OU Forward

• Thank you…
  
  
  • Glenn McIntosh, Oakland’s Senior Vice President of
    Student Affairs and Chief Diversity Officer
    
    
• Thank you…
  
  
  • Andrew Romano and Murryum Farooqi for your hard
    work in representing OU students as President and Vice
    President of Student Congress. We look forward to
    working with you…
    
    
• And thank you to our deans, chairs, faculty and staff who are
  here today.
  
  
• I have to tell you, it’s so wonderful to see so many people on
  campus. For the last two years, it’s been pretty easy to get a
  good parking place… Today, not so….
  
  
  • But I’m so glad to see the lots are full again.
    
    
• I’ve been walking on campus and attending events like New
  Student Convocation and OU Welcome Week….. The energy
  on campus has been amazing… and I hope you feel as inspired
  and excited as I do.
  
  
• Let’s keep this positive energy going….and let’s make sure
  each of us is doing all we can to make this a great semester.
  
  
• We’ve named today’s gathering, “OU Forward.”
  
  
• Why “OU Forward?”
  
  
  • Because as an institution of higher learning, we must
    always be moving forward to be responsive to the
    “needs” of students, and everyone within our campus
    community.
    
    
• For the last few years, as a community, we have shown the
  strength of our commitment when we were held together by
  virtual bonds….. Well, today marks the occasion of
  reconnecting in a way that shows the strength of our human
  connection.
  
  
• We gather today for one purpose: To reconnect with each
  other.
  
  
  • When we connect “our” shared values are solidified.
    
    
  • When we connect, “we” work as a team for a common
    purpose…
    
    
  • When we connect, “we” find ourselves united in the
    mission to prove the power of education to transform
    lives.
    
    
  • And when we connect, “we” achieve amazing results.
    
    
• Just a brief message to the students: I know the past few years
  have been challenging, but you have demonstrated the
  perseverance that is not only crucial for academic success, but
  necessary to achieving career and life success.
  
  
  • It’s worth repeating: Character isn’t necessarily formed
    by how you conduct yourself when things go your way,
    but how you cope and respond when unexpected things
    happen…
    
    
• It’s the unexpected that allows us the opportunity
  to demonstrate the best parts of our character.
  
  
  • Think of your days at Oakland as your time…It’s your
    moment to create a future that matches the aspirations in
    your dreams.
    
    
  • And know this: We are here for you….every step of the
    way.
    
    
• And a message to the faculty, staff, and administrators:
  
  
  • I know the past few years of uncertainty, virtual
    meetings on platforms such as Zoom and TEAMs, and
    hybrid gatherings have shed light on our steadfast
    commitment to providing high quality educational
    experiences for our students.
    
    
  • And, in ways never done before the pandemic, you
    extended yourself by reaching out to students and
    providing necessary wraparound services and every
    imaginable and even previously unimaginable forms of
    assistance for their well-being.
    
    
  • Thank you for being so flexible, resourceful,
    compassionate and mindful.
    
    
• When considering the many issues, challenges and injustices
  in our country and in the world, can there be any doubt that
  education, decency and working for the common good must
  be at the heart of our efforts?
  
  
  • We must always come together for our common purpose
    and common good.
    
    
  • And we must move forward.

         < P A U S E >

• Together, we are doing all that we can to make sure that
  Oakland University is a place where students come to make
  their dreams a reality……a place where faculty and staff find
  fulfilling work and the satisfaction of playing an integral part
  of a mission to educate the next generation that will shape the
  future.
  
  < P A U S E >
  
  
• Like other universities around the country, Oakland University
  is in a transition after what we hope are the post-pandemic
  days….
  
  
• In the upcoming days and weeks, we will present updates on a
  range of issues, projects and initiatives in our ongoing effort to
  elevate Oakland as the university of choice for students,
  faculty, and staff.
  
  
• For now…today…we focus on a simple, straight-forward
  objective.
  
  
• Today, our focus is on reconnecting.
  
  
• What does it mean to “reconnect?”
  
  
  • When you’re walking on campus, put your cell phone
    away, look around, and take in all that you see –
    especially the people around you…
    
    
  • Have a smile on your face.
    
    
  • Say, “Hello” to someone you pass in the hallway, or on
    sidewalks.
    
    
  • Have lunch at a table in the food court with students or
    colleagues who you don’t know.
    
    
  • Ask someone how they’re feeling.
    
    
  • Make a point to be courteous…
    
    
  • Attend a university event, special lecture, concert, play,
    athletic event, recital, exhibit….
    
    
• Last Friday, we held the first annual “Leadership Day.”
  
  
  • We invited OU staff members who have gone through
    the Leadership Academy to discuss how we can work
    together – “reconnect” – to further enhance Oakland’s
    culture.
    
    
  • Among the many ideas discussed at “Leadership Day” is
    one that is especially timely…
    
    
  • It’s about building Golden Grizzlies Pride…
    
    
  • Think about the impact if on every Saturday, students,
    faculty and staff wear OU clothing.
    
    
• Post a photo
  
  
• Share on your Instagram
  
  
• Become part of a collage that we’ll post on the OU
  homepage
  
  
  • Wherever we go, we’ll your pride…
    
    
• Reconnect with other Golden Grizzlies…
  
  
• Maybe attract new Grizzlies and supporters.
• It’s just one of many ways to build pride and a stronger identity
  about this university – our university – the university we love.

< P A U S E >

• As you move through fall semester, take a moment to look
  around and appreciate the wonders of the Oakland University
  community.
  
  
  • On the most fundamental level, community is about
    caring and engaging.
    
    
• Let’s begin our reconnection today as we work together to
  move OU FORWARD….