Notes from Dept Head 📝
Friend,
Much has changed since our last e-newsletter: fully online classes; empty campus laboratories; working from home; non-essential businesses closed; and deserted streets of a normally bustling city.
The University of Arizona sets a great example of how to adapt higher education to help “flatten the curve,” and part of ENVS research now focuses directly on fighting COVID-19.
Nonetheless, life in this new abnormal leaves many of us disoriented, lonely, and isolated. How can we continue to focus on coursework, teaching, research, outreach? How can we be productive when our world is turned upside down?
If we remember that “from crisis comes opportunity,” then an opportunity now could be to create a new routine for the days we find ourselves in. We can schedule space in each one to connect with nature, family, or friends (often virtually) that is intentionally separate from our work time.
By being compassionate and staying connected to non-work things that make us feel good (exercise, outdoors, music, cooking), we can best focus on helping our colleagues and friends through this challenging time.
Thanks to everyone in ENVS for all that you have been doing to keep us connected!
