The fall 2012 term is quickly coming to a close and the winter break will begin soon. Each year during winter break we struggle to maintain a balance: allowing access for those faculty and staff who have a bona fide need to be on campus while trying to maintain proper security for campus buildings and their contents. In previous years we asked each vice president to submit lists of their employees with permission to be in buildings during the break. These lists proved to be very voluminous in nature.
This year we are going to try something different. Winter break begins December 24, 2012, and runs through January 1, 2013. During this time, university buildings will not be opened by the university police. Any faculty or staff member wishing to access their buildings or offices will need to provide their own means of entry–either with their University OneCard or a conventional key to the building and office. If you do not already have “after-hours” access via your OneCard or conventional key(s), you will need to complete an Access Request form and route it through the key coordinator in your department per normal procedures. Access will only be allowed between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. for non-essential personnel.
ANY faculty or staff member who will be on campus during this time MUST have in their possession their OneCard for identification purposes. University police officers conducting foot patrol in buildings will be instructed to request identification from anyone they do not recognize in campus buildings during the break. It would be much appreciated if the OneCard was worn in a visible manner so officers can readily see that you are affiliated with the university.
Any exceptions for students or other programming will require the approval of the appropriate vice president, who will forward the limited list to AVP Bernie Gerst in the Office of Public Safety. Students must also be in possession of their university OneCard at all times while in campus buildings, for identification purposes.
Keep in mind that building temperatures will be lower during this time for energy efficiency. Additionally, there will not be the normal level of custodial services. Anyone planning to be on campus at these times should factor this in.
Christmas Day, December 25, 2012 and New Year’s Day January 1, 2013: ONLY ESSENTIAL employees are allowed in campus buildings on these two days. Any exceptions must be approved by a vice president who must forward the limited list to AVP Bernie Gerst by 12/23/12 at the latest.
These prohibitions do not apply to Residence Life Coordinators or international students in their assigned residence hall.
