Our Time With Your Student

Dear Wolverine Families,

Recently, I had the exciting opportunity to meet with U-M students for a virtual Leadership Connection event. In past years, our Center for Campus Involvement has held this leadership retreat for student organizations at Camp Michigania. This time around, we had a great time chatting on Zoom, and going virtual enabled students to join us from all across the globe. I was honored to share some of my personal “golden nuggets” of wisdom with these rising leaders, but I had just as much to learn from them as they had to learn from me. The core theme that arose from our chat? Community.

We discussed how, while passion and strategic risk-taking are important parts of being good leaders, well-being has to come first, and how community is one of our greatest sources of strength and support. Our Leaders & Best — your students — need places where they can feel safe to unload, share resources, ideas, and concerns, and just have fun and socialize.

This theme of “community” continues to drive Student Life’s plans for Fall 2021, as well as our Spring and Summer term offerings for students still on campus over the summer. I invite you to read on to find out more about topics like public health guidelines for students on our campus during Spring and Summer terms, Fall 2021 student organization tips, and fun opportunities for students to pick up “kitchen hacks” from MDining and access Rec Sports membership benefits over the next few months. 

As always, if you have questions regarding the content of this edition of Family Matters, please reach out to Assist-Me@umich.edu to be routed to the best office to help you.

Until next time,
Dr. Martino Harmon, Vice President for Student Life