Dear Colleagues,
This email communication is the fifth in a series of monthly communications from the Department of Human Resources intended to provide updates and relevant information as we continue the gradual return to work on campus. Please read this message in its entirety. Previous announcements can be found here.
Return to Work on Campus
The gradual return to work on campus has begun for some units across campus as we prepare for the full return by the new academic year. We look forward to coming back together as an institution that values opportunities for meaningful in-person interaction and community building. The university continues to evaluate potential flexible work options and is carefully considering valuable input from the campus community and shared governance. Guidance and details will be shared as it becomes available to HR. Leaders and supervisors should anticipate the steps needed to return to campus based on business needs and communicate the associated timelines to employees, while providing as much notice as possible.
While evaluating business needs during this transition back to work on campus, leaders and supervisors should continue to be flexible to the extent possible.
- Please carefully review the EHS update below for planning purposes.
- Business needs, in alignment with the SCU mission and values, are the drivers for the gradual return and may look different for each unit. There is not a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Please continue to leverage remote work or hybrid work models, if possible during the transition back, to assist with ongoing health and safety efforts and to address employees' unique circumstances and other personal needs.
- Employees and managers may reach out to their HR Partner for support and consultation as they think through the return to work on campus for their units.
The Employee Assistance Program and other resources are also available.
Reminder: Vaccination Requirement
As announced by Acting President Kloppenberg and the HR follow up communication the university requires that all SCU employees be fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus and submit their vaccination record via Workday by September 15, 2021. Fully vaccinated is defined as two weeks after the final dose. Additionally and as previously announced, SCU’s vaccine mandate allows for limited exemptions. Vaccination exemptions will be granted to faculty and staff on the basis of medical need or a sincerely held religious belief. Information on how to comply with this mandate and instructions on how to submit an exemption request form via Workday can be found here.
Employees with an exemption on record will be subject to weekly testing and applicable health and safety protocols.
Testing will continue to be available on campus but the location will change as different SCU groups join campus. Over the next week, testing will be conducted on the Vari Hall patio to support the return of the Law School. Testing dates are Monday, August 16 and Tuesday, August 17 from 9-11 AM and 5-6 PM. Future locations will be shared as they are confirmed
As previously announced, staff employees may use supplemental paid sick leave to take time off to attend an appointment to receive a vaccine or if an employee is experiencing symptoms related to a COVID-19 vaccine that prevents the employee from being able to work or telework. The use of supplemental paid sick leave is subject to the plan limitations.
Supervisors are directed to approve time off requests for employees for the purposes of being vaccinated against COVID-19.
Wellness Resources - New Webinar Offering
Webinar: Welcome Back - Return to Campus, presented by CONCERN EAP
Wednesday, August 18, 2021, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Returning to the workplace, after many months of working remotely, can be an exciting transition, and it will include both benefits and challenges. In this seminar, we will explore ways in which we can achieve a successful re-entry. We will discuss the associated losses, uncertainties, and ultimately, the new beginnings that reengagement will offer. There will be opportunities to address individual needs and concerns, and the importance of maintaining work/life balance. You may register for the webinar here.
Student Employment - Updated Hiring Guidelines
The temporary guidelines and limitations for hiring student employees are now lifted. Effective immediately, departments no longer need to seek prior approval to recruit and hire student employees. Hiring student employees should be based on business needs and it is subject and limited to the department’s allocated student wage budget.
Environment, Health and Safety Update
Current campus COVID-19 health and safety protocols are below. Given the fluid nature of the pandemic, particularly in addressing the Delta variant, campus protocols could change at any time. We will continue to notify you on a regular basis of updates in our protocols.
- On August 3, six Bay Area county public health officers announced an indoor mask mandate to help mitigate the spread of the Delta variant of the Coronavirus. This mandate requires all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, to wear approved face coverings in public indoor spaces. At SCU, this includes all indoor work, meeting and collaboration, lab, classroom, recreation, and other indoor spaces. Face coverings may be removed temporarily while actively eating or drinking.
- Building entrance signage has been updated across most of campus to reflect the new mask mandate. Hosts of visitors, guests, and contractors should remind them of this requirement.
- Unvaccinated faculty, staff, and students are required to be tested on a weekly basis at our campus testing clinic once they return to campus.
- If you have registered your vaccination record previously at one of our testing clinics, or more recently through Workday, you are exempt from testing requirements.
- There are no current restrictions on indoor gatherings.. However, SCU is evaluating the potential for modifications to large gatherings in the Fall. Those planning Fall events should consider contingency plans should limits be placed on indoor gatherings.
- The daily symptom check is not required to be submitted to supervisors each time you come to campus; however, all employees should self-screen for symptoms each day and not come to campus if they are experiencing any COVID-19 related symptoms.
In compliance with California regulations, SCU will provide face coverings upon request to individuals. Requests for face coverings can be made by contacting the EHS Department.
University Operations has prepared buildings for the return of personnel with an emphasis on COVID-19 safety. A summary of its preparation procedures is found here.
SCU will continue to actively monitor the status of the pandemic, including case rates and variants of concern, and will update its safety protocols in alignment with public health guidance and regulations.
Important Message from the ACCESS Office
The ACCESS Office looks forward to welcoming students, faculty, and staff back to campus. To make the transition to campus smooth, here are a few reminders:
⟹ Look at your ACCESS card. Your ACCESS card must have your image on the right hand side. If your card has the image on the left and/or a barcode on the back, it needs to be replaced.
⟹ Door Access. If you need access to buildings, offices, rooms on campus, you should contact your building or department manager to set up access.
⟹ Next Steps. If you need a new card, email the ACCESS Office (access@scu.edu) with your name and ID number. We will print up your card and have it ready for fast pick up. All door access should be confirmed with your department or building manager prior to card pick up. Replacement cards (one per person) for faculty and staff are free until October 1, 2021.
⟹ Please Note. The ACCESS Office will be very busy with the arrival of undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty and staff returning to campus in September. To avoid long lines and waits, we encourage you to come by the ACCESS Office to update, change or set up your ACCESS card or mobile credential between now and September 1 to avoid the rush. The ACCESS Office is open M-F 10am to 2pm.
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