End of the Fall Semester Updates

November 9, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

As we near the close of the fall semester, I thank you for your continued commitment, grit, and resilience during this time of uncertainty caused by the current public health crisis. I also thank you for adhering to the University’s health protective policies and fulfilling our responsibilities to one another and our neighbors. In light of the most recent guidance shared by Dr. Stephanie Spangler and Provost Scott Strobel, we must all remain vigilant to help control the spread of the virus.

When I look back to mid-March, I am humbled by how we have come together to support Yale. We have developed an entirely new public health infrastructure for testing, tracing, treatment, and isolation; redesigned our campus operations to provide PPE, ensure social distancing, enhance the cleaning of common spaces, and offer grab-and-go food options; and demonstrated that many of us can productively work from home.

The university has restarted on-campus research activities and reopened the libraries and collections. Most notably, this collective effort supported the close to 10,000 students, both undergraduate and graduate, on campus, who in about two weeks will have successfully completed the on-campus portion of the fall semester. You should all be proud of what we have done to uphold the educational and research mission of Yale. 

As we navigate through the challenges that the coronavirus presents, the fall semester serves as a testament to what is possible when flexibility, agility, and collaboration are combined with hard work.

Looking ahead to the spring semester

For the spring term, our direction continues to be guided by our public health experts and we will continue to adhere to the health guidelines in place to help minimize the transmission of COVID-19. Staff who currently are working remotely should expect to continue to do so until at least April 30, 2021, and fees for parking will continue to be waived for on-campus and remote employees through this date. As the public health conditions evolve, we will communicate and provide notice regarding when campus operations can begin to expand.

Extending the holiday breaks

On behalf of my fellow officers, it is with gratitude that I announce that we are extending Thanksgiving and winter recess for this year to include two additional days; November 25 and December 23. It is our hope that during these disruptive times, this extension will support the health and wellbeing of staff and allow everyone to take a well-deserved break.

Delaying increases to healthcare contributions

I am pleased to share that healthcare premium contributions for faculty and managerial and professional staff will not increase until the 2022 fiscal year with the new healthcare rates going into effect on July 1, 2021. As we kick-off the 2021 Annual Enrollment, all staff are encouraged to review and confirm their benefit options for next year by visiting the It’s Your Yale – Enroll web page.

Extending childcare support

In light of the increase in school and daycare closures throughout the state, all benefits-eligible faculty, staff, post-doctoral associates and post-doctoral fellows, will be awarded a total of 25 emergency back-up care days through December 31, 2020, an increase of 5 days to the previous allotment. This expansion of childcare resources also applies to use the current Crisis Care Assist emergency backup-care program which offers the additional option to secure care from within your own personal network.

We are deeply grateful to all of you who have gone above and beyond during this turbulent period to ensure that Yale can emerge from this crisis with strength and resilience. We look forward to working with you to finish these last few weeks of the fall semester and continue our efforts in the spring semester.

Thank you for your continued service to Yale and best wishes for the health and safety to you and your families.

Sincerely,

Jack Callahan, Jr.
Senior Vice President for Operations