Dear Colleagues:
The previous month has been challenging for all of us. We’ve adjusted to new ways of working, and we’ve watched the world respond to a global health crisis. It’s been a trying period, especially for those who have confronted illness among our families and friends. We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy, and we thank you for your sacrifices and hard work. We continue to be impressed by the resilience, adaptability, and determination shown by everyone in the Pace Community.
As we’re settling into this new normal, it is our obligation to prepare for the future. We must plan for the University’s financial stability as we confront both this ongoing pandemic and an unpredictable and unprecedented economic landscape. To ensure that the University is well-positioned as we wait to see the longer-term effects of this crisis, we must implement some precautionary measures. These are effective immediately.
- Hiring freeze. We are implementing a hiring freeze for all open positions across the University for both faculty and staff, including graduate assistants and part-time staff. Only faculty searches in which an offer has been accepted or extended may continue. Also, the two dean searches, one for Dyson and the School of Education and the other for Lubin, will continue. All other searches are paused until further notice. Exceptions may be granted for situations in which the need is critical, subject to approval of the provost and the chief financial officer.
- No salary increases. We will offer no salary increases for the remainder of calendar year 2020, including stipend payments or other increases, except those required by collective bargaining agreements. Approved promotions will continue as planned. Adjunct promotions will be deferred to the next academic year. Exceptions may be granted by the appropriate dean or vice president in consultation with the vice president of Human Resources.
- Travel freeze. All University-sponsored travel is currently prohibited due to health concerns. When travel is once again possible, only essential travel will be approved. The provost may approve any essential academic travel, and the chief financial officer may approve any essential non-academic travel. Additionally, we will not reimburse any inter-campus travel at least until the University returns to in-person instruction.
- No discretionary spending. All discretionary spending, including but not limited to food/meals, supplies, professional memberships, and outside consultants, is suspended until further notice. All purchase orders will be reviewed by the Budget Office. Exceptions for critical operations may be authorized by the provost or chief financial officer.
- Capital projects delayed. The renovations of Floors 4, 5, and 6 of One Pace Plaza West, scheduled for this summer, will be delayed until next year. We are evaluating all other planned capital projects and will delay them wherever feasible.
We know this period has been and will continue to be stressful for everyone in our University community, and we appreciate your determination to continue supporting our students and our mission. We’re instituting these policy changes in a similar spirit: to best prepare us to continue to support our mission and our colleagues as we move into an uncertain future.
At the same time, we recognize that you need support, too. To that end, we have some announcements about vacation policies.
- Vacation rollover. As you know, all vacation time must be used by June 30 of each year. Because of the difficulty in using vacation time this spring, you may roll over up to five accrued, unused vacation days into next year. Those days will be added to your annual allotment and must be used by June 30, 2021. If you leave the University during the next fiscal year, those rollover days will not be paid out.
- Summer flex time. We are pleased to announce the return and expansion of our summer flexible hours program. This year, in acknowledgement of the additional demands that have been placed on all of us, you’ll have the opportunity to take off five days beginning July 1 and continuing through August 31, rather than the usual three. This program is designed to be flexible. You may choose to take off five Fridays, or five other days, or ten half-days. Each dean and vice president will create a schedule that ensures we provide full service to students and all our other constituencies, and they’ll communicate how this plan will work in your division.
Please remember that time away from work is good for all of us, even when we’re unable to travel and especially in times of increased stress. If possible, take some time off in the period while we’re still socially distancing to get away from work, relax, read a book, clear your mind. We’re all better together when we take good care of ourselves.
Thank you for all that you do. Thank you for your commitment to Pace. The situation is rapidly changing, and we’ll update you when we have more information to share. Until then, please stay safe and keep healthy.
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Vanya Quiñones, PhD
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs
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Robert C. Almon
Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer
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