Dear Faculty and Staff Members,
I write to you in my capacity as leader of the COVID-19 Management Group, a role previously held by John Hickey prior to his July 1 retirement. I have worked closely with John and the entire COVID-19 Management Group since the onset of the pandemic and we are currently focused on solidifying operating plans for the fall semester.
Below are highlights of what we can expect for fall, much of which has already been communicated. We continue to sort through a number of issues and we will keep you updated. We will also continue to adapt as public health guidelines and requirements change.
- Campus-centered experience. Classes will be held in person, students will be living and learning on campus, student activities will resume, in-person meetings and gatherings will resume, and offices will be open during their usual operating hours. Student athletes and student leaders will begin to arrive on campus in early August, and staff will be on campus to welcome and support them.
- Telework. Limited hybrid arrangements (part remote, part in-person) for staff will be considered in accordance with the Telework Policy, divisional expectations, and the email message sent by Human Resources earlier this week. As noted in that communication, the university aims to finalize fall telework agreements by Aug.1.
- Fully-vaccinated campus. Faculty, staff and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with limited exceptions granted for medical or religious reasons. Faculty and staff must submit proof of vaccination or receive an approved exemption by Aug. 11.
- Vaccinated individuals. Faculty, staff and students who have provided evidence of being fully vaccinated will not be required to wear masks, practice social distancing, complete daily COVID health screening, or participate in asymptomatic testing. We will let you know when this goes into effect. (We are currently working on the verification protocols to comply with Labor &Industries requirements as communicated by Human Resources earlier this week.)
- Unvaccinated individuals. It will be necessary for faculty, staff and students who are unvaccinated (with approved medical or religious exemptions) to wear masks indoors, observe social distancing, wear masks outdoors when they cannot socially distance, complete daily COVID health screening before coming to or engaging on campus, and participate in weekly asymptomatic testing.
- Symptomatic individuals and those in close contact with someone who tests positive. The university will continue to follow Tacoma-Pierce County Public Health Department’s recommendations regarding isolation and quarantine. Campus members must isolate if they test positive for COVID-19 and must notify Counseling, Health and Wellness Services. Campus members must quarantine if they had close contact with a person testing positive for COVID-19.
- Building access. Exterior doors will continue to remain locked and entry to buildings will be controlled via card access.
- Room capacity. Spaces within buildings, including campus housing, dining spaces, classrooms, teaching and research laboratories, common areas, study areas, meeting rooms and offices will return to normal capacity limits, unless specific areas/activities are subject to limitation. Plexiglass screens and shields will remain in classrooms for optional use by faculty and are available from Facilities Services for other spaces as needed and requested.
- Athletics and recreational facilities. Varsity sports will resume within the parameters set by NCAA and the Northwest Conference. Spectators will be permitted to attend athletic competitions at Puget Sound. Details to come. Recreational facilities will continue to be available.
- Cleaning protocols. Cleaning protocols and practices will be guided by recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Visitors and vendors. Unvaccinated visitors and vendors will be required to wear masks indoors, as well as outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained. We are developing and will soon communicate protocols and departmental responsibilities for verifying the vaccination status of hosted visitors and vendors, and/or requiring them to wear masks and socially distance.
- Travel. We are in the process of reviewing current CDC travel guidance and will soon communicate updated university travel guidance and restrictions.
We hope that this answers many of your questions about fall. Please know that we are continuing to refine each aspect of our campus operations for fall and will provide more information in the coming weeks. In the meantime, I welcome your questions. Information, including campus messages, is also available online at www.pugetsound.edu/coronavirus.
We look forward to seeing you on campus and working together to provide our students an exceptional experience.
Bob Kief and the COVID-19 Management Group
Robert M. Kief, CFM, CEFP | Associate Vice President for Facilities Services