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It has been a long few months, and I know we are all eager to return to campus. But, we are moving our land-grant mission and strategic priorities forward with energy and expertise. I am proud of the work we’re all doing, even under less than ideal conditions. Recently, I’ve been attending meetings to discuss campus reopening. I am excited to have our students, and faculty and staff back with us come fall. (The photo, above, was taken as part of CAFNR’s virtual Summer Welcome 2020 for incoming students.) To that end, numerous safety considerations are going into the discussion. The health and safety of our campus community depends on every one of us committing to all precautions and protocols. The recent news of salary reductions and furloughs was difficult to share – especially after all of the dedicated work you have put in through such a trying time. It was a painstaking decision, one made for the best interest of our college – keeping strong our ability to serve our students and stakeholders through the land-grant mission. The quality of that service depends on all our people, CAFNR faculty and staff, working together for Missouri. Please make sure you fill out the form on MyCAFNR with your choice of options (staff) or appointment type (faculty) by tomorrow, Tuesday, June 30. Don’t hesitate to ask questions of your unit’s fiscal officer should you need additional information. I recently met with leaders of our CAFNR Inclusivity and Diversity Committee; I have also been checking in with many of our underrepresented minority students, faculty and staff. I appreciate their experiences, insight and ideas. But, and I heard this loud and clear in each conversation, now is the time for ACTION. Our college remains committed to a dialogue with the entire CAFNR community around compassion, inclusion, diversity and equity, but every division and CAFNR program has now committed to specific actions to increase cultural awareness and understanding throughout our college and on our campus. I am proud of the energy I see building behind this critically important strategic priority! I met with our CAFNR Foundation trustees on June 8, and appreciate their commitment to and support for our college! On June 11, I attended (virtually!) the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City’s board meeting and June webinar regarding the re-location of USDA’s economic agencies to Kansas City. I enjoyed hearing Dr. Scott Hutchins, Deputy Under Secretary for USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics mission area, speak about the relocation and the many opportunities being realized from the move to Missouri. I was recently elected to the Institute of Food Technologists Board of Directors, and attended the new board member orientation session on June 18. I will proudly represent CAFNR and Mizzou on the leadership team of this professional organization. I hope you were able to tune in for the NextGen Precision Health Institute Virtual Topping Off Celebration Thursday, June 18. The PHI is perhaps the largest collaborative, cross-disciplinary effort ever around which Mizzou has come together! I am proud of the many CAFNR researchers who are heavily involved with projects under the scope of this initiative. We are conducting Phase I interviews for the Division of Plant Sciences’ director position. We hope to conduct Phase II interviews face to face when we are back on campus in a few weeks. Finally, I want to give a very special thank you to our Senior Executive Director of Advancement, Darcy Wells, for her many years of service to CAFNR and to Mizzou as she retires on July 3. Darcy has been a wonderful advocate for CAFNR, and fostered so many important relationships across the college and with our alumni and friends. Darcy, best wishes to you in retirement. We will miss you, but know you are excited about spending more time with your family. I am CAFNR Proud of how our college has continued to face tremendous adversity this year. I know our grit and determination will help us succeed, and make CAFNR stronger than ever, in our Drive to Distinction. Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D.
CAFNR Vice Chancellor & Dean |
