February 7, 2022
Dear William Paterson Faculty and Staff,
I want to thank everyone who joined me in the Shea Center or on Zoom for last Thursday’s State of the University address. If you couldn’t make it or want to look more closely at the address and accompanying slides, you can find them here.
As those of you who attended know, I focused on two exciting initiatives that we will work on as a University community in the coming months – a new Branding & Identity plan, based on the “How” strategy, and a new Strategic Plan. Together, they will help prepare William Paterson for success in a rapidly changing higher education marketplace.
Please keep an eye on these weekly updates and other communications for further updates on both the Branding & Identity and Strategic plans and ways in which you can get involved. As I said in my address, I look forward to working with all of you to reimagine the future of this great University. When I consider the collective wisdom, expertise, passion, and dedication of the William Paterson community, I have every confidence that it will be a bright one.
Another thing I mentioned in last week’s address was how getting the COVID booster is the best way for members of our community to protect themselves and help ensure that we have another great on-campus, in-person semester. I want to thank Director Jill Guzman and everyone in the Counseling, Health & Wellness Center for their good work keeping the campus community healthy and safe, including teaming up with Passaic County to conduct a free COVID booster clinic this Friday, Feb. 11th, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the White Hall Lounge. No appointment is required, just bring your vaccination card and your WP ID. Both Pfizer and Moderna boosters will be available.
According to the WP COVID Vaccination Portal, approximately 53% of faculty and staff and 27% of students have received a booster shot. If you’ve been boosted, please help us ensure that this data is as accurate as possible by checking the portal to make sure your status is up to date. If not, you can then upload a record of your booster. Again, I encourage everyone who can to get the booster. Thanks for helping to keep the William Paterson community healthy and safe.
I have been providing regular updates on enrollment in this space because of its critical importance to the health of the University. Enrollment Census I is being taken as of the close of business last Friday, Feb. 4th, and I will update you again next week, after those numbers are available.
I want to inform you that, at the end of the Fall semester, Associate Vice President for Finance and Controller Samantha Green informed me of her intent to retire. We will launch a national search for this position, and Dr. Anthony Bowrin, Dean of the Cotsakos College of Business, and Loretta McLaughlin Vignier, Chief of Staff, will chair the search committee.
