Weekly Update: Progress You Make Possible
LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 15, 2022) — University of Kentucky President Eli Capilouto sent the message below to the campus community today.
Key Takeaways
- You are best protected when you stay up to date with vaccinations. Sign up for a COVID-19 booster if you haven’t already.
- A team is working diligently to provide additional clarity around work policies as we prepare and plan for a new academic year.
- The state budget that lawmakers and policymakers have worked on for months is now complete. It contains critical investments in the work we do together to advance Kentucky.
- “One Day for UK” will take place next Thursday, April 21. It is one day each year in which we come together to express our how much this community means to us.
Campus Community,
As the final stretch of the semester approaches, I want to express my deep gratitude for the invaluable role you play in our mission to advance Kentucky.
You make our crucial work possible. Thank you.
Please take note of the following important reminders:
COVID-19 Boosters:
As is the case with other vaccines, you are best protected when you stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “COVID-19 vaccines continue to protect people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized and even dying — especially people who have received a booster.”
The CDC recommends COVID-19 boosters for individuals aged 12 years and older. Some individuals are eligible for a second booster (fourth dose). If you haven’t already, please sign up for your vaccine or booster as soon as possible.
Work Location Review
As a residential campus, we must continue to focus on how we can best evolve to meet the needs of our community and carry out our mission to teach, serve, discover and heal in a post-pandemic environment.
Against this backdrop, a workgroup — with representatives from various offices that serve within the President’s Cabinet, individuals from Human Resources and elected leaders from among our students, faculty and staff — has been charged with researching, exploring ideas and providing recommendations on how work location can support our efforts to advance the state.
It’s important to note: Current work location policies will remain in place unless any new or adjusted policies are announced following the workgroup’s completion of its charge. As we have more information about our work, or as policies or processes change, we will update the campus.
The State Budget
The General Assembly wrapped up its session this week, which means the budget I wrote to you about earlier this month is now final.
The budget for higher education — endorsed by both the legislature and Governor Beshear — represents critical investments in our work.
Significant increases in performance funding and new dollars for the Bucks for Brains program will help ensure we retain and recruit outstanding people who make our mission of advancing Kentucky possible.
The budget also includes investments in infrastructure that will further propel our work — from a new health education building that will help us educate tomorrow’s health professionals to support for our continued efforts to renew and revitalize the core of our campus.
You can read that message for more details about these investments here.
One Day for UK
Next Thursday, April 21, our community will celebrate its fourth university-wide giving day, "One Day for UK."
For 24 hours, the university will encourage donors around the world to give to the college, unit or cause they care most about at UK.
This year’s giving day theme is “Come Together.”
I’d like to thank our team in UK Philanthropy for their dedicated work telling the university’s story to our generous partners throughout the state and beyond.
Thank you.
These efforts reflect the compassion and commitment that distinguish this special place.
Thank you for your role in advancing Kentucky.
Eli Capilouto
President