To: Faculty and Staff
From: President Ashish Vaidya
Date: 02/07/22
Subject: Paid Parental Leave and Additional Holiday
Dear Colleagues:
This past week we had our first (and I hope the only!) serious winter storm of 2022. I trust that all of you were safe during the two days we closed campus. Kudos to our Athletics team as we juggled the schedule and managed to complete two games in BB&T Arena including the Homecoming Game on Saturday. I am also grateful for the grounds team and University Police who worked countless hours to remove the ice and snow to keep the campus safe and accessible for our weekend events.
I am happy to share good news with you as we begin this fourth week of the Spring 2022 semester.
On February 1, we launched the Paid Parental Leave (PPL) benefit, enabling our employees to support their families at the time of the birth, adoption or placement of a child. Late last year, we announced this new program as part of the university’s ongoing commitment to supporting our employees’ family, professional and academic responsibilities. It is also part of a continued commitment to recruiting and retaining inclusive, diverse and talented individuals who support student success.
I am excited for our community to begin taking advantage of this benefit. The Human Resources website has more information on the PPL benefit.
In addition, I am pleased to announce the university will be closed on Monday, March 7, 2022 – the first day of Spring Break - to allow you to have some extra time for rejuvenation and spending time with family, friends and loved ones. It is appropriate during Black History Month to also remind you that beginning this year, NKU will celebrate Juneteenth by designating the day as a university holiday. Since the day falls on a Sunday this year, the university will be closed on Monday, June 20, 2022. With the addition of Juneteenth, NKU now offers 15 days off in 2022.
These continue to be trying times for all of us as we move through what we hope is the end of the Omicron surge. I am as proud as ever of our community’s resolve, resilience and adaptability. Because of that, we will continue to support and invest in this institution’s most valuable resource — you.
I hope you are all off to a good start to the new year and staying healthy and safe. Best wishes for continued success this semester.
Sincerely,
Ashish
