Purdue's 12th President

COVID-19 Updates for Faculty and Staff

March 19, 2020

Dear Purdue colleagues,

We continue to address the unprecedented changes and challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, including what that means for our campus operations both immediately and for the longer term. Recognizing that there are no perfect answers, we are doing our best to protect health and safety and make decisions that are fair to Purdue’s people, while being mindful of the university’s future.

You have responded remarkably, as we knew you would, and we offer sincere gratitude for all of your extraordinary efforts, your flexibility and your understanding when answers are hard to find and facts are sometimes changing daily. 

For now, and through April 6, we ask each of you to continue to operate as you are currently doing. 

  • Stay home if you are sick.
  • Work remotely if you can.
  • Practice safe social distancing if you must be on campus.
  • Step up to assist in areas that may be experiencing added responsibilities and stress.

We know some of you are in a position where remote work is not an option and some are unable to report to campus. Employees in that situation may use regular Purdue leave time in this order: accrued vacation time; personal business days; sick time; and unpaid leave. In addition, you may become qualified for additional leave pursuant to the new Coronavirus Response Act, which just last night was signed into law.

Over the next two weeks, we will be carefully evaluating short-term and long-term campus operational needs. We hope to have better facts and a clearer sense on questions like: How many students are here? What do they need? How can we best support our faculty and staff as we adapt our learning and discovery missions to these drastically altered conditions? Where do we need more resources? What areas, at least for the present, do not need normal staffing levels?

Effective immediately, and to preserve as much flexibility as possible, we will pause all staff recruitment activity. This guidance applies to internal and external hiring and recruitment as well as temporary positions. Note: Faculty searches will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by deans in consultation with the provost. If there is a need in one area of the university, such as for overtime hours or additional human resources, we ask you to be flexible and consider providing temporary assistance to that area in order to meet needs and keep staff as fully employed as possible. More information will be available soon on the FAQ site.

We promise to continue to provide updates as assessments and decisions are made. We urge you to continue to watch our FAQ site, and to watch your email for new information and guidance. 

We thank everyone in the Purdue community for the work you are doing, the flexibility you are exhibiting and the care you are showing each other. 

Sincerely,

 

Mitch Daniels
President

Jay T. Akridge
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Diversity