UTSA to proceed with remote operations on January 2 and 3

DECEMBER 17, 2024 — Editor’s note: The following message was sent today from UTSA President Taylor Eighmy, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Heather Shipley, Executive Vice President for Business Affairs and Chief Enterprise Development Officer Veronica Salazar and Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Katy Madden to all faculty and staff:

As the semester comes to a close, we recognize what an important opportunity winter break provides for rest and well-being for our employees. This year, winter break begins Saturday, December 21, with a return to work on Thursday, January 2. Skeleton days will take place on December 27 and 30.

In an effort to support the continued well-being of our campus community, UTSA will proceed with remote operations on January 2 and 3. Overall, our goal is to reduce on-campus operations on these days, and we ask that employees conduct remote operations whenever possible. Meetings and events should be held virtually, and only essential services should take place on campus. This is also an excellent opportunity to engage in required or supplemental training, including required compliance training, or on-demand professional development available through UTSA.

We understand that employees work in many modalities. As you plan for these days, we encourage you to use the following information for guidance:

• January 2 and 3 are workdays. The university is not closed.
  
  
• Employees who have already scheduled leave on these days should proceed with their planned vacation days.
  
  
• Employees who already work remotely, there is no change to work modality.

To those who will continue to work on-campus to provide essential services — including supporting our residential students, conducting research, keeping our campus safe and maintaining our facilities — know that we are extremely grateful for your efforts. Please work directly with your supervisor for guidance on adjusted schedules to provide rotating support and potential opportunities for remote work.

If you have questions on how your department or unit will operate after winter break, please check with your supervisor, department chair or unit lead. 

We want to emphasize again our focus on supporting the continued health and well-being of our community and take this opportunity to thank all of our employees for their dedication to serving our university. Wishing you all a happy New Year.