[Plantsci] welcome to a new era in SPLS

[Brown, Judith K - (jkbrown)]

Dear All,

As you know, last Monday, at approximately noon, I assumed the position of the Interim Director for our School. I apologize for not sending this message of gratitude sooner.

The first week has already been a whirlwind, and I that I’ve made only a small inroad into understanding the intricacies of and the challenges we face in SPLS and CALES. Please also be aware that my appointment as Interim is half time and that the other 50% of my time will be devoted to running my research lab. Please reach out to me by email, text, or leave a message (only if urgent, please) and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Already the email traffic has increased 5-fold, so please be patient if I don’t respond to emails as soon as I was able to do previously.

First, I would like to thank those who are supporting me in this new capacity, including everyone in my lab, the SPLS office and other support staff, the Interim Associate Directors with whom I am meeting this week and next, our CALES administrative leaders, and all others who have reached out with kind words and offered to step up to the plate. Also, enormous thanks to Xiong, for agreeing to co-teach my class (PLP-MIC 333) by assuming most of the responsibility for the remainder of the semester, beginning today (be grateful you’re not a plant virologist).

Most of us are experiencing similar scenarios and concerns - the  combined recovery, post-CoVID, unexpected budget cuts, international tragedies, aftermaths of the hiring freeze, the delay in hiring a new Director, and many other uncertainties.  I wish I had more wisdom to share during this steep learning curve and to help us persevere during these tough times, however, if we pull together and work as a united team, SPLS will not only survive but thrive and achieve our fullest potential. Challenging times can open new doors and opportunities-watch for them. Collectively, we can move our visions forward. I ask you all for your help and support, and to pitch in and when possible, do more than your part. I also ask for your patience and understanding on all fronts, and especially, if resolving problems or addressing pressing issues takes longer than expected.  Please let’s move forward together and create a collegial atmosphere among ourselves and with/for those around us - and focus on enjoying what we do daily, despite trying times. I can only do the same if I have your support, 100%.

As I begin to learn and understand more about the challenges we face in the unit, including budget matters, hiring constraints associated with bringing our business office back on par, and many other lose ends that have resulted from the pandemic and in many instances, returning to life on campus, as usual, when it seems - not to be usual – you will be apprised.

For faculty, please attend our February Faculty meeting for some important updates and discussion to set the stage for the future of the School.  In time, I will meet with each faculty individually, the Committees that so effectively provide the glue to execute our programs and activities, the terrific SPLS staff, AND with our graduate/undergraduate students. Be assured each of you represent essential and integral components that comprise the fabric of our School.

I look forward to working with you all –

Respectfully,

Judy


Judith K. Brown
Interim Director & Regents Professor
School of Plant Sciences
1140 E. South Campus Dr. Forbes Bld #303
The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
Office: 520-621-1402; Lab: 520-621-1230
Cell: 520-490-2109


Please forgive typos or errors that might occur in this email message.



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