Message From the Chancellor (COVID-19 April 27, 2020 8:33 p.m.)

Bon courage!

Dear Texas Woman’s Community,

I hope this message finds you well as we begin our last week of classes before finals.

This week, we see parts of the country reopening certain sectors of the economy, often with caveat of curbside pickup only. As I suggested in my “Friday Realness” message, the future is going to look different. We will adapt, and with “respect, empathy, and responsibility,” we will eventually thrive again.

I return to those words because I learned from one of our kinesiology students about her heartbreaking experience this weekend.

I was waiting at the bus stop. I’m wearing my face mask and keeping my distance from other people. This lady who was on the phone sat two seats from me and out loud said, “I’m scared to sit next to a Chinese Asian person right now.” Then she got up and said, “I’m gonna sit behind her.” She would rather sit on the ground than sit on the bench. ...For the longest time I didn’t want to wear the mask because I was worried that I would be attacked.

Such stories are truly disturbing and their sentiments counter our call for “...transformational learning, discovery, and service in an inclusive environment that embraces diversity…”—from our mission statement. Ranked among those in the seventh place by U.S. News & World Report for the most diverse student body, Texas Woman’s is in a position of strength to solve intractable problems. I am grateful that among the Texas Woman’s community, we continue to act with respect, empathy, and responsibility.

With a pioneering spirit,

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

P.S. For the latest information, check out the TWU COVID-19 webpage.

Page last updated 8:17 AM, April 28, 2020