Please review these COVID-19 related updates as we begin Fall quarter.
Outdoor Study Space
In order to provide study space for students living on or near campus, the campus is creating two outdoor tent areas. The spaces will provide Wi-Fi in a covered space with open sides to comply with current guidelines.
- Langson Library Student Study Tent
- Humanities Plaza Student Study Tent (between Krieger Hall and Humanities Hall)
The tents are scheduled to be in place with seating and Wi-Fi this week. No reservations are needed. Solar powered charging stations will be added later in the quarter, as will casual seating in Aldrich Park.
Please familiarize yourself with all COVID-related Executive Directives issued by UCI and UCOP.
Recent directives are summarized below:
Symptom Checking App now Mandatory for all Employees and Students
Whether or not you are visiting or working on campus at all, the chancellor has mandated that all employees complete the symptom checking app daily (Mon-Fri). This is in order to mitigate possible exposure to and transmission of COVID-19 on property controlled by UCI, and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 within the UCI community.
Flu Shot Required for 20-21 academic year
Effective November 1, 2020, employees may not be on campus unless they have received the 2020-2021 flu vaccine or an approved medical exemption. Employees need to to obtain a flu shot by 10/31/20. Requests for disability or religious accommodations will be adjudicated through the interactive process consistent with existing location policies and procedures. Watch for more info soon about how to report compliance. An FAQ is posted.
Travel
The campus has published updated Travel Guidelines. Please review these if you are considering travel domestically or internationally.
Gatherings
Gatherings of any size (two or more individuals) on UCI controlled property should be held using alternative methods (for example, virtual or remote methods) instead of in-person, if reasonably feasible. See the Gatherings directive for more guidance if considering an outdoor gathering.
New Executive Directive re: Visitors on Campus
Before issuing an invitation to a Guest to come onto UCI controlled property for University-related business reasons, a UCI Host must obtain written approval for the invitation from their Designated Approver (dean) , and when relevant, comply with further requirements in the UCI Host unit’s approved Risk Assessment, Protection& Monitoring Plan;Gatherings Executive Directive; and/orTravel Executive Directive.
The School limitations on discretionary spending have been updated. Please review them as you make plans for the coming year.
Returning to Campus Training now Mandatory for All Employees
Whether or not you are visiting or working on campus at all, employees must complete the Return to On-Site Work training. If you haven’t yet completed the training, please go to the UCLC website and search for “Return to On-site”. Employees need to complete the training before visiting campus and no later than 10/9/20.
Senate Faculty Sick/Paid Medical Leave for Childcare for Fall Quarter 2020
In addition to the federal COVID leave for childcare already announced for all academic appointees, UCOP announced another option available to senate faculty and postdoctoral scholars. Eligible academic employees are permitted to request one (1) course reduction or release from major service obligations in Fall 2020, for childcare reasons due to the COVID-19 precautions. If approved, four (4) weeks will be deducted from their paid medical leave benefit.
This temporary exception is to allow academic appointees to use the sick/paid medical leave benefits if they are unable to work or telework because their children are not able to physically attend their school or place of care due to COVID-19 precautions during the Fall 2020. UCOP is not providing any funding for replacement instructors.
Essential Work on Campus
As noted in the Chancellor’s July 29th message, please plan to continue working remotely through the start of the winter quarter, January 4, 2021, unless you have been notified otherwise. In the employee survey SOH conducted in June, most employees preferred working from home during this phase of the pandemic in order to support the health of the community.
Meanwhile, the campus requires that we document employees whose work requires physical presence on campus. Each department submitted a department plan for employees continuing to work periodically on campus. These were consolidated into a schoolwide plan which was approved last month. The School Plan is posted online for your reference.
Faculty are still encouraged to prepare teaching materials from home if possible. If an instructor needs to work in campus offices (or classrooms) to prepare or deliver remote instruction, this continues to be permitted, so long as the following requirements are met.
Employees authorized to work periodically on campus must meet these requirements:
- Instructor has notified chair of interest in working in campus office and indicate desired schedule or frequency.
- Employee must follow all campus guidelines and executive directives (summarized above).
- The chair is responsible for ensuring campus guidelines are followed.
- Your department will be responsible for maintaining a low occupancy level in your space; they will alert you how to notify them of planned days in the office.
- If you utilize any shared equipment, such as a department copier/printer, be sure to clean it afterward. Supplies will be provided.
- If an employee that has worked on campus has a known or suspected case of COVID-19, they must notify their supervisor, who will follow the campus reporting process.