Dear SEFS-nation,
I hope your Spring quarter is off to a great start. The pollen counts are in accord with the calendar, signaling that spring is well underway. With the new quarter, we have new covid-related guidance. We are back to in-person instruction and mostly in-person work. Masks are no longer required but continue to be recommended as we return to campus and are beginning to see an uptick in cases again. We have learned a thing or two over the two years about remote work situations and continue with some flexibility for hybrid work arrangements. Staff working in a hybrid arrangement should have an agreement approved and filed to document the details.
The last several months have seen a lot of changes in the staff at SEFS. This has meant some disruption in processes, and I’ve appreciated everyone’s patience and understanding with each other as we make these transitions. While it’s sad to see folks we’ve worked with for many years move on to new opportunities, the upside of all of this transition is that we are welcoming some fantastic new staff to SEFS. If you have a moment to stop by in the main office, please take a moment to say “hello” to the following members of our team, added over the last quarter.
- James Fesalbon – Grants support
- Ellen Adams – Office manager
- Debbie Blume – Payroll
We have, in addition, benefitted from support from temporary staff, hired to fill in as we work through the process of posting and screening candidates for new positions. Please also consider saying “hello” and “thanks” to the following temp staffers who are stepping in so competently to support our work:
- Kevin Nelson – desktop support
- Laura Leahy – financial support
- Sandra Maddox – undergraduate advisor
In addition to these staff additions, and more to come, we are fortunate to be searching for three new faculty members in the area of climate adaptation. Thanks to the work to date of the search committee (co-chaired by Monika Moskal and Soo-Hyung Kim), we have 11 candidates joining us over the next month and a half. Each visit entails public research presentations, teaching demonstrations, and times for group meetings. The meetings will all be conducted virtually on Zoom. Please keep an eye out for opportunities to meet the candidates and provide your feedback to the committee.
With all these transitions, the springy weather, and the return back to campus it seems like a good time for us to all begin reconnecting in person! Please participate as you are able in the following.
- We are launching SEFS Social Hours at 9:30 am Wednesday April 6 in the SEFS Courtyard. These will be weekly and we will alternate the Wednesday time with 3 pm Thursday on alternate weeks.
- The in-person SEFS Awards celebration returns on the afternoon of May 25. Take some time to celebrate each other’s accomplishments. This will also be planned for the courtyard. More information to come about how to make award nominations.
- For those of you who are graduating, we are planning our in-person SEFS commencement for the morning of June 10. Details to come.
Wishing you all a productive and fun spring quarter!
Dan Brown,
SEFS Director
