Last week was another busy and productive week. I was genuinely delighted to see so many people at last Monday’s faculty meeting; I think that attendance may have spiked a bit because many of our population science faculty had just had a meeting in E501, and stayed for the faculty meeting before heading back up Wisconsin Avenue. Regardless of the reason, it was great to see so many faculty members in the room, and hope we might have as large a turnout at future meetings where we discuss important developments for the cancer center.
For me, the week got off to a shaky start last Saturday, when I got a call that the administrative offices on the fifth floor of the Research Building had been vandalized. I came in to find every door opened with a crowbar, with various items stolen, including my computer monitor. Luckily, I dock my laptop into the monitor at work, so no work was taken. However, several computers were stolen, and the safe containing petty cash was compromised. Any way you look at it, the overall feeling of invasion and violation was palpable. The campus police and the DC police were on the scene, and crowbar-proof plates were added to the access doors.
As you know, GUMC has created a task force to address security issues on the medical center campus (there were also a few incidences in Building D). My major concern is for the physical safety of people who work here; had someone been in the offices when the break-in occurred, their safety could not have been assured. We don’t know who is responsible, but obviously I hope that everybody will be observant and will report any suspicious or unusual activity.
On a more positive note, look out for a big announcement about our new deputy director this week. And, l look forward to sharing many other exciting developments with you in the weeks and months to come.