1 00:00:00,620 --> 00:00:01,620 Hi, everyone. 2 00:00:01,620 --> 00:00:05,490 I hope you, your families, and your friends are safe and well, wherever you may be. 3 00:00:05,490 --> 00:00:09,580 A lot has happened over the last several weeks, and I know you have been inundated with news 4 00:00:09,580 --> 00:00:14,009 lately, including the news this week about our delayed start of in-person classes and 5 00:00:14,009 --> 00:00:17,630 the opening of residence halls for undergraduates. 6 00:00:17,630 --> 00:00:21,390 With all that's going on, I thought it might be useful to step back a bit and provide a 7 00:00:21,390 --> 00:00:25,840 complete, but hopefully concise, picture of where we are, how we got here, and the road 8 00:00:25,840 --> 00:00:26,840 ahead. 9 00:00:26,840 --> 00:00:30,500 This is going to be a longer video, but I want to be open and transparent with everything 10 00:00:30,500 --> 00:00:34,500 that’s happening, so thanks for tuning in, being patient, and listening. 11 00:00:34,500 --> 00:00:38,999 Let me start at the beginning, with the simple question of why are we even trying to bring 12 00:00:38,999 --> 00:00:41,390 students back at all? 13 00:00:41,390 --> 00:00:42,640 The answer is straightforward. 14 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:46,809 Our mission is to educate students, conduct research, and provide medical care. 15 00:00:46,809 --> 00:00:48,699 All of those are better done in person. 16 00:00:48,699 --> 00:00:52,499 That is why, from the very beginning, we have sought to have students return as long as 17 00:00:52,499 --> 00:00:55,690 we could do so in a reasonably safe manner. 18 00:00:55,690 --> 00:00:59,199 We know that this carries some risks, but there are risks regardless of what decision 19 00:00:59,199 --> 00:01:02,370 we make, including staying online all semester. 20 00:01:02,370 --> 00:01:06,190 There are risks for some students for whom UVA is the safest place to be, or who may 21 00:01:06,190 --> 00:01:08,770 face challenges learning online at home. 22 00:01:08,770 --> 00:01:13,390 There are risks for our employees whose jobs depend on having students on Grounds. 23 00:01:13,390 --> 00:01:18,030 We also know that roughly 2/3 of our students live off-Grounds and outside of University 24 00:01:18,030 --> 00:01:22,390 housing, which means that thousands of students are going to be living in Charlottesville 25 00:01:22,390 --> 00:01:24,840 whether classes are in person or not. 26 00:01:24,840 --> 00:01:28,330 Our view has been that it will better for everyone if these students feel like they 27 00:01:28,330 --> 00:01:32,290 are a part of the university community rather than outside of it. 28 00:01:32,290 --> 00:01:37,420 For all of these reasons, we have believed all along that trying to have students back 29 00:01:37,420 --> 00:01:41,800 and to hold some classes in person is right thing to do—but, again, only if we can do 30 00:01:41,800 --> 00:01:43,810 so in a reasonably safe way. 31 00:01:43,810 --> 00:01:47,980 So we have spent a great deal of time focused on health and safety measures, which you have 32 00:01:47,980 --> 00:01:50,160 heard about but are worth reviewing. 33 00:01:50,160 --> 00:01:55,120 To begin, with the guidance of our public health experts, we created a series of “gating” 34 00:01:55,120 --> 00:01:57,660 criteria, which we must meet in order to open. 35 00:01:57,660 --> 00:02:02,740 These criteria assess a range of factors, including whether we have sufficient PPE, 36 00:02:02,740 --> 00:02:07,780 testing supplies, and a good plan for contact tracing; the progression of the virus; the 37 00:02:07,780 --> 00:02:12,650 capacity of the hospital; and our ability to support the broader Charlottesville community, 38 00:02:12,650 --> 00:02:14,670 including through testing in the community. 39 00:02:14,670 --> 00:02:19,159 At the moment, we are concerned about the progression of the virus and the supply chain 40 00:02:19,159 --> 00:02:24,010 for testing materials, which is why we are slowing down the return of undergraduate students, 41 00:02:24,010 --> 00:02:26,629 as I’ll explain in more detail in a moment. 42 00:02:26,629 --> 00:02:31,659 In addition to creating gating criteria, we have developed a plan for testing, contact 43 00:02:31,659 --> 00:02:35,640 tracing, symptom attestation, isolation and quarantine. 44 00:02:35,640 --> 00:02:39,840 All students who plan to be on Grounds in the fall will have to submit a negative COVID 45 00:02:39,840 --> 00:02:44,079 test before they arrive, and students, faculty, and staff will have to complete a daily symptom 46 00:02:44,079 --> 00:02:47,810 check through the HOOS Health Check app or by email. 47 00:02:47,810 --> 00:02:51,060 Free testing will be available to faculty and staff who want it. 48 00:02:51,060 --> 00:02:55,319 We will be testing the waste-water that comes from dorms as an early warning signal of an 49 00:02:55,319 --> 00:02:56,319 outbreak. 50 00:02:56,319 --> 00:02:59,849 If we see evidence of positive cases, we will test the entire dorm. 51 00:02:59,849 --> 00:03:03,920 And we will continue to work with the Virginia Department of Health to offer community testing 52 00:03:03,920 --> 00:03:06,300 in Charlottesville and the surrounding area. 53 00:03:06,300 --> 00:03:09,760 We have been working to make classrooms and offices safe. 54 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:14,379 We have analyzed every classroom, conference room, and common space to determine their 55 00:03:14,379 --> 00:03:19,819 capacity given physical distancing requirements, outfitted classrooms for in-person instruction 56 00:03:19,819 --> 00:03:25,340 by adding plexiglass shields for faculty members, put up signs reminding everyone of the rules, 57 00:03:25,340 --> 00:03:27,739 and developed enhanced cleaning protocols. 58 00:03:27,739 --> 00:03:32,480 HVAC specialists have also checked heating and cooling systems across Grounds to make 59 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,530 sure they’re working well and providing proper ventilation. 60 00:03:35,530 --> 00:03:40,310 Our public health experts are confident that, with these measures in place, our classrooms 61 00:03:40,310 --> 00:03:44,680 and offices will be low-risk environments for our faculty, staff, and students. 62 00:03:44,680 --> 00:03:50,439 We have secured ample supply of PPE and hand sanitizer, with masks for everyone and more 63 00:03:50,439 --> 00:03:55,090 than 2,600 hand sanitizer stations installed across Grounds. 64 00:03:55,090 --> 00:03:59,650 And we have established a set of expectations that we expect students, faculty, and staff 65 00:03:59,650 --> 00:04:06,300 to follow, including wearing masks, maintaining physical distance, and limiting social gatherings. 66 00:04:06,300 --> 00:04:08,989 These expectations are straightforward. 67 00:04:08,989 --> 00:04:13,680 All students, faculty, staff, and contractors will be required to wear a mask when they 68 00:04:13,680 --> 00:04:17,410 are inside, except when they are alone or with roommates and in their private spaces, 69 00:04:17,410 --> 00:04:21,799 like dorm rooms, apartments, or individual offices. 70 00:04:21,799 --> 00:04:25,120 Everyone will also be required to maintain six feet or more of physical distance from 71 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:31,150 others whenever possible and wear a mask outside when distancing isn’t possible. 72 00:04:31,150 --> 00:04:36,430 Only small social gatherings will be allowed, with an upper limit of 15 people, and physical 73 00:04:36,430 --> 00:04:38,650 distancing and mask protocols observed. 74 00:04:38,650 --> 00:04:40,990 This means no large parties. 75 00:04:40,990 --> 00:04:45,389 These requirements apply whether students live off Grounds or not, and they apply regardless 76 00:04:45,389 --> 00:04:49,370 of whether students are on the Lawn or the downtown mall. 77 00:04:49,370 --> 00:04:53,630 With all of this preparation and these plans in place, some may wonder why we are postponing 78 00:04:53,630 --> 00:04:58,030 the start of in-person classes and the return to Grounds for undergraduate students, and 79 00:04:58,030 --> 00:05:02,530 others may wonder why we don’t just decide now to remain online, with no students in 80 00:05:02,530 --> 00:05:03,930 dorms, for the entire semester. 81 00:05:03,930 --> 00:05:08,699 We are delaying, as I mentioned, because we are somewhat concerned about the prevalence 82 00:05:08,699 --> 00:05:13,650 of the virus in the region and some recent volatility in the supply chain for testing 83 00:05:13,650 --> 00:05:14,650 materials. 84 00:05:14,650 --> 00:05:18,180 We are hopeful that both will improve over the coming weeks, and we are already seeing 85 00:05:18,180 --> 00:05:23,000 some signs of progress that make us cautiously optimistic that we will be able to bring all 86 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:25,039 students back to Grounds. 87 00:05:25,039 --> 00:05:28,800 One additional reason for optimism is that over the last month, we have ramped up our 88 00:05:28,800 --> 00:05:33,560 research activity, launched some graduate and professional programs in-person, welcomed 89 00:05:33,560 --> 00:05:39,030 student-athletes back for pre-season training, and resumed in-person work for staff helping 90 00:05:39,030 --> 00:05:40,030 with fall preparations. 91 00:05:40,030 --> 00:05:45,889 In total, we’ve brought thousands of people back to Grounds, including almost 2,000 students, 92 00:05:45,889 --> 00:05:48,460 and things have gone very well. 93 00:05:48,460 --> 00:05:53,860 I recognize that uncertainty is hard, especially given the uncertainty over the last several 94 00:05:53,860 --> 00:05:58,759 months, but I also believe that returning all students to Grounds is an important enough 95 00:05:58,759 --> 00:06:02,780 goal that we should not give up on it until we have to. 96 00:06:02,780 --> 00:06:08,110 I’d like to conclude with some specific messages for our students, faculty and staff, 97 00:06:08,110 --> 00:06:11,650 our Charlottesville neighbors, and our parents and guardians. 98 00:06:11,650 --> 00:06:22,000 To our students, thank you for your understanding and your flexibility over these last few months and I'm sorry about the disruption and loss caused by this pandemic 99 00:06:22,000 --> 00:06:28,000 I'm also grateful to the many students who have been working with us this summer to help prepare for the fall 100 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:35,000 including students who recently produced a video about the importance about following new safety guidelines on and off-Grounds. 101 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:37,000 As students, you have a choice about whether you'd like to follow the requirements 102 00:06:37,690 --> 00:06:43,400 around masking, physical distancing, social gatherings and symptom attestation laid out 103 00:06:43,400 --> 00:06:48,129 for you, and if you would, you will have to sign an agreement pledging that you will do 104 00:06:48,129 --> 00:06:49,129 so. 105 00:06:49,129 --> 00:06:52,639 I will be honest and say, as I’m sure you have heard, that there’s a good deal of 106 00:06:52,639 --> 00:06:55,810 skepticism about whether you will follow these requirements. 107 00:06:55,810 --> 00:06:57,409 Some believe you can’t. 108 00:06:57,409 --> 00:06:58,750 Others believe you won’t. 109 00:06:58,750 --> 00:07:01,380 I confess to have more faith in you than that. 110 00:07:01,380 --> 00:07:05,780 I believe you can and will, because I trust you understand that these measures are not 111 00:07:05,780 --> 00:07:09,120 just for your own protection, but for the protection of others. 112 00:07:09,120 --> 00:07:13,600 It’s true that the symptoms of the virus are often less severe among young people, 113 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:17,060 though young adults are not immune from the virus or its effects. 114 00:07:17,060 --> 00:07:23,590 But it is also undoubtedly true that any one of us could transmit a potentially devastating 115 00:07:23,590 --> 00:07:27,969 virus to someone in our community who is more vulnerable—whether it’s a student who 116 00:07:27,969 --> 00:07:33,030 is immunocompromised, a faculty or staff member, or a member of the broader Charlottesville 117 00:07:33,030 --> 00:07:34,260 community. 118 00:07:34,260 --> 00:07:38,870 I have confidence that you will do the right thing, even though midsummers gave many people 119 00:07:38,870 --> 00:07:43,569 in Charlottesville cause for concern, and even though I know it will be hard at times. 120 00:07:43,569 --> 00:07:47,800 Being part of the UVA community comes with enormous benefits, but it also comes with 121 00:07:47,800 --> 00:07:51,569 obligations to each other and to our Charlottesville neighbors. 122 00:07:51,569 --> 00:07:56,110 All of you were invited to join this community because we knew you would make it stronger, 123 00:07:56,110 --> 00:07:57,590 as you have already. 124 00:07:57,590 --> 00:08:02,420 This fall is another chance to make it even stronger not through anything heroic, but 125 00:08:02,420 --> 00:08:07,419 through countless small, personal, responsible decisions that together will determine the 126 00:08:07,419 --> 00:08:09,830 course of the semester. 127 00:08:09,830 --> 00:08:16,091 That said, and to be very clear, if you don’t feel able to meet these expectations, or if 128 00:08:16,091 --> 00:08:20,969 you think these requirements somehow don’t apply to you or that we might be kidding, 129 00:08:20,969 --> 00:08:26,440 please stay home this semester, because we are not going to bend when it comes to compliance. 130 00:08:26,440 --> 00:08:27,699 We can’t. 131 00:08:27,699 --> 00:08:32,539 These rules will be enforced, and those who do not comply will face disciplinary actions, 132 00:08:32,539 --> 00:08:37,560 which can range from a warning for minor violations to suspension or expulsion for serious or 133 00:08:37,560 --> 00:08:39,440 persistent violations. 134 00:08:39,440 --> 00:08:44,490 And if there is widespread non-compliance, we will have no choice but to change course, 135 00:08:44,490 --> 00:08:47,440 shut down in-person classes and vacate the dorms. 136 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:52,810 I know that might seem severe, but we really do not have any other choice, given the seriousness 137 00:08:52,810 --> 00:08:54,560 of what we face. 138 00:08:54,560 --> 00:08:58,050 To our faculty and staff: thank you. 139 00:08:58,050 --> 00:09:02,830 I know the most recent change in plans will require additional flexibility at a time when 140 00:09:02,830 --> 00:09:06,100 you have already been remarkably flexible and understanding. 141 00:09:06,100 --> 00:09:10,380 I know that those of you who are parents of young children have faced and will continue 142 00:09:10,380 --> 00:09:12,130 to face child-care challenges. 143 00:09:12,130 --> 00:09:16,320 I am enormously grateful for the hard work you have done and the sacrifices you have 144 00:09:16,320 --> 00:09:21,410 made since March and through the summer to adapt to an ever-changing environment and 145 00:09:21,410 --> 00:09:26,270 to ensure that we continue to deliver on our mission of teaching, research, and medical 146 00:09:26,270 --> 00:09:27,270 care. 147 00:09:27,270 --> 00:09:30,850 I also know that many of you are worried about your own health and safety with students back 148 00:09:30,850 --> 00:09:35,070 on Grounds, which is why we have been doing all we can to make our classroom and office 149 00:09:35,070 --> 00:09:37,380 environments as safe as they can be. 150 00:09:37,380 --> 00:09:41,760 Still, we realize everyone’s circumstances are different, and we have asked deans and 151 00:09:41,760 --> 00:09:46,550 managers to make every effort to grant requests for reasonable accommodations for faculty, 152 00:09:46,550 --> 00:09:50,550 staff, and graduate teaching assistants who need them. 153 00:09:50,550 --> 00:09:54,899 To our neighbors in Charlottesville and the surrounding counties: please know that we 154 00:09:54,899 --> 00:09:58,980 are working as hard as we can to ensure that what we are doing is safe. 155 00:09:58,980 --> 00:10:04,610 Please also know that, in addition to gating criteria that must be met for us to open fully, 156 00:10:04,610 --> 00:10:09,680 we also have criteria that we will monitor daily to determine if we need to change course. 157 00:10:09,680 --> 00:10:13,880 To be specific, we are tracking, and will continue tracking for the entire semester, 158 00:10:13,880 --> 00:10:19,839 key criteria like viral-prevalence rates, isolation and quarantine capacity, compliance 159 00:10:19,839 --> 00:10:24,100 with health and safety measures, and the availability of testing materials for the fall. 160 00:10:24,100 --> 00:10:29,820 We are also tracking our hospital capacity which, to be clear, is fine right now. 161 00:10:29,820 --> 00:10:34,600 If these criteria indicate that we should change course, we will. 162 00:10:34,600 --> 00:10:39,920 Finally, to our parents and guardians: I know this is an uncertain time, and there are risks 163 00:10:39,920 --> 00:10:41,230 involved. 164 00:10:41,230 --> 00:10:45,860 As a parent of college-age students, these decisions hit close to home for me. 165 00:10:45,860 --> 00:10:49,180 When I see our students, I see my own kids. 166 00:10:49,180 --> 00:10:54,180 What I can promise is that we will not ask or permit our students to do anything I would 167 00:10:54,180 --> 00:10:57,990 not ask or permit my own kids to do. 168 00:10:57,990 --> 00:11:00,400 Some may still ask, is it worth it? 169 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:05,470 With all of the requirements and restrictions, is moving forward with students back on Grounds 170 00:11:05,470 --> 00:11:06,470 worth it? 171 00:11:06,470 --> 00:11:11,019 Even if successful, will this semester be all drudgery and no joy? 172 00:11:11,019 --> 00:11:15,440 My own view is that it will certainly be different, but it will also be worthwhile. 173 00:11:15,440 --> 00:11:20,340 There will be opportunities for discovery in classes and through research, and there 174 00:11:20,340 --> 00:11:24,769 will be joy in getting together in small groups with friends, participating in new University 175 00:11:24,769 --> 00:11:29,750 traditions, meeting new people, discovering new passions, and spending time in and around 176 00:11:29,750 --> 00:11:32,560 Charlottesville during one of the most beautiful times of the year. 177 00:11:32,560 --> 00:11:37,940 There is a good deal that remains unpredictable about this virus, which is why we must approach 178 00:11:37,940 --> 00:11:39,540 it with humility. 179 00:11:39,540 --> 00:11:43,019 But one thing we know for certain is that for this to work, we are going to have to 180 00:11:43,019 --> 00:11:44,029 continue to work together. 181 00:11:44,029 --> 00:11:48,880 We are going to have to remind ourselves that we did not ask for this pandemic, and that 182 00:11:48,880 --> 00:11:53,649 this is a once-in-a century challenge, which requires, above all, that we be willing to 183 00:11:53,649 --> 00:11:54,649 adapt. 184 00:11:54,649 --> 00:11:59,190 We are going to have to learn to live with uncertainty for a while longer, and to remind 185 00:11:59,190 --> 00:12:02,259 ourselves that this is genuinely hard, because it is. 186 00:12:02,259 --> 00:12:06,750 We are going to have to be kind and generous with one another, and recognize that there 187 00:12:06,750 --> 00:12:09,220 will be mistakes made. 188 00:12:09,220 --> 00:12:15,610 We must trust that we are all trying our best and encourage those who need help or a gentle 189 00:12:15,610 --> 00:12:16,610 reminder. 190 00:12:16,610 --> 00:12:21,079 I cannot predict what this semester will bring, or what the world will look like in October 191 00:12:21,079 --> 00:12:22,290 or November. 192 00:12:22,290 --> 00:12:23,310 No one can. 193 00:12:23,310 --> 00:12:28,600 But I can promise you that my colleagues and I will continue to do our very best to safeguard 194 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:31,500 our community and our Charlottesville neighbors. 195 00:12:31,500 --> 00:12:32,000 Thank you.