Dear colleagues,
I am writing to announce a change to our . This message will also serve as notice to our employee’s collective bargaining units.
Having observed the drastic increase in gas prices due to the conflict in the Middle East as well as preliminary results from our recent EAB “employee voice” process, I have decided to expand our telecommute policy to allow for up to two remote work days per week—with the following caveats.
- Consistent with our existing policy, not all jobs at our university allow for remote work. If a position is eligible and the employee has a satisfactory or above performance evaluation, the employee will be allowed to work remotely for up to two days a week.
- The specific two remote days per week will be determined by supervisors and managers, based on the needs of the unit.
- If an employee works in a building that is closed on Fridays for energy conservation during the summer, those Fridays will count as one of the employee’s remote work days.
- Managers and supervisors of units with remote workers will designate one mandatory in person day per week so that all team members are present on the same day to facilitate collaboration and team work.
- The “Strong Start” program will continue, meaning all employees with any direct contact with students will be required to work in person the full week before and the full week after the first day of class each semester. Supervisors will schedule employees so someone is available until 6pm on those days.
- This expansion will be temporary until July 1, 2026 as a test, at which time new annual telecommute agreements will be updated and signed. If the test is successful, I may decide to continue the arrangement into the next fiscal year.
We will provide training to all managers and supervisors on best practices in supervising remote workers as well as the tools available to keep teams connected. Remote workers should be available and easy to contact during working hours.
We have made great progress as a university in bringing life back to our campus and on making service to students our number one priority. I hope you will continue to choose to support these efforts by attending large campus events like welcome week, admitted student day, block parties, and commencement. Your presence makes a huge difference. However, I also hope this change will relieve some of the current financial strain many in our community are experiencing.Thank you for your attention. More detailed information will follow.
Sincerely yours,
Cathy Sandeen
President
March 26, 2026