12/05/2024

Dear faculty and staff colleagues,

As we look ahead to the upcoming winter break, I would like to share key information regarding the campus’s limited operations.

Winter Break Schedule
Buildings will be secured and regular staff support services will conclude as limited operations commence at 5 p.m., Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. We will resume regular hours and services on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025.

Power Outages
There are no scheduled electrical power outages from Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024 - Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025. If your department requires notification regarding unforeseen power outages (e.g., you have sensitive electronic equipment or research), make sure Security Services has current contact names and phone numbers.

Heat
General building heating will be provided during this period. If you work in an office with heating controls, please place the thermostat on the lowest setting when you leave and adjust temporarily as needed if you are in office. Though heat will generally be available, it is a good idea to dress warmly if you are on campus during the limited operations period.

Recycling
Sustainability student workers will not be working during this time, and their availability will be limited until classes resume in January. Recycling pickups will be infrequent until student workers return. During this time, we kindly ask that you avoid placing bulky items, such as cardboard, in the recycling bins. Please report any overflowing areas via a work order so we can address campus needs effectively.

Energy Conservation
To conserve electricity on campus, please power down laptops and computers, turn off task lighting, and unplug or turn off the power strip to computers and device chargers. Mini-fridges should remain plugged in unless properly defrosted in advance, to prevent water damage issues. Please also turn off lights in personal offices and departments when they are unoccupied.

Technology
Technology Services will continue to monitor critical applications and services. If you experience any major and time-sensitive issues with university-managed technology please contact Security Services at 253.879.3311. They will report your concern to an on-call Technology Services staff member.

For non-urgent service requests, please visit support.pugetsound.edu to submit a help request. These requests will be addressed when staff returns to full operations.

Mail
Regular and express mail will be sorted into departmental mailboxes during this time with mail available for pickup on Dec. 27 and 31, 2024, beginning at noon on both days. Faculty and staff may retrieve letter-sized mail from departmental mailboxes in Mail Services in Wheelock Student Center, which will be accessible via Logger card access Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. If you need to retrieve mail outside of these hours, call Security Services at 253.879.3311 to make the request and be prepared to show your Puget Sound ID card.

Please note that packages and large mail items will not be accessible during our limited operations. The U.S. Post Office and other package couriers generally hold packages they receive during break and will deliver them for distribution on Jan. 2, 2025, when campus reopens.

If you have questions about mail, please contact Andrea Brown, Mail Services Coordinator, at 253.879.3315 or at asbrown@pugetsound.edu.

Deliveries
Because buildings will be vacated and locked, we will not be receiving deliveries during our limited operations. Please notify vendors that deliveries should be made prior to or after this period.

Purchasing
Please complete purchasing activities prior to or subsequent to the limited operations. If you have an emergency purchasing need during this time, call Accounts Payable and Procurement Manager Wendy Vu at 253.879.2732 or Justine Levesque at 253.879.2720.

Gift Processing
As December is an active time for donors who wish to make contributions before the end of the year, University Relations team members will monitor email and phones daily during this period. Should you receive a call about anyone wishing to make a gift to the university or if they have other related business, please call or forward messages to 253.879.2923 or development@pugetsound.edu. Messages will be acted upon within one business day.

Recorded Greetings and Automatic Email Replies
Remember to change department and individual voicemail greetings and set up out-of-office automatic email replies as applicable before leaving for the break. Please indicate when you will return to campus and/or retrieve messages.

Security
Security Services staff will be on duty 24/7 during this time to patrol campus as well as provide escorts and access to buildings. For security purposes, please have your Puget Sound ID card available if you need assistance to enter a building.

If you have questions in advance about building access, contact Danette Smith, Security Operations Manager, at 253.879.3312 or at dysmith@pugetsound.edu. If you need assistance while we are under limited operations, contact Security Services at 253.879.3311.

If you have questions regarding our limited operations, please contact me.

I hope you have a wonderful and restful winter break!

Robert M. Kief, CFM, CEFP | Associate Vice President for Facilities Services