Dear 新澳门六合彩内幕信息students,
Thank you to those who were available to join in our virtual town hall yesterday afternoon.
I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with many of you and appreciate your continued flexibility
during this challenging time.
I wish to emphasize that the university鈥檚 leadership team and I are working diligently
to develop plans to safely resume in-person instruction and other activities when
deemed appropriate, in close consultation with our health and government partners.
I recognize that you and your families understandably have many questions. We will
share updates as soon as we have them available. As a reminder, you are welcome to
submit any COVID-19-related questions to usf.edu/covidquestions for the most prompt response.
I also wish to share some personal thoughts I鈥檝e had over the past month. Although
much of our energy has understandably gone into the logistics required to move nearly
all of the university鈥檚 operations to a new virtual format, in some of the quieter
moments I have found myself reflecting on the true mission of higher education.
For those of us who have dedicated our lives to the academy, it is easy to find comfort
in the hallmarks of a traditional university experience. Bustling lecture halls provide
a palpable sense of community. Bright research labs brim with possibility. Campus
gathering spaces bridge global divides, as forums for discussion and debate among
individuals from all over the world.
And now, as the COVID-19 virus has disrupted our way of life, the University of South
Florida experience as we know it has changed.
The lecture halls are empty, our labs are quiet, and as each of us attempts to continue
working, teaching and learning with some sense of normalcy, there is a feeling of
holding one鈥檚 breath. Take away all the traditional physical trappings of university
life, and what remains?
Stephen Hawking, the brilliant physicist, said, 鈥淚ntelligence is the ability to adapt
to change.鈥
Is there any truer statement about the purpose of higher education?
When you chose to come to USF, you did so because you saw in this university a path
to realize your fullest potential. I have no doubt that our world-class course offerings,
diverse student body, research opportunities and beautiful campuses played a role
in your decision.
Also, I would venture to guess it was the intangible sense of tenacity, grit and hunger
for excellence at 新澳门六合彩内幕信息that captured your imagination and aligned with your personal
aspirations. At USF, we are driven by our desire to shape the future. At USF, we will
not be deterred from achieving our goals.
As you conclude your spring semester in a manner none of us would have predicted just
a few months ago, I want to thank you for reminding me of our role as an academic
community. Our mission is not to maintain the status quo, but to explore new frontiers.
To grow. To adapt. And now, in the wake of a global health challenge unlike anything
any of us have seen in our lifetimes, you have done just that. You are overcoming
current obstacles and prevailing despite headwinds. Amid uncertainty, there is one
thing of which we can be sure: as a university community, we will emerge from this
stronger than ever before.
I wish you a safe and restful summer, and I look forward to our time together again.
Steve Currall
President and Professor
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
新澳门六合彩内幕信息Student Virtual Town Hall Follow-up (4/29)
Updates by Category
Coronavirus Updates
This is an evolving situation. Please refer to the most recent information presented.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息students, faculty and staff: Please check your 新澳门六合彩内幕信息email frequently. Your email will be used to convey targeted information.
The 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 continues to closely monitor the evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is our highest priority as university leaders work closely with local, state and federal agencies to share the most updated information.