March 27, 2020
Dear Colleagues:
This morning, our Board of Trustees held its first meeting since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pursuant to Governor Holcomb’s executive orders, all of the trustees participated by telephone. I send this message to share with you an important action that the Board took during this meeting.
Specifically, the trustees unanimously voted to approve our proposal for an Extraordinary Temporary Paid Leave Plan. Under this plan, if an employee is unable to work because of a COVID-19 related reason, the employee will receive regular full pay through the remainder of this fiscal year, which is June 30, 2020, or through the end of the employees regular employment period, whichever comes first. In order to receive this additional paid leave, an employee will not have to use any pre-existing paid leave.
Our overarching goal is simple. During this unprecedented public health crisis, we want to provide you with some reassurance that this pandemic will not cause you to suffer any additional financial stress.
But we don’t know when this crisis will abate. So, the plan that the Board approved also creates a donated paid leave “bank.” After June 30, 2020, an employee will be able to draw paid leave from this bank to cover COVID-19 related absences.
I am pleased and proud to report that the vice presidents and the academic deans have volunteered to join me in making the first donations of leave to this bank. After we have developed the necessary policies and procedures to administer this bank, other university employees with available leave will be able to donate to the bank to support their colleagues.
I know that you will have some questions about what this new plan means for you. Next week, we will provide you with more guidance. And as additional questions arise, we will continue to update the COVID-19 website.
For now, though, I hope that our Board’s action will relieve one source of stress in these challenging times. I know that your work continues. Our outstanding faculty have quickly developed creative ways to complete their courses. Our resilient students have sustained their commitment to learning. And our dedicated staff have continued their support so that we can maintain essential services.
I am grateful for your many extraordinary contributions as we overcome this challenge. And I am proud – indeed, fortunate – to serve with you as the president of this exceptional university.