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Messages from the Dean

In addition to informational emails throughout the semester, Dean Suzanne Raitt sends a weekly Friday message to the faculty of Arts & Sciences during the academic year. The weekly messages provide important news and updates, reminders, and occasionally a bit of humor.  The current semester's messages are saved on this page for reference. Messages from the previous academic year are archived annually.
  • November 8, 2024

    I recognize this may be a time of reflection and heightened sentiment for many. As we navigate the impact of events this week, I look forward to continuing our work together toward our shared goals.

  • November 1, 2024

    It’s been a busy week across campus and this is a full message. I strive to keep you updated with only the most important, current information in my Friday messages and I am truly grateful for your continued attention to these weekly missives.

  • October 25, 2024

    I’m not sure if you feel the same, but this fall semester seems to be flying by in a blur—an exciting and intellectually stimulating blur, at that! As we move forward, I wanted to take a moment to share several important opportunities to connect and engage on campus this week.

  • October 18, 2024

    My heart is heavy with the news of the passing of one of our students, Rose Way. My thoughts remain with the Rose’s family, friends, and all who knew her. The William & Mary community cares deeply for its own and this loss impacts us all.

  • October 11, 2024

    I hope this message finds you well on this second day of Fall Break, and that you’re able to find some time during the break to rest and recharge for the remainder of the semester. Please take a few minutes to read these important updates.

  • October 8, 2024 - Updates from September BOV meeting

    W&M's Board of Visitors met on campus September 25-27. Members of the Dean Team attend every BOV session and below are a few key updates to be aware of following this BOV's meeting. As always, the board agenda, minutes and pre-reads are available online.

  • October 4, 2024

    We are wending our way into October, and toward the middle of the semester. I don’t hear the word “wend” often, but I enjoy this definition: “If you wend your way in a particular direction, you walk, especially slowly, casually, or carefully, in that direction.”

  • September 27, 2024

    As parts of the U.S. are dealing with the effects of Hurricane Helene, my thoughts are with any of you with friends, family or loved ones impacted by the storm.

  • September 20, 2024

    After a rather grey and humid week, I’m happy to see the sun today. So many exciting and curious things are happening across campus. You need only to take a look at the university events calendar – and the many individual calendars – to see what I mean.

  • September 13, 2024

    I want to start with gratitude for all you do. As we settle into the swing of a semester, yet prepare for energy and activities to ramp up this fall, please know that your work is seen and deeply appreciated. The Council of Arts & Sciences, our philanthropic advisory board, is meeting on campus today and it’s great to catch up with them. I’ll have more details about our meeting next week.

  • September 6, 2024

    Though it’s been a short week (has it?), we managed to pack in lots of quality time, including our first Faculty of Arts & Sciences meeting of the semester, followed by our kickoff celebration. My request for temperate weather was evidently received and granted because it was a beautiful day to spend some time together, to talk, laugh, eat delicious food and enjoy each other’s company.

  • August 30, 2024

    We’re off to the races! That is, if “the races” involve late-night syllabus updates, employing your best mnemonic devices to commit new students’ names to memory, and more semester kick-off celebrations than you thought possible. What an exciting time of year, and what a pleasure it was to witness our new students walking through the Wren arch lit up by their dreams and hopes. Oh to be young again.

  • August 23, 2024

    Welcome to the fall 2024 semester. I’m back in your inbox, wielding (gently) my first (rather long) Friday message of the semester. As we begin this busy and crucial time, especially for our first year and transfer students and our new faculty members (to whom, welcome!) I want to share some important updates and reminders.