The university has appointed a series of smaller transition teams that filter back up to President Drake’s Post-Pandemic Operations Task Force to develop the “how” and “when” of returning to on-campus operations. The Academic Transition team involves Dean Kress and Dr. Elena Irwin (AEDE). I serve on the Research Recovery Committee. Within our college, we have also created a Transition Team. Dr. Mary Rodriguez (ACEL) is representing Faculty Advisory Council on that team, along with several chairs and unit leaders, chaired by Dr. Graham Cochran. Greg Davis and Misty Harmon represent OSU Extension. This team reports back to VP Cabinet. You will be receiving various invitations to provide feedback to the college and university through these transition teams.
In addition, we are identifying an OSU Extension transition team, which will work closely with area leaders and our Extension professionals across the state to contribute to conversations and planning around transitioning back to our statewide campuses – and as a first step in our discussions and planning around Extension’s continued growth and success coming out of these challenging times. We will be engaging the entire system in dialogue and planning in three phases, and with multiple engagement methods/strategies:
- Phase 1: Transition back to offices, as able
- Phase 2: Transition planning beyond telework
- Phase 3: Strategic alignment for the future
I am very optimistic about our future, the ways in which we can continue to serve Ohioans, and the new tools and strategies this pandemic has shown us we have to innovate in tough times and beyond. Stay tuned for more information in the coming days.