A look ahead for the Walker College of Business

Wednesday, August 22, 2020 3:22 p.m.

Dear business students,

I hope this message finds you well and that your summer months have been restful and restorative. We in the Walker College of Business are looking forward to seeing you in a few short days, be it via your laptop or in Peacock Hall! I trust your schedules have been set, and, regardless of how your courses will be delivered, I’m confident that you’ll receive an excellent App State education this term. Even for those taking courses exclusively online, I can assure you of the continuity of key business student services, including academic advising, career coaching, professional development and scholarship and research support.

Important items for those on campus
As our campus reopens and North Carolina continues to operate under the extension of Governor Cooper’s Phase 2 “Safer at Home” executive order, we must all work together to achieve the balance of a safe and effective in-person learning environment during a pandemic. We must do all we can to protect each other and know it will be critical for each community member to strictly adhere to a few key procedures. Students, faculty and staff must self-administer a daily health check for COVID-19 symptoms before coming to campus. All across campus, you must keep with the 3 Ws: Wear a face covering; Wait 6 feet apart; and Wash your hands. In Peacock Hall, you must wear a face covering at all times or risk disciplinary action; respect the marked-off chairs and tables in classrooms and common areas to ensure a six-foot social distance; and take responsibility for sanitizing your learning space with provided materials. Please also follow all signage, respect marked-off spaces and note approved classroom usage and facilities operations on our website.

Inclusive excellence and care for others
As we work to prepare you with the business knowledge to make a positive impact through your future careers, we also want you each to use business for good, including social good and good citizenship. Collectively, our students and alumni are a force for positive change, and I believe our college has a responsibility to promote a culture of respect and inclusion and protect against prejudice. Our differences strengthen us; thank you for exercising grace and patience with others. Thanks, too, to those who responded to our “Matter is Not Enough” plea to further guide our path and provide opportunity for additional discourse about race, inclusion and systemic injustice. Over the coming weeks you will learn about the Walker College’s action plan for inclusive excellence for this year and beyond. As an immediate next step, please consider joining me for a WCOB diversity and inclusion virtual town hall, set for August 20.

While the situation around COVID-19 continues to be challenging and quickly evolving, I have high expectations for you and your fall semester. I wish each of you the best, I am personally committed to your success, and I look forward to welcoming you back to campus next week!

PS - There’s a lot to read these days, but a few of my recommended resources are: the latest progress reports from the university’s working groups; the university's Keep Learning page; and a site reminding you to consider your whole wellness.