Member Comments About Offices Opening During Feb. 10 Blizzard

URA-AFT members replied back to the union with the following reports of Feb. 10:

"It makes me feel that my status at the university is not valued. It is not fair to have staff risk their lives when faculty and students are told to stay home and stay safe."

"It seems that Rutgers-NB is more important than the state government."

"This is another example of the games that the University plays." 

"To argue that the employees can be protected by their supervisors represents a failure to lead."

"Why are the students and faculty more important than us?"

"This is the second time that New Brunswick was open, while other campuses were closed. We are really being taken advantage of."

"We give and give to Rutgers and we keep getting less and less."

"It sends the message that staff are of negligible value and easily replaceable."

"For those of us who depend on public transportation, we are faced with additional obstacles of cancelled trains and a campus bus service that caters only to students. 
It is just further proof how Rutgers does not care one bit for its employees. One has to wonder what Jay Kohl and President McCormick were thinking to keep Rutgers open on Wednesday. Thank you for holding Rutgers accountable for this ungodly decision to force employees to come in."

"What happens to those of us who basically took our lives into our own hands because we did not have any time to charge it to? I had to drive 20 miles an hour both ways and was scared to death, and then walk treacherous, icy walkways just to get into my office."

"The entire length of Ryders Lane was a sheet of ice. Each time I went to brake, I was praying that my car would be able to stop and not continue into the intersection. My stomach was in my throat by the time I arrived to work."

"This shows a total disregard for the welfare and safety of office staff who are expected to travel in a storm where 12-18 inches of snow will blanket the roads. Apparently the safety of students and faculty count but the staff can rot in h***."

"A friend’s husband, a U.S. Marine, told me that from his standpoint, as a member of the military who has been called upon during weather emergencies, it was completely irresponsible for the University to remain open. The fact that “regular,” non-essential employees were on the road was dangerous and a waste of emergency resources. He said the police and emergency personal should be focused on making sure essential personal (doctors, nurses, plow drivers) made it safely to and from work, not an employee in my position."

"A business manager is telling her she must use her personal time, however she does not report to this person, but rather to her department chair. She believes the department chair, if asked, would probably not make her use her own time. I think the chair (her supervisor) makes the call, right? This is just another example of the confusion and unfairness that the university's ridiculous decision has caused."

A Member Exchange with Facilities

Member: Facilities, please help:
"Our lower parking lot is a mess. So far I have seen five cars get stuck in it. One called AAA but they didn't want to go down in it and left. That car is still stuck and there is another stuck at this time also. We dug out two to help them earlier. Facilities did send out a truck but the guy just put down sand. He said his plow was broke. He said he called his boss but they never sent another truck. That was about 1 hour ago. Can you please get someone here to plow this lot?"

Facilities: "The lower lot is not a good place to park in the storm and we cannot maneuver plows very well in that lot. We are doing the best we can with what we have. It is not your job to shovel out vehicles. Please do not put yourself or others in jeopardy. The snow in the lot is packed and hard and cannot be plowed, which is why we are salting to at least provide some traction. If there is anyone still parked we are going to help them out now. They can go park in the student center lot. We will close your lot for parking immediately until we can get the snow out. let everyone you can know to park elsewhere."

Member: "I was wondering if parking or facilities could possibly post on their website a listing of lots that have already been cleared so that we know in advance where we might park. I suggested this to the RUPD and they thought it was a wonderful suggestion since they had no idea, either, where we could park."

Facilities: "All of the lots are clear with the exception of your lot and one lot on CAC. I don’t have the personnel or the time to do this. My staff has been on for over 38 hours most have been sent home. Facilities has lost numerous staff and like you all we are strapped. Here is my hope that all of you can let your people know that the plowing operations take place in the following order, large commuter lots, handicap spaces in lots where disabled students need access, building entrances and paths of travel, student and rec center lots, staff lots, housing lots (as agreed upon by housing)."