On Wednesday, December 16, Daemen President Gary Olson issued an end-of-semester video message to faculty and staff. He congratulated the college community for completing an especially difficult semester with resourcefulness and resiliency.
He applauded the “extraordinary effort” of faculty and staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure the successful continuation of the College’s daily operations despite the challenges of the ongoing pandemic.
Olson recognized the faculty in particular for their commitment to the curriculum, while also ensuring the community’s safety. “Thank you for making accommodations in grading, varying teaching platforms, and respecting our student needs during this nontraditional semester,” he said.
Also deserving praise, according to Olson, is the Emergency Response Team, which worked hard to enable Daemen to stay well ahead of the pandemic. Thanks to the ERT’s proactive approach to managing the pandemic, the College is now operating as a Limited Services Laboratory to provide surveillance testing for the Daemen community. The ERT is also preparing for vaccine administration when it becomes available.
The diligence and hard work of the Daemen community has kept the community safe. “I am proud to report that, on average, the Amherst campus (approximately 3,000 people) has maintained a positivity rate of well under one half of one percent, said Olson. “That is an exemplary model for safety that we all should be proud of.”