Winter Break Reminders and Paid Leave

Colleague,

Winter break — particularly the week between Christmas and New Year’s — is traditionally a period of reduced activity on campus, when certain services are scaled back and some offices are closed. For many of us, it provides a chance to rest, reflect and recharge after the fall semester.

In appreciation of your efforts and to provide you time to focus on your wellbeing and reset for the spring semester, we will close the Lawrence and Edwards campuses between Christmas and the New Year’s holiday. Paid leave is being provided to eligible employees Dec. 25 – Dec 31.  Eligible employees will not be required to use accrued leave during this time.

Units that provide essential services for managing campus safety and systems may not be able to have all employees take leave at the same time. These units may allow a small number of employees to use Dec. 18 through Dec. 24 as an alternative paid week.

Human Resource Management will provide details regarding time reporting for regular hourly employees. Salaried employees will not have to take any action in HR/Pay for this paid leave. We also want to reinforce that this additional paid leave does not preclude or replace your ability to take additional vacation or other accrued time off with your supervisor’s approval.

Additional Winter Break Information

The Winter Recess website has been updated with information for the current academic year. The site provides important dates, deadlines, services and other details related to university operations during the break. Information about whether your campus office is closed or alternate staffing arrangements during winter break will come through your supervisor.

Please keep in mind that the ability for deliveries on campus may be limited during winter break. If there is nobody in your office to receive deliveries, please do not make non-essential purchases.

Thank you for all you do to support our students, your colleagues and the KU community. We hope the paid leave provides you additional time to relax, re-energize and focus on your mental and physical health.

Respectfully,

Doug, Barb and Mike

Doug Girod

Chancellor

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer

Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor

Mike Rounds

Vice Provost for Operations and Chief Human Resources Officer