Most faculty, staff members told not to report to work due to flooding

Floodwaters have inundated parts of campus, prompting the University to shut down summer classes and nonessential functions until at least June 23. Faculty and staff are instructed to stay home unless performing essential duties—employees should check with their immediate supervisors on whether they should report to work. Photo by Tim Schoon.

	Scores of University faculty and staff members pitch in to assist sandbagging efforts across campus. Photo by Tim Schoon.

As flood waters continued to rise on Friday, June 13, University of Iowa president Sally Mason announced that summer classes and nonessential University functions would be canceled until Sunday, June 22. Faculty and staff are asked not to report to work during this time unless involved in providing patient care, utilities, security, facilities, or other essential tasks. Employees should check with their immediate supervisors to see if they are to report to work.

"Safety has to be our first concern," Mason said during a 1 p.m. news conference in University Capitol Centre.

Susan Buckley, associate vice president for finance and operations and director of human resources, said that employees will continue to receive normal pay through Sunday, June 22—a point reiterated by Mason.

"Please stay home—if you can work from home, that's terrific," Mason says. "If you are able to volunteer, please do."

Don Guckert, associate vice president and director of UI Facilities Management, stressed the critical importance of the University's utility infrastructure—curtailing the use of steam, electricity, and water will be a point of emphasis in the coming days.

Guckert also praised the work of UI faculty and staff members. "We thank the volunteers, the staff, for their heroic efforts—we were moved by the spirit of the volunteers," he said.

For continuous updates on University of Iowa flooding, visit http://uiflood.blogspot.com.

by Christopher Clair and Madelaine Jerousek-Smith