Dear Colleague:
Among the many challenges Eastern Connecticut State University successfully met when the campus reopened for the fall 2020 semester was bringing faculty, staff, and students back safely. While the distribution and administration of the COVID vaccine offers hope and promise, we are preparing for the spring 2021 semester while remaining vigilant of this serious disease. I am writing to update employees on the policies and protocols in place to ensure the continued safety of the Eastern community when we return to campus.
Reopening Campus to Classes
We are still planning to open with the same course formats (on-ground, hybrid and online) that we used this fall. As such, classes (on-ground, hybrid and online) will begin on January 26. For instance, if you are teaching an on-ground course, you and your students will be in the classroom when the semester begins; hybrid classes will begin meeting in the A/B rotating student model. The University Meeting will be live streamed at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 25.
“A” and “B” Team schedules
Beginning January 19, 2021, employees will resume working from campus, maintaining the “A” and “B” team schedules in place before on-campus work reverted to telecommuting in November 2020. Supervisors will work with employees to develop telecommuting and on-campus schedules for employees, adhering to the “A” and “B” teams to prevent potential exposure across departments.
As a starting point, because the first on-campus work week begins on a Tuesday, the “B” Teams will start their two-week alternating schedule (Tu/Th in week one; M/W/F in week two) on Tuesday, January 19 with the “A” Teams starting their two week alternating schedule (M/W/F in week one followed by Tu/Th in week two) on Wednesday, January 20. Both teams will continue this practice until further notice.
Work schedules and requirements
Employees working in either mode – on campus or telecommuting – must be on duty during their regularly scheduled hours, perform all assigned duties, and be prepared to report to campus as requested by their respective supervisors. Employees with approved medical exceptions on file with Human Resources will continue to telework, and should also follow these protocols, although they will not be asked to report to campus.
Health and Safety
The mandatory face mask policy that requires masks be worn at all times on campus will remain in effect. The exception to this policy is limited to those in a private office and can maintain six feet or more of physical distance between yourself and visitors to that space. Hand sanitizing stations have been placed throughout the campus, and we urge everyone to continue to sanitize and wash their hands frequently.
Employees who are ill or experiencing COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms such as fever, sore throat or headache should notify their supervisor and remain at home. If remote work is available and the employee is feeling well enough to perform their duties, the supervisor may arrange for the employee to telework until symptoms are no longer present and/or they test negative for COVID-19.
Employees should also remain out of work and advise their supervisor if they reside with someone who is experiencing similar symptoms; again, teleworking can be arranged with the prior permission of the supervisor and the employee should work remotely until such time as all members of the household are well, and/or have tested negative for COVID-19. If teleworking is not available due to the nature of an employee’s duties, the employee must contact Maria Weinberger in Human Resources at weinbergerma@easternct.edu for information about paid leave time under Connecticut General Statutes Section 5-248a, available in certain instances to employees impacted by COVID-19.
Please be aware that the paid leave and partial payments for absences due to child care under the Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) concluded December 31, 2020, and are no longer available. The State benefits remain in effect, however, if a portion of the benefits have been used, only the balance may be available. If changes are made to the State leave entitlement provisions, or Federal FFCRA benefits are extended, we will notify all employees.
“Close Contact” defined
According to the CDC and the Connecticut Department of Public Health, exposure to COVID-19 occurs when an individual has had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Close contact is contact with a positive individual for a total of 15 minutes or more in the aggregate over a 24-hour period, less than six feet apart, with or without face masks worn by either person. Exposure to someone who has been identified as a “close contact” to another individual who has tested positive is not considered exposure.
If Tested Positive
Employees who test positive or supervisors who learn an employee has tested positive for COVID-19 must inform Maria Weinberger at weinbergerma@easternct.edu immediately so appropriate notification to the state can occur, and contact tracing initiated if necessary. Every effort will be made to safeguard employee confidentiality, while simultaneously protecting the wellbeing of potentially impacted co-workers and students.
If you have tested positive, you should complete the CDC-recommended quarantine period of 14 calendar days from the day of your test. Prior to returning to campus you must retest, and provide Human Resources (weinbergerma@easternct.edu) with a copy of your negative test results, and/or you or a medical provider must confirm in writing to HR (weinbergerma@easternct.edu) that you are no longer ill or have not experienced any COVID-19 symptoms for the previous three days. Alternatively, employees may return to campus after 10 workdays by following the procedure outlined above. You may not return to work on campus until notified by Human Resources that you are cleared to do so.
CFDRC, Campus Police and Facilities protocols
Because the demand for childcare in our community is greater than ever, the Child and Family Development and Resource Center (CFDRC) will remain open and its employees will work on ground in compliance with protocols from the licensing agency and public officials. In addition, designated employees will continue to be present on campus daily to protect the Eastern community and carry out the enhanced cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance protocols imposed by the pandemic. The ongoing contributions of the employees in these departments are particularly appreciated.
Vaccinations
While the decision to have the COVID vaccine is a personal decision, the University is working with federal and state officials to gain as much information as possible, including where vaccines are available and when various groups are eligible for the vaccine. We have just learned from the CSCU System Office that our health care providers, staff in the Child and Family Development Resource Center, and faculty teaching face-to-face classes will be eligible for the vaccine in the State of Connecticut’s Phase 1B of the vaccination rollout plan. The University will share information as it is available when additional groups are eligible for the vaccine. For the latest vaccine news, visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/covid-19%20vaccinations
Going Forward
As we have since March 2020, Eastern will continue to follow all state of Connecticut policies, CDC guidelines, Board of Regents’ policies, and Connecticut Department of Public Health guidance to keep students, faculty and staff safe and healthy.
We will share new or updated details with employees on COVID-19 related issues as information becomes available. In the meantime, I want to express the Administration’s appreciation to Eastern’s faculty and staff for your commitment to our students and each other. Despite the stress and challenges of these unprecedented times, our campus community has risen to the occasion. Once again, it is our people who keep us strong. Thank you!
Kenneth J. DeLisa
Vice President, Institutional Advancement and Chief Human Resources Officer