Additional guidance for faculty and staff from Vice President for HR Bill Bell
Dear Purdue colleagues,
I am writing this afternoon to help clarify the impact of Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s executive order asking residents to stay at home except as necessary to perform essential functions and operations, including those of the university. These new directives take effect at 11:59 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, March 24) and currently last through 11:59 p.m. April 6.
As you are aware, we previously anticipated the need for people to work remotely and asked all who can do so to take that step. We thank each of you who has responded so responsibly as we work to ensure as best we can the health and safety of our people and the public at large. Due to those efforts, today’s executive order should not have a material impact on campus operations as they stand today.
With that in mind, please review carefully the following:
Remote instruction will continue and campus access will be allowed for those who need to be here to deliver and/or support remote instruction.
Residence halls will remain open to students who were not able to return home. Employees who work to support those students in the halls and with food service should continue to come to campus. Students will be able to leave their halls to be outdoors and to pick up food.
Critical research functions are allowed, and the Executive Vice President For Research and Partnerships will provide additional direction on what those critical functions are, as well as any necessary steps for pausing noncritical functions in our campus research operations.
Supervisors should inform personnel who must continue to report to campus to fulfill essential work and should direct others to stay at home through at least April 6.
The governor’s action will not impact the pay of any Purdue employees, and no employee will be required to use paid leave throughout the duration of today’s executive order.
We thank you, again, for your attention to the important work that needs to be done at Purdue University and for your efforts and care during this unprecedented time.
Continue to watch the Purdue COVID-19 Website for updates and frequently asked questions.
Sincerely,
Bill Bell
Vice President for Human Resources