Employees: Thank you for all you did to make Fall Quarter such a success

Dear WWU Faculty and Staff,

As we look forward to a well-earned holiday break, I wish to express my gratitude for your exemplary work and empathetic actions of so many that have characterized our fall 2021 quarter.  I know there have been challenges, and some of you have felt them more acutely than others. To all of you, thank you for making Western such a special place.

While there is still much to learn about the omicron variant, we know that we are still dealing with the delta variant throughout the country.  As we head into the holidays, it is critical that we remain vigilant in mitigating the spread of COVID-19.  Vaccines remain the best public health measure at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death.  I urge you and your loved ones to get fully vaccinated and, if you are eligible, please get your booster dose. 

I’m reminded how blessed we are to be in a community that takes this health threat seriously.  With our 95+% vaccination rate among students and employees, the Whatcom County Health Department continues to call WWU one of the safest places to be. 

And after our first live Commencement in nearly two years this past weekend, I am looking ahead with cautious optimism to a more bustling winter quarter with 92% of classes in person, and the return of more staff to in-person work.

Typically, this week we would be getting together for our annual on-campus holiday gathering.  While there won't be a campus holiday party again this year due to the pandemic, the President's Office, on behalf of all faculty and staff, has donated $5,000 to the Associated Students Western Hub of Living Essentials (WHOLE) program to support students experiencing food insecurity or in need of personal care items. 

Please continue to take good care of yourself, and of others, in the coming days. Thank you for all that you’ve done this quarter. WWU continues to move forward thanks to an incredible faculty and staff an institution of higher learning could ever hope to have.

Best wishes for a relaxing holiday,

Sabah