Dear Pembrokians–

I am only too well aware that we are living through anxious and extraordinary times: this global pandemic hits every area of our lives and for each one of you there are difficulties and worries for yourself, your family and friends, and people you know in communities all over the world.

I wanted to update you about your College during this difficult time. Our primary concern two weeks ago was to move Pembroke into a minimum state of activity sufficient only to ensure the safety of those students who need to stay here, while protecting colleagues.  Many staff have volunteered to be trained in new areas to help ensure safety and security, as well as minimal catering provision. Not all colleges have chosen to do this, but we felt that as a community, we could do no less given that we have some students in isolation here and others who cannot travel home. We anticipate a population of about 25 for the coming weeks. I am proud of how staff have come together to care the young people in our charge, show consideration for vulnerable colleagues, and look out for each other. It is yet another display of the best of Pembroke and its community values.

As from Monday last week, all administrative staff are working from home to the extent IT will allow. There are many challenges to plan for, even as we wait to see how the situation will fully unfold. Amongst these are plans for delivery of teaching and continuation of research; working with the University to plan how admissions will be dealt with for the coming year; and attempting to forecast the short, medium and long-term financial impact on the College.

Our Development and Communication teams also want to ensure that you, our alumni, continue to feel the benefit of being a part of our community. Although events have naturally been cancelled for the next few months and we will not be in New York in the Spring, we hope to launch a series of video talks by Fellows and students about their research and other topics. Our Welfair and Wellbeing Coordinator, Rebekah White, will give a short chat about dealing with the mental strains of the pandemic, and we welcome your participation as well. If you have a book recommendation, article, piece of music, photograph, yoga session, or reminiscence you’d like to share, please send it to Andrew Mitchell, our Alumni Engagement Officer.

It may be some time before we are all together again here in College, but I know that we will continue to support each other in new and resourceful ways in the meantime.  As of today, it is hard to think much beyond the daily challenges that you are facing, but there will be a time beyond this lockdown phase, which may last several months, when we will all come together again as a strong Pembroke community, to live and work in a significantly changed world. In the meantime to quote our currently most renowned alumnus, an erstwhile US Presidential candidate, ‘Stay safe, stay home, and stay hopeful’.

Best wishes,
Lynne

Dame Lynne Brindley
Master, Pembroke College