Notes from Rob (2023-24)

​To read additional statements, messages and announcements from other university leaders at DePaul, visit the Leadership Notes​ webpage.​​​​​​​​​

Board of Trustees approves fiscal year 2025 budget

Board of Trustees approves fiscal year 2025 budget

​W​e are pleased to report that the DePaul University Board of Trustees unanimously approved the university’s $597 million operating budget for fiscal year 2025.​

Our plans for moving forward

Our plans for moving forward

​As the current quarter comes to an end, we recognize that many in our community have asked for clarity about our path forward following the encampment and what plans we have to engage our community in productive dialogue. ​

Encampment removal

Encampment removal

​​​Dear Faculty, Staff and Students, I write to you early on this Thursday morning to inform you that despite our good faith efforts to come to a shared resolution with the DePaul Divestment Coalition, we were unsuccessful.  I and... read more

After the encampment

After the encampment

​A message to the university community explaining the need to remove the encampment on the Lincoln Park quad.​

Impasse

Impasse

​Dear Facu​​lty, Staff, and Students, Since April 30, we have worked diligently to uphold our Vincentian ideals by identifying a resolution to the encampment in the quad on our Lincoln Park Campus. We are extremely disappointed to share that... read more

Quad safety concerns

Quad safety concerns

Today, we received calls from external entities specifically referencing the battery incident that occurred last night and indicating the possibility of escalated confrontations at the encampment. We urge all members of the DePaul community, including all those in the encampment, to avoid the quad.​​

Commemorating Yom HaShoah and reflecting on the present

Commemorating Yom HaShoah and reflecting on the present

The Holocaust stands as a stark reminder of the consequences of hatred, prejudice, and indifference. It compels us to confront the atrocities of the past and to stand united against any form of discrimination in our present and future. 

Responses to Divestment Coalition demands

Responses to Divestment Coalition demands

I invite you to read the university’s full and complete responses to the Divestment Coalition’s demands. I recognize that there will be a desire to focus on specific pieces. I urge you to take the time to see how interrelated and mission consistent these responses are. They are guided by a focus on creating a collective future, a devotion to freedom of speech and academic freedom, and empathy for all involved. 

Sunday protests

Sunday protests

​We are saddened to report that earlier today protests on DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus escalated. We would like to share a full summary of what occurred.​

DePaul encampment update

DePaul encampment update

​An update from university leadership on the encampment and the university​ engagement team's meeting with student and faculty representatives​ of the Divestment Coalition. 

Engagement team meeting

Engagement team meeting

​Today, members of DePaul’s engagement team have arranged a meeting with the students leading the protest with the hope of establishing a productive dialogue. The university is also in contact with other student leaders on campus who are not part of the encampment to ensure many voices are heard in this process. ​​

DePaul encampment

DePaul encampment

​This morning, a group created an encampment on DePaul’s Lincoln Park Campus. We are monitoring the situation closely and wish to convey our intentions for moving forward. ​

A path forward

A path forward

​We are all watching closely as colleges across the country navigate protests and conflict. We know that many in our own community are feeling pain and anger and considering how to engage with issues that matter to us. ​

Extended Independence Day holiday break

Extended Independence Day holiday break

​We would like to announce that DePaul University will be closed on Friday, July 5, 2024, for an extended Independence Day holiday break. The university is already scheduled to be closed for Independence Day on Thursday, July 4, 2024.​

Town Hall Video Recording

Town Hall Video Recording

​At the end of the winter quarter on March 19, I hosted a virtual town hall, along with university leaders. Thank you to the more than 500 students, faculty and staff who attended. If you missed the live session or want to rewatch the presentations, you can view the recording here​. ​

Digital Transformation Summit invitation

Digital Transformation Summit invitation

​​President Robert L. Manuel invites the DePaul community to participate in a Digital Transformation Summit to help design the future of DePaul's digital presence.​

Celebrating our spring religious holidays

Celebrating our spring religious holidays

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,Grounded in our Catholic, Vincentian heritage, DePaul is an institution that openly welcomes people of every faith. We encourage our students, faculty, and staff to celebrate within their own traditions, while honoring... read more

Winter 2024 Enrollment Update

Winter 2024 Enrollment Update

​As Designing DePaul initiatives move forward, enrollment remains a key focus area. At last fall’s Town Hall, I shared how strong transfer and international enrollment were driving us forward. Today, I am pleased to share an enrollment update for Winter 2024.

University Virtual Town Hall

University Virtual Town Hall

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,As we approach the end of the winter quarter and look forward to spring break, I would like to invite you to a lunchtime virtual town hall to hear about the progress we are all making to move the university forward as we... read more

Launching the OIDE vice president search

Launching the OIDE vice president search

​Last week, I met with the committee that will help us identify the next vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion. I’m happy to report our search is officially underway.​

Blue Demon Challenge

Blue Demon Challenge

​Yesterday, more than 4,600 Blue Demons from around the world came together to raise $5,300,000 within 24 hours for our students at DePaul University. The generosity displayed by our DePaul community is incredible.​

Planning for DePaul’s next comprehensive campaign

Planning for DePaul’s next comprehensive campaign

​​Dear Faculty, Staff and Students, ​As we kick off Blue Demon Week and celebrate our campus and community, we would also like to look ahead to the future and the role of philanthropy in supporting initiatives across DePaul. Through the... read more

Designing DePaul Digest: January 2024

Designing DePaul Digest: January 2024

​During the fall quarter we made great progress on Designing DePaul, our collaborative approach to building a roadmap to guide us into the future. I see our Designing DePaul framework and initiatives having an impact on our everyday work as we enhance campus life and make connections throughout our community. As we settle into winter quarter, I am pleased to share just a few of our collective accomplishments below. Please visit the Designing DePaul website for more details and watch for a future digest covering our initiatives.​

Supporting our students

Supporting our students

Welcome back! I hope you’re having an excellent first week of classes. Yesterday, I shared a message with the entire university community. I wanted to follow up to share a few additional updates specifically for our students. Throughout the fall... read more

A New Year

A New Year

Happy New Year, and welcome back to campus! I hope you had an enjoyable break and a good first day of classes. It’s great to see our Loop and Lincoln Park campuses buzzing with activity again.  I’m happy to report we’re starting the new year... read more

Happy holidays!

Happy holidays!

​​​Thank you for all that you do for our DePaul community! I hope your holidays will be filled with peace and joy. Please enjoy the video below, and I look forward to seeing you in 2024!

Download the New Designing DePaul eBook

Download the New Designing DePaul eBook

​Today, I proudly share the official Designing DePaul December 2023 eBook— our newest resource for information related to defining and designing DePaul’s future. This comprehensive eBook incorporates comments and contributions from the DePaul community.... read more

University closing early for Thanksgiving

University closing early for Thanksgiving

​​​​As we reach the end of the fall quarter, we want to express how grateful we are for all that you do every single day for our students and our entire university. As a way to recognize your dedication to DePaul, the university will be closed on... read more

Incident on Lincoln Park Campus this morning

Incident on Lincoln Park Campus this morning

This morning at 8 a.m., we were made aware that someone posted several hundred unauthorized and triggering posters in multiple buildings, including Arts & Letters, Richardson Library and SAC, on the Lincoln Park Campus. 

Watch the Town Hall video recording

Watch the Town Hall video recording

​Thank you to the more than 500 students, faculty and staff members who joined the University Town Hall last week on Oct. 26 to hear the latest information regarding our financial health, enrollment, elimination of the achievement gap, philanthropic... read more

Introducing the Budget Blueprint website

Introducing the Budget Blueprint website

​Earlier this quarter, the Designing DePaul Initiatives website launched as the key resource for all information related to each of the five focus areas that comprise the framework to move our university forward. To date, the site has received more than... read more

2023 Fall Census: Improved enrollment, retention and more

2023 Fall Census: Improved enrollment, retention and more

​Each year, we share key information from DePaul’s fall census, a review of the current quarter’s enrollment data, which allows us to make projections for the full fiscal year ahead. These insights enable our community to reflect on the real outcomes of our multi-year enrollment strategies and align on a path forward. 

Our guiding principles in response to the Israel-Hamas War

Our guiding principles in response to the Israel-Hamas War

​Since the horrific and devastating terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel, we have seen the escalation of Islamophobic and antisemitic acts around the world and inside our neighborhoods.​

Invitation: University town hall, Thursday, Oct. 26

Invitation: University town hall, Thursday, Oct. 26

​As promised during Academic Convocation, I invite you to the first of multiple University Town Halls this academic year for updates on a number of topics. ​

Apology to the BSU

Apology to the BSU

​At DePaul, we don’t always get it right, but we are sincerely committed to ensuring that all students are included and feel a sense of belonging. It is in this vein that I would like to sincerely apologize for a letter about campus safety that I released... read more

DePaul University statement on events in Israel and Gaza

DePaul University statement on events in Israel and Gaza

​​​Our hearts ache to see the horrific violence and tragic loss of life taking place right now in Israel and Gaza. We pray for peace. We ask God using the words of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem that the God of peace and love inspire world leaders in... read more

Progress on Public Safety Initiatives: Increased patrols, DEI training and more

Progress on Public Safety Initiatives: Increased patrols, DEI training and more

​​​​With campus safety and security top of mind, we continue implementing and exploring additional safety measures. We are actively addressing concerns and remain committed to keeping conversations going. We wanted to share recent progress, which includes... read more

Introducing the Designing DePaul Initiatives website

Introducing the Designing DePaul Initiatives website

Today, I am very happy to share the launch of the Designing DePaul Initiatives website — your new resource for all information related to defining and designing DePaul’s future. 

St. Vincent’s extraordinary pragmatism

St. Vincent’s extraordinary pragmatism

​Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Vincent de Paul from whom we derive our name, vision, mission, and identity. ​

Campus safety actions [for family members of DePaul students]

Campus safety actions [for family members of DePaul students]

​​​​​​​ We appreciate the messages many of you sent the university over the weekend in response to the safety incidents that continue to occur on our campus. Please know that we are working to respond to each individual message and will get back to... read more

Campus safety actions

Campus safety actions

​​In the last three weeks, our university community has witnessed an alarming increase in safety incidents on our Lincoln Park and Loop campuses. We want you to know how much we share your concern and will not tolerate these crimes that continue to occur... read more

Robberies last night on campus

Robberies last night on campus

​Last night and early this morning, the university issued public safety alerts to report that two robberies and a battery had occurred on our Lincoln Park Campus between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. Unfortunately, these crimes involved our DePaul students. We... read more

Designing DePaul feedback accepted until September 30

Designing DePaul feedback accepted until September 30

​The comment period for the Designing DePaul outcomes report remains open until Saturday, September 30. 

Last night's safety incidents

Last night's safety incidents

​​​ Earlier this morning, the university issued two public safety alerts to report that three robberies and a battery had occurred on our Lincoln Park Campus between 1 and 1:30 a.m. Unfortunately, all three crimes involved our students, and Public... read more

Supporting our diverse multi-faith community

Supporting our diverse multi-faith community

​ As confirmed through the Designing DePaul dialogue process, our university community believes that we must show our demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all we do. As we begin our school year, which I hope is going well for... read more

Kicking off a new academic year

Kicking off a new academic year

​Welcome to the 2023-24 academic year! Today marks the first day of fall classes, and I'm thrilled to kick off my second year with DePaul University.​

Our initiatives for the year ahead

Our initiatives for the year ahead

​​Last academic year, we came together as a community to imagine our possibilities and ultimately to design DePaul's future. More than 3,000 faculty, staff, students, trustees, alumni, parents, and retirees participated in more than 50 listening sessions, known as Designing DePaul. Today, I'm happy to share the collective input you generously provided at those sessions.​

Academic Convocation 2023

Academic Convocation 2023

​​​​​Good morning. It is a real treat to welcome you all back – and to begin our term. While the summer was a wonderful time, it is more exciting to see our community reassemble and get ready for the year ahead.  Today we get together to... read more