{"id":1599,"date":"2020-05-14T15:00:44","date_gmt":"2020-05-14T20:00:44","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/presoffice\/?p=1599"},"modified":"2020-05-14T15:12:15","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T20:12:15","slug":"covid-19-updates-budget-and-employee-statuses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.truman.edu\/presoffice\/2020\/05\/14\/covid-19-updates-budget-and-employee-statuses\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 Updates:  Budget and Employee Statuses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Colleagues:<\/p>\n<p>Together, we made it through a challenging semester!\u00a0 Even when it appeared impossible, we stayed focused on our students and our mission.\u00a0 While there is much we missed by not being together in person, there is also much to celebrate as we and our students accomplished great things under very trying circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>Although a very difficult hurdle is behind us, there is still much work to be done and many questions to be answered. \u00a0The pandemic is still evolving, difficult to predict, and it is having a significant negative impact in many areas.<\/p>\n<p>This update is to let you know where things stand at the moment in terms of the budget situation and the employment statuses of different members of our campus community. \u00a0Remaining true to our guiding principle of balancing, to the greatest extent possible, the financial needs of each employee with the financial needs of the University, we have made a number of hard decisions in light of the financial challenges facing us.\u00a0 The need to make hard decisions is not over.\u00a0 Now, more than ever, we must continue to explore every possible solution to ensure the best future for our University.<\/p>\n<p><strong>State Budget Update<br \/>\n<\/strong>For the next fiscal year\u2019s budget, beginning on July 1, 2020, the Missouri General Assembly has approved 90 percent of this year\u2019s original core funding (before the $3.3 million withhold that happened at the end of March) for public universities.\u00a0 An additional 10 percent was included through Federal Budget Stabilization Funds, should these funds become available.\u00a0 Currently, these funds do not exist.\u00a0 Even if the Federal Stabilization Funds become available, a substantial reduction in state support is still a very real possibility as the Governor is required by law to sign a balanced budget. \u00a0With a current 6.1% decrease in state revenues year-over-year, and a continued weakened economy, additional cuts are likely.\u00a0 That is why University leadership remains committed to proactively preparing for potential financial challenges next fiscal year.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Four-Day Work Week<br \/>\n<\/strong>From now through July 24, University offices are operating on a four-day work week. This change is being implemented for the summer to reduce energy costs and consumption.<\/p>\n<p>Offices will be open, at minimum, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Thursday.\u00a0 In-person business remains suspended; however, services will continue to be provided through alternate delivery methods. \u00a0Buildings will remain locked during this time. \u00a0Staff are required to work 40 hours during each four-day week or make up the difference with vacation time.\u00a0 If they haven\u2019t already done so, supervisors will contact staff to determine work schedules.<\/p>\n<p>Since all summer courses are being offered in alternative delivery formats, and do not require University offices to be open, they will take place as indicated in the summer schedule of courses.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Current Employment Statuses<br \/>\n<\/strong>Due to the disruption of normal University business, budget challenges, and in observance of CDC and White House <a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/openingamerica\/\">guidelines for resuming operations<\/a>, most Truman employees fall into one of the five categories listed below. \u00a0The health and well-being of all employees is the top consideration during this time. \u00a0Reiterating, moving forward, Truman will continue to balance, to the greatest extent possible, the financial needs of each employee with the financial needs of the University.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211;On-Campus, \u201cCritical\u201d Position Employees<br \/>\n<\/strong>Those employees whose positions were deemed to be \u201ccritical\u201d in terms of University operations have remained on campus.\u00a0 Employees who remain on campus or who have been brought back to campus should adhere to the requirements of the four-day work week. \u00a0Given their work is outdoors in the summer heat, Physical Plant employees are the exception; they will continue their regular five 8-hour day shifts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211;Employees Working Remotely<br \/>\n<\/strong>Employees who are working remotely should continue to do so unless their supervisors request they return to campus. \u00a0Remote hourly employees are to follow the four-day work week requirements.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211;Employees at High Risk<br \/>\n<\/strong>When possible, these employees should continue to work from home. \u00a0If they cannot work remotely, they should notify Human Resources that they are in a high-risk group either because of their age or by providing a note from their doctor that they have a medical condition that places them at risk. \u00a0High-risk employees who cannot work remotely may use sick leave during their absence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211;Non-Working Employees Home on Reduced Pay<\/strong><br \/>\nEmployees who were sent home April 20 on three-quarters pay have been notified if they need to return to campus on Monday, May 18. \u00a0If you are on three-quarters pay and have not received notification, please contact your supervisor.<\/p>\n<p><strong>&#8211;Furloughed Employees<br \/>\n<\/strong>A furlough is a period of unpaid leave for employees with the expectation they will return to full employment. \u00a0The University has notified 37 employees they will be furloughed, with an expected return date of July 27.\u00a0 They could be recalled sooner if the need arises.<\/p>\n<p>While the idea of furloughs can raise understandable concerns, with the $600 per week federal enhancement of state unemployment benefits, no furloughed employee should be financially disadvantaged by this action.\u00a0 Furloughed employees will remain on Truman\u2019s insurance plans for medical, dental, vision, life insurance and disability, and the University will continue to pay for its portion of coverage.<\/p>\n<p>As <em>Truman Today<\/em> moves to a biweekly schedule during the summer, future updates related to the University\u2019s actions related to the COVID-19 pandemic will be provided through email with the subject line COVID-19 Updates and the updates to be added to <a href=\"https:\/\/trualert.truman.edu\/\">https:\/\/trualert.truman.edu\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>We are very fortunate that the faculty, staff, and students of our community are committed to working together throughout the summer to ensure Truman is positioned in the best way possible to effectively fulfill our mission and realize our vision, no matter the challenge.\u00a0 Such dedication is a hallmark of our institution and powerfully represents one of the ways we are <em>distinct by design.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Be well,<br \/>\nSue<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Colleagues: Together, we made it through a challenging semester!\u00a0 Even when it appeared impossible, we stayed focused on our students and our mission.\u00a0 While there is much we missed by not being together in person, there is also much to celebrate as we and our students accomplished great things under very trying circumstances. 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