Message From the Chancellor (COVID-19 April 2, 2020 7:36 p.m.)

Conserving resources

Dear Colleagues,

I hope this message finds you well.

Today, I have been in back-to-back meetings, so I have not yet had time to read your emails, which have been a rich source of inspiration for my messages to you. Given the topics of my meetings today, a key theme emerged.

In the current VUCA—volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous—situation, we want to be thoughtful about our resources and plan for what may lie ahead.

We are reviewing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and what it might mean for Texas Woman’s. Similarly, we are working with the state to monetize the response required to meet the needs of our students. The exact impact of COVID-19 on the state economy is still unknown, but it would be unrealistic not to expect some state budget challenges.

Therefore, it would be prudent for us to start thinking in terms of cost containment and freezing all non-essential expenditures. We must begin to plan for the future, and that begins with conserving our resources, so they are there to support our efforts going forward. I am asking our Vice President for Finance and Administration, in consultation with the provost, to issue guidelines that govern spending for the remainder of this fiscal year. You can help by reviewing anticipated expenditures and identifying those that are non-essential.

We at Texas Woman’s have always been good stewards of funding from those who invest in the university, which is why College for All Texans ranks us as one of the most competitively priced universities in the state. We are committed to upholding that legacy.

The Texas Woman’s community continues to impress me with the grace, patience, and ingenuity it has shown in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming together, we have tackled urgent needs that have allowed students to continue their education. Together, we can face the future.

With a pioneering spirit,

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

Page last updated 2:55 PM, July 6, 2022