Increased Flexibility for University Community

Dear Faculty and Staff:

With the vast majority of our students now off campus for the winter break, the University is encouraging supervisors to extend flexibility to work remotely to their teams, as appropriate to their duties and departments. This will remain in place until Jan. 18, 2022—the start of the Spring 2022 semester. This action will allow eligible employees flexibility with their work, especially at a time when new COVID infections are rising.

Here’s what this guidance means:

• Team members who can perform their work remotely are encouraged to do so.
• Deans, senior vice presidents and other leaders will encourage faculty and staff whose job functions do not require a physical presence on campus to conduct their business remotely.
• Individuals who must be on campus to perform their duties, including but not limited to student-facing roles, food services, facilities management, public safety, parking, etc., as determined by their departments, should continue reporting per their regular schedule. If you are uncertain if your position requires you to be on campus, please contact your supervisor directly to discuss.
• Research that requires faculty, staff and graduate students to be on campus, in the field or in a laboratory may continue. Similarly, studio space and work that cannot be replicated outside the studio may continue.

We are grateful to our faculty and staff, together whom played such a critical role in maintaining a robust academic and student experience this year.

I wish you and your loved ones a happy, healthy and restful holiday season.

Sincerely,

Andrew R. Gordon
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer