A Letter from the President
Dear Wildcats,
I hope you are all staying safe and healthy. The world seems like a very different place today than it was just a few weeks ago, and this is a time of transition and adaptation for all of us. Every day brings new challenges and changes, and I am grateful to our faculty and staff for their creativity and dedication as we have modified almost all of our daily operations to keep each other and our students safe.
Even in a time of uncertainty like this, our values and our mission remain the same, and the University of Arizona has come together stronger than ever to ensure we are still serving our students and the countless people of our community.
The Office of Research Innovation and Impact (RII) has formed a COVID-19 Research Coordination Group for faculty and researchers interested in pursuing research initiatives on the coronavirus and assisting with state and local community efforts to prevent, contain and surveil COVID-19. We currently have 15 teams with 19 projects in development, and these efforts are expanding each day.
The BIO5 Institute, which you can read about in this issue, is one area where our researchers are responding to the pandemic by deploying resources and providing innovative solutions.
We also are working around the clock to ensure we are doing everything we can for our students, many of whom are experiencing financial hardship and are struggling to cover rent, utilities and other basic necessities. Situations like these are why we have the Arizona Student Emergency Fund.
If you are able, I encourage you to join me in supporting the fund or the Campus Pantry, so our Wildcats can continue to pursue their goals.
You can learn more at crowdfund.arizona.edu/fueltheresponse.
I am very impressed with the way our community, both within the university and in our national and global alumni network, has come together to tackle our shared challenges. I have never been more proud to be the president of the University of Arizona, and I know we will get through this together, stronger than ever.
Stay safe and Bear Down.