Presidential Perspective - February 27, 2020

Baylor Students, Faculty and Staff:

Updates regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to evolve rapidly as its impact begins to circle the globe. I want to assure you that Baylor’s Department of Public Safety and Center for Global Engagement and other members of our University COVID-19 Task Force are actively monitoring the situation internationally and domestically. We are also planning ahead for any impact this respiratory virus might have on the University, including our study abroad programs. You can keep up with the latest updates on our resource page at www.baylor.edu/coronavirus, including our most recent announcement of the temporary postponement of University-sponsored travel to South Korea.

As you start thinking about traveling for spring break, one of the most important health tips we can share is to wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Cover coughs and sneezes with your sleeve/elbow. Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and if you are sick, please stay home. In addition, if you will be traveling out of the country over spring break, you should consider enrolling in the U.S. Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which provides the latest safety and security information so you can make informed decisions about your travel.

Some additional information to share with you this week ...

• As we follow along on the journey with Jesus to the cross, the season of Lent engages our hearts and minds so that we are truly ready to celebrate once we arrive at Resurrection Sunday. Lent is a time of contemplation, a time of dedication and a time of preparation. Our colleagues in Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary have compiled a wonderful Lenten Devotional Guide, written by our own students, faculty and staff.

• As part of the overall governance of the University, there are two faculty members and two students who serve as members of the Board of Regents. Sara L. Dolan, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology and neuroscience and director of the clinical psychology graduate program, has been appointed to a three-year term on the Board, joining current faculty Regent Randall A. Umstead, D.M.A. Sher Isada, a junior University Scholar from Euless, Texas, will serve a two-year term on the Board, joining current student Regent Cassidy Parshall. Both Dr. Dolan and Ms. Isada will begin their appointments June 1. We have posted a full summary of the Board meeting on the Regents’ website.

• Earlier this month, full-time faculty were invited to participate in the COACHE Faculty Job Satisfaction Survey. This confidential survey is administered nationally by Harvard University, and in addition to providing comprehensive, aggregated results from Baylor faculty, this survey offers us the opportunity to compare our results against those of peer institutions. The survey takes about 25 minutes to complete, and it is critical that we have broad participation across the University to better understand the needs of faculty. Provost Brickhouse, the academic leadership of the University and I are all committed to acting upon the results of the survey as we continue to support areas of success and work together with faculty to find solutions to areas needing improvement.

• The Waco Independent School District recently presented Baylor’s School of Education with its Rise Award for Outstanding Community Partners. Baylor has been collaborating with Waco ISD for 26 years in training the next generation of classroom teachers through six Professional Development Schools within the district. This semester includes 28 seniors and 53 juniors learning and working in Waco ISD classrooms.

The past week certainly was a busy one as we honored Baylor’s alumni award winners at the Inaugural Gold and Bold Alumni Celebration in conjunction with our Baylor Alumni Board of Advocates and celebrated the groundbreaking of the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center. This fabulous facility will serve as a new recruiting base for prospective students and a permanent home for Baylor Alumni, as well as provide space for student meetings and University events. Look for site work to begin this spring, with an anticipated completion date in spring 2022.

Sincerely,

Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President