Skip to main content

College of Engineering COVID-19 Resources Digest - December 21, 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. 

Please note, these digest emails will be continuing on a bi-monthly basis moving forward, subject to change with information flows. Look for the next email on Monday, 12/21. 

Returning to Campus

  • The first batch of Pfizer vaccines arrived at UW Medicine with medical staff as top priority. The UW COVID-19 Vaccination Task Force met last week to evaluate UW’s capacity as a Vaccine Provider. Recommendations from the Task Force are expected by December 23.
  • EH&S shared COVID-19 safety tips for the holiday season. 
  • 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. 

Returning to Work

  • A number of emergency measures are expected to expire in December and January. 
    • Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) - expanded FMLA and/or emergency sick time off - benefits will no longer be available after December 31, 2020; unused balances will expire. Review UW policies for employees who need to take time off and connect with an HR consultant to help you understand your options.
    • Unemployment compensation provisions of the CARES act will no longer be available after Saturday, December 26, 2020.
    • The exemption from the 1,050 hour limit on temporary hourly employment for employees working to maintain safe operations through COVID-19 is set to expire at the end of December and an extension has been requested with more updates if the exemption is granted.
    • Physical review requirements for remote employees under the I-9 remains waived until either December 31 when normal UW operations resume under the phased plan or the termination of the national emergency, whichever is first.
    • The one-week waiting period for eligibility for unemployment continues to be waived through December 26,2020.
    • The excess vacation time off forfeiture waiver for classified staff who exceed 240 hours of vacation time off remains in effect until January 19, 2021. 
    • For eligible populations, shared leave for COVID-19 reason has been extended to January 19, 2021.
  • UW extended Work From Home flexibility through the end of the academic year.
  • EH&S released new guidelines for Working Alone Safely. 
  • 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

  • Message to PIs regarding Return to Research plans: the first potential workplace transmission of COVID-19 was reported to the UW last week. The PI, as the COVID site supervisor, is responsible for ensuring that their research group follows the protocols in their plan and that it includes all required elements of COVID-19 prevention. 
  • Office of Research’s Guidance for Returning to In-Person Research.

Returning to School

  • New and returning students not registered for autumn quarter have been mailed UW branded cloth face masks, a welcome letter and a copy of the Healthy Husky Pledge.
  • 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. 

Thanks,

Kristin & Lisa
College of Engineering COVID-19 Response WG