Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬

Dear Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ faculty and staff,

Throughout the past 18 months, you have maintained a tireless pace of hard work, dedication and resiliency. In response to unprecedented challenges and unexpected change, you have gone above and beyond, month after month, to maintain academic continuity, learn new ways of delivering instruction and services to meet the needs of our students, adapt and maintain facilities, plan – and revise plans for – events and celebrations, and provide outstanding health care and medical expertise for communities across our region.

In recognition of your tremendous efforts, I’m pleased to announce that Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ will extend this year’s Winter Break by giving you more days off to allow you additional time to rest, recover and reconnect with family and friends.

The extended holiday will include Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬â€™s 2021 observance of Juneteenth National Independence Day, which the federal government established on June 17, 2021, as a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. During this time off, I hope you will pause and consider the importance of this holiday in the context of our country’s history and future.

As announced in June 2021, Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ will observe Juneteenth 2022 on the day that is designated as the federal holiday.

Here is the revised schedule for the Juneteenth and Winter Break holidays:

• Monday, December 20 – Juneteenth
• Tuesday, December 21 - Winter Break
• Wednesday, December 22 - Winter Break
• Thursday, December 23 - Floating Holiday
• Friday, December 24 – Christmas Day
• Monday, December 27 - Winter Break
• Tuesday, December 28 – Winter Break
• Wednesday, December 29 – Winter Break
• Thursday, December 30 – Floating Holiday
• Friday, December 31 – New Year’s Day

Those employees working in clinical services and those employees identified as essential personnel will need to coordinate work schedules with their supervisor to ensure there is coverage during Winter Break. While most offices will be closed, there may be exceptions due to the nature of work performed. These decisions are made by the vice presidents and deans on a case-by-case basis.

For additional information, you may refer to the Holiday Schedule located on Human Resources’ website.

I’m also pleased to announce that Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬ will extend the COVID-19 Emergency Paid Sick Leave program through December 31, 2021. You can review eligibility criteria and access the application for leave by visiting the Human Resources website.

The holidays can be a busy time of year, but I very much encourage you to find some time during the extended break for acts of self-care and renewal. Thank you for all you do for Å·ÃÀÈý¼¶Æ¬!

Sincerely,

Rhea F. Law
President