Dear Campus Community,
Two weeks from today is the final day on campus this semester for many of our students, because after Thanksgiving we will conduct most of the remaining fall semester through online and remote learning.
Over the Thanksgiving break, please remember that community spread is most likely to happen where people gather in groups—both large and small. Protect yourself and others by wearing a mask and staying six feet apart. The Minnesota Department of Health also suggests that two weeks before a gathering, individuals scale back their activities in an effort to help reduce exposure to and spread of COVID-19.
Positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise across Minnesota and stress our healthcare system. Governor Walz announced new restrictions yesterday. These restrictions are a reminder of how serious the pandemic is and what each of us can do to stay safe and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Work from Home
Consistent with many other large employers and the State of Minnesota, we are now asking staff and faculty who can work from home to continue to do so through at least June 30, 2021. We want to empower you all to make plans that support your families while maintaining a smaller number of people on campus. We will continue the individual office sunrise plans established this summer and fall, and will make adjustments if circumstances change. Please talk to your supervisor if you have questions. The Office of Human Resources also has support resources listed on its Working Remotely webpage.
Upcoming Semester Break
As we continue working under our sunrise plans and COVID-19 restrictions, it is important to have vacation plans for the holidays. This year, the period from Wednesday, December 23, 2020 until Monday, January 4, 2021, includes 5 campus holidays, 4 weekend days and 3 regular work days. Wherever possible, departments are encouraged to allow staff to have the 12 consecutive days off, by utilizing 3 days of vacation, regardless of whether staff are working from campus or remotely. As in past years, this decision is entirely voluntary for both employees and departments, but strongly encouraged for sustainability reasons. We recognize and are grateful for dedicated employees that do not have this option.
As in recent years, this break provides an opportunity for the campus to reduce energy costs and prove its commitment to sustainability. To reduce energy consumption and our campus carbon footprint, UMD will operate campus buildings at temperatures lower than usual (62 degrees F) with limited ventilation during this Dec 23 - Jan 3 timeframe. If you have an adjustable thermostat in your office, you are asked to turn down the temperature to 62 degrees, but no lower than 60 degrees.
Facilities Management intends to provide minimal staffing, dependent on campus needs. Please contact Facilities Management at facmgt@d.umn.edu if you have events planned that will require our custodial (staff and/or door opening) services during this period. In order to meet your needs, please contact them as soon as possible.
Thank you for your continued support of UMD.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
