Dear colleagues and members of Freie Universität Berlin.
It is almost a year to the day that we at Freie Universität Berlin
had to make the switch to minimal on-site operations, virtually overnight.
At the same time, we have faced severe restrictions in how we go about our daily lives.
Hardly any of us could have anticipated back then
that those health and safety measures to contain the pandemic
would remain in place for so long.
For months now, most of the human contact we’ve been having has taken place online via our computer screens.
Without a doubt, the situation has been taxing,
no matter how competently, flexibly, or quickly we have reacted
on an organizational or individual level.
Perhaps it helps to know that many others
in our community have had similar worries and concerns.
If you have started your studies within the last year,
then you haven’t really gotten the opportunity to experience life on campus
– even if the vibrancy and diversity of Freie Universität
are still as strong as ever.
Students and university members with young children
as well as those caring for other family members
have been thinly spread and even pushed to their limits.
Please allow me, once again, to express our deep appreciation and gratitude
for all that you have managed to achieve.
We would also like to thank you for the solidarity and flexibility you have shown us in
juggling your job responsibilities, your children’s schooling, and your own education all from home,
not to mention your infinite patience and willingness to improvise.
Of course, we want to get back to the way things were –
back to normal in research and teaching,
back to our libraries, back to the computer labs, back to our workspaces,
back to the cafeterias. But we can only go back
when we can do so responsibly.
I wish I had better news to share with you.
The fact of the matter is that we at Freie Universität Berlin
are driving with low visibility at the moment,
so we need to take it slow while still committing to
the community project that is Freie Universität.
Each and every one of us has their own tasks and responsibilities.
As long as we keep on taking care of not just other people, but also ourselves,
then our university and community will continue to flourish.
I hope you enjoy the best of health and use the time between semesters
to really take a break, catch your breath, and relax.
I’m sincerely looking forward to seeing you all again in person
when we no longer have to rely on monitors to keep in touch!