I’ll be honest, it’s been a hard week, for a few reasons.

For one thing, I’ve been thinking about commencements. My grandson’s would have been this Saturday. Watching all the ways that parents and teachers have been coming up with creative ways to celebrate has been both inspiring and bittersweet. I remember, personally, what an important marker it was in my life and I wonder about what it means to all those now graduating.

At a different point this week, I was reflecting on a series of studies I remember reading in the 1990’s about women and higher education. They showed that most young women who didn’t start college right after high school never attended later. They also showed that the majority of those who left university partway through never returned. Essentially it laid out that once a disruption in education happens, it’s harder for women to make that big change of getting back to a higher education system.

I don’t know what the data would show today, but with some universities not opening in the fall or moving all their fall classes entirely online, I’m concerned about the bright, diverse young students we might lose in this period of time.

And last but certainly not least in the way of “things that keep me awake at night,” we got a note recently from University of Nebraska President Ted Carter that they had to eliminate several employees from the President’s staff and IT staff because of funding constraints due to COVID-19.

We’re starting to see some of the many consequences of this pandemic, and as we get closer to having to do the budget, the harder it is for me to be upbeat.

When you have to let people go because of budget cuts you inevitably start to worry about who’s next. It’s hard on morale – especially the newest hires – and it’s a struggle. As a regent I don’t take it lightly.

These are people’s lives. These are our dedicated students, faculty and staff. To Ted Carter’s credit, he has absolutely dug in and understands the university. I know that he is handling this with the most informed and empathetic approach possible. We have a good leader and I trust him and I trust the board of regents. Still, it hurts.

There will be a lot of key decision making and budget work in the next couple months, starting with the June regent meeting. Scrutinizing the budget (which might even be less than last year) is going to be difficult and psychologically stressful. My colleagues in the finance committee, along with Ted Carter and the deans, will have hard choices to make, with only as much info as we can get at the time.

Even though I’ve only been in this position for about a year and a half, I’ve gotten to know so many wonderful people and it’s hard to watch them go through this.

I wouldn’t ever presume that it compares to the pain and uncertainty many are dealing with when it comes to potentially losing a job, or having to recalibrate… well, everything. I mention it because I want to thank all of them for the incredible work they’ve done, and continue to do. For those who are sadly let go, I know the University of Nebraska will work hard to find good placement for them, and quickly. They are, after all, part of our family.

While there’s much that’s out of our control, we have the opportunity to say thank you and take care of each other as a community.

Faculty and staff have been going above and beyond. Everyone who works the food pantry at the Community Engagement Center has been working hard to keep it open, stocked, and providing for the community.

I’ve gone through different phases during this pandemic. I’ve gone from “okay, this is different” to “look at all the stuff I can get done and have time for” to “I’d rather reflect and meditate” to “how are we going to get to a place where we can make good informed decisions?”

Where I’m at now – where we’re at – is we have to trust in ourselves that we’ll learn and adapt, and trust in each other.

*Barbara’s thoughts as written by Kate based on weekly (fascinating) conversations.