Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I wanted to extend a warm welcome to all the new students joining BUSPH and a warm welcome back to all returning students as well as faculty and staff as we all embark on this new academic year.

For those of you who are new to BUSPH, we are delighted to have you join our vibrant community.  We extend our warmest wishes to all for a successful and enriching academic journey.

As you embark on this exciting chapter, in my role as Associate Dean for Administration and Finance, I would like to touch upon several important areas:

  1. Support and Resources: We are here to support you throughout your time at SPH. Whether you have questions, need assistance, or simply want to discuss any concerns, our doors are always open. We believe in fostering a collaborative work environment where everyone’s contributions are valued and respected. As a reminder, for any Equal Employment Opportunity or any Title IX related questions, I am always available and happy to support you as needed, given my role as EOO and T-IX Coordinator for BUSPH.
  2. Safety and Security on Campus: Your safety is our top priority. As in any urban area, please remain situationally aware of your surroundings, both on and off-campus. The university’s public safety resources are available to you, and we encourage you to familiarize yourself with them.
  3. BUGWU Negotiations: As you may be aware, there are ongoing negotiations between the Boston University Graduate Workers Union (BUGWU) and the university. We respect every student’s right to union representation and encourage everyone to stay informed about the latest developments. Updates on the union negotiations can be found on the Provost’s Office website, under Community Updates. The latest update from Provost Gloria Waters is available here. As previously noted, the School respects our students’ right to engage in any and all union activities, to include a potential strike even as we recognize our concurrent responsibility as a public employer to align compensation with work effort provided to the institution, consistent with the award of federal grant funds and the allocation of state funds committed to SPH and the University as a public trust. In the most recent strike, over 90% of SPH students chose to continue their work. Regardless of how great or small the number of students engaging in any strike activities, as in past years, SPH will regularly plan to ensure that our teaching and research continue with minimal interruptions. 
  4. Fostering Inclusivity and Respect: At SPH, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where every member of our community feels valued. We encourage open dialogue and the sharing of diverse perspectives in a collegial and supportive manner. Respecting each other’s differences of opinion is essential to maintaining the collaborative spirit that defines BUSPH.

Once again, we are excited to have you at BUSPH and look forward to supporting you as you pursue your academic and professional goals.

Sincerely

Ira Lazic, MPA

Associate Dean for Administration and Finance

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