[Important Information for Employees] Why We Do What We Do

[Office of the President]

[image: Seated in Auditorium for pres email - Cropped.jpg]

Dear Faculty and Staff,

This past weekend, we sent a new group of Cardinals out into the world. As
I watched them proudly cross the stage to accept their diplomas, I thought
about the countless hours of instruction, support, and care you invested in
them during their time with us here. Those hours, though impossible to
enumerate, were essential to the success of each and every person who now
hold the distinction of being SUNY Plattsburgh alumni. Your commitment and
relentless investment in them is what sets this campus apart from all
others. Every day that you teach and mentor, guide and advise, challenge
and question them, you remind us all why we do what we do to shape and
support the minds and lives of those who trust us with their academic and
personal dreams.

I am keenly aware that our faculty and staff are at the heart of all that
we do. Students choose to come to SUNY Plattsburgh for a variety of
reasons, but they choose to stay here because they become as invested in us
as we are in them. They grow to know, respect and trust those of you who
interact with them every day, spending those countless hours doing all you
can to ensure their success.

I know that those countless hours are not always easy. All semesters
present challenges, but this semester was particularly tough. Our ongoing
and ever-changing passage through COVID has been draining and
unpredictable. Your students struggled more than usual. And through it all,
you were there. Providing extra help, extra time, extra patience, and
genuine concern, despite your own worries, stress and exhaustion. You were
there. Reminding us all why we do what we do.

Even though I see your strength, I see your struggles too.  And I know that
they have impacted you significantly. Your work is incredibly hard, and I
am immeasurably grateful for all that you give, even when you may feel that
you are running on empty, to provide the best for our students both in and
outside of the classroom.

As we end this semester, my request to you is this: Please rest. Regroup.
Take time to simply breathe. Use this time and space to appreciate
yourselves and all that you give to our campus. Collectively, each of you
reaffirms, in many ways, why we do what we do here every day.

I wish all of you a safe, happy and healthy holiday season. And I thank you
for doing what you do.

Alexander Enyedi
President
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