Dear Colleagues:
As we approach the semester break, we write to encourage your participation in the 2023 voluntary reduced holiday operating schedule program. This program provides an opportunity for meaningful energy savings.
This year the cabinet has approved an extension of the normal break to assist the campus in making headway on Governor Hochul's Executive Order #22: Leading by Example: Directing State Agencies to Adopt a Sustainability and Decarbonization Program. As in the past the program is voluntary and will start at 6 a.m. Friday, December 22, 2023, and continue through 6 a.m. Monday, January 8, 2024.
During this time, all buildings EXCEPT the Haggerty Administration Building, Hopfer House, Coykendall Science Building, the Center for International Programs (Grimm House), a few Residence Halls, the Service Building and Heating plant will be closed. To maximize energy savings during this period, Facilities Operations staff will be modifying set point temperatures and exhaust fan frequency in closed buildings. In addition, they will reduce site lighting in parking lots and walkway areas during this period. Many parking lots, especially those closest to the closed residence halls, will be closed (no plowing and minimal lighting) until students return on January 22, 2024.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many employees have accrued time unused since March 2020. We ask you to consider using accrued annual, personal, or compensatory time to contribute to the program's success. Employees may also request leave without pay. As we prepare for the building shutdowns, we ask for your assistance by ensuring that as you leave campus for the holidays, all lights are shut off, refrigerators (are cleaned out) and computers are unplugged, and all windows are closed.
Participating in the Voluntary Reduced Holiday Operating Program
Professional and Classified staff who wish to participate can complete the 2023-2024 Winter Holiday Reduced Schedule form to indicate the days on which you intend to be off from work. Please return it to your Dean, Director or Supervisor by Friday, December 8, 2023. Those employees who cannot use telecommuting or who choose not to take leave during this period and will be impacted by building closures and reduced heating will be provided with alternative work assignments in one of the College facilities that remain open. Supervisors are responsible for assigning work and arranging an alternative work site in the buildings that remain open.
Department heads should review and update the department listing within the Office Hours and Availability page to reflect operational hours. Updates can be submitted here: https://www.newpaltz.edu/officeclosings/.
Telecommuting
Employees who wish to work for all or portions of this period may work with supervisors to adjust their established telecommuting programs. Adjustments for this brief period can be in the form of a memo to the appropriate Vice President. Employees should consult with their supervisor if completing the telecommuting plan form for the first time and should understand all the parameters and expectations including security of information. Please note: Supervisors should consult with IT regarding technology needs BEFORE supporting these new telecommuting plans, as new requests for resources may not be possible due to limited supplies and bandwidth of IT staff. IT staff are not responsible for supporting home computers. New telecommuting forms should be returned to your Dean, Director, or Supervisor no later than Friday, December 15 to allow adequate time for Vice President review and approval.
Supervisors, Chairs, Deans, AVPs, and Directors should communicate with their Vice President, who provides final approval of telecommuting plans. HRDI is happy to offer consultation or guidance for planning. Please contact hrdi@newpaltz.edu for assistance.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Michele C. Halstead
Vice President for Finance and Administration
Tanhena Pacheco-Dunn
Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion
