Remote Work Policy

Several months ago I communicated with the campus about the future of remote work and efforts to develop a policy framework that would help us navigate this important issue for staff.  As I shared at that time, a Task Force was appointed and asked to develop a draft policy regarding Remote Work.  The Task Force was given a set of “Guideposts” that would help establish parameters within which we would utilize remote work.

These guideposts helped frame the development of the policy and will likewise help guide its implementation:

• Southeastern’s existing educational and business models, which are based largely on traditional face-to-face interactions and bricks-and-mortar facilities, must be preserved.
• Remote work, when allowed, must serve a legitimate institutional purpose that advances the mission of the University, not merely individual convenience or preference.
• Remote work, when allowed, does not preclude an expectation or requirement for periodic physical campus presence.
• Remote work, when allowed, would heighten, not diminish, managerial expectations and transparency relative to productivity and accountability.
• Remote work, when allowed, should not result in additional costs or liability exposure for the University.
• Realization that some positions are inherently not appropriate for remote work as they involve tasks that cannot be effectively accomplished remotely.

 

While the new Remote Work Policy allows utilization of remote work as an option where it clearly serves a University purpose, given the above parameters, I anticipate a strategic and focused rather than widespread initial deployment of remote work on our campus. 

I also am encouraging the division heads to proceed collaboratively in the interpretation and implementation of the policy to ensure a reasonable degree of consistency across campus.

I look forward to working with our talented and dedicated cadre of faculty and staff as we continue to thoughtfully navigate this and other changes that have been precipitated by the global pandemic over the last couple of years.

John L. Crain
President