Greetings,
Thank you for your participation in the efforts to get us Back to Campus safely and efficiently. You will find an archive of past digests at our website.
King and Pierce counties are in Phase 3 of Governor Inslee’s Healthy Washington plan. The Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses are in Healthy Washington Phase 3. Face coverings are required and telework is strongly encouraged. Learn more about the UW’s plan.
Returning to Campus
- Governor Inslee announced that all individuals over the age of 16 will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine on April 15. WA DoH released the vaccine locator, to help individuals find appointments.
- On 3/31/2021, President Ana Mari Cauce and Provost Mark Richards messaged the UW community with further guidance for the period between now and Sept. 10.
- Under phase 3 and 4, limited in-person academic and co-curricular activities are permitted (provided safety and feasibility precautions are met)
- Masks are required at all UW facilities, even for those who have been fully vaccinated
- State reduced distancing requirements have not been reduced for higher ed. Six feet is still required.
- Class modalities have not been changed.
- Guidance for autumn quarter will be released as state guidelines and vaccinations progress.
- The WA Notify COVID-19 exposure notification app is live, enabling participants to utilize smartphone technology to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- EH&S has launched a dedicated phone hotline for UW students, faculty and staff to call with questions or to report on positive test results: 206-616-3344. All messages are logged and retrieved daily with appropriate follow-up provided by EH&S staff.
We have received reports of employees not being aware of the required online training or attestations prior to returning to campus. Please ensure this information is shared with all supervisors across your unit to inform relevant staff.
- EH&S requires this online training for all persons on campus (faculty, staff, and students), even if they have already been working onsite as a critical employee, prior to returning to campus.
- Daily attestations are required for all staff and academic personnel coming to campus.
- For staff and student employees/supervisors
- For academic personnel, including faculty, librarians, medical residents and fellows, postdoctoral scholars, and academic staff
Returning to Work
- Unit/site-specific COVID-19 Prevention Plans are required for University workplaces.
- The UW has convened a Back to the Workplace Task Force reviewing and updating University protocols for how more UW employees can return to in-person work on our campuses.
Returning to Research
- Office of Research’s Guidance for Returning to In-Person Research.
Returning to School
- On 4/1/2021, students on UW Seattle campus received a message with further information on in person activities for spring quarter, and commencement.
- Research Commons is now open for individual study by reservation. UW Libraries plans to expand available hours and services as staffing permits. The HUB also allows the reservation of rooms for private use, such as job interviews, as well as offering more in-person services. Student Life maintains a list of what services and facilities are open.
- All activities must follow health and safety guidelines — including wearing masks, maintaining six feet of physical distancing and working with building coordinators to ensure spaces can be safely accessed.
- Activities must also be voluntary and consider equity, including offering remote alternatives and not factoring in-person participation into grades.
- UW’s 2021 commencement ceremonies will be held virtually, including all college, school and department graduation celebrations
- Additional opportunities to celebrate graduates will be announced as the quarter progresses, as well as a plan to recognize the achievements of the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 in the future.
- Research Commons is now open for individual study by reservation. UW Libraries plans to expand available hours and services as staffing permits. The HUB also allows the reservation of rooms for private use, such as job interviews, as well as offering more in-person services. Student Life maintains a list of what services and facilities are open.
- The Office of Student Life has announced My SSP, which provides students access to real-time, confidential mental health and crisis intervention support, available 24/7 and in multiple languages. Available at: 1.866.743.7732, online chat, via the My SSP app as well as on the mental health landing page on the Husky Health and Well-Being website.
- The UW has convened a Back to School Task Force reviewing and updating University protocols for campus spaces including residences, classrooms, labs and libraries.
Visit uw.edu/coronavirus for the most up-to-date communications and information for our UW community.
If you have info for us to share in the digest, or feedback or questions, you can email us at engineeringuw@uw.edu. Please note, the contents of this email do not represent the full breadth of information and resources available. If we missed something, let us know.