As the first week of the fall semester concludes, I wanted to express my gratitude to each of you for your efforts in keeping our Blue Raider community safe and healthy. While it would have been unrealistic to expect we could completely manage or conquer the coronavirus, our rate of infection, to date, of students, faculty and staff remains below that of our local community. That has allowed us to manage our campus situation effectively.

Your overwhelming commitment to our masking and reporting protocols has been critical to our ability to provide a traditional on-campus experience for our students. I had the chance this week to walk around campus on a couple of occasions and visit our student facilities and classrooms to get a first-hand perspective of the situation and the manner in which we are coping. It was extremely gratifying to see that, with only a few exceptions, masks are being worn and that our activities and classes are being conducted and well attended. Continued adherence to COVID-19 protocols will help assure our campus community remains open. So again, thank you!

I remain convinced that the two most effective deterrents to the coronavirus are proper masking when indoors and being vaccinated. MTSU Student Health Services is seeing a steady stream of students and faculty getting their free vaccinations and I suspect that number will grow in the coming weeks. For those of you who have not yet been vaccinated due to personal uncertainties, I hope this week’s announcement that the FDA has fully approved the Pfizer vaccine will help ease any concerns.  

Over the next few weeks, you will see additional information on our vaccination program, which will remain voluntary. My hope is that, as you see the value in vaccination, you will choose to join your friends and classmates in protecting each other.

My best wishes to each of you as we continue to learn and grow together.

Sincerely,
Sidney A. McPhee
President

Sidney.McPhee@mtsu.edu