Northeastern University College of Science

Dear College of Science Faculty and Staff,
 
The first war between Israel and her neighbors that I remember was back in 1967. Though it was called the ‘six-day war’, implying closure, peace in the Middle East remains a dream unfulfilled. The present devastating violence in Israel and Gaza is horrifying in every way. My deepest prayers and warm wishes for the safety of your family and friends in the region. I hope they have food, shelter and medical care, and you are in contact.
 
To add to the load, the week saw deadly earthquakes in Afghanistan, continuing war in Ukraine, a crisis for ethnic Armenians, desperate people and circumstances across the world. My heartfelt wishes that your family and friends in these regions are safe.
 
Alongside these troubling world events, close by, we may struggle with illness, or concerns about someone we love. We may have to work through a new required process, deal with a classroom whose IT needs a tweak. Or move to EXP, where the excitement of world-class space is tempered by the pain of setting up equipment, waiting for Boston Fire Department certification, or the correct plugs. Thank you! to faculty, staff and students in Chemistry and Chemical Biology for powering through the move. Special thanks! to CCB chair, Penny Beuning; Rich Pumphrey, Business and Operations Manager; Sarah Stanton, COS Director of Space Planning and Operations; and Sam Inman, Associate Dean for Administration and Finance, who are working tirelessly to get all in place. My sincere gratitude. We will get there.
 
So, what can you do when things are falling apart, and you are overwhelmed by the toughness of life? Focusing on what’s in your control can be helpful. There are many quotes on the topic, and Associate Dean for Research, Erin Cram provided the following, from stoic philosophy:
 
“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own…” — Epictetus, Discourses, 2.5.4–5
 
What’s in your control can be quite small, but at least you can embrace it. In your control is that you can voice your concerns or ideas. The Dean’s Office leadership team is here to listen, and I am only an email, anonymous form or meeting away.  Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs Oyinda Oyelaran reminds of your Faculty Senators: Veronica Godoy-Carter; Amy DiBattista; Allesandra Di Credico; Erica Homan; Jenn Ingemi and Valerio Toledano Laredo; the College Council (Chair Steven Vollmer, Vice-Chair Gabor Lippner; or the FT-NTT Faculty Committee (Chair Stephanie Eby). Thank you! to our Senators and all members of these committees. Associate Dean Sam Inman is developing a COS Staff Council, please watch for details. And below is the announcement for a Community Care Workshop led by EDIJ Program Manager Marya Mahmood.
 
For world events so troubling, you can lend your voice on petitions, join peaceful protests, or donate time and/or funds to relief organizations. At home, you can complete and check off something on your to-do list. You can take care of yourself, each of us can support and care about one another. And we can embrace that much of our work in the College of Science and at Northeastern University is under our control, and all of it is unequivocally important.