Summer Updates from the Provost
Sent: April 29, 2026
From: Vincent J. Del Casino, Jr., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dear Colleagues,
As we look ahead to summer, I want to take a moment to thank you for your hard work this past year! The care and commitment you invest in our students and in each other do not go unnoticed.
As we approach the summer term, I鈥檓 writing to provide clarity on telecommuting expectations as well as what to expect moving into the next academic year (2026-2027) for the Division of Academic Affairs.
Summer Schedule (May 26 - August 14, 2026)
Telecommuting may continue during the summer months as we maintain employee flexibility
while ensuring that our general operational and student service needs are met. This
means we must support our many summer orientation programs as well as the research
and other teaching needs of the division. In some cases, and as assessed by managers
and based on operational needs, units may allow employees to move from a 4/1 schedule
to a 3/2 schedule during the summer.
Important In-Person Commitments
There are three key periods this summer and academic year where full in-person presence
is necessary:
- August 17 - 28, 2026: No remote workdays or vacation will be permitted during the first two weeks of the semester for those on a normal 4/1 work schedule. This is a critical time for supporting students and one another.
- : Staff who are front-facing to our students are expected to be on campus and not work remotely during orientation activities. Please discuss this with your manager. You can find more details with the link above.
- January 25 - February 5 2027: No remote workdays or vacation will be permitted during the first two weeks of the semester for those on a normal 4/1 work schedule. This is a critical time for supporting students and one another.
We recognize that these expectations require planning, and we are sharing them now to provide as much advance notice as possible.
Academic Year Telecommuting (Fall 2026 to end of Spring 2027)
Following the summer period, the division will return to a 4/1 schedule for the academic year, continuing through Spring 2027. This approach reflects our
commitment to maintaining a strong campus presence while still offering limited flexibility
where appropriate.
It is important to underscore that telecommuting is a discretionary benefit, not an entitlement. Remote work is only appropriate for certain roles, and all arrangements are contingent on operational needs and may change during the academic year.
Next Steps
Since telecommuting is offered as a flexible benefit, it must be adjusted to meet
the needs of our students and the operational requirements of our units. Work-from-home
days are not eligible to be exchanged for alternate days off, in cases where operational
events or workload fluctuations occur. Employees may be required to report on campus
on a scheduled work-from-home day when business or operational needs arise. Student
success and service delivery will always come first. Employees and managers should
work together to align on summer telecommuting schedules during key periods. Managers
will continue to determine eligibility and structure based on role responsibilities
and divisional priorities.
Thank you for everything you do to support our students and each other. Your presence and engagement, especially at the start of the semester, are essential to our collective success.
With appreciation,
Vin
