Penn President Amy Gutmann announced that faculty and staff can now take time off from work to volunteer in the Gulf Coast region, continuing Penn's efforts to "help millions of people rebuild their shattered lives" after Hurricane Katrina.
Under Gutmann's new initiative, University employees who volunteer in hurricane relief programs can receive up to three weeks' paid leave.
The deans of each of the University's schools will decide whether or not employees qualify for the program.
Depending on each school's operational needs, some faculty and staff who want to volunteer may be denied payment under the guidelines.
According to Vice President for Human Resources Jack Heuer, in order to receive paid leave, employees must work for "official volunteer operations" in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Faculty and staff can qualify for the program until Dec. 31, 2005.
-- Mara Gordon
