[CED/CD/EAT] FW: Transitioning Back to Campus

Wed Apr 21 11:48:36 MST 2021

CEDs,

These recommendations communicated by President Robbins this morning are the product of the “transition back to work working group” that I have been participating on and referring to recently.

In Cooperative Extension we recognize that the vaccination rates among county Extension units are probably not close to 89% as it is on campus. Therefore, return to work management in Extension units needs to be considered with an extra degree of caution and respect for the circumstances.

As we discussed yesterday, the transition process is very important for you to manage both collectively across the unit and with each individual employee as we continue in this transition process.  I encourage each of you to take these points under consideration and manage the unit under your responsibility with due caution.

Regards,

Jeff

From: President Robert C. Robbins <president at comms.arizona.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2021 9:58 AM
To: Silvertooth, Jeffrey C - (silverto) <Silver at ag.arizona.edu>
Subject: Transitioning Back to Campus

Starting May 17, 2021, units may begin to transition back if they are able to meet the University’s safety protocols.

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Dear Colleagues,

It has been a little over a year since the majority of University employees transitioned to remote work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the University’s emergency work from home directive. Our entire Wildcat Community has adapted to ensure the continuation of our institutional mission, and I want to give special thanks to those employees who have been on campus throughout this period, sustaining our limited campus operations. We have reason to be proud of our many accomplishments.

I am pleased to report that among our employees the vaccination rate seems to be very high, with 89% of employees who responded to our most recent survey reporting that they have begun the vaccination process. Positive infection cases among those employees who are required to test due to their work activities on campus remain extremely low. In light of this data, and because the student and employee population on campus will decrease significantly after spring semester (as it does every year), we will begin our transition back to campus this summer with a view to resuming most of our regular in-person operations by the start of the 2021/2022 Academic Year.

I recognize that most employees will need time to transition gradually back to our campuses for the new academic year and that many units and employees are able to be more productive and work more effectively within our campus facilities. After the spring semester is over, starting May 17, 2021, units that are not already engaged in on-campus work may begin to transition back if they are able to meet the University’s safety protocols<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=cfc2315fdb2e06804bf4e0e4b6cb33785359bfff680773bf5fd029df490f6a0b899bc2aafbe1b0087ad142409a846a1d346f351e159f6f019c3a5b10b5b40a7f>. Each unit is encouraged to gradually increase in-person activity, so that the University can assess the impact of increased activity over time. Units are strongly encouraged to work with their leadership, Human Resources, Risk Management, and other University resources when developing their transition plans.

While vaccination rates are increasing and COVID-19 positive test rates are decreasing, I want to emphasize that the pandemic is not over. The University must continue to engage in preventative efforts, be prepared to adapt to changing circumstances, and remain cognizant of the continuing barriers many employees face, including the potential limited availability of summer childcare options. I encourage employees to communicate with their supervisors about needed flexibility during this transition period, and I ask supervisors to be as accommodating as possible in meeting these requests, with the understanding that some jobs are unable to be performed remotely. Importantly, supervisors should not inquire about an employee’s vaccination status nor use vaccination status as the basis for employment-related decisions, including those regarding whether employees can or should continue to work remotely or on campus.

Supervisor and employees should consult Human Resources COVID-19 Guidance<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=cfc2315fdb2e068007d42a1f32adc34b5b1d0414a39e1687c426db5487efa6b0e9b6689f6da73236844292c60301131a9402127456d093d40f1d0a1cdeaae377> to find resources for transitioning back to campus. Please contact Human Resources with any questions. Employees who have a disability-related need for workplace accommodations<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=cfc2315fdb2e0680c0e251e986030c6dd6189755a8f71d2080de500fd15c1df9c2ac9886816506b4322c0c0826647e459cf08ad3ceb56902200ce26572df7edf> based on their own disability or medical condition should be referred to the Disability Resource Center<https://click.comms.arizona.edu/?qs=cfc2315fdb2e0680609bfc50cedc9d865de13f9014f5f171d94f624f9da71084ae4f86c487e323b743f489f21f466867e555ea045c20c6c5e0e66a36d8d2108d>. Guidance will be sent soon regarding how to formalize continued work from home arrangements.

Thank you for your commitment to our students and our mission and for everything you do.

Bear Down and Mask Up,

Robert C. Robbins, M.D.

President
The University of Arizona
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