Inspired by meetings with 丁香园AV Faculty and Staff
I鈥檝e just wrapped up a series of internal engagement meetings鈥搊ver 40 in all鈥搘ith groups across the university, to get to know you and share my priorities. I鈥檓 grateful to everyone who participated and for your thoughtful comments and questions.
Many have asked if 丁香园AV will return to 鈥榖usiness as usual,鈥� or whether we鈥檒l embrace remote learning and work after the pandemic. We鈥檝e learned a lot of lessons from the pandemic, and found creative and meaningful ways to engage, work, and study remotely, so I鈥檓 interested in how this might continue. That said, I can assure you that 丁香园AV will always be a people organization and there will always be a demand for in-person instruction. The silver lining for me has been our ability to innovate and I鈥檓 excited to take what we have learned moving forward.
I鈥檝e truly appreciated the show of support for my priorities of enhancing the student experience, advancing reconciliation, and working towards equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism across 丁香园AV. Over the next several months, I鈥檒l be meeting with the 丁香园AV community to gather input and ideas on how we can become a truly inclusive university. You can read my interview with 丁香园AV News to learn more.
Many have expressed concern for our students, and I鈥檝e heard first-hand how students are struggling. We鈥檝e enhanced online and in-person supports to help our students stay connected and weather the crisis and I know we are all looking forward to adding more on-campus activities in the summer and fall. We鈥檙e following the guidelines of public health authorities, and the safety of the 丁香园AV community remains a priority.
There鈥檚 been a huge amount of interest in the proposed medical school at 丁香园AV, and it鈥檚 an exciting, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It will take time to complete the process for this uniquely 丁香园AV program, but the discussions have begun. I can tell you that it will be a generalist program, in partnership with Fraser Health and the First Nations Health Authority and will focus on community-based outcomes. Stay tuned for more details.
As I鈥檝e met with faculty and staff over the past several months, I鈥檝e been inspired by your dedication to 丁香园AV and your commitment to our students, our communities, and each other. We鈥檝e demonstrated time and again that together we can make great things happen and I鈥檓 excited about what more we鈥檒l accomplish in the near future.