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.
With King and Pierce counties in Phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Plan, we have received many questions regarding the College of Engineering’s status. UW Seattle Campus is now in Phase 2, and the College of Engineering is beginning the process of applying to Phase 2. Please note that in Phase 2, remote work is still strongly encouraged and will not change working situations for most employees. You’ll receive more information about the College’s Phase 2 application in the coming weeks.
Returning to Campus
- Departments may request access to the Safe & Secure storefront by filling out an online form. Please try to limit the number of approved users in your department. You may complete this survey multiple times if adding more than one user.
- Note: If your department or lab has issues procuring PPE (access, supply chain, etc) please contact the Dean’s office at coeinfo@uw.edu for assistance.
- EH&S is developing a series of 90-minute webinars for departments working on their Phase 2 Return to Work plans, planned for release in late July, the first week of August, and the fall.
- On 7/7/2020, Governor Inslee’s “No Mask, No Service” order took effect, directing all businesses to require and enforce the use of face coverings by all customers and visitors.
- Washington state and the UW are working to identify and manage a surge need for PPE in preparation for a spike in the first wave or a new second wave of COVID-19. Departments should be considering the types and levels of stockpiled supplies needed in these scenarios.
Returning to Work
- UWHR is closely tracking extensions and expirations of proclamations and emergency rules as they are announced, including:
- Washington State law requiring a one week waiting period unemployment benefit eligibility continues to be waived through August 1, 2020.
- The excess vacation time off forfeiture waiver remains in effect until August 1, 2020 for classified staff who have exceeded 240 hours of vacation time off. Once the proclamation expires, law requiring vacation time off forfeiture on a classified employee’s anniversary date will resume.
- For eligible populations, shared leave for a COVID-19 related reason has been extended until August 1, 2020.
- 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
- The federal government has provided some flexibility in managing research funding to universities during COVID-19, including extended deadlines for submission of applications, rebudgeting award funds for COVID-19 response-related activities and paying salaries from federal award funds to grant personnel who were unable to carry out research work due to the pandemic.
- Office of Research’s Guidance for Returning to In-Person Research.
Returning to School
- The Back to School Task Force released Learning Spaces COVID-19 Prevention Operational Guidelines.
- 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.
Thanks,
Kristin & Lisa
College of Engineering COVID-19 Response WG