Monday, January 29, 2024

Message from the President

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Given the strong feelings that many have expressed to me about staff teleworking, I want to at least try to communicate the reasoning behind my decision. Most of our undergraduate students have chosen to attend UNO – rather than an online university – because we offer an excellent education on a campus that is either close to home or in a city that they love (or both). While learning in classrooms, laboratories and studios is very important, students have the potential to also learn and develop professionally through informal connections that can occur anywhere.

When staff and faculty are on campus, they bring a vibrancy and energy that our students desperately need. At the same time, our collective presence enables a deeper sense of community among faculty, staff and students – a community that ultimately shapes and informs our culture. My number one goal is to recruit and retain students that thrive during their years at UNO, and I am convinced that our collective presence on campus is essential to achieving this goal. I also believe that the diversity of beliefs, perspectives, backgrounds and identities that our faculty, staff and students bring to the University is an incredible strength, though it is a strength that is best realized when we can be together and learn from each other in person.

We have learned to quickly “pivot” to remote work and, for faculty, this will help us to cope with future freezes, floods and storms. Otherwise I would be so grateful for your presence on our beautiful campus. It will matter a lot to our current students, and it will signal to prospective students that they would feel welcomed and supported by our vibrant community of outstanding staff and faculty.

Given these considerations, the University will no longer allow regular telework schedules for staff beginning on July 1. The new policy will be shared with employees as we get closer to the effective date. As one who has spent nearly her entire career at urban-serving universities, I want you to know that I did not make this decision lightly. The ability to work from home remains a tremendously important factor in job seeking, particular among employees with caregiving responsibilities. Unfortunately, I also recognize that some staff may opt to seek employment elsewhere because of this change in policy. However, I strongly believe that this is the best path to strengthen our campus community and better support our students. If you have specific questions, please direct them to hrm@uno.edu.

UNO Proud,

Kathy Johnson, Ph.D.
President