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 2 of Governor Inslee’s Safe Start Plan; UW Seattle Campus is in Phase 2, and the College of Engineering is in Phase 2. Phase 2 does not change significantly from Phase 1, meaning that those working remotely will continue to do so, with the exception of designated critical employees, and applies to the College of Engineering and all related departments. 

Returning to Campus

• Plans for the Seattle Flu Study/Scan to provide initial and ongoing COVID-19 testing services to the UW system are being finalized.
  • An EOC subgroup has been established to provide site evaluation data and recommendations, and work with UW units to support testing operations. 
  • A proposed testing program is expected to recommend baseline testing of all incoming students, faculty and staff, as well as surveillance testing and plans for rapid establishment of pop up sites in the event of an outbreak. 
• Free parking in lots E-1 and E-18 is ending in early September. Notices of the change will be posted in UW Today, UW Insider and signage at both lots.
• Housing and Food Services is leading efforts to ensure vending machines in requested areas are stocked with general PPE supplies such as masks and hand sanitizer. All supplies will be reviewed by EH&S to meet performance standards. Requests have been filed by Health Sciences, Suzzallo Library, HUB, IMA and the Population Health facilities.

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

• Childcare options and resources have been updated to help parents plan for remote learning.
• UW Carelink has been updated to make COVID-19 resources more accessible.
• Waiver for physical review requirements for the I-9 remain in place until Sept. 19, 2020 or the termination of national state of emergency, whichever occurs first. 
• New page on UWHR provides support to navigate considerations when a UW employee, dependent or retiree passes away. 
• 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

• On 8/18/2020, HSD announced changes to human subjects research allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic:
  • Research that is not currently active is being halted
  • Revised criteria for allowed research
  • New requirements for in-person research
• Office of Research’s Guidance for Returning to In-Person Research.

Returning to School

• Packages containing 2 cloth face coverings, welcome letter and Husky Pack promise card are being assembled for all students. Packages will be received by USPS for shipping beginning August 29. 
  • Student Life’s Center for International Relations and Cultural Leadership Exchange (CIRCLE) is developing a public health-approved process to send mail to students outside the U.S. 
• 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