President Michael Williams sent this email to all faculty, staff and students on June 2, 2020:
Dear Team,
Thank you for your continued resiliency and commitment throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenges caused by our shift to remote work in March, your dedication has kept our University functioning. You have my gratitude for continuing to do your daily work from home, day by day.
Now we enter a new phase of HSC’s response to COVID-19 – a gradual, safe and responsible return to on-campus operations. There is no simple switch to flip that accomplishes this. All of us will return to a much different workplace, and we must be patient and agile as we navigate these uncharted waters together.
Most importantly, our top priority is the health and well-being of our team members. We have created procedures and guidelines to reduce the risk of transmission and provide peace of mind to members of the HSC family. We know that every team member’s situation is different, and we will strive to be empathetic and flexible.
On June 3rd you will receive detailed information about our return to more normal operations, including the transition plan, answers to frequently asked questions and checklists for supervisors and employees. Please review the documents closely so we are all prepared to make this transition safely and successfully.
Our plan will be constantly evaluated and subject to change in accordance with the needs of the university and all federal, state and local health guidelines. In this new work environment, we will all encounter challenges or situations none of us had considered. Our core values will guide our decisions and behaviors as we adjust to these unfamiliar times.
Together, as One University, HSC will emerge as strong as ever.
Thank you,
Dr. Michael R. Williams, President