Messages from Patty Perillo to the UMD Community
September 30, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
As September comes to a close, we are embracing cooler weather and the leaves slowly turning from green to the beautiful fall colors that make our campus feel vibrant and welcoming.
September 23, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
I know that these are complicated and challenging times; you are enduring a lot! I also know that things are more difficult when you're managing it alone. Together there's nothing we can't achieve, no hardship we can't face, and no difficulty we can't overcome.
September 16, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
YES! We are into our first week of in-person classes! It is so exciting to have so many Terps return to campus. We need to celebrate this important milestone for it signals that so many students are following the 4 Maryland guidance!
September 9, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
We are in our second week of classes and I am proud of your commitment to keeping our campus safe and all of the work you've done to prevent the spread of the virus. So many of you have taken the pledge 4 Maryland seriously.
September 2, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
It is truly a joy to see so many of you back on campus and in College Park. You bring a vibrancy and life-force to our community that is palpable. Welcome home!
August 26, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
Welcome to your fall 2020 semester at the University of Maryland! It looks very different than it usually does, but what's important - what really matters - is that YOU are here! Whether it's in-person or virtual, you're here to learn, to grow and to engage with our people, campus, programs, services and organizations and all the things that make UMD such a wonderful place.
August 12, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear UMD Student,
WELCOME to the Terrapin Family for all new graduate students and undergraduate Class of 2024. And, a big welcome back to our returning students. I have missed you!
July 1, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps!
Today marks an historic day for UMD as we welcome our new president, Dr. Darryll Pines, to our beloved university, I know you’ll be just as energized as I am by his vision, passion and dedication to Maryland and the student experience.
May 20, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps!
You did it! The semester is done and commencement is in two days! Wow!! What a semester it has been, wonderful Terrapins. But you made it - and we did it - together as Terps! You made the move from campus to home, from classrooms to online, from in-person meetings to virtual ones.
May 13, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps!
Spring 2020 classes are in the books and all that's left are finals. It's been a different kind of workload that you've had to manage this semester - one filled with change and uncertainty. But, through it all, you've stuck to it. You've done the hard work, you've managed to take care of yourselves, and you've managed to offer care and kindness to those around you.
May 6, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps!
You've almost made it!! As of today, you have one more week of classes this semester!! Great job, Terps!! We've decided to focus this week?s Keep Connected e-Newsletter on ways you can support yourself and others! You will find some wise words from your fellow students - my Spring 2020 Student Advisory Board. I have been meeting weekly with this fantastic group of student leaders throughout the semester. Their collective voice has helped identify priorities, student concerns, and important questions.
April 29, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
Your health, safety and well-being are most important to us! As such, we decided to focus this week’s Keep Connected e-Newsletter on ways you can take care of yourselves best! You will find some wise words from the Dean of the School of Public Health, Dr. Boris Lushniak. We know that times are complicated, and things can sometimes feel overwhelming, and that is why we wanted to offer you good information about ways to stay healthy.
April 22, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
We continue to care about you and your experience. We know your world changed 5-6 weeks ago and you are now into week 3-4 of online learning, depending on your class schedule. It is a lot to manage. So, if you need to checkout sometimes please do so without feeling bad or guilty about it. Read a book in the backyard! Take a long walk in the sunshine! Enjoy a nap! Space out in an ENO! Do whatever you need to care for yourself for "checking out" is a normal and natural human response to all you are experiencing. BUT, please make sure you check back in! You've got three more weeks of spring semester classes. You need to stay the course and we want you to be successful.
April 15, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
As I told you last week in our first weekly newsletter, we miss you! Campus is so quiet without you. While we know we will all eventually return, we wanted to stay in touch with you during this time. In the Division of Student Affairs, we continue to think about ways we can keep connected and together! So, every week you will get this email as a way to remind you that we are here for you - always! Use these resources to find ways to take care of yourselves, to support others and to remain connected to campus. We never forget that you are the reason we are here. You got this! And, we got you! Enjoy all that you will discover here!
April 9, 2020
Keep Connected Weekly Email to Students
Dear Terps,
We miss you like crazy! You are the energy and lifeline to this campus community and it just does not feel like home without you here physically. While we know you will return, again and again and again eventually, we wanted to stay in touch with you during this time of physical distancing. You need to know that while we aren't together in one space, we are together in love and spirit for that is what it means to be a Terp!
March 20, 2020
Message to Students About Remaining in College Park
Today I sent this letter out to all students. It was my desire to be supportive and caring and not cause more concern. I am sorry if my letter caused you undue worry in any way at all.
March 20, 2020
An Update for Terp Families from the Vice President for Student Affairs
We appreciate you and thank you for your patience as we respond to these unprecedented times. I want to reassure all of you that our highest priority is the safety, well-being, and academic success of our students. Earlier today, I provided more details to students about support and updates. I’ve heard from students and families today who are very concerned that they will not be able to complete their move out of residence halls or fraternity and sorority houses by April 5 for many reasons.
March 20, 2020
Student Updates from Vice President Patty Perillo
By now you've heard the news from President Loh that we are moving to online education for the rest of the semester. We know that this is really difficult news for you to hear, so I wanted to start by saying that we are really sorry. We are sorry that you have lost a semester with friends on our beautiful campus - one that was filled with lots of plans, hopes, and possibilities. We are especially sorry for our graduating seniors and so many other students, such as our researchers, athletes, student organization leaders, performers and others, who were preparing to be "all in" on the Maryland student experience this semester.
March 10, 2020
Student Affairs Updates on Student Support
This evening you received this message from President Loh which is the most recent and current communication from the university. In his letter, he stated that I would be following up with you directly regarding important information about student services and resources. As such, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a couple of updates that are especially relevant for you as students.