MONDAY, JULY 27, 2020, 1 P.M.
To Faculty and Staff
From John Hickey, executive director of community engagement and associate vice president for Business Services
I am writing to provide updates to Puget Sound’s Return to Work on Campus Plan.
This plan is evolving during summer to address COVID-19 prevention, detection, and response. We have been implementing, assessing, and adjusting measures to foster safe and healthy summer operations. This work also supports Puget Sound’s ongoing preparedness for fall operations.
As noted in President Crawford’s July 21 campus correspondence, the university will announce a final decision about resuming fall in-person instruction by Wednesday, July 29. Regardless of that decision, the university’s Return to Work on Campus Plan applies to current operations and expectations. We will continue adjusting the Return to Work on Campus Plan as circumstances and guidelines change and will notify faculty and staff of changes. We also encourage you to monitor your email and the website (pugetsound.edu/coronavirus) for guidance updates.
As a reminder, all faculty and staff members are expected to be familiar with and comply with the safety protocols in the Return to Work on Campus Plan. It provides important information about staying safe at work in alignment with requirements and guidance from local and state public health officials, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please review the updated Return to Work on Campus Plan (PDF) and the more detailed descriptions of the following policy and procedural changes:
- New COVID-19 supervisory and monitoring protocols (as announced on July 15)
- Updated temporary restrictions on international and domestic travel
- New fall 2020 campus events interim policy
- New daily self-screening procedures (as announced on July 14)
- New state face covering and outdoor behavior requirements (as announced on July 7).
As a reminder, COVID-19 prevention training is required for all faculty and staff (including student staff) members prior to or immediately upon returning to work on campus. We strongly encourage all faculty and staff members to take this short training required by L&I now even if you have not yet returned to campus. Note that the training presentation includes instructions for confirming that you have completed training. Department heads, as you meet with your department colleagues virtually, please encourage them to take this training now if they have not already done so.
Essential on-campus services are continuing this summer with appropriate safety protocols in place, including those provided by Facilities Services and Security Services as well as the following:
- Dining Services. Limited food and beverage services at the Diner Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Mail Services. Full window services Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Logger Store. Full services Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Email books@pugetsound.edu or call 253.879.3271 for remote assistance Monday through Friday.
On behalf of the Emergency Response Group, thank you for supporting the health, safety and wellbeing of our campus community.