Mar. 20, 2020 – Remote work for staff extended through April 11
Dear colleagues,
As Interim Chancellor Wente noted in her Open Mind column on Monday, “Day-to-day life at Vanderbilt looks significantly different today than it did last Monday.” Of course, one significant difference is the fact that students have, for the most part, moved out; another is that our research laboratories are ramping down; another is that we implemented an initial remote work period of Monday, March 16, through Friday, March 27. As we end the first week of the first phase of remote work activity, we want to echo Interim Chancellor Wente’s gratitude for everyone’s contributions during these extraordinary circumstances and share information about upcoming phases of remote work.
Given the unpredictable nature of the ongoing national and local COVID-19 situation, the university leadership has decided that an additional two-week Phase II remote work period will commence immediately following the initial phase. Thus, remote work will continue from today, March 20, through Saturday, April 11. As with the initial phase and regardless of the source of funds that support your position, staff pay and benefits will be preserved, and your manager will be in direct contact with you to discuss your specific responsibilities during this additional remote work period.
Whether the work of your position can be accomplished remotely, requires your presence on campus, or the nature of your work is such that there is not remote work available, there are provisions to continue your pay and benefits. Details about how to record time in Oracle will be provided by your manager or HCM specialist and is posted in an FAQ in the HR section of our website.
Vanderbilt, with the rest of the U.S., has entered into an unprecedented time that is proving to have impacts on our nation’s physical and financial health. We are taking these actions as a responsible measure to ensure social distancing and “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus disease spread. We continue to monitor developments and, to the greatest extent possible, seek to anticipate emerging issues and prepare accordingly.
These are challenging times for all, and as we navigate a path forward, we will stay in touch via email notifications and website updates. Please continue to monitor the HR information page and the telecommuting and remote work resources on the university’s COVID-19 webpage.
We are grateful to all who have responded with ingenuity and creativity to the challenges of working, researching and teaching remotely and designing solutions that continue to support the mission and work of the university.
And to those individuals who must continue to report to campus to maintain vital functions, we offer our deepest thanks and admiration. We could not safeguard the integrity of the institution without the contributions of each and every one of you—thank you.
Eric Kopstain
Vice Chancellor for Administration
Laura Nairon
Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for People and Business Services