WEBVTT Kind: captions Language: en 00:00:03.540 --> 00:00:08.210 Hi everyone, and welcome to the final UVA Weekly of the semester. 00:00:08.210 --> 00:00:12.620 Over the last few months, we’ve used this show as a way to share the latest COVID updates 00:00:12.620 --> 00:00:17.110 and give you a behind-the-scenes look at some of the incredible work being done by people 00:00:17.110 --> 00:00:21.579 across Grounds to keep our community safe and help us deliver on our mission. 00:00:21.579 --> 00:00:24.590 Today, we’re going to do something a little bit different. 00:00:24.590 --> 00:00:29.550 At the end of a unique—and uniquely challenging—semester, I want to take a few minutes to thank some 00:00:29.550 --> 00:00:34.790 of the people who, through their extraordinary effort, patience, and perseverance did what 00:00:34.790 --> 00:00:39.900 many said couldn’t be done, and in the process helped show the world exactly what being a 00:00:39.900 --> 00:00:42.290 great and good university looks like. 00:00:42.290 --> 00:00:47.210 First, to our students—both those who came to Grounds and those who stayed home this 00:00:47.210 --> 00:00:48.590 semester. 00:00:48.590 --> 00:00:54.400 College is hard enough under normal circumstances let alone during a pandemic, but you took 00:00:54.400 --> 00:00:57.239 the extra burden in stride. 00:00:57.239 --> 00:01:02.910 Aside from a few unfortunate lapses, you did what you had to do to stay safe. 00:01:02.910 --> 00:01:04.579 You looked out for one another. 00:01:04.579 --> 00:01:08.660 You dealt with testing, isolation, and Zoom fatigue. 00:01:08.660 --> 00:01:13.870 And on top of all that, many of you also managed to get involved in extracurricular activities, 00:01:13.870 --> 00:01:18.220 serve the community, do research, and have some fun along the way. 00:01:18.220 --> 00:01:22.850 Every generation has its defining challenge, and this pandemic will likely be yours. 00:01:22.850 --> 00:01:27.560 But you rose to meet it again and again—which gives me enormous hope both for your future 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:29.240 and ours. 00:01:29.240 --> 00:01:30.970 To our faculty and deans. 00:01:30.970 --> 00:01:35.040 Who would have guessed that moving all your classes online in a week last spring was just 00:01:35.040 --> 00:01:36.040 the beginning? 00:01:36.040 --> 00:01:40.799 Nothing about this semester was easy—whether you were teaching in-person or online. 00:01:40.799 --> 00:01:45.120 But I’ve been incredibly impressed not only by your resilience and creativity but by your 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:48.710 genuine concern for our students and their wellbeing. 00:01:48.710 --> 00:01:53.380 Thank you for helping us continue to deliver on our teaching and research missions despite 00:01:53.380 --> 00:01:57.930 all of the challenges of the semester—and for continuing to shed light on both enduring 00:01:57.930 --> 00:02:01.630 questions and the new ones we’ve faced this year. 00:02:01.630 --> 00:02:04.120 To our incredible staff. 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:08.229 Thank you to the front line workers who cleaned classrooms and residence halls, maintained 00:02:08.229 --> 00:02:14.200 our HVAC systems, staffed dining halls, and installed signs and plexiglass barriers across 00:02:14.200 --> 00:02:15.200 Grounds. 00:02:15.200 --> 00:02:19.790 To Procurement for getting us the supplies we needed, including PPE, and the Emergency 00:02:19.790 --> 00:02:23.840 Management team for helping coordinate our response. 00:02:23.840 --> 00:02:28.349 To the care teams who made sure that even when our students were isolated, they never 00:02:28.349 --> 00:02:29.379 felt alone. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:34.059 And to the staff at Student Health, Employee Health, and the Student Activities Building 00:02:34.059 --> 00:02:38.269 who helped us ramp up testing and provide treatment—including the team at the saliva 00:02:38.269 --> 00:02:42.120 testing lab that hasn’t gotten a day off in months. 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:47.109 Thank you to the members of the Implementation Working Group, led by JJ Davis, our COO, and 00:02:47.109 --> 00:02:52.209 Liz Magill, our Provost, which has met every day this semester to troubleshoot problems, 00:02:52.209 --> 00:02:57.549 and thanks to the Contingency Planning Group, which prepared for every possible scenario. 00:02:57.549 --> 00:03:02.489 To the mighty team in Student Affairs—including Pat Lampkin, who might actually get to retire 00:03:02.489 --> 00:03:06.919 one of these days—thank you for going above and beyond for our students. 00:03:06.919 --> 00:03:11.450 And thanks to the RAs, without whom none of this would have been possible. 00:03:11.450 --> 00:03:16.480 Thank you to the Advancement staff who navigated both a pandemic and a tough economy to help 00:03:16.480 --> 00:03:21.430 us continue to fund our priorities; the members of the Office of Engagement who found new 00:03:21.430 --> 00:03:26.120 ways to connect; and the tech support teams across the University who kept everything 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:27.590 up and running. 00:03:27.590 --> 00:03:31.919 Thanks to the people whose work lives were turned upside down by the pandemic—from 00:03:31.919 --> 00:03:37.409 parking and transportation, to the library staff, to IM/Rec and everyone else who pitched 00:03:37.409 --> 00:03:41.089 in where their specific skills and extra hands were needed. 00:03:41.089 --> 00:03:46.400 And thanks to HR for identifying those needs and coordinating new assignments. 00:03:46.400 --> 00:03:51.159 Thank you to the team members at the Health System—the epidemiologists, doctors, nurses, 00:03:51.159 --> 00:03:56.319 lab techs, and staff—who helped us try to understand this virus and offer world-class 00:03:56.319 --> 00:03:58.819 treatment to those fighting it. 00:03:58.819 --> 00:04:03.889 And a special thanks to Dr. Mitch Rosner and Dr. Costi Sifri for their deep knowledge and 00:04:03.889 --> 00:04:08.760 steady leadership, as well as the local health district for their partnership. 00:04:08.760 --> 00:04:13.109 Thank you to the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in the Athletics Department who 00:04:13.109 --> 00:04:17.799 kicked their already impressive discipline up a notch to keep themselves and their opponents 00:04:17.799 --> 00:04:18.799 safe. 00:04:18.799 --> 00:04:24.160 To the alumni who helped us expand testing, advance COVID-related research, and help students 00:04:24.160 --> 00:04:26.360 who needed financial assistance. 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:30.420 To the members of the Board of Visitors who have been key partners and supported us through 00:04:30.420 --> 00:04:32.150 some tough decisions. 00:04:32.150 --> 00:04:36.890 To the parents and families who trusted us with their students at a difficult and uncertain 00:04:36.890 --> 00:04:37.890 time. 00:04:37.890 --> 00:04:42.420 To everyone who has shared their talents as part of Arts on the Hill; to the ambassadors 00:04:42.420 --> 00:04:46.800 who have reminded us to wear masks and keep our distance; and to the students who worked 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:48.370 on the #YouVA campaign. 00:04:48.370 --> 00:04:53.560 To the members of the Charlottesville community who had faith in us and held us accountable—as 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:58.880 well as everyone who has volunteered their time to help those in need, including by offering 00:04:58.880 --> 00:05:00.590 community testing. 00:05:00.590 --> 00:05:01.590 Thank you all. 00:05:01.590 --> 00:05:05.500 Finally, a special thanks to the members of the video team who have recorded me every 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:07.180 week and done it safely. 00:05:07.180 --> 00:05:11.040 And thanks to Zeno and Nia for being such excellent co-hosts. 00:05:11.040 --> 00:05:15.680 If I have left anyone off, please accept my apology and know that I appreciate everything 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:17.550 you have done and will continue to do. 00:05:17.550 --> 00:05:22.560 There really are too many people to thank—which is a reflection of the fact that this pandemic 00:05:22.560 --> 00:05:28.300 has demanded more of all of us and that our success has only been possible because everyone, 00:05:28.300 --> 00:05:29.770 everywhere did that part. 00:05:29.770 --> 00:05:33.030 For that I will always be immensely grateful. 00:05:33.030 --> 00:05:35.700 I hope all of you can take some time off over the holidays. 00:05:35.700 --> 00:05:39.520 I don’t think any group of people has ever deserved a break more. 00:05:39.520 --> 00:05:43.760 And I have no doubt that when we come back together in the new year, we will be ready 00:05:43.760 --> 00:05:48.960 to face a new set of challenges—with confidence in each other; faith in our abilities; and 00:05:48.960 --> 00:05:53.710 a commitment, as always, to do the best we can for this university that we love. 00:05:53.710 --> 00:05:55.660 I’ll see you on the other side. 00:05:55.660 --> 00:05:58.180 And now here’s Nia. 00:05:58.180 --> 00:06:03.580 Hi Everyone, it’s Nia Augustine with your last installment of UVA Weekly for 2020. 00:06:03.580 --> 00:06:08.650 I’m here with the #Youva team, where I can bring to you updates on COVID and news on 00:06:08.650 --> 00:06:09.650 grounds. 00:06:09.650 --> 00:06:14.390 We’ve started a bit early this week so that you can enjoy Lighting of the Lawn – virtually 00:06:14.390 --> 00:06:15.390 – tonight. 00:06:15.390 --> 00:06:16.390 More on that later. 00:06:16.390 --> 00:06:22.080 As we finish off the last week of classes, I would like to pause and say thank you to 00:06:22.080 --> 00:06:25.200 UVA students, faculty, staff, and workers. 00:06:25.200 --> 00:06:29.260 You have all done a tremendous job by adhering to the numerous rules and regulations due 00:06:29.260 --> 00:06:30.910 to the pandemic. 00:06:30.910 --> 00:06:34.610 I hope that we can keep this energy and finish off on a high note. 00:06:34.610 --> 00:06:39.340 So, everyone, please continue to wear your masks, and follow the socially distant small 00:06:39.340 --> 00:06:42.090 gatherings of under 10 people. 00:06:42.090 --> 00:06:46.570 As some students depart for home or leave Charlottesville, stay there until classes 00:06:46.570 --> 00:06:49.400 begin next semester if you can. 00:06:49.400 --> 00:06:54.220 Moving back and forth, whether living off or on grounds is highly advised against. 00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:59.760 There will be testing required before returning to Grounds so rest with family over the holidays 00:06:59.760 --> 00:07:05.580 while keeping an eye on the Return to Grounds Monitoring and Testing Site for instructions. 00:07:05.580 --> 00:07:10.700 The longer Winter Break this year and later start to the spring semester, may have a financial 00:07:10.700 --> 00:07:17.210 impact on students, especially those on financial aid who may be anticipating a refund at the 00:07:17.210 --> 00:07:18.670 start of the semester. 00:07:18.670 --> 00:07:23.200 To help overcome these obstacles, Student Financial Services will post an application 00:07:23.200 --> 00:07:29.210 for Spring CARES Act funding in December so eligible students can request financial assistance 00:07:29.210 --> 00:07:34.700 to support winter break or J-Term needs for food or other emergency incidentals. 00:07:34.700 --> 00:07:39.640 All students who are enrolled in courses for the spring 2021 term, and who have successfully 00:07:39.640 --> 00:07:45.340 completed a FAFSA for the 2020-2021 academic year, can request funding. 00:07:45.340 --> 00:07:50.190 Those who are not eligible to complete a FAFSA may also fill out the application to be considered 00:07:50.190 --> 00:07:52.520 for limited institutional funding. 00:07:52.520 --> 00:07:56.389 The application and additional information will be available on the Student Financial 00:07:56.389 --> 00:07:58.570 Services website in December. 00:07:58.570 --> 00:08:03.090 You may also write to emergency funding at Virginia for more information. 00:08:03.090 --> 00:08:08.300 UVA Mutual Aid is an innovative new resource for students too. 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:13.250 This is a new organization within the Student Council that formed in March in response to 00:08:13.250 --> 00:08:19.060 COVID, and they offer modest grants to students experiencing any financial hardship due to 00:08:19.060 --> 00:08:21.900 the pandemic with no strings attached. 00:08:21.900 --> 00:08:26.820 Their goal is a more equitable UVA where all students have their fundamental needs met. 00:08:26.820 --> 00:08:33.200 Since March, they have collected and distributed over $21,000 to students and the program is 00:08:33.200 --> 00:08:37.849 open to any student, including those who are undocumented. 00:08:37.849 --> 00:08:42.919 They currently have nearly $5,000 in outstanding requests from students. 00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:48.399 If viewers would like to support Mutual Aid, please Venmo UVAMutualAid or utilize Paypal 00:08:48.399 --> 00:08:49.399 or Zelle. 00:08:49.399 --> 00:08:51.480 Check out their website for more information. 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:56.149 Now, as we all think about Thanksgiving Break, we wanted to leave you with some thoughts 00:08:56.149 --> 00:09:01.509 from students and others around Grounds, about what they are thankful for, and what has made 00:09:01.509 --> 00:09:04.120 a really tough year a little bit better. 00:09:04.120 --> 00:09:05.970 Here’s what they had to say. 00:09:05.970 --> 00:09:08.649 Yeah, I’m really excited for Thanksgiving. 00:09:08.649 --> 00:09:11.910 I’m excited to see my family again and be home with them for a little bit. 00:09:11.910 --> 00:09:15.850 Things are okay, it's been a little bit quiet on grounds as folks are starting to head home. 00:09:15.850 --> 00:09:18.690 I think everyone’s trying to relax after a rough semester. 00:09:18.690 --> 00:09:22.939 It’s been a long two months, especially because we're nursing students, so we really 00:09:22.939 --> 00:09:24.050 haven't gotten a break yet. 00:09:24.050 --> 00:09:27.089 We all need a break from school, so. 00:09:27.089 --> 00:09:31.779 I'm excited to go home but also, I'm a little bit nervous about traveling. 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:37.029 I also think there’s a lot of anxiety around going home because we've been here for so 00:09:37.029 --> 00:09:40.000 long and then going home to family it’s a little nervous. 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:45.269 I am a little sad about Thanksgiving this year because I can't be with my grandma or 00:09:45.269 --> 00:09:47.269 my aunts and uncles which is a little disappointing. 00:09:47.269 --> 00:09:52.040 I'm going to be spending Thanksgiving with my friends, my quarantine pod, and really 00:09:52.040 --> 00:09:55.529 being grateful for the people I have here at my second home. 00:09:55.529 --> 00:09:59.640 This is my dog, Penney, I’m watching her for a few days and I’m really grateful for 00:09:59.640 --> 00:10:00.640 her. 00:10:00.640 --> 00:10:05.639 I’m grateful that there's still a lot of stability in the world given the incredible 00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:06.639 circumstances. 00:10:06.639 --> 00:10:11.480 As a scientist, it’s a super rewarding time to be doing infectious disease research. 00:10:11.480 --> 00:10:16.000 I'm just really happy with the news over the last week from Pfizer and Moderna that there's 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.000 a vaccine that’s more than 90% effective. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:24.700 I’m grateful I haven't gotten sick yet, I haven’t caught the Corona, been dipping 00:10:24.700 --> 00:10:25.700 and dodging. 00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:28.240 I’m also really grateful that I'll be able to spend the holiday season with my family. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:32.860 I’m really grateful for my parents, they’re all the way out in California so I've just 00:10:32.860 --> 00:10:35.910 been calling them a lot this year and it's been really nice. 00:10:35.910 --> 00:10:42.220 I think it's important to be grateful like, in general just like appreciate the small 00:10:42.220 --> 00:10:43.220 things. 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:47.519 Given the vast majority of human history, we live in truly amazing times and I kind 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:49.430 of forget about that a lot recently. 00:10:49.430 --> 00:10:54.899 Sometimes we don't recognize the things that we do have until we don't have them. 00:10:54.899 --> 00:10:59.860 We often talk about gratitude in our nursing classes about how it will lead to better resiliency, 00:10:59.860 --> 00:11:04.860 and how, you just live so much of your life not noticing the good, and when you are intentional 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:07.180 about that gratitude, you actually realize that life’s not that bad. 00:11:07.180 --> 00:11:12.249 We have this chance to have this learning experience on Earth and like, everything around 00:11:12.249 --> 00:11:15.610 us is something that we can take and you know, try to make our communities better try to 00:11:15.610 --> 00:11:16.949 make ourselves better as people. 00:11:16.949 --> 00:11:18.680 I don’t know, I try to hold onto that. 00:11:18.680 --> 00:11:21.399 It’s easy to forget, sometimes. 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:27.269 The #Youva team, Zeno and I are grateful to play a role in informing the UVA community 00:11:27.269 --> 00:11:31.110 and helping everyone get through a semester unlike any other. 00:11:31.110 --> 00:11:34.760 Zeno also wants me to tell you “It’s all about the vibes man.” 00:11:34.760 --> 00:11:38.749 And, no, I have no idea what he is talking about. 00:11:38.749 --> 00:11:45.330 Make sure to check out the YOUva team on Instagram or email us at YOUva at virginia.edu with 00:11:45.330 --> 00:11:47.980 questions, concerns, and good news. 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:52.769 And stay tuned for Lighting of the Lawn – celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. 00:11:52.769 --> 00:11:58.550 The show will be livestreamed at the link on your screen, starting at 7 p.m. Eastern 00:11:58.550 --> 00:11:59.550 time. 00:11:59.550 --> 00:12:02.110 It will also be available to watch later. 00:12:02.110 --> 00:12:10.170 Some parting words by Dr. Maya Angelou: “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget 00:12:10.170 --> 00:12:16.689 that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” 00:12:16.689 --> 00:12:18.430 Thank you for listening. 00:12:18.430 --> 00:12:21.670 This is Nia Augustine and see you all next year.