Let's keep it up

Dear Texas Woman’s Community,

I hope this message finds you well on the first Friday of Hispanic Heritage Month and the last of summer 2020. Next Tuesday’s autumnal equinox officially ushers in the fall season. Today at sunset also marks the start of the Jewish new year with Rosh Hashanah. The next ten “high holy” days lead to Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. This month is full of celebrations and observances, so for those who engage, I wish you a meaningful time and some semblance of normalcy amidst this pandemic.

Today is also National Black Voter Day—45 days to election day. If you have questions about registering to vote, Student Life sent out a message with details per requirements under the Higher Education Act. The right to vote is fundamental to U.S. democracy. Given Texas Woman’s demographics—almost 90% women and ranked tops in Texas by U.S. News for the ethnic diversity of our student body—this right has a more profound meaning than at most other universities.

Thank you for doing your part to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Wearing protective face coverings, keeping your distance, washing your hands, and avoiding group gatherings have made a huge difference. Texas Woman’s University has far fewer positive and presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 than most other universities in the state and nation. Unfortunately, we can not rest on our laurels. We have to keep up our discipline, but it is a reassuring feeling that we have some agency over the spread of this contagion when we put our #campuswithaheart into it.

While keeping a laser focus on our present discipline, I want to end by glancing further into the future. We are planning to stay fluid and flexible heading into the spring semester. I believe much of the spring will look like this fall, even if a vaccine should become widely available. Of course, I am sure we will have new and more stylish face coverings by spring, so we may look more pandemic chic. Class offerings and student programming will likely stay the course.

I wish you all the best for the weekend and Shabbat shalom!

With a pioneering spirit,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

Page last updated 10:02 AM, February 23, 2023