Forest Biomaterials Response to COVID-19

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

Combating COVID-19 is a collective effort that all of us are responsible for. While fear and uncertainty are understandable sentiments, I encourage everyone to confront this situation with calmness and reason and, more importantly, support for each other.

The Department of Forest Biomaterials is following guidance from the university as it continues to monitor and respond to the spread of COVID-19. As you’re likely already aware, the university has implemented reduced operations, with only mandatory employees allowed to work on critical tasks on-site. All non-mandatory employees and student workers will continue to be assigned work and will be expected to work remotely to the fullest extent possible. We have also closed our core service facilities until further notice.

Our students are instructed to remain at or return to their permanent off-campus residences, unless granted an exception. All classes are now being offered online and exceptions for face-to-face instruction will no longer be allowed.

This week has been the first week of online classes, and the feedback from our faculty has been so far positive with no reported major glitches in technology. I have also heard that students have been highly active and motivated. With that being said, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all of our students for their patience and continued support as we work through these challenging times with resilience and solidarity.

Lastly, I want to thank our faculty and staff for ensure our educational mission continues and for demonstrating exceptional capacity, adaptability and flexibility. In addition, I would like to thank our external constituents, including the NC State Pulp and Paper Foundation, industry partners and funding agencies for their continuous support and flexibility during this time of crises.

This is a time which calls for the best of each of us. I know that we will rise to this challenge, and we will overcome it. Please be safe and careful!

Marko Hakovirta
Department Head, Forest Biomaterials
NC State College of Natural Resources