In a trial effort to save utility costs, Missouri Western State University will go to a four-day work week for four weeks in June. The campus will be closed on four Fridays: June 9, 16, 23 and 30. The campus will also be closed on Monday, July 3 to extend the Independence Day holiday.
“We hope that a four-day work week in June will provide most of our employees an added benefit while saving money,” said Dr. Robert Vartabedian, Missouri Western’s president. “This is a one-time trial; we will evaluate our savings and our productivity to decide whether we continue, discontinue or expand four-day work weeks next summer.”
Campus departments will be open extended hours Monday through Thursday during the four-day weeks, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Employee work schedules will be modified accordingly.
“We are encouraging supervisors to allow their staff to stagger their arrival and departure times, coming in before 8 a.m. or staying until after 5:30 to work the necessary hours,” said Dr. Cale Fessler, vice president for financial planning and administration.
There are some exceptions: the Baker Family Fitness Center and the Thomas Eagleton Indoor Pool will remain open on Fridays, though hours may be modified. The Walter Cronkite Memorial inside Spratt Hall will be open, but docents may not be available. Special events and conferences scheduled on Fridays will go on as planned.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.