Chancellor’s Installation postponed

Dear Niner Nation,

After careful consideration and many discussions, we have decided to postpone my installation ceremony scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 23. We are mindful of the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases locally and nationally, and expect in late September we will still be experiencing significant community spread. As a result, welcoming guests from across the state and country isn’t advisable right now.

I am grateful to the faculty and staff who have worked on the planning for this event. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed. I appreciate all you have done, and I look forward to seeing the fulfillment of your planning efforts at a later date.

Even though we are postponing installation events, we will still mark Thursday, Sept. 23, as Founders Day and, most importantly, the 75th anniversary of our University. Daytime classes and evening undergraduate classes remain canceled. (Evening graduate classes that begin at 5:30 p.m. or laterwill continue as planned.) There will be socially distanced activities and service projects held on campus. More details will be shared with you in the coming days.

I encourage you to join me on Founders Day to support a cause important to you, as long as it can be done safely. For staff, please don’t forget you have community service leave to help you donate time to meaningful causes. I hope we can use this day to reflect, recharge and refocus. As a University founded on the very principle of service to others, let’s mark this important milestone in our history by giving back to our neighbors.

Thank you for your understanding and support as we continue to make adjustments for the well-being of our community. I look forward to safely celebrating our 75th anniversary with you on Sept. 23.

Go Niners!

Sharon L. Gaber
Chancellor