Baylor plans for Family Weekend

Dear Baylor Parents:

As Baylor’s Virtual Family Weekend approaches in just a few days, I write with gratitude for your partnership and support. Although the COVID-19 pandemic requires that we present this year’s events quite differently than we have in the past, our goal is the same as it has been since the first Family Weekend in 1960: to help families of Baylor students become better acquainted with the University and its beloved traditions. I’m especially excited about meeting with you virtually on Saturday morning for the Family Faculty Coffee.

On Monday, White House Coronavirus Task Force Coordinator Ambassador Deborah Birx visited our campus and the Waco community as part of her tour of several universities across the country. Dr. Birx met with administrators, faculty, students and our medical team to learn about the University’s response to COVID-19, as well as with local governmental and healthcare officials.

Baylor is proud to offer national leadership to the higher education community in preventing and mitigating the spread of coronavirus, and we’re grateful for Dr. Birx’s positive assessment of our efforts. I’d like to thank each member of the Baylor Family for the ways you have adapted to our challenging circumstances. Our work together is bearing fruit, as you can see on our COVID-19 dashboard that is updated daily.

Dr. Birx observed that although we are doing well in protecting the University community, the city of Waco and McLennan County are in the “red zone” for coronavirus, with a high level of community spread. She encouraged local community members to recommit to wearing face coverings, practicing social distancing and closely monitoring symptoms. We continue to ask our students to follow these rules even when they are not on campus.

Although Baylor is presenting our Family Weekend events virtually, we recognize that many parents may be traveling to the area this weekend to visit your students. First Gent Brad and I are looking forward to some family time with our daughter Shelby, a student at Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. As you visit the community, please follow the positive example your students have set by complying with the safety practices that have served us so well. In this way, we nurture the close partnership between the campus and our neighbors that is integral to the Baylor experience and prevent the virus from spreading to your communities as you travel back home.

I look forward to connecting virtually with you this weekend. My team and I remain in prayer for each member of the Baylor Family.

Let’s #sicCOVID!

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President