Subject: Staying Strong: It’s Not Over Yet

Hey there, Huskies,

Shout out to my friends in SUBOG, and the awesome concert they hosted over the weekend. As you know, our infection numbers have been increasing and I truly appreciate the added efforts everyone went to supporting mask wearing.

I need to call your attention to the dashboard. As you know, I want you to know our infection rates. If they continue to rise like this, we will need to reconsider some of our masking guidance. It is essential that you quarantine and isolate as you are advised by your medical provider.  We want to ensure that you take good care of yourself and decrease spread.  If you feel sick, get some rest, follow the guidance of your medical provider, and help us all to be as healthy as can be. The wastewater is also showing quite a bit of flu as well, so this is good advice for us all to follow.

Don’t tough it out, get some rest. Ask for help if you need it: SHAW, Dean of Students Office, Regional Student Services, academic advisers, and your faculty are all here to help.

Our commitment to your health and wellness is coming to a campus near you. Fresh Check Day will now occur on multiple campuses.  Avery Point‘s is happening April 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the Main Lawn.  Congrats to the Waterbury campus for hosting a successful Fresh Check Day on April 5.

I’m glad to hear you are excited about our design discussion of the new South residential building and dining hall. Maybe even too excited. We want to make sure we have time to speak with all interested students, so we are going to reschedule some elements to ensure we have enough time (and gathering space) to meet with those who are interested.

The design discussion for today, April 13, will be for Resident Assistants, Residential Life staff, and members of RHA. Additional conversations will include the remainder of the residential community, student organizations, colleagues, and the broader student community. Stay tuned. I’m so glad you are excited.

Check out some cool activities the regional campuses shared with me (if you’re not up for Oozeball, that is):

Avery Point

• Join us Friday, April 15 from noon to 2 p.m. for an afternoon of paddling and sailing at UConn Avery Point Beach – prior experience not required.

Hartford

• Wednesday, April 13, – POP-UP Food Truck: UConn Dairy Bar at noon. Looking for a tasty treat? Stop by the HTB Atrium with your UConn ID on Wednesday April 13 from noon to 2 p.m. to get a ticket for a free cup of UConn Dairy Bar ice cream.
• Monday, April 18, Design Your Own Air Plant: Celebrate Earth Day with us. Stop by the HTB courtyard on Monday, April 18, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and design your own Air Plant!

Stamford

• April 18 to 22: If you’re caught rocking the UConn spirit wearing some swag, you’ll get a cookie! I mean, who doesn’t want a cookie?
• April 18 to 22: The Great Duck Hunt: Can you quack the case? Find one of hundreds of ducks hidden around the building and you could be our ducky winner! The real question here is, why ducks? Are we thinking of switching mascots? Really don’t think Jonathan will be OK with that (or Tildy; they are besties).

Waterbury

• Laser Tag: April 14 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Courtyard
• Ceramic Painting: April 18 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Courtyard (rain location: MPR)

Be well, Huskies. Don’t be afraid to mask up. It helps us stay connected and take the best care of those who are ill.

All good things,

Eleanor JB Daugherty, EdD

she/her/hers
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students