President’s Blog
Vacations
August 19, 2008
Dear Campus Community:
It's heading toward the end of August. The new academic year is just weeks away. The first holiday catalogs are already arriving. The air is a tad smoky, and the price of gasoline is breathtaking. But the weather is warm, Ashland is awash with playgoers, and vacations are happening in many shapes and forms.
On my desk are vacation artifacts: a calendar from Ellen Siem's trip to Turkey, a post card from Peter Angstadt that was carried up by mule from the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Emails are coming in from Europe and Asia. My calendar is sprinkled with visits from friends and family vacationing in Ashland.
I have had some lovely days on the wild and scenic Rogue River—away from computers and cell phones—as well as time exploring other beautiful spots in southern Oregon.
We all need to plan at least a little time away—even if it's only to sit on the back porch and read a good book. We need to give our brains and bodies some fresh air and maybe even some extra sleep before the new academic year sweeps over us.
I can't say the University workload really lets up over the summer—though the nature of the work changes a bit. But one of the joys of academic life is having the opportunity to start anew every September—so it's particularly important to take a little time for yourself before the start of fall term.
There are only a few weeks (and weekends) left. Try to unschedule yourself for a few days. I will try to do the same.
Mary Cullinan
