University Statements

Dear Colleagues,

This academic year has been one of significant challenges and changes at Cornell, and we are grateful for faculty and staff across the university who have responded with extraordinary resilience, dedication, and care for our community in the face of uncertainty, workforce realignment, and organizational transformation.

In appreciation for that response — and to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — the university’s Fourth of July holiday will be extended to a four-day weekend with an additional community day off on Thursday, July 2, ahead of the observed holiday on July 3. Faculty and staff will be excused from work — we encourage you to use this time to rest and recharge.

While many university operations will pause, certain essential functions must continue to ensure we meet the needs of students and visitors, maintain campus safety and security, preserve utilities and infrastructure, and support critical research. Units should identify and prioritize functions that must remain in place during this time and communicate expectations and pay guidelines clearly and well in advance to employees who support these services. We are especially grateful to the employees who sustain these critical functions.

Ahead of the community day off, individual campuses will host events celebrating our employee communities. Faculty and staff on or near the Ithaca campus are invited to an Employee Appreciation Luncheon on Wednesday, July 1, at Barton Hall from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. where we will recognize colleagues’ contributions and honor our Service Award recipients and Voluntary Retirement Incentive program retirees. Advance registration is strongly encouraged to assist with planning.

Cornell AgriTech will host an employee event that same day, and Cornell Tech will host its end-of-year celebration for faculty and staff on June 10. These events will be opportunities to reconnect and celebrate our community’s excellence.

We appreciate the support of Cornell’s senior leadership, including vice presidents, vice provosts, and academic deans, in creating these opportunities to recognize the extraordinary efforts of our employee community.  

As we continue to work toward lasting, mission-driven change, we are committed to maintaining open conversations about your experiences and supporting our community. Thanks for all that you do for Cornell.

In appreciation,

Michael I. Kotlikoff
President

Kavita Bala
Provost

Sean Moeller
Interim Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer