As a result of the participation of President Clinton in this year's Commencement exercises and the high level of security arrangements required, the Institute will be closing Buildings 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13 from 2am-1pm on Friday, June 5.
Added Robert J. Lewis, director of Personnel for employee relations, in a letter to heads of departments, laboratories and centers and administrative officers: "Because the security arrangements are not complete, it is possible that it may become necessary to close these building for additional hours, or to close additional buildings. As we learn more, we will notify you immediately.
"All personnel who work in those buildings who are not involved in Commencement activities, and who as a practical matter cannot be reassigned to work in other buildings on that day, will be excused from work according to the following schedule:
"Those working the night shift: Excused from 2am until the end of their regular shift.
"Those working days: Excused from the start of their regular workday until 1pm.
"Those people so excused will be paid at their regular rate as if they had worked until the end of their shift if they are on the night shift, and as if they had worked from the start of their regular workday until 1pm if working days.
"Because of concern about significant traffic gridlock on or around campus at 1pm, employees who are not needed for Commencement or student-related activities that afternoon may be released with pay for the rest of the regular work day as well, at the department head's discretion.
"Only employees regularly scheduled to work in those buildings listed above between 2am and 1pm on June 5 will be eligible for release pay. An employee on leave for any reason, including sick leave or other authorized leave with or without pay, is not eligible to receive release pay.
"If you have any questions about this announcement, please contact the Personnel officer for your area."
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on May 27, 1998.
