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College of Engineering COVID-19 Resources Digest - January 4, 2021

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

  • A new COVID-19 test site in the E-1 parking lot is finalizing set up and anticipated to open later this week. 
  • Governor Inslee’s COVID-19 restrictions are extended through January 11, 2021. 
  • 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

  • The 1,050 hour limit for temporary hourly staff has been extended but requires approval, effective to February 15, 2021. 
  • The waiver of physical review requirements for remote employees remains in place until January 31, 2021, when normal University operations are set to resume, or the termination of the national emergency, whichever comes first.
  • Federal unemployment compensation benefits have been extended. UWHR will post updates when new guidance is available from the Washington Employment Security department.
  • Emergency sick time off and expanded FMLA under the FFRCA expired on December 31, 2020. Only time/absence initiates will be able to enter FFCRA-related time off for pay periods prior to December 31. Employees on approved FFCRA leaves of absence who have not been returned by the unit will be centrally returned from their leave of absence at a future date once all retroactive entries and audits are completed.
  • 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

Returning to School

  • 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