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Dear Colleagues,
The University will be closed in observance of the 2025 Thanksgiving holiday on:
We will also observe 2025 Christmas and 2025/2026 New Year's Eve/New Year's Day on Eastern's four official holidays:
Please note all offices must remain open through December 23, 2025. The University will reopen for full service on Friday January 2, 2026.
In addition, per IGP #7.5, paid Gift Days for 2025 will be observed on:
Employees, including probationary employees, will not have to use their own leave time for these days. Essential employees of the University will still be required to work on one or more of the Gift days. Vice Presidents and/or Directors will identify those areas/employees deemed essential for University operations. An employee(s) identified as “essential” will be allowed to flex the Gift days at another time but must use that time by March 31, 2026. For more information regarding Gift days please visit here.
Employees who are in probationary status who wish to use time outside of the Gift days (example, December 22, 23, January 2), will be allowed to use any available accrued leave or take leave without pay during the Holiday season, with supervisor approval. Probationary employees who wish to use accrued leave during the holiday period must submit the Civil Service Employee Request for Accrued Leave During Probation form online and available here.
Supervisors are encouraged to approve time-off requests, unless the employment is required for essential duties during that period, or the time off impedes the ability for the office to remain open through December 23, 2025. Should an employee choose to take leave without pay, please note that accrued leave, sick leave and service credit will not be earned.
Please note that the following eligibility rules apply for holiday compensation:
Employees must be in an approved pay status, with or without pay, on the last scheduled workday before the holiday and the first scheduled work day following the holiday in order to receive holiday pay. Employees who are subject to the provisions of a prevailing-rate agreement or a collective bargaining agreement will be paid according to the terms of the respective agreement.
Time reporting codes have previously been created for use on time sheets and leave reports. If you do not have to work on December 26, 29 or 30, please report it under University Gift Day – Non-work (763). If you must work on any of the Gift days, please report applicable time under University Gift Day – Time worked (764). If you must work and flex your day(s) at another time, when you use that day, you will use the 763 – University Gift Day – Non-work at that time.
As in previous years, please make note of the adjusted monthly payroll schedule for December. The pay date for December will be on January 2, 2026.
Inquiries regarding this information may be directed to the Benefits Office at (217) 581-5825 or by e-mailing benefits@eiu.edu.
Thank you!
Human Resources
Booth House
海角大神
600 Lincoln Ave.
Charleston, IL 61920
217-581-7400
jdreinhart@eiu.edu