Winter Break Reminder

It’s that time of year again! One of the advantages of working at Cal State San Marcos is that employees receive a long holiday break between Christmas and New Year’s Day. We are providing this reminder so employees and their managers have sufficient time to plan for the 2018 holiday closure.

Winter Break 2018-2019 will be Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2018, through Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019. The University will reopen Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019. All campus units, with the exception of essential facility and public safety services, will be closed. There will be no heating or air conditioning for the buildings on the main site, and offices in leased space will be closed.

Governor’s Informal Time Off

If the governor authorizes holiday informal time off this year, it will be scheduled on the last working day before the winter break (Monday, Dec. 24, 2018). Employees who are scheduled to work on Dec. 24, 2018, will receive Governor’s Informal Time Off.

Dec. 31, 2018 Campus Closure Day – General Information

Dec. 31, 2018, is not designated as a holiday. Employees may use personal holiday, compensatory time off (CTO) and/or vacation to cover this day. (Note: Personal holiday must be taken in full-day increments).

Since the personal holiday credit must be used each calendar year or be forfeited, those employees who have not yet used their 2018 personal holiday are encouraged to use it on Dec. 31, 2018. Employees hired in December 2018 will have the 2018 personal holiday available for use on Dec. 31, 2018.

Options for Payment for Dec. 31, 2018, Campus Closure Day – Information for each Employee Unit 

PLEASE NOTE: The provisions for payment of campus closure days differ by employee unit.

Employees should refer to the appropriate sections in the 2018 Options for Holiday Closure Payment document, which provides options available to employees in each bargaining unit to cover Dec. 31, 2018, the day of campus closure. 

Managers are encouraged to review and explore all available options provided and work with employees who will not have sufficient vacation, personal holiday or accrued CTO balances to cover the day of closure. Opportunities provided for employees to work the necessary time must be in accordance with their bargaining unit agreements and/or applicable federal and state statutes.

Distribution of Paychecks

December 2018 payday is scheduled for Dec. 31, 2018, which is a campus closure day. Instructions on distribution of paychecks will be provided in a separate communication at a later date.

Extended campus closures over winter break reduce utility costs, lessen traffic congestion, contribute to the potential for improved air quality, and provide the opportunity for the entire campus community to rest, refresh and prepare for the new year. All of us benefit from this schedule.

Managers and employees are encouraged to contact HR at ext. 4418 if they have any questions regarding the information provided in this memo.

Marianne Wall, Director

Human Resource Services