Welcome Back!
August 18, 2023, 10:59 a.m.
Dear Colleagues,
I am sure you have seen our students returning as we prepare for the start of the academic year. I hope you all have had a good summer, whether you were away from the state or here in the Arizona heat.
Last year presented many challenges, and I want to thank all of you for your continuing dedication. While we have important work to do, we also have much to be proud of, and that is thanks to your contributions. I am looking forward to this year and what we will accomplish together.
Here are a few reminders and updates as we begin the fall semester.
Welcome Back Briefing, August 25
Next Friday, August 25, we will hold a welcome back briefing at 11:00 a.m. Steve Patterson will join me to provide important safety-related updates, and I will comment on other important developments and work we have done over the summer.
You can livestream the briefing at arizona.edu/live, and we will provide a recap over email as well.
Student Success and Student Services
As you all know, our students’ success is at the heart of the University’s mission, and we have invested in student support over the past several years. If you work with students who are in need of help, please refer them to academic advising, the THINK TANK tutoring center, or our Support Outreach Success (SOS) program. They also can visit the Bartlett Academic Success Center in the Bear Down Building just south of the Mall.
Also important for student success are the many student organizations and student-focused centers and groups throughout campus. These include the many student clubs through the ASUA, as well as university offices such as Veterans Education and Transition Services (VETS) and our Cultural and Resource Centers, which are part of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion and have several recently appointed interim leaders.
UAGC
On July 1, I was very pleased to help welcome our newest University of Arizona colleagues, the faculty and staff of UAGC. I encourage you to review my message welcoming UAGC employees if you have not already.
Operating as part of the University of Arizona, UAGC will continue to serve its own students, with its own accreditation through WSCUC. UAGC serves students who may not otherwise be able to access and complete the degree programs they need to pursue their career and life goals, which is in alignment with the University’s mission, purpose, and values, and I am proud their employees and students are part of the Wildcat family.
University of Arizona Achievements
Most of all, I am proud of the achievements of this incredible community. You all do amazing work, teaching and serving our students, conducting vital research, working in and with our broader community, and supporting the University's mission. I have no doubt this year will bring exciting new accomplishments, whether the impact of our first veterinary medicine graduates, the return of the OSIRIS-REx sample capsule, or programs like Project CAN, which is connecting distance students and underserved Southern Arizona communities with enhanced broadband.
There are so many amazing things taking place here at the University of Arizona every day, and I am grateful for your contributions.
Welcome to the 2023 – 2024 academic year!
Robert C. Robbins, M.D.
President
The University of Arizona
This email was sent to: all faculty, staff, and DCCs.