Message to Students, Faculty, and Staff from Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Amel Cuskovic, PHR

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

As COVID-19 continues to spread, Radford University has focused significant efforts on sustaining our academic mission and ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and staff participating in University programs and services. We understand there is concern and uncertainty among employees across our multiple locations in Radford, Roanoke, and Abingdon. Your health and well-being are critical to the University.

First, take care of yourself and each other. Practice the good health guidelines that have been communicated on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 website. In addition, the CDC is providing answers to frequently asked questions that you might have with regard to how to protect yourself and family. The Virginia Department of Health website is also a source for information.

As mentioned in yesterday’s message from President Hemphill, work study assignments will be waived during this time, and student workers should contact their supervisors before reporting to their specific assignments to determine next steps.

For work study jobs, that means students are not required to report to their work location; however, if students want to continue their assignment and receive pay, they should contact their supervisor to make that request.

For student workers, direct contact should be made with individual supervisors in order to determine if the work assignments are needed given the University’s modified campus operations.

Additionally, if students are dependent upon these wages for basic needs, including living expenses, every effort will be made to accommodate these students and their individual circumstances. That communication needs to occur between impacted students and their supervisors.

At present, all University locations are open that includes the main campus in Radford, the Roanoke Higher Education Center and Radford University Carilion, both in Roanoke, and the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon. Human Resources is exploring options to support our employees, including leave and alternative work arrangements. We also encourage supervisors to meet with their employees and have an open dialogue about concerns or questions.

While we do not have all of the answers for what will happen with COVID-19, many people across our University are working diligently to plan for multiple scenarios and keep our entire community informed. Please continue to visit the University’s COVID-19 webpage for the latest information and updates.


Sincerely,

Amel Cuskovic, PHR
Assistant Vice President for Human Resources