Messages from the President

Dear Western Colleagues:

Like you, I have been deeply saddened by the images of devastation in the Houston area from Hurricane Harvey.  The loss of life and injury, the homes destroyed and families displaced is beyond imagining, and continues.  Also tragic is the knowledge that the receding floodwaters will leave behind a new host of serious public health issues, not to mention the tremendous challenges of restoring basic services and utilities before the rebuilding process…

Dear Western Community,

I was horrified and deeply saddened by the tragic events in Charlottesville this past weekend. Acts of racism, Nazism, white nationalism and similar ilk have no place in society.

The vile hatred on display this weekend from white nationalists is revolting and antithetical to Western`s core values of inclusion, diversity and collaboration. At Western and all universities, the power of education must show the way to genuine acceptance and understanding,…

Dear Western Community,

Once again, we want to express to you our deep appreciation for all you do to make Western a caring community. Thank you for the care and respect you show one another; this makes Western a very meaningful place to learn and work.

In an earlier email, we shared with you that in recent months the number of antisemitic incidents have increased across the nation, including here at Western. Antisemitism and other acts of discrimination, bias and hate have…

Dear Western Community:

Welcome back to campus and to the beginning of spring quarter.  I hope that you had a good spring break,whether travelling to a desirable destination or just enjoying some quiet time at home between quarters.

As we look ahead to spring quarter and the remainder of the regular academic year, I wanted to provide some updates on what remain my top priorities.

Increasing access and student success: As we…

Dear Western Community:

As we begin spring quarter, I`d like to express my deep appreciation for Western`s caring community and for all that you do to make it so.  This type of community largely depends on our simple, but crucial recognition of every person`s fundamental value and worth.  Our care for one another – as classmates, colleagues, and members of a shared community – defines what makes Western such a meaningful place to learn and work.

You may know that in…

As a person who came to the United States as a graduate student from Pakistan in 1978 and who has spent my entire 34-year professional career in service to this great nation, I am disappointed and concerned about the recent federal executive order to ban individuals from seven countries, which are majority Muslim, from entering the United States.

The United States has always been a melting pot of people from around the world and our nation has benefited greatly from the contributions…

Dear Western Community:

Happy New Year, and welcome back to campus!  I hope that you had the opportunity to rest and recharge over the holiday break, spend time with family and friends, or just enjoy some downtime between quarters.

Last fall I stated my commitment to listening and learning from you, the students, faculty and staff who are Western, and to expanding my understanding of Western’s strengths as well as the areas in which we can aspire to be better.…

Dear Western Community,

I welcome everyone back from Thanksgiving break and hope that you had a relaxing and enjoyable time with family and friends.

As I took time during the break to reflect on my first four months at Western I could not help but give thanks for this new community that Uzma and I are privileged to call home.  The weeks prior to the break showed us what this Western community is all about, one in which students, faculty and staff reach out…

Dear Western Community,

Over the past week, I have had the opportunity to talk with numerous students, faculty and staff. I have appreciated those conversations where they have expressed their sentiments and heartfelt emotions. I have also appreciated the peaceful gatherings, conversations and forums in which our students have engaged during this time.

Nevertheless, several students and members of the Western community from diverse backgrounds and identities have shared with…

Dear Western Community,

Our democracy spoke yesterday as it elected Donald Trump to be the 45th President of the United States.  His election concluded a highly contentious and bitter campaign that sadly divided our nation like no other in recent memory.  The divisive campaign is over…and we need to start the process of healing and bringing together our communities on our campus and in our nation.

I want to acknowledge feelings of disappointment, confusion,…