By STEVEN SPEARS
News Editor
(WARRENSBURG, Mo., digitalBURG) — University of Central Missouri staff will have a little more time to spend with their families this holiday season.
President Chuck Ambrose announced that the university will extend certain holidays this academic year to give employees extra time off.
Offices will close at noon Wednesday, Nov. 25, for Thanksgiving; all day Wednesday, Dec. 23 for Christmas; and at 11:30 a.m. Friday, July 1, in recognition of Independence Day. Staff will also be given one full day off during spring break, which is scheduled for March 21-25, 2016.
Jeff Murphy, assistant director of University Relations, said Ambrose changed the holiday schedule as a way to show his appreciation for all the hard work done by UCM staff throughout the year. He said the university has made similar changes to the holiday schedule in previous years.
“(Ambrose) realizes that, considering the way some holidays fall during the work week, giving faculty and staff an extra day or half day off may make a huge difference in their lives at a time when many of them are preparing to travel or may be getting ready to host family and friends for the holidays,” Murphy said.
Murphy said the additional time off will help employees who have guests coming to town or are traveling out of state. He said safety is also an important consideration.
“Getting an early start also offers safety benefits to those who are traveling on the highways during a busy holiday season,” Murphy said.
Murphy said university staff usually work during spring break. Supervisors will decide the specific date their employees get off during that week, according to a university email.
“Staff members do not get a spring break,” Murphy said. “This gives them an opportunity to take a day off to rejuvenate at a time when university offices are continuing to do business.”
Murphy said Ambrose has not made any decisions about extending holidays for the 2016-2017 academic year.