Presidential Perspective - November 29, 2018

Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

It’s hard to believe that the fall semester is rapidly coming to a close. Tonight you have an opportunity to experience a special and memorable Baylor tradition – Christmas on 5th Street. The holiday festivities begin at 5 p.m., and be sure to stay for the Christmas tree lighting in Burleson Quadrangle at 8:15 p.m. I understand there’s snow in the forecast!

Another surprise awaits everyone next week in time for finals. Mark your calendar for either next Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in the Clifton Robinson Tower lobby or next Wednesday at 12:45 p.m. in the SUB lobby. I hope to see you there.

Here are several updates that may be of interest:

• If you need help mapping out a study plan for finals, Academic Support Programs in the Foster Success Center in the Sid Richardson Building offers a handy “Road to Finals” resource that includes study strategies, daily study guides, the finals schedule and more. Contact ASP at 254-710-8696 for additional information. Also, remember that the Baylor Counseling Center has resources available to help you manage stress and other issues. Walk-in appointments are available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Counseling Center also can be reached in a crisis 24 hours a day at 254-710-2467.

• I am pleased to announce a new President’s Diversity Council under our Equity Office to continue our efforts in enhancing and cultivating the Baylor experience where faculty, staff and students are safe, welcomed, supported and valued by the University and each other. Additionally, this important group, which includes a representative from each of the colleges, schools and major units across the University, will support our efforts to recruit, mentor and retain diverse and thriving faculty, staff and students. Chairing the Council is Robyn Driskell, Ph.D., Vice President for Internal Administration and Compliance and Chief of Staff, and Professor of Sociology.

• Congratulations to our Baylor Model United Nations team, which earned top honors and broke a team record for the most in-committee awards received at the recent American Model United Nations Conference in Chicago. This outstanding experiential learning program fosters diplomacy and cooperation, as students represent UN Member States, debating and writing resolutions that lead to international consensus on pressing global problems. What’s more impressive is that their awards, including Overall Outstanding Delegation and Outstanding Delegation in six of the eight committees in which our students participated, were voted on by their peers.

• Speaking of governmental affairs, the next session of the Texas Legislature begins in January. I invite you to join me this Tuesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Baylor Club for a lunchtime conversation hosted by The Texas Tribune. Co-founder and CEO Evan Smith will moderate a discussion with Texas State Reps. Charles “Doc” Anderson (Waco) and Kyle Kacal (College Station), who will talk about a variety of issues affecting the state and their constituents. Lunch is free but registration is required.

• If you know a Baylor staff member who serves with a dedication to excellence that often goes above and beyond expectations, then be sure to nominate them for our prestigious Staff Awards. Nominations for either the Distinguished Staff Leadership Award or the Outstanding Staff Award can be submitted now through Jan. 9, 2019.

• One more note for our faculty and staff: I hope you can join the President’s Council and me for a Christmas reception on Wednesday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Barfield Drawing Room within the Bill Daniel Student Center. Each member of the President’s Council is sharing a family Christmas recipe. Please RSVP by Friday via the email sent to you previously or by calling 254-710-3386.

• I am so proud of our soccer, volleyball and football teams for advancing to postseason play this year. The soccer team made its second straight trip to the Elite Eight to cap a school-record 20 wins and a regular-season Big 12 Championship. Our 25th-ranked volleyball team begins its third-straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament tonight versus Hawaii in Eugene, Oregon. And the football team awaits its bowl game destination, which will be announced Sunday afternoon with ticket and event information posted here.

Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers during this exciting, but stressful time of year!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President