bring us several exciting virtual events including Niagara Day and Fall Convocation. I look forward to celebrating the successes and achievements of our faculty, staff and students at both these events, and to the annual launch of our workplace United Way campaign. Details for both Niagara Day and Convocation will be posted soon, and I truly hope to see many of you, virtually, for these cherished Niagara College traditions.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
