Fired Up for Homecoming

Dear students, colleagues and friends,

I sincerely hope you were able to take some time away to focus on your health and well-being over the past week, whether for the wellness days, time off from work or even just a relaxing and restful weekend.

I am pleased to share that our campus vaccination rate is now nearly 77% for students, faculty and staff. In addition, the number of positive cases dropped again this week to six or fewer per day. CMU was even featured in this Bridge Michigan article about how outbreaks on college campuses have dropped dramatically and how campuses in Michigan are often safer from COVID than their surrounding communities. 

This is true for CMU. While we continue to see improvement on our campus, many areas of our state, including several surrounding counties, continue to see new cases and lower overall vaccination rates.  The health and safety protocols in place at CMU, including the use of masks, can be effective strategies away from campus as well. Please take care wherever you are — we want every member of our community to enjoy a safe and healthy semester.

I'm proud of every one of you who has played a role in protecting yourself and our community by getting vaccinated — this is truly setting the leadership standard. If you have not yet been vaccinated and wish to be, free vaccines are available on campus, by appointment.

Homecoming festivities are underway — thank you to the registered student organizations, staff teams and individuals who have hosted fun, community-building events this week.

Homecoming is an opportunity to celebrate the Fired-Up attitude and sense of community that make our university such a special place to live, learn and work. From the parade to alumni village to cheering on our CMU Chippewa football team from the seats in Kelly/Shorts Stadium, you can hear, see and feel everything that makes Central Michigan University great.

A schedule of weekend activities is available on our Alumni Relations website. I hope you join me in the excitement and celebration of homecoming!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and I encourage every member of our community to participate as we raise awareness and support survivors.

CMU Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates — SAPA — is hosting a series of programs and educational opportunities throughout the month, including the annual Solidary event next week on Wednesday and Wear Purple Day on Thursday.

The Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity also offers online Sexual Misconduct Prevention training for students, faculty and staff. Please complete your training to help ensure CMU is a safe, supportive place for all individuals. Reach out to OCRIE if you need help finding the training.  

Thank you for all you do to lift up and support your friends and colleagues.

Be well,

Bob Davies, Ph.D.

President

Central Michigan University