Dear friends:

As we reach the halfway point of the Spring semester, I am filled with a powerful sense of excitement and hope. Warmer weather is right around the corner and with it comes a chance to spend quality time with friends and family outdoors.

Just about a year ago, we made the difficult decision to suspend in-person classes and move almost all campus-related activities online. Then this fall, we instituted a host of new rules, protocols and regulations that allowed us to resume a portion of our on-campus activities.

Through it all, this community has demonstrated time and again what it means to be UB Strong. I could not be prouder of how everyone in the university community has worked together to deal with these challenges.

As I said in my January message, 2021 is a year of possibilities. Vaccinations for COVID-19 continue to go well and it appears that most, if not all, of us will have access to a vaccine in the next 3-6 weeks. When you pair that with the lower infection rates seen across the state, we feel the time is right to plan for more on-campus activities this Spring (like Purple Palooza), and our first in-person graduation ceremony in 18 months.

We have learned over the past year that nothing is certain, but based on this positive outlook, I am excited to announce that we have also begun planning to be fully back on-campus for the Fall 2021 semester.

Let us remember that hope is not a substitute for hard work. Now is the time to recommit ourselves to the safety rules and protocols that have gotten us this far. Remember to wear face masks, wash hands frequently, social distance whenever possible, avoid large gatherings and follow UB’s testing policies.

We are on the verge of an exciting new chapter for UB. Thank you for all you have done to help us along the path.

Be safe and stay healthy,

Stephen Healey
He, him, his (Why pronouns matter)
Interim President