A Message from the Department Head

Dear All,

Welcome to a new semester! The campus and building have come alive once again. We are welcoming new faculty and graduate students to the Department, we have awards and a retirement to celebrate, and we have a large group of students eagerly lining up for general or organic chemistry classes. Alas, this is not going to be a normal semester. Almost everything will be very different and difficult in ways that are predictable and unpredictable.

We, as a Department, had an unusually busy summer to prepare for the challenges ahead. By now, the threat of the pandemic is well-known, as are the measures of how to protect ourselves and others. The incredibly disciplined restart of our research operation has shown us that we can adapt to even drastic changes of how to operate. The University’s plans are formulated, the ground rules laid out, and the COVID-19 status on campus is being closely monitored. We found ways to provide many of our services remotely and to control the flow and density of people in the building. We practice social distancing and disinfect commonly used objects/surfaces. We are also prepared to switch to an all on-line instruction model with full lock-down at a moment’s notice. We are ready.

First and foremost, everyone needs to stay safe. Opinions will continue to be diverse as to what that means. Importantly, personal opinions, assessments and feelings count. No one will be forced to do anything in a form they cannot agree to. Likewise, if someone takes care of things in a way they feel comfortable (within the externally set parameters, of course), that is equally OK!

A lot of what we do (or not do) will be compromises. Underlying this, we can all trust each other that we want to keep us, our labmates, and our students safe. We should openly discuss and derive as many compromises as possible together – and then support each other in doing whatever we agreed on. I will strive for everyone to be heard.

Many significant social issues have come to the surface in recent months. The rhetoric related to the presidential election adds further unease to members of BIPOC communities, non-citizens, the LGBTQ community, religious minorities, everyone! We, representing the Department of Chemistry, must be clear to students, colleagues and peers alike that we are aware of the challenges, we welcome all, and we stand in solidarity with all members of our community. See also the strong commitments expressed by our University leadership.

Please reach out to me or others if you have worries, questions, or suggestions to create a more inclusive culture in the Department. Actively reach out to each other. Stay connected. Listen. Be considerate to yourself and others. All our experiences are unique, but we are in this together.

I wish you all a successful academic year,

Christian Brueckner
Professor & Head
Department of Chemistry