Staff members may take paid leave to assist in Hurricane Sandy relief

The University will allow staff members to apply for up to five days of paid leave to volunteer with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the University implemented a similar policy.

The Humanitarian Relief Program, announced on Nov. 16, allows staff to take time off work to participate in “recognized relief efforts,” defined as any projects run by “bona fide organizations,” such as local fire and police departments, the American Red Cross or Habitat for Humanity. Director of human resources Claire Elson said the University would not limit those organizations, to account for projects the University is not currently aware of.

“The University is very committed to service,” Elson said. “Our motto is 'In the Nation’s Service and in the Service of All Nations.' This is one of the ways Princeton as an institution demonstrates that.”

Elson said the human resources department instituted the policy because many staff members possess unique skills — ranging from finance to computing to engineering — that could prove useful in relief efforts.

“We’ve had people in our own office help with FEMA applications as a part of relief efforts, and we’ve had others assist with rebuilding computer systems,” she said. “There’s such talent and there’s such a cross-section of jobs at the University.”

Elson said she does not yet know how many staff members have signed up to participate in this round of relief efforts.

In 2005 and 2006, 15 volunteers from a whole host of departments assisted with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts along the Gulf Coast, though University Spokesperson Martin Mbugua said many more employees volunteered without filing for reimbursement. Staff members took paid leave to work with recognized programs in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama.

Chris Burkmar, executive director for planning and administration in the Office of the Vice President of Campus Life, took paid leave in June 2006 to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity near New Orleans.

“This opportunity really seemed like a wonderful chance to give back to a community with the support of Princeton,” Burkmar said, adding that he hoped to participate again this year. “The folks I was volunteering with were from such varied walks of life. We had college students, a corporate America executive and even a tugboat captain and his sons on our little crew. It was a really interesting mix of folks all there for the common cause of rebuilding this community.”

Burkmar added he thought locals were grateful for the University’s support.

“It was incredibly well-received that Princeton was willing to lend its resources and its time to help rebuild the Gulf,” he said.

The current program is slated to run until June 30, 2013, but Elson said the University would be willing to extend that expiration date if necessary.

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“We did extend the Katrina policy because of the continuing need,” she said. “We didn’t go into it with that expectation. We always remain open to looking at what the needs are.”

To apply for paid leave, University employees must submit a request to supervisors for approval. The University will also consider covering out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation and accommodation on a case-by-case basis.

University Health Services Office Support worker Jane Hunter also invoked the University’s Hurricane Katrina policy in November 2005 to assist in the reconstruction of a home swept into the sea near the New Orleans coastline. Like Burkmar, Hunter said Princeton’s willingness to support relief efforts reflected well on the University.

“It shows that we care,” Hunter said. “We have resources at Princeton, and when we see that there’s a need, we do our best to meet that need.”

She said she will be participating in relief efforts once again this year.

“I’m already signed up,” Hunter said. “I certainly have the energy, and if Princeton can provide for me to go, I’m there.”