Return to Campus Plan - August 2020

 

To see our initial response to the changes brought on at work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, please see https://uclsupport.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/CPD/pages/1342439425.

As of August 2020, we have shifted to a state where some employees may be working in the office on a regular or sporadic basis. To navigate work in the office, please consult the following guidelines:


Continuing Education Return to Campus Plan - 540 Arapeen

Our goals are to have everyone working from home who can and to keep those who are working in the office safe.

Office Use & Employee Presence

  • Face coverings are required. They must be worn at all times, unless you are in the break room eating.

    • Break periods should be rotated to minimize the number of people present in the break room at any given time. Physical distancing must be maintained and all users should clean and sanitize the break room after each use.

  • Physical distancing of 6ft must be maintained.

  • No in-person interactions larger than 20 people (still maintain a 6 ft separation).

  • Arrows are taped on the floor to direct traffic.

  • 6 ft waiting space is marked on the floor at each service desk.

  • Remote work and virtual meetings will continue for everyone not required in the office to serve in-person classes.

  • Required staff positions will rotate in-office days.

  • No in-person group events other than classes.

  • Sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer will be provided in the common areas.

  • Glass doors will be propped open during business hours.

  • Doors to shared office spaces will be propped open during open hours to minimize contact.

  • When using shared equipment (e.g. printer, copier, break room appliances), you are required to wipe that piece of equipment down with a sanitizing wipe after use.

  • IS&T staff working on hardware, in another person’s work space, or a classroom will maintain a minimum of 6 ft distance and wear single-use gloves.

Check-Out & Registration Services

  • Check-out equipment will be wiped down and sanitized after it is returned.

  • Employees will wear face coverings at all times while working at the front desk.

  • Employees will use hand sanitizer after working with equipment.

  • Plexiglass will be set up in the checkout area.

  • Sanitizing stations are strategically placed near the checkout desk.

ELI Office

  • Arrows are taped on the floor to direct traffic.

  • If we have students in the building for testing, staff will wipe down the work station after a student finishes their exams, test takers must be 6ft apart, and test takers will be required to wear face coverings.

  • Workstations will be wiped down at the end of each shift.

  • The printer will be wiped down after use.

  • Plexiglass screens are set up at the ELI desk.

Classroom Use & Student Presence

  • Both students and instructors are required to wear face coverings at all times.

  • Classroom capacity and design has been determined to enforce 6ft distancing.

    • Classrooms with tablet armchairs will be marked (armchairs will not be removed). Tape and signs will be used to “x” off seats.

    • Classrooms with tables will have signs on the tables where not to sit to be consistent. Additional chairs will be removed and stored.

  • Students will clean their desk area upon arrival into the classroom (we will supply them with materials).

  • Classrooms will be thoroughly cleaned 2 times each day.

  • The instructor is responsible for cleaning their space before and after class.

  • Classes will be scheduled so as to stagger start times to avoid a large number of students in common spaces at any given time. They will also have staggered break times for that reason.

  • The student lounge will remain open which markers in place to indicate 6ft distancing; if students do not follow these protocols, the student lounge will close.

FAQ:

Q. Are all employees required to return to campus in the YELLOW phase?

  • No, each unit will make their own business decisions.  O&CE will ask all staff who can work from home to continue to do so in order to make the office the safest environment possible for those who must be there in person.

Q.  Am I expected to wear a face mask in Online/TLT/CECE buildings?

  • Face coverings (cloth masks, scarves, gaiters, bandanas) are required at all times in Online/TLT/CECE buildings, except in breakrooms while eating. Face coverings must cover nose and mouth.

  • Face coverings should be changed or laundered routinely.

  • Face coverings are not required outside buildings if physical distancing is maintained (6ft).

  • In certain cases, use of a face covering is not advised, such as in the case of sufferers of extreme claustrophobia or people with breathing difficulties. These cases should be addressed on a case-by-case basis through the ADA. Should the use of a face covering not be advised, individuals must maintain proper physical distancing of 6 feet or more at all times and follow all CDC guidelines.

Q. Am I expected to main 6 ft distancing with my co-workers or only with students and customers?

  • Maintain at least 6 ft of separation as often as possible.  Minimize face to face contacts and avoid large gatherings.  In-person interactions should be limited to less than 20 people, while maintaining 6 ft separation at all time.

Q. What if I don’t have a mask or I forget to bring my mask?

  • Campus will provide cloth masks to all staff at .4 FTE and greater free of charge one time only.  Any additional masks will need to be purchased.  We will have a limited number of one-time use masks available for emergency situations.

  • If you habitually forget to bring your mask, you may be subject to corrective action. Bringing and wearing a face covering is an expectation of coming to work in the building. 

Q. Am I expected to clean and sanitize my own work station and the areas/equipment in the building I use?

  • Yes, there will be disinfecting supplies available to frequently clean your work station.  If you share space with another staff member you will be required to clean the shared space before and after each use.  Any equipment (printers/copiers, coffee machine, refrigerator, microwave, toaster, hand cart, etc.) you use, should be disinfected before and after each use.

Q.  What should I do if I have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of my major life activities?

  • You should apply for a reasonable accommodation under the ADA.  To learn more, call University HR at 801-581-2169 or email hraccommodations@utah.edu.  You may also contact Sarah Wilson, HR Associate Director, at 801-587-9861 or sarah.e.wilson@utah.edu to discuss any questions or other concerns you may have.

Q.  What should I do if I am concerned about returning to onsite work because I am a high-risk individual or live with a high-risk individual (as defined by the CDC)?

Q.  What should I do if I see another employee who isn’t wearing a face covering?

  • If you see another employee who isn’t wearing a face covering, notify Sarah Wilson and then talk to the on-site/on-call representative from Leadership. They will work together to address the situation.

Q.  What should I do if I see a guest in the building who isn’t wearing a face covering?

  • Face coverings are required. If you see a guest who isn’t wearing a face covering, we want you to feel empowered to address the situation and know that we support you. The following bullet points may help you with what to say:

    • Face coverings are required. Here is one if you forgot yours.

    • Face coverings are required. Please put your face covering on.

    • Face coverings are required. If you do not put one on, you’ll have to leave the building.

  • If (and only if), a guest becomes confrontational or refuses to leave, you may call campus security to have them removed.

Q.  What should I do if I have a student who isn’t wearing a face covering?

  • If you have a student who isn’t wearing a face covering, you can ask them to leave class to retrieve it. If they repeatedly fail to wear a face covering to class, you can refer them to the Dean of Students for a possible violation of the Student Code. The University of Utah has provided the following guidelines/language to use if you encounter a student who isn’t wearing a face covering:

  • Based on CDC guidelines, the University requires everyone to wear face coverings in shared public spaces on campus, including our classroom. As a reminder, when I wear a face covering, I am protecting you. When you wear a face covering, you are protecting me and all of your classmates. If you forget your face covering, I will ask you to leave class to retrieve it. If you repeatedly fail to wear a face covering in class, I will refer you to the Dean of Students for a possible violation of the Student Code. Note that some students may qualify for accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you think you meet these criteria and desire an exception to the face covering policy, contact the Center for Disability and Assess (CDA). Accommodations should be obtained prior to the first day of class so that I am notified by CDA of any students who are not required to wear a face covering.

Q. What should I do if I need to come into the office for a specific need but am otherwise working remotely?

  • For CE, you must contact Katina and obtain her approval prior to going into the office. She will be checking the list to see if you’ve completed the required Return to Campus training and attestation. She will also be keeping track of everything to ensure that we do not have more than 20 persons in one office space at any given time.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

As we all work to support employees during this time of uncertainty, the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is temporarily available for all University employees, including those not enrolled in the health plan and those not eligible to enroll in the health plan.  

More information regarding the EAP and services offered are available on the University HR Benefits webpage as well as the University HR COVID-19 webpage.

Important Information

  • While in our buildings, wearing a face covering is required at all times.

  • Employees who are able to continue working remotely and highly encouraged to work remotely. Only those with specific business needs should be going physically into the office.

  • All staff and faculty need to complete the following training and sign an attestation that they will adhere to all safety protocols. Staff/faculty training can be found here.

  • Practice Healthy Hygiene!

    • ensure hand washing strategies include washing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds

      • especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

Key Resources

University of Utah Website for Coronavirus and Return to Campus

University of Utah Health Website for Coronavirus, including Dr. Michael Good’s Weekly Video Updates

De-Escalation Tips & Techniques Slides