Presidential Perspective - April 23, 2020
Baylor Students, Faculty, Staff and Parents:
As the Texas economy begins to open back up, many of our faculty and staff have inquired about returning to work on campus. Our COVID-19 Task Force has been working on a five-phase strategic reopening of campus that would begin with those involved with infrastructure and research support, for example, and ultimately conclude with students near the start of the fall semester. Obviously, our plan is highly dependent on the progression of COVID-19 in Waco and the surrounding area, as well as guidance from federal, state and local officials.
Waco’s current shelter-in-place directive runs through April 30, and we recognize the hardships for many of our faculty and staff who are now home-schooling their children in addition to their regular work demands. As we work toward the future, we also will continue to be mindful of social distancing and other CDC guidance on preventive measures to ensure our return is safe for the entire community. We will provide additional return-to-work information for you soon, but for now, our campus continues to be closed.
Some additional information to share with you this week ...
- As part of the $65 million to $80 million in budget reductions announced last week in response to COVID-19, the President’s Council incorporated a decrease in the defined contribution to the Baylor Retirement Plan for eligible participants from 10.8% to 8%. This decision will generate significant cost savings for the University, and ultimately, provide for continued employment for many in the Baylor Family. After feedback from the Faculty Senate, we have pledged to revisit this decision in two years as part of a comprehensive review of Baylor’s retirement benefits. This review will include participation of both the Faculty Senate and Staff Council. As I mentioned last week, this is a time of great financial uncertainty not only for Baylor, but for all of higher education, and we have many difficult decisions ahead across the entire University.
- Congress has allocated $10,777,498 to Baylor – half of which will be awarded as emergency financial aid grants directly to students – through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Our Office of Student Financial Aid has outlined criteria for the grant funding per the U.S. Department of Education’s guidelines. Students with the greatest demonstrated financial need based on their current FAFSA application who plan to return to Baylor in the Fall 2020 semester will receive a grant. We have identified more than 2,900 current Baylor undergraduate students who meet the initial criteria. Those students will be contacted alerting them of their eligibility, and the Cashier’s Office will disburse funds directly to students beginning in mid-May, upon confirmation of registration for the fall term, and will continue through mid-June. The CARES Act funding can be used by students to pay rent or other living or educational expenses.
- Isolation, physical distancing and completing the semester from home can lead to a number of challenges, including heightened levels of stress and anxiety. Our staff in Baylor’s Counseling Center continue to reach out and serve hundreds of students displaced by COVID-19. Take a few minutes to read this story from the Counseling Center to help understand signs of stress and anxiety and see the resources Baylor has made available to help during this time.
- This week we are celebrating J. Harry and Anna Jeanes Academic Honors Week, which highlights Baylor’s transformational undergraduate education at its very best. I am so proud of our Honors Program seniors across the disciplines who have completed thesis research under their faculty mentors. I miss hearing about your amazing work! I hope you will take a moment to celebrate the Outstanding Students from each academic department, Phi Beta Kappa inductees and this year’s Cornelia Marschall Smith Outstanding Professor of the Year, Andrea L. Dixon, Ph.D., honored for her superlative contribution to the learning environment at Baylor through teaching, research and service.
- Although we weren’t able to recognize them in person at the Spring Staff Forum, please join me in congratulating our 2019 BaylorPLUS Salute, Outstanding Staff and Distinguished Staff Leadership Awards recipients. Honored this year are Doriann Beverly, Melanie Briscoe, Todd Buchs, June Campbell, Kelly Gould, Chris Humphreys, McKenna Lalani, Cece Lively, Marion Palomino and Ross Van Dyke. We are truly grateful for your exceptional service going above and beyond supporting our students, faculty, staff, parents and all those who love Baylor.
- If your evening is free, please join me for a Baylor in Washington virtual event titled, “Christian Leadership in a Time of Crisis” beginning at 7 p.m. I will be part of a panel discussion on how Christian institutions can navigate the COVID-19 crisis while leading with charity, creativity and transformative vision. You can register online in advance for the livestream, which also will be shown via Baylor’s official Facebook page.
Although Diadeloso was “at home” this year, I enjoyed participating in Tuesday’s “Day of the Bear” virtually with so many of you. This is just one of the many student-focused traditions that make Baylor special. I cannot wait for the day – hopefully soon (!) – in which our campus comes alive again with smiling faces adorned in your green and gold.
Praying for you daily,
Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D.
President