Puzzling through the summer that never was

Greetings to you all, as the summer of 2020 draws to a close! What a strange year it has been – I came home in early March and here it is halfway through August, and I’m still home. First it was the spring that never was, and now it’s been the summer that never was.

This issue celebrates the 60^th anniversary of the Faculty of Arts, founded in 1960. As then President Gerald Hagey wrote, “The rapid development of the University through its previously established faculties of science and engineering obliges this institution to offer a fully balanced academic programme which meets the standards of other universities in this province.” The University’s Quarterly Report (September 1960) proudly proclaimed the hiring of more than 20 faculty – all male, all white, but it was a start!

We also have a few COVID-related stories in this issue for you – we have lots of experts in this Faculty when it comes to best practices for living with and making our way through these times. And I really want to draw your attention to the reminder to complete the Faculty’s Strategic Plan survey: we genuinely look forward to the input of our alumni as we ponder future directions for the Faculty.

I know you’re all asking yourselves what the Dean has been doing to keep busy these past few months. I’ve been attending more meetings than ever – and the special virtue of virtual meetings is that they can be truly back-to-back since one doesn’t need to get from one building to another. I’ve even occasionally been in two meetings at once, but that gets hopelessly confusing. It can be impossible to get a bio-break, so thank heaven for the ability to shut off the camera and the mic so that one can sneak away for a few minutes. I usually turn up the volume loud so that I can hear from another room. I was in a meeting a couple of months back – I don’t recall what it was, but it was a large enough gathering that I thought I was safe ducking out to go get something to eat. As I was in the kitchen doing so, I heard the President’s voice saying “Sheila? Sheila?”. So I raced back into my study, turned on the camera and mic, and pretended not only that I’d been sitting there all along, but also that I had actually heard the question.

Of course, I’m sure you’re far more interested in knowing what I do to entertain myself when not working. So far this year, I have completed far more jigsaw puzzles than normal. Here is the most recent puzzle, Positano, Italy – the Amalfi Coast. Sigh.