Ira I. Katznelson Thu, Jul 30, 2020 at 9:01 PM To: "James J. Valentini" Cc: Lee Bollinger , Amy Hungerford Dear Jim, Having reread Amy's letter, I find your account to be a mischaracterization, especially its reconstruction of her text as an "attack" on faculty. Everyone understands anxiety and concern, and we all know that some colleagues face greater risks or challenges because of underlying conditions or age or family situations. The decision to let faculty choose how they will teach without having to navigate a formal accommodations process was premised on this understanding. Indeed, as you may remember from discussions within the education working group when the policy was being fashioned, Amy took the lead in insisting on a voluntary approach premised on respect and trust for colleagues. Nowhere does her note contradict that orientation. But it does offer arguments and reasons, as leaders do, based on the ethic we all share to serve our students. The core of her message underscores what, earlier today, Amale designated as “the tremendous work and attention being paid to campus safety" as the context for a fresh consideration of whether to teach in the classroom. A good many deans have been appealing to their faculties in just this manner. You will recall, as examples, that Costis discussed his efforts last week at the Council of Deans, as did Mary today. Each reported how faculty in their schools have reconsidered on the basis of fuller information. Not one of these efforts has been coercive; none is at odds with University policy. My best, Ira