How time flies! Just a few short months ago, the U of U was congratulating the accomplishments of its new graduates. Now it’s time to begin to welcome the newest members of the growing university community—including students, staff, trainees, and faculty—and many others coming to campus for the first time in Fall 2023. Welcome to the U.
As you get settled, please be sure to visit diversity.utah.edu to find out about the many great events the division for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) will be hosting throughout the year. There will be new 2023 partnerships, new collaborations being developed, and more information on how to get involved on campus. Be sure to attend the first event of the semester, the Welcome Back Bash on August 29. Visit the EDI calendar throughout the year to find out more information on this and other upcoming scheduled events.
Also, take some time to meet the members of the EDI team and stop by the cultural and resource centers to introduce yourselves and say hello. For those who haven’t been on campus over the summer, the team is really looking forward to reconnecting with you this fall.
This year, we’re looking forward to autumn colors and pumpkin spice, the return of Loki and The Wheel of Time, and curling up with a book as the weather cools. In addition to the many instances of joy, the academic year will present some distinct challenges for many, as it always does. Rest assured though, EDI and the U of U are dedicated and determined to pull together to build not just an inclusive community, but a community where everyone sees themselves reflected. Just like the vibrant colors of the Aspen trees spread across the slopes of the Wasatch Mountains, our stories are all unique. However, we must also remember that the Aspen forest, with its interconnected roots that function as one long circuitous, life-sustaining artery, is actually a single organism. In many ways, our campus community is like that, too—a single thriving body or network ready to invite others to join.
The new school year offers a world of growth opportunities for all of us to build lasting bonds and enjoy enriching events. While we may sometimes differ on the way we interpret the world around us, we can always agree that we are a community united as one, University of Utah.
