Amariani Garcia
Lantern Staff
The Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) met the morning of Tuesday, Sep. 8 and faculty were left confused whether the policy of accommodating work modifications because of COVID-19 had been changed. In an email send out by Terry Sader, professor of philosophy and ethics, to all faculty, he was deeply apologetic for the changes made because of COVID-19.
“I was disappointed,” Sader, Education Association’s president, said. “I thought we had this policy well thought out and well executed. It was a disappointment for faculty who have school aged children, to decide for whether attending classes virtually or in person. We have to respect a parent’s own assessment of their children. I felt like this change did not reflect that.”
Vice President of Human Resources Shelley Stultz later that day sent out an email that addressed Sader’s complaints.
“First of all, we have not changed our policy for Accommodation or Work Modifications due to COVID-19,” Stultz said. “Situations may have changed, such as schools now open for in person classes would no longer fall under the criteria. However, let me clarify that if you have COVID-19 related reason for electing not to send your child (ren) to a school or day care that is open, those will still follow the same process and procedures for requesting accommodations.”
According to Human Resources, no changes have been made to the COVID-19 work accommodations. Public schools now offering in class teaching does not fall under a COVID-19 related accommodation. Faculty who have children will need to consider whether the circumstances fall under this accommodation.
If an employee has questions or concerns, please contact Stultz, by email sstultz@butlercc.edu and by phone (316) 322-3152. Please be aware of COVID-19 precautions if visiting in person.