ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ

The closing ofÌýaÌýyear and the beginning of a new one is always a moment ofÌýcontemplation of what was and what is to be.ÌýAfterÌýthe unforgettableÌýand, in many ways, theÌýlamentableÌýyear that was 2020, this year started even more hope-filled than most. WeÌýare grateful forÌýthe faculty, staff, and leaders of the Universities of LouisianaÌýwhoÌýovercame innumerable obstacles toÌýadvanceÌýour purpose beyond reasonableÌýexpectations.ÌýÌý

2022 promises more uncertainty and assuredly more opportunity.ÌýOf course,Ìýthe emergence of the Omicron variant and theÌýdearth of related public health guidance isÌýconcerning.ÌýÌýWe should expect alarming reports of new cases for the nextÌýseveral weeks. While some data suggest Omicron may be less virulent, its remarkableÌýtransmissibility will likely result in significantÌýburdens on our healthcare infrastructureÌýand angst amongÌýour families and communities.ÌýWhat we do know isÌýthe guidance underlying our systemic guidelines and institutional practices remainsÌývalid: vaccination (including boosters) is remarkably effective against severe disease, while masking in indoor spaces, ample ventilation, and personal hygiene significantly mitigate community spread.ÌýWe expect additional guidance from federal and state public healthÌýofficials in the next several days and will incorporate that guidance in our planning and practice.ÌýThe health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our paramount concern.ÌýThat concern must beÌýand will beÌýreflected in ourÌýdecision making and actions, adapting to ever-changing circumstancesÌýnimblyÌýand with fidelity.ÌýYour patience, cooperation, and understanding are deeply appreciated, as are your feedback, suggestions, and criticism.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

As we focus on the future, I do think it is important to reflect on the year that was.ÌýOn the pandemic front, we began the year with the promise ofÌýthe newly authorized vaccines. Even as weÌýfoughtÌýsuccessfullyÌýforÌývaccineÌýeligibility for faculty and staff, we saw theÌýrise ofÌýsignificantÌývaccine hesitancyÌýin the broader population.ÌýMisinformation, suspect data analysis, and incongruousÌýmessagingÌýfrom a wide array of sources on all sides of the issueÌýcertainly added to the uncertainty.ÌýThroughout, our approach has followed the science and the law.ÌýAs a result, our university communities are among the most protected populations in our state,Ìýand our efforts in that regard will continue.Ìý

In June,Ìýthe short-lived lull in the pandemic allowed us to gather in person forÌýour inaugural Black Male Summit with a vision toÌýidentify, understand, andÌýeliminate barriers to successÌýforÌýour Black male students, faculty, and staff, empowering them with economic and professional self-determination. At that event we introduced the first cohort of our Reginald F. Lewis Scholars. We have been heartened by the outpouring ofÌýsupport for this program which will ultimately produce Louisiana’s next generation ofÌýBlack male leadersÌýwhile furthering ourÌýdata-driven efforts to elevate our people.Ìý

In July, theÌýDelta variant found its way to our stateÌýresulting in a waveÌýof infectionsÌýover 6 weeks that was nearly 40ÌýpercentÌýof theÌýnumber of infections from the previous 65 weeks.ÌýThen in August,Ìýthe annual once-in-a-century storm wreaked havoc on theÌýBayouÌýand NorthshoreÌýcommunitiesÌýand causedÌýsignificant damage to Nicholls, Southeastern, and University of New Orleans.ÌýAs theseÌýthree member institutions faced rebuildingÌýand served as havens for their communities, the other six extended a hand to assist. McNeese shared lessons learned from the two 2020 storms to ensure the affected institutions take the recovery path of least resistance. Displaced students were welcomed with warm hospitalityÌýand supportÌýthroughout the System until they could return to their home institutions. Entire athletics teams found not only shelter but practice facilities to preventÌýcompetitive and academicÌýinterruptions.ÌýWe know storms will continue to be a threat, demanding we focus not solely on improving recovery practices but improving institutional resiliencyÌýas well, a conversation that is currently underway.ÌýÌýÌý

In spite of these challenges, weÌýofferedÌýa more normal college experience for our 92,000 studentsÌýin Fall 2021Ìýpartly through effective planning and executionÌýsupported by new state and federal resources,Ìýbut alsoÌýpartly through good fortune as the Delta variant waveÌýwas in declineÌýin LouisianaÌýby mid-August. Our facultyÌýcontinued to innovate and persevereÌýunderÌýuntenable conditions, advancingÌýourÌýcollectiveÌýaspiration to create the most educated generation in Louisiana’s historyÌýand furthering our discrete and collaborative research pursuits. Through the year, our nine member institutions celebrated more than 17,000 graduatesÌýprepared for life and career success.ÌýWe also celebrated someÌýremarkableÌýmilestones.ÌýAmong the innumerable advancements:Ìý

• In November, our Board named Marcus Jones the twentieth president of Northwestern State University, an historic moment for ourÌýSystem’s oldest university.Ìý
• TheÌýCarnegie Classifications of Institutions of HigherÌýEducationÌýdesignatedÌýthe University of Louisiana at LafayetteÌýan R1ÌýDoctoralÌýUniversity,Ìýcodifying theÌýrealization of a purposeful research vision centered on improving life in Louisiana and around the globe.ÌýÌý
• WeÌýcelebratedÌýthe 100thÌýgraduate supported through Compete LAÌýwhileÌýfurther developingÌýa program that promises a better future for tens of thousandsÌýofÌýworking adults in Louisiana.ÌýÌý

Though 2022 will certainly provide predictable andÌýunpredictable challenges, weÌýshould be confident opportunities will emerge andÌýaccomplishments will abound. We expect the year to includeÌýadvancements in academic programming,ÌýfurtherÌýachievements in research and scholarship,Ìýand a renewal ofÌýappreciation for andÌýincreasedÌýinvestment inÌýourÌýmissionÌýofÌýworkforce development,ÌýofÌýcommunity development,ÌýofÌýhuman development.ÌýÌýÌý

For your Future. For our Future.

Dr. Jim Henderson
President and CEO
University of ÑÇÖÞ×ÔοÊÓƵ