Vol. 20, No. 7 |
Nov. 30, 2000 |
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Check changes affecting mailings, deliveries and more The University will observe a holiday recess between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2: Monday, Dec. 25, traditional holiday Tuesday, Dec. 26, traditional holiday for 2000 Wednesday, Dec. 27, traditional holiday for 2000 Thursday, Dec. 28, president's holiday for 2000 Friday, Dec. 29, additional paid holiday for 2000 Monday, Jan. 1, traditional holiday Tuesday, Jan. 2, offices open at 8 a.m. The closing will be evaluated in 2001 to determine whether it should continue. Salaried staff employees who work on a holiday will be paid for the hours worked at time and one-half, in addition to the regular pay, or will be given compensatory time off at time and one-half. The dates are to be mutually agreed upon by the employee and supervisor. Holiday pay provisions for hourly employees are outlined in the collective bargaining agreements. Recognizing the need for certain services to continue during the recess, several departments will operate on a limited schedule. Campus mail Regular campus mail delivery will continue through Friday, Dec. 22. Any additional outgoing mail to the U. S. Postal Service should be brought to the Campus Mail Center in the General Services Building by 3:15 p.m., Friday, Dec. 22. The facility will be open on Thursday and Friday, Dec. 28 and 29, and mail can be picked up between 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on those two days. There will be very limited processing of outgoing mail. Only first-class outgoing mail will be processed on Friday, Dec. 29. Because of limited staffing, bulk mail cannot be processed during the recess. FedEx, UPS and other courier-delivered packages will be accepted and stored in Campus Mail. Recipients who do not pick up the packages will be called. If there are other special arrangements, please call 831-2158. Regular mail delivery will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Campus Delivery Campus Delivery will be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 28. Normal delivery will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Facilities Management Facilities Management will make every effort to heat buildings in an "off hours" mode that will result in reduced indoor temperatures. In addition, such services as waste removal and custodial work will be curtailed. Offices and laboratories intending to be in operation for any part of the recess should contact Facilities Management at 831-1141 to make the necessary arrangements for services, before Dec. 22. Very limited service will be available Dec. 24-Jan. 1 by contacting 831-1141 or [FIXIT] on e-mail. Normal weekend skeleton service will be available the remaining days for emergencies only. Transportation The University Bus Schedule will be operating on a modified schedule during the end-of-the-year holidays. For more information, see the web site at [http://www. udel.edu/ MotorPool/ UDbus.html]. Emergencies Emergency response personnel will be available and can be reached by calling Public Safety at 9-911 or 831-2222. Voice mail Individuals and units should alter voice mail messages to reflect the holiday recess. A few suggested examples are provided. Also, see the Extended Absence Greeting, which allows individuals to keep their normal "no answer" voice mail greeting and add a new greeting for extended time away from the office. Office example: "You have reached the Department of Geography at the University of Delaware. Our offices are closed for the holidays. Normal office hours will resume on Jan. 2. Please call back then or leave a message after the tone and your call will be returned after the holiday recess." Individual examples: "Hello. This is Jane Doe of the Department of Geography at the University of Delaware. I will be out of the office for the holidays from Dec. 25 through Jan. 1. Please leave your name, your phone number and a detailed message after the tone. I will call you back when I return on Jan. 2." Those who plan to check their messages during the holiday recess should consider the following greeting: "Hello. This is Jack Doe of the Department of Geography at the University of Delaware. I will be out of the office for the holidays from Dec. 25 through Jan. 1. I will be checking my messages, so please leave your name, your phone number and a detailed message after the tone and I'll return your call." Use the extended absence option The Extended-Absence Option enables users to add a greeting for absences and not have to record over their current "no answer" greeting. To utilize this feature: 1. Enter your mailbox and from the main menu, press 9. 2. For greetings and name announcement, press 1. 3. For extended-absence greeting, press 4. For information on how to change your voice mail or the extended-absence feature, consult your v-mail instruction booklet or contact Pam Flockerzi at 831-3718 or via e-mail at [pamf@udel.edu]. Computing network The campus network and all central computing systems and applications will be up and available throughout the holiday period, with the following exceptions: Between 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 24, and 6 p.m., Monday, Dec. 25, no tape mounts or other operator intervention will be available on central systems. Preventive maintenance on the building electrical systems is scheduled between 7 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 27-28. During this period, computer systems may be briefly interrupted on short notice if electrical system repairs are required. For more information, contact Shirley Coen at 831-3775, or via e-mail at [scoen@udel.edu]. Computing sites The Smith Hall computing site will be open for limited hours over the holiday period: * Dec. 16-23--8 a.m.-10 p.m. * Dec. 24-25--closed * Dec. 26-31--10 a.m.-5 p.m. * Jan. 1--closed * Jan. 2--8 a.m.-midnight All other computing sites will be closed. Libraries The University of Delaware Library, including the Morris Library and branch libraries, will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17, and be open from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Dec. 18-22. The University of Delaware Library will close for the holiday period at 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 22, and reopen at 8 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 2. All libraries will begin Winter Session hours on Tuesday, Jan. 2. DELCAT and networked electronic library resources will continue to be accessible from outside the libra ry during the holiday period when the University computer system is up. Library Networked Databases will be available via the web to University users from off campus. Also accessible from off campus are web pointers to scholarly information organized by subject by the library via its home page. Automated telephone renewal service will be available at 831-1638. Books due prior to Dec. 23 should be renewed by phone or returned through the book drops outside the Morris Library. Library hours are available at 831-BOOK and at [http://www. lib.udel.edu]. –Ed Okonowicz |