COVID update from President Hall

Message from President Hall

Dear UVic community,

I have been listening to many voices in our community since starting my term as president just three weeks ago. Without question, these are uncertain and demanding times.

I have learned how our faculty, staff and students have faced the pandemic’s many challenges with strength and determination, but that it has not been easy. We have all had to make difficult adjustments to our lives that none of us could have predicted.

Supporting UVic students, faculty and staff through this pandemic is a top priority for me. I appreciate all of your efforts over the last several months.

This pandemic will not last forever. Recent news of advancements in vaccine development and the treatment of COVID-19 are promising and help us all to see light at the end of the tunnel.

As you will have heard, the provincial health officer has announced new measures to address the recent increase in BC’s COVID cases. Now is the time for us to come together, to protect one another and to reaffirm our efforts to reduce transmission of the virus.

While these orders do not affect the majority of on-campus activities at UVic, we are providing information on the implications in an update posted today.

As the university continues to respond to the pandemic and actively plans for the future, we will closely follow the guidance of the provincial government knowing that circumstances can change.

I encourage each of you to take a moment to reflect on your own mental health and reach out for help if needed. Take time to recharge, remember what it is that you value, and take care of your health and well-being.

Over the next several months, I will continue to meet with university groups to introduce myself to you and share my priorities as president. I look forward to connecting with you and hearing your ideas on how we can respond to current challenges and come out the other side of this crisis an even stronger institution.

Stay safe, stay well and know that I appreciate all you do as members of the UVic community.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Kevin Hall, PhD
President and Vice-Chancellor