Dear Clark University Employees,
Yesterday Governor Baker extended the order closing non-essential businesses, as well as the accompanying stay-at-home advisory, through May 4, 2020. These actions are vital to our community’s efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and mitigate demands on our health care system. This response has our full support.
As during the past week, the University will remain open for the purpose of delivering essential services and to support the work of our faculty in teaching courses in an on-line format. The commitment of our faculty, staff, and the whole Clark community to supporting our students has been extraordinary. Thank you.
We reiterate here important guidelines for our employees:
- The work arrangements for employees deemed essential will continue as previously communicated to you through your department head. We are especially grateful to all of you who are working to keep the essential services of the University functioning.
- All other employees should not come to campus through May 4 and should work from home where possible. Please follow the guidance provided by the Office of Human Resource on recording COVID-19 related absences on administrative leave reports and timecards.
- All Clark employees will continue to receive their regular compensation through this extended period of limited operations ending May 4. Retaining our talented employees and avoiding interruptions in compensation are, and will remain, a key priority.
- Student employees working at Clark will continue to be paid over this period. This includes student employees who are currently working for Clark, and a small number of students who are scheduled and approved to work on campus during a particular pay-period but are prevented from doing so as a direct result of the Governor’s directive. This excludes students who have gone home or whose jobs have been terminated.
- Many campus buildings will remain closed or have limited hours as previously announced. Faculty and staff have access to offices, laboratories and designated classrooms to perform essential services and conduct their courses.
- Whether you are on the Clark campus or at home, please continue to follow CDC guidelines regarding social distancing, hand washing, and other preventative health measures. Most importantly, do not come to work if you are unwell. Contact your physician for guidance.
The May 4 extension takes us past the last day of classes (April 27) and into the period of final exams. As has become increasingly clear, the COVID-19 pandemic will be with us for an extended period. To the extent that we can, we are all seeking to establish a new schedule in our work and home lives that we can maintain with our family and friends.
Clark will do its part to support you, including through continued direct and forthright communication as to the current situation and developing plans for the time when we all emerge from these challenges later this summer and into the fall. We will continue to share updates with you and to update the University’s COVID-19 website accordingly.
Please take care of yourselves and your families.
Sincerely,
David Angel, President
David Everitt, Director of Human Resources
