Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff Members,

As we prepare for the start of a new academic year, I write to share with you that Provost and Dean of the Faculty Tomoko Sakomura is on medical leave. Out of respect for Tomoko’s privacy, I cannot go into further detail, but I know we all look forward to her speedy return to the College.

As I shared with the Committee on Faculty Procedures and the Governance Review Study Group this morning, I plan to appoint an acting provost and dean of the faculty to serve during Tomoko’s leave. I will write to you with further information about that as soon as possible. In the meantime, I encourage anyone with pressing business with the Provost's Office to contact the appropriate person in the office or email provost@swarthmore.edu as needed.

I want to thank the entire Provost’s Office staff for working to minimize any disruption during this interim period. I also thank all of you for your empathy, understanding, and patience.

I hope you will join me in wishing Tomoko well and keeping her in our thoughts during this challenging time.

My best,

Val Smith
President