Thank You For Your Efforts During This Difficult Time

JOHN L. JUNKINS
Interim President

February 17, 2021

Howdy Aggies,

While weathering this unmerciful winter storm, I am so grateful to teams of people working around the clock to maintain operations on our flagship campuses and sites, and to individuals whose families we also thank for their sacrifices as their loved ones work serving the Aggie family and our community. I deeply appreciate the spirit of patience, camaraderie and cooperation of our students, many of whom have volunteered to assist in myriad ways, and faculty and staff who are also supporting and adapting to class cancelations and other work interruptions.

Aggie ingenuity knows no bounds. Our Galveston campus, for example, is repurposing the General Rudder ship's filtration system to purify water extracted from the campus swimming pool as backup potable water.

Here on the Bryan-College Station campus, our facilities maintenance and utilities teams worked ahead last week to prepare to strategically conserve energy and water from many of the more than 800 buildings on campus as we made the decision to go remote and then cancel early this week. We are addressing some weather-related leaks and have teams on site.

The planning and continued efforts ensure that we focus on supporting students in residence and dining halls, and care for animals through our veterinary, agriculture and related programs. I also thank our Athletic Department for hosting the Red Cross and partners at a community warming center at Reed Arena again this evening.

Undoubtedly, challenges will continue. We will keep you informed of the status of operations including maintenance and repairs, classes, COVID testing resumption schedules and other relevant updates.

Until then, thank you and continue to stay safe.

John L. Junkins