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College of Engineering COVID-19 Resources Digest - August 31, 2020

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

  • Technical evaluation of the UW’s pilot contact tracing app, “Common Circle” continues. The UW is working to incorporate the new app into mass testing of incoming students for fall quarter. The app download and usage will be voluntary.
    • EH&S is hiring temporary personnel to manage contact tracing capacity. 
  • UW Operations has developed a communicable disease site testing support plan with key stakeholders.
  • EH&S and ACCD are researching new metrics for the UW’s coronavirus website that include more dynamic measurements and can be displayed on Tableau. 
  • SCAN testing, now officially named “Husky Coronavirus Testing powered by the Seattle Flu Testing Team,” is being planned and rollout is rapidly approaching. Recent updates and considerations include:
    • Goal set of 8,000-11,000 baseline tests collected in mid-late September, beginning with the Greek system and UW residence halls; focused weekly testing of ~1,100 per week.
    • Identified a Seattle campus testing location in the old UW Club space; Tacoma and Bothell will likely provide self-service kits with distribution and collection to be determined. 
    • Plans to develop and publish new public metrics related to the status of COVID-19 impact on the UW system. 
    • Ongoing development of communications about the UW’s testing program before students arrive, covering priorities (which groups will be tested and in what order) and how health data will be protected. 
    • Testing still needs to be approved by the IRB. 
  • The Burke Museum is preparing detailed reopening plans for an early September return date for staff and late September for the public. As now allowed under a recent proclamation for museums, the Burke’s plans are under review to meet requirements. 

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. 

Returning to Work

  • Rising employee inquiries in two key areas are impacting human resources, finance offices, and health and safety. The UW must follow current WA State procurement guidelines and state ethics board rules. 
    • As remote work is extended for many employees, rising counts of ergonomic-related claims are being submitted to Washington State Labor & Industries by remote employees who lack protective equipment at home that is available at their campus-based worksites.
    • With the switch to home offices, many employees are asking the UW to provide or reimburse costs for work-related office supplies, computing equipment, office furniture and/or internet and phone line charges to conduct their work.
  • On 8/24/2020, Zoom conferencing experienced widespread outages. Units should identify alternative methods of communication in the case of future outages.
  • On 8/24/2020, FEMA announced a lost wages grant for Washington state to provide an additional $300 of support to those unemployed due to COVID-19. FEMA is working with Governor Inslee to implement a system for funding disbursement.  
  • 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 8/31/2020, EH&S sent an alert to the research community, “East Coast COVID-19 Researcher Threat Letters” with information from the FBI describing threatening mail containing an unknown substance received by COVID-19 researchers on the east coast. EH&S is providing the following guidelines for faculty or researchers who receive suspicious packages: 
    • Do NOT open the mail or package. Do not handle the item. Wash hands thoroughly if you did handle the item.
    • Move others away from the suspicious item.
    • Contact the police by calling 911.
    • Follow the directions of the police. Avoid creating panic.
    • Notify the UW Environmental Health & Safety Department (EH&S) Research and Occupational Safety section at 206-221-7770. Also submit an online incident report at UW OARS. EH&S will notify the FBI and other regulatory and law enforcement groups in coordination with the local law enforcement agency.
  • Office of Research’s Guidance for Returning to In-Person Research.

Returning to School

  • On 8/25/2020, VP of Student Life, Denzil Suite, sent an email outlining expectations for students returning to campus in fall quarter. 
  • Governor Inslee issued proclamation 20-69 on August 26, suspending the residency requirement that enables public university graduate students to receive tuition waivers in exchange for the performance of teaching and research functions. The proclamation expires Sept. 25.
  • The Office of Student Life is drafting guidance for academic instructors on actions to be taken if students in classes and labs refuse to wear a face covering. 
  • Packages containing 2 cloth face coverings, welcome letter and Husky Pack promise card were mailed last week to all students. 
  • 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