Return to full in-person operations on July 1

June 10, 2021

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

Last week we held our first orientation session for incoming freshmen students. It was a clear reminder of our potential for the future and the enthusiasm so many hold for the coming academic year. We will be welcoming the Class of 2025 to a vibrant, fully functioning in-person university experience. I want to thank each of you for your extraordinary contributions during the emergency situation that was thrust upon us by the pandemic. For those of you who have been working on campus continuously, thank you for being here to serve our students and faculty. For those of you who will be rejoining us in-person on July 1, I want to recognize your efforts for all you have done remotely and welcome you back to campus.

We have a responsibility to our students, the community and the state of Nevada to provide the best educational experience possible. All of you have already demonstrated a strong sense of commitment to our mission by working together for this important shared goal. I cannot stress enough to all of you what this meant — your passion for what we do, your care and concern for your colleagues and our students, and your determination to forge ahead in the midst of one of the most challenging times in our country’s history. I truly believe that this sense of collaboration, camaraderie and hope for the future will be felt even more acutely as we return to full in-person operations on July 1. The fall semester stands to be one of our most memorable — one that will help us reaffirm the pillars of our mission while bringing us all together, in-person, to renew the vibrancy, engagement and shared sense of purpose that has for so long characterized the life of our University.

We will work together during the fall semester to once again stabilize our in-person operations, assess needs and address gaps and opportunities. And we all remain cognizant that we do this at a reduced budget level as the University and State recover from the budget impacts caused by the pandemic. The Remote Work Arrangement Policy was recommended for approval by the full Faculty Senate on June 3 and will be added to the University Administrative Manual in the coming weeks.

As we approach July 1, there will be a number of work-related COVID guidelines to be aware of that can be found on our website. If you have not yet been vaccinated, I encourage you to do so, as it remains the most effective weapon in the fight against COVID-19. The University is offering vaccination appointments at no-cost for students, faculty and staff by contacting the Student Health Center. The Student Health Center continues to also offer daily COVID-19 testing by appointment as well.

With each passing day, through your actions and support of your colleagues — which is the Wolf Pack Way — we will be fully operational as an in-person university. The excitement of a new semester is a reminder to us all that when people come together, as the people of this University have done for more than 147 years, the potential for high achievement and the realization of the dreams of our students, faculty and staff are always well within our grasp.

Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President