[CCoE Notice] Welcome Back from Dean Joseph Tedesco

[UH Cullen College of Engineering]

[University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering Office of the Dean]

Dear Cullen College Faculty and Staff,

It brings me great joy to finally be able to say, “Welcome Back!”


Getting to this point was a long road full of unknowns, so I can’t thank you enough for your patience and understanding as we worked towards reclaiming normalcy. Thanks to the University’s transition plan, our full return on August 2 went very smoothly. Now with everyone back and reacclimated, the Cullen College once again feels as it should – energetic and ambitious. Your commitment, hard work and dedication to our college and students have been truly inspirational. Without you, we would not have been able to navigate the last year so successfully, and for that you have my heartfelt appreciation.


While the COVID-19 pandemic brought on many challenges, it also taught us a great deal about resilience, sacrifice and our capacity for change. We were also introduced to exciting new technologies, many of which we can continue to employ in expanding our offerings. I challenge you to find ways of using these new technologies to extend our reach.


The full transition was a pivotal step, but we still must remain vigilant and committed to keeping the COVID-19 virus and Delta variant at bay, and as such I would like to remind you all about our collective responsibility in slowing the spread. If you have any questions about what steps the University is taking to ensure the safety of our campus community, current protocols, guidelines and more, I recommend that you familiarize yourself with the online resources for faculty<https://uh.edu/covid-19/information-for/faculty/> and staff<https://uh.edu/covid-19/information-for/staff/>, along with President Khator's most recent communication<https://uh.edu/infotech/services/e-comm/official-email/view.php?sendit=aHR0cHM6Ly9jbG91ZGFwcHMudWguZWR1L3NlbmRpdC93LzFkVjBjN28wSHpXRWlBSUtGSzUwUmcvWW5NUVVXMVZMVWNqTnJJRDVtMHpQQS81b3R2c0V6OXFRM3ZjNXNaRmlUb1pR>. Also, per President Khator's<https://uh.edu/infotech/services/e-comm/official-email/view.php?sendit=aHR0cHM6Ly9jbG91ZGFwcHMudWguZWR1L3NlbmRpdC93LzFkVjBjN28wSHpXRWlBSUtGSzUwUmcvWW5NUVVXMVZMVWNqTnJJRDVtMHpQQS81b3R2c0V6OXFRM3ZjNXNaRmlUb1pR> and Provost Short's memos<https://uh.edu/infotech/services/e-comm/official-email/view.php?sendit=aHR0cHM6Ly9jbG91ZGFwcHMudWguZWR1L3NlbmRpdC93L1hSU3RjcXhDN0Z1V1o0SGZYRTduelE=> regarding fall instruction, faculty may employ soft openings for the first two weeks of classes to help smooth the transition to full in-person learning.


We will continue to monitor the situation and keep you updated if any changes to our operations are deemed necessary. Next steps will be reassessing our traditional gatherings and events and bringing them back where appropriate in as safe a manner as possible, following guidance from the CDC, state and local ordinances. The College will keep you informed of relevant important dates as they are announced.


Thank you again for everything you have done and continue to do. I look forward to a successful fall semester and giving our students the fully immersive, in-person experience they deserve.


Warm regards,

[University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering Office of the Dean]

Joseph W. Tedesco, Ph.D., P.E., F. ASCE
Elizabeth D. Rockwell Dean
Cullen College of Engineering
www.egr.uh.edu<https://www.egr.uh.edu>

This is an official message sent by the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering Dean's Office.


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