In recent weeks, several government actions have been taken that may impact our students, faculty, communities, and the field of public health. For instance, some public programs previously funded by the government were paused or cancelled altogether, affecting some student and faculty funding. We understand that many students are feeling stressed and have questions about how these changes may impact our school, your current and future employment in this field, and the public’s health at large. We are writing to say that we feel for your concerns. Although we also do not know what is going to happen, we are actively monitoring information channels and pledge to provide you with the most up-to-date facts. 

While there may be considerable uncertainty about the future for public health agencies and programs, what is certain is our commitment to achieving the mission of our school: “To develop public health leaders, advance knowledge on health equity, and collaboratively transform public health locally and globally through education, research, and service.” We are committed to ensuring that you receive the highest quality education so that you are equipped with the knowledge and skills to serve as a leader in your community or workplace when the public’s health is threatened. If you have questions about how certain policies and government actions may impact public health, we encourage you to reach out to your public health instructors and engage in respectful conversations in your classes. We will also host a listening session soon where you can gather with other SPH students and representatives of SPH faculty to share your experiences and concerns. By listening, faculty and administration can help plan how to best support you. If you are interested in attending such a session, please respond here.