December 20, 2021


UMS Colleagues -

Congratulations on successfully finishing the fall semester -- our first semester back mostly in person since the pandemic first emptied our classrooms, labs, workplaces, and residence halls some 21 months ago. The only reason we've been able to stay together safely through the fall is due to your hard work, and it's time to recognize your efforts by giving you an extra break.

After consulting with your presidents and the Maine Law Dean, I've decided to recognize Thursday, December 23, and Thursday, December 30, as administrative holidays. With Christmas Day and New Year's Day recognized this year on Friday, December 24, and Friday, December 31, respectively, adding each Thursday as a day off allows for back-to-back four-day holiday weekends. I hope you'll enjoy this extra time away from the burdens of work with your loved ones -- and stay healthy doing it.

We had a similar schedule over the holidays last year, and like then, I want to recognize again that some among us will still need to keep working through these holidays -- to support students who will be living in our residence halls over the holidays, to maintain our university facilities and grounds, and to provide public safety, among others. Each of us plays an important part in carrying on our work in public service to Maine, and I hope you'll remember with gratitude, as I will, those who continue working even when we take some well-deserved time off.

University of Maine System HR leaders will be sharing additional information in the coming days about how to record your time for the upcoming holidays.

Thanks again for your hard work this semester. I wish you a happy and, perhaps as importantly as ever, a healthy holiday season.


Sincerely,
Chancellor Malloy signature graphic
Chancellor
University of Maine System
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