November 30, 2020
Dear Campus Community,
Each December, the President’s Office looks forward to hosting the entire UM family for a holiday celebration in the University Center Ballroom. In addition to affording me the opportunity to thank you in person for the many contributions you make and talents you bring to UM, this event allows all of us to take a moment to enjoy the company of the many wonderful people who choose to work at UM.
Now more than ever, we want to celebrate each of you and your enduring dedication to UM. As we can’t all join together in one place, a cross-campus team has worked on a series of alternative event offerings that will take the place of our traditional holiday gathering. Details about the first of these events are below. These UM-hosted events are University sponsored for the benefit of our employees, and the use of any type of leave is not required to attend.
Attend the Parade of Lights
The Downtown Missoula Partnership will host the 18th annual Parade of Lights on Campus Drive from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. This will be a reverse parade: The “floats” will be stationary, and attendees will drive through the parade route. We invite you to attend and bring your family or “quaranteam” members. UM will have a significant presence in this year’s parade that you won’t want to miss!
From 6 to 7 p.m. that evening, UM employees are invited to pick up hot chocolate and a bag of holiday-flavored popcorn to share in your vehicle as you enjoy the parade. A drive-thru station will be available between the Music Building and Gallagher Business Building for the . A confirmation will be emailed with more information.
Relax and Connect on the Oval
From noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, Dec. 8-10, the UC’s eight new propane fire pits will be available on the Oval for small holiday celebrations in groups of four. Departments, committees and groups of colleagues are invited to before noon Friday, Dec. 4. Up to 32 people can participate in each session, and a hot beverage and treat will be provided for all attendees.
These in-person events will have enhanced safety protocols that all participants will need to follow, including: pre-registering, maintaining a six-foot distance from others, wearing a mask when you are not actively eating and drinking, and not attending if you are not feeling well or if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms. With a spirit of mutual openness and flexibility, we ask that participants be prepared to not attend in-person events if instructed by the health department or if the local/state orders change and we need to cancel the event.
Participate in Care4U
In addition to these in-person events, UM’s Staff Senate will launch Care4U, a month of virtual programming offerings, on Monday, Dec. 7. The goal of Care4U is to enable UM employees to commit time to connect with others, explore learning opportunities and practice self-care. More information about Care4U will be forthcoming.
Send Gratitude
Finally, to allow employees to express gratitude and warm wishes to one another, the will be open through Dec. 10. Write a short note to as many colleagues as you’d like and these will be delivered on Dec. 11. Alternatively, you can also submit a Griz Gratitude to thepresident@mso.umt.edu for inclusion in UMToday.
We hope many of you are able to participate in the above activities, and we look forward to sharing information about additional employee engagement efforts in the near future.
Best wishes,
Seth