Media Information Center

Message originally distributed via: Campus Update

Campus Contingency Planning

In the event of any extended suspension of on-campus activites and classes, our goal is to minimize the disruption to instruction by fully utilizing campus technology services that can be accessed remotely.

In the spirit of preparedness, offices across the campus are now compiling documentation and guidance on how to access and leverage the many valuable resources we already have at our disposal. 

We will continue to keep the campus apprised of available technology resources, but here are some key areas it is beneficial to have in mind: 

Technology Resources

During an extended suspension of on-campus activites and classes, the Blackboard Learning Management System will be the core resource to provide course content, lecture materials, and assignments.  Through the Blackboard LMS, all faculty and students also have access to Blackboard Collaborate Ultra, a web-conferencing program that can be used for video communication.     

Be assured, all courses already have a course shell in Blackboard that can be utilized at any point in the semester and students are automatically enrolled in appropriate shells.  If you have not used Blackboard before, guidance and training will be offered (see below) and we encourage to you begin familiarizing yourself with the system now.    

However, in addition to Blackboard, there are many other technology resources you should consider to remain connected to campus:

• Office365
• Email (Outlook and Hawkmail)
• Remote access to the phone system
• Access to library print and media databases
• LinkedIn Learning (access through my.newpaltz.edu)

Ongoing Training

Many of these resources may be new to many faculty and staff, but training is available.  In addition to already scheduled Blackboard and Instructional Technology trainings for the Spring 2020 semester, additional trainings will be offered over the upcoming weeks on topics relevant to remote access.

Continue checking the OIT Events Page for both existing and new events and monitor your email for additional announcements as new workshops are added.   

Documentation on these services is also provided in the Information Technology Services (ITS) knowledge base.  Staff are compiling guidance on the tools and services that would be most relevant for use during an extended suspension of on-campus activites and classes and these comprehensive resources will be available soon.  The ITS knowledge base is available online from any location and most resources feature detailed walk-throughs, screenshots, or videos as appropriate. 

Campus Communication

If any extended suspension of on-campus activites and classes should occur, technology updates will be provided through the following methods:

• Twitter (follow us now at @NP_TechUpdates)
• Email to official campus accounts (Outlook and Hawkmail)
• A continuously updated page on support.newpaltz.edu

Continued Support

ITS is committed to supporting the campus population in the most timely and effective way possible.  In the event of a extended suspension of on-campus activites and classes, all requests for support and training, as well as all issue reporting, can be made through our support site at support.newpaltz.edu.

Maintaining a single point of contact will assist ITS to address support needs in an orderly way; triage issues effectively; and reallocate support staff, as necessary.  

Message originally distributed via: ITS Email

Dear Members of the Campus Community:

We write with an update on our campus planning to develop precautionary measures to protect our campus community from the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Please be aware we currently know of no campus community members who are at risk or infected with coronavirus. As of today, there are 33 confirmed cases in New York State. At this time, all on-campus classes, events, searches and day-to-day operations will go on as planned.

As we continue to monitor the spread of the virus throughout the country and internationally, we are taking many steps to put New Paltz in the best possible position in the event of an active outbreak in our region, including:

• The College has published a Frequently Asked Questions website, which we will continue to update as the situation evolves.
• We have begun focused cleaning by custodial staff of high-contact areas, including doorknobs, handrails, tabletops and computer lab keyboards and mice.
• The Institute for Disaster Mental Health (IDMH) will be offering training to college faculty and staff in Psychological First Aid (PFA). This is a universal early intervention that can be learned and delivered by anyone (no mental health background required), and used to support anyone experiencing stress or anxiety. For example, IDMH will be offering this training to the Administrative Council at its meeting on Monday, March 23. Stay tuned for more details and training options.
• Contingency plans are being developed and will be announced soon in the event that faculty need to deliver instruction remotely.
• Admission staff are working on contingency plans for Accepted Students Days on March 28 and April 4 and will share these as they develop.
• All New Paltz students traveling abroad or who have recently returned home have access to a 24-7 virtual mental health counseling service. Students can register to make appointments with a mental health counselor and receive services remotely.
• The Disability Resource Center (845-257-3020) is available to address any specific concerns related to students who may have underlying health issues.

Clarification about Class Cancelation Policies and Campus Closure Determinations
Please note that the College President only has the authority to delay or cancel classes and campus events, but does not have the authority to close the campus. The authority to close the campus rests with the Governor. College leadership is consulting closely with SUNY Administration, the NYS Department of Health, the NYS Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services and the Governor’s Office, and will defer to their healthcare expertise, guidance and directives on such decisions.

New Paltz Students Currently Studying Abroad
As we reported earlier this week, all study abroad programs in Italy, Japan, and South Korea have been cancelled due to health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus outbreak. This means that SUNY is instructing all program participants in the impacted countries to return to New York immediately. The State of New York and SUNY have determined that the safest and most efficient manner to get students home as soon as possible is to charter flights back to New York at no cost to the affected students. SUNY will provide quarantine locations at other designated campuses for a 14-day period. Self-quarantine, under strict DOH guidelines and monitored by local health departments will also be allowed. Final arrangements for these flights and for quarantine procedures will be communicated to individual students, as soon as possible. 

CDC-Recommended Precautions
Coronavirus is thought to be transmitted primarily in two ways:

1. Through person-to-person contact when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes;
2. From contact with infected surfaces or objects by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, using your elbow if a tissue is unavailable.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. (The campus has initiated heightened cleaning protocols focused on frequently touched surfaces in public spaces; office staff may use their P Cards to purchase CDC-approved disinfectant wipes or alcohol-based hand-sanitizer).
• Social distancing (efforts to limit where and when people come together).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

If You are Experiencing Symptoms Consistent with Coronavirus
We ask students who are experiencing symptoms consistent with coronavirus, including fever over 100 degrees, cough and shortness of breath, to call rather than visit the Student Health Center. Faculty and staff should contact their primary doctor. The Student Health Center is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 3:30 p.m.  If you are a student and experiencing symptoms, please call the Student Health Center to review your symptoms and make health care decisions. The Student Health Center does not have the ability to test for coronavirus. Students who meet the criteria for testing will be sent to local hospitals. Student Affairs will coordinate housing and food arrangements. Employees experiencing symptoms as outlined above should consult with a primary care physician.  If a medical provider confirms that you tested positive for coronavirus, please call the Benefits Office 845-257-3169 or 845-257-3165 and your supervisor to advise them of your status.  Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion will work with you and your supervisor to identify the appropriate employment steps in your case.

Future Updates
We will continue to provide additional information to the campus community as it becomes available. Please check the college home page regularly for updates.

Donald P. Christian, President
Scott Schulte, Director, Emergency Management
Richard J. Ordway Jr., M.D., Director, Student Health Service

Message originally distributed via: Campus Update

SUNY and CUNY Arranging Immediate Return Travel for Approximately 300 Students

Individuals Returning from Impacted Countries Will Fly into New York Stewart International Airport and Urge Quarantine at Designated Dormitories

Campus-Sponsored Travel Outside the U.S. for both SUNY and CUNY Canceled for Spring Semester to Impacted Countries

View Full Message

Message originally distributed via: New York State Office of the Governor

NPAlert: Please check newpaltz.edu or your campus email for the latest information regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Message originally distributed via: NPAlert - SMS

• Potential impacts on classes, continuity of college operations and schedules
• Guidance for students, faculty, staff and visitors
• The Student Health Center and its capacity to serve students and its coordination with local medical resources
• Residential students
• Campus cleaning efforts
• Food service planning and delivery adjustments
• Large gatherings
• Quarantine management
• Coordination with other local, state and federal agencies

1. Through person-to-person contact when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes;
2. From contact with infected surfaces or objects by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash, using your elbow if a tissue is unavailable.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. (The campus has initiated heightened cleaning protocols focused on frequently touched surfaces in public spaces; office staff may use their P Cards to purchase CDC-approved disinfectant wipes or alcohol-based hand-sanitizer).
• Social distancing (efforts to limit where and when people come together).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

• For the Centers for Disease Control’s latest updates on coronavirus, visit the CDC website.
• New Yorkers can call the State hotline at 1-888-364-3065, where experts can answer questions regarding coronavirus.

Message originally distributed via: Office of the President Email

Dear Members of the Campus Community:

SUNY New Paltz campus leadership and our emergency management team are actively monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) and are planning precautionary measures to protect the campus community.

Please be aware we currently know of no campus community members who are at risk or infected with coronavirus. And there are two confirmed cases in New York State. At this time, all on-campus classes, events, searches and day-to-day operations will go on as planned.

We ask you to read this message in its entirety for important guidance regarding spring break travel that impacts the entire campus community and precautionary steps you can take as an individual to protect our community.

Planning and Precautionary Measures
We are currently coordinating our planning with SUNY, New York State Department of Health and New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services guidance on best practices for safeguarding the campus community. The safety and well-being of our students and employees are our primary concerns. We know this is a rapidly evolving situation and we will continue to adjust our planning and actions as developments warrant. Our efforts are informed by the recommendations of the New York State Department of Health, the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on such incidents regarding college and university campuses.

The College has convened a task force with appropriate expertise in international programs, academic affairs, emergency management, environmental health and safety, healthcare, information technology services, human resources, facilities, communication, conference services, university police, food service, residence life, the registrar and financial aid to plan and prepare for this rapidly evolving situation. Our emergency planning includes considerations of, but not exclusive to:

• Potential impacts on classes, continuity of college operations and schedules
• Guidance for students, faculty, staff and visitors
• The Student Health Center and its capacity to serve students and its coordination with local medical resources
• Residential students
• Campus cleaning efforts
• Food service planning and delivery adjustments
• Large gatherings
• Quarantine management
• Coordination with other local, state and federal agencies

Spring Break and Spring Travel by All Campus Constituents
We ask all campus community members to consider carefully any plans to travel during spring break, as such movement increases the risk for encountering those who may have come in contact with the virus.

Effective immediately, the College has cancelled all campus-sponsored and official campus international travel for faculty, staff and students to CDC Level 2 or higher level countries or areas (as of today, Italy, South Korea, Iran, Japan and China).  We will be working closely with affected individuals to mitigate financial impacts. Anyone, employee or student, anticipating travel to CDC Level 2 or 3 countries (see above list) over spring break or during the spring 2020 semester, is strongly discouraged from doing so. As new countries or areas of the United States are added to CDC level 2 and 3 classifications, the same College-mandated travel restrictions will apply. Anyone who does travel to such areas will be required to notify their local health department, self-quarantine for 14 days and will not be permitted to come to campus for two weeks upon their return. The CDC is also discouraging cruise ship travel to or within Asia. Those traveling by ship elsewhere should be mindful that their itineraries may be impacted as well.

Quarantine means students will not be able to live in a residence hall or attend all seated classes during that two-week period. We ask faculty to work with students who are under self-quarantine to assist them in making up work they may have missed or continue to work with them through online means. We also ask faculty to relax class attendance policies to reinforce the importance that ill students not attend class to prevent infecting others.

Employees should alert their supervisor about any such personal travel plans as you will need to use sick leave while under the two-week period quarantine. Teaching faculty will need to make arrangements with chairs for substitute teaching or online teaching during those first two weeks after spring break or other spring travel. We are seeking guidance on whether working from an alternate work site (not on campus) could be permissible. 

The College is mandating that any students or employees with travel plans out-of-state or internationally for official campus business register at the following link. Those with personal travel plans out-of-state or internationally are strongly encouraged to register as well. The task force will use these plans to allow us to support you upon your return and to coordinate communication. The task force will not be sharing this information broadly. While redundant, plans also should be reported to supervisors and shared with vice presidents.

Students and employees engaging in personal travel over spring break and this spring semester should note that CDC alert level designations are rapidly evolving. As such, your travel plans may be impacted and you may be subjected to public health-based restrictions upon return to the U.S. or New York. It is also possible that CDC restrictions regarding domestic travel could be mandated.

CDC-Recommended Precautions
Coronavirus is thought to be transmitted primarily through two ways:

1. Through person-to-person contact when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes;
2. From contact with infected surfaces or objects by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.

CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash, using your elbow if a tissue is unavailable.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. (The campus has initiated heightened cleaning protocols focused on frequently touched surfaces in public spaces; office staff may use their P Cards to purchase CDC-approved disinfectant wipes or alcohol-based hand-sanitizer).
• Social distancing (efforts to limit where and when people come together).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

We ask students who are experiencing symptoms consistent with coronavirus, including fever over 100 degrees, cough and shortness of breath, to call rather than visit the Student Health Center. Faculty and staff should contact their primary doctor. The Student Health Center is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Saturdays from noon to 3:30 p.m.  If you are a residential student and experiencing symptoms, please call the Student Health Center so that healthcare arrangements can be made for you. The Student Health Center does not have the ability to test for coronavirus. Students who are in need of testing will be sent to local hospitals. Student Affairs will coordinate housing and food arrangements.

Study Abroad Students and Their Eventual Return to Campus
The College is in contact with SUNY New Paltz students studying abroad in impacted countries, such as Italy, Japan and South Korea, and has confirmed they are safe. Governor Andrew Cuomo, SUNY, the New York State Department of Health and the New York State Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Services are calling back all SUNY students, faculty and staff, in CDC Level 2 and Level 3 countries. Those students will be required to quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus. The College is accommodating disruptions to their academic programs for those who are choosing to return home. We are reaching out to the handful of students who until now have elected not to return to provide them with information and support for when they return home. We will be working closely with affected individuals to mitigate financial impacts.

Most (not all) students are returning home immediately, and we have made it clear that they should contact their local health department and plan for a 14-day self-quarantine before returning to campus.

Additional Resources

• For the Centers for Disease Control’s latest updates on coronavirus, visit the CDC website.
• New Yorkers can call the State hotline at 1-888-364-3065, where experts can answer questions regarding coronavirus.

Future Updates
We will continue to provide additional information to the campus community as it becomes available.

Sincerely,

Donald P. Christian, President
Scott Schulte, Director, Emergency Management
Richard J. Ordway Jr., M.D., Director, Student Health Service

Message originally distributed via: Campus Update

The Center for International Programs has release guidance for students currently studying abroad. Read more here.

Message originally distributed via: Center for International Programs

• Travel history from Wuhan City, China within the last 14 days 

• Close contact with a person within the last 14 days under investigation for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019nCoV)  
• Close contact with a person within the past 14 days confirmed to have 2019nCoV

Message originally distributed via: Campus Update

Message originally distributed via: Campus Update

Dear Members of the Campus Community:

We write with an update regarding Governor Cuomo's announcement today that SUNY and CUNY will provide distance learning in an effort to reduce campus density and limit potential exposure to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) while ensuring the continuation of the academic semester.

It is important that you read this message fully, as there are several new items that we want all students, faculty and staff to be aware of prior to spring break.

Today’s announcement from Governor Cuomo
This afternoon, Governor Cuomo announced that SUNY and CUNY will implement changes to maximize distance learning and reduce in-person learning and campus density for the remainder of the spring semester in light of the evolving novel coronavirus situation in New York. While spring break has been extended a week, the College remains open. We are consulting with SUNY System administration and our local health department to plan our course offerings after spring break. We will provide further information as our planning continues.

Classes this week
In-person and online classes will continue to be held through the end of this week as scheduled. 

We are extending spring break for an additional week and instruction will resume on March 30.

This will allow us more time for continued planning and preparations as we work to ensure continuity of our classes and operations. Information Technology Services (ITS) is working closely with deans and faculty and will continue to do so to ensure they are ready for this alternate learning model. We will communicate with the campus community once these plans are finalized.

Before leaving for spring break: how students can prepare this week
For students who live on campus, please be sure to take home whatever you need from your residence hall (books, notes, laptop, etc.) as you may need to continue your academic requirements through distance learning if necessary. We are aware that some students may not have access to high-speed internet and technology at home, and are including these considerations in our plans. Campuses and residence halls will remain open to accommodate special circumstances, students in need of housing and hands-on laboratory course work.

Please know that we are aware that international and some other residential students may not be able to go home for spring break, including due to concerns about exposure to the virus in their home communities. Please contact the Department of Residence Life as soon as possible to discuss your specific needs. This student population will be able to remain on campus with food and other services provided.   

Faculty and staff updates
While spring break has been extended a week, all College offices remain open and all services remain available. Deans will be in touch with you to communicate additional division-specific information and to discuss how you may continue operating over the next several weeks. Please review this helpful message from Instructional Technology Services for information about preparing to support distance learning.

We also want to help employees understand what to do regarding reporting to work. If you are sick, please stay home and notify your supervisor of your absence as per the protocols established within your department. Remaining home allows you to get well and reduces the possibility of spreading any illness to others in the campus community. The Office of Human Resources, Diversity and Inclusion (HRDI) asks supervisors to complete this form which will notify Benefits if an employee has been absent more than three days. Timely notification to HRDI ensures support for supervisors as well as employees’ access to important benefits information. Employees should use their sick accruals for absences related to their own illness or charge family sick leave if you are absent to take care of a family member.  

If you have underlying health conditions or compromised immunity, please consult with your health care provider about whether there are special measures you should be taking to ensure your well-being. If those recommendations impact your ability to meet your obligation or work schedule, please complete the ADA accommodation form. Benefits staff will contact employees who submit the form and they will work with you, supervisors and department leadership to help identify appropriate processes and support measures.

The College has also asked vice presidents to work with leadership in their areas to assess critical business functions, staffing levels and resources needed for continuity of service or business in the event that we experience low staffing levels or, if by order of the governor, we close campus. This means that vice presidents and department leadership should plan for and document work that can be accomplished off-site with the understanding that not all jobs on campus lend themselves to accommodating off-site work arrangements. HRDI is offering assistance for this planning.   

Campus events as of March 19
Effective March 19 through April 19, all campus events are cancelled with the exception of SUNY New Paltz athletic competitions. Athletic competitions will proceed with competitors only. No spectators will be admitted and all contests will be livestreamed. 

Residence hall policy changes
Effective March 23, the Department of Residence Life is implementing new guest policies for all residence halls. Until further notice, only students who reside on campus and essential College employees can enter residence hall buildings. Resident students cannot invite outside guests to visit them and off-campus students and non-students are not permitted in residence halls at any time.

If you are traveling during spring break
We continue to ask all campus community members to consider carefully any plans to travel during spring break, because such movement increases the risk for encountering those who may have come in contact with the coronavirus.
Thank you to those who have completed the voluntary travel registry. If you have yet to complete the form, we encourage you to do so as soon as possible here.

As a reminder, the College has cancelled all campus-sponsored and official campus international travel for faculty, staff and students to CDC Level 2 or higher level countries or areas (as of today, Italy, South Korea, Iran, Japan and China).  We will be working closely with affected individuals to mitigate financial impacts. Anyone, employee or student, anticipating travel to CDC Level 2 or 3 countries (see above list) over spring break or during the spring 2020 semester, is strongly discouraged from doing so. As new countries or areas of the United States are added to CDC level 2 and 3 classifications, the same College-mandated travel restrictions will apply. Anyone who does travel to such areas will be required to notify their local health department, self-quarantine for 14 days and will not be permitted to come to campus for two weeks upon their return. The CDC is also discouraging all cruise ship travel.

We know this continues to be an uncertain and challenging situation for all of us, and that disruptions and inconveniences will likely result because of this virus. The safety and security of all members of our campus community remains our highest priority. 

We are committed to continuing instruction so that students may complete their academic requirements this semester. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we monitor this rapidly changing situation and adjust our plans and actions accordingly.

Please stay tuned for further updates.

Sincerely,

Donald P. Christian, President

Barbara Lyman, Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Message originally distributed via: Office of the President email

Distance learning

Resident students

Keeping Connected

Avoiding transmission

Student employment

We will continue to provide updates as they become available

Message originally distributed via: Office of the President

This afternoon, Governor Cuomo issued a directive that, statewide, nonessential state employees should work from home starting tomorrow. Where practicable, you should work from home tomorrow and contact your supervisor for guidance on your work tomorrow. And supervisors reserve the right to request that some people will need to come in tomorrow. For the purpose of this directive, the definition of essential employee is not the same as with weather emergencies. (see definition below). The campus remains open. This is not a directive to close the campus, but rather to comply with the directive to de-densify the number of people working on campus due to the (COVID-19) coronavirus.

If you arrive at work tomorrow, please consult with your supervisor as soon as possible to make arrangements as defined below. If you are unsure if you are essential or nonessential under these new definitions, please consult your supervisor. Academic faculty are considered essential employees to provide continuity of instruction via distance learning. They have the option of doing this remotely or from their offices. Keep in mind that the spirit of this directive is to thin out density of employees on campus to protect health and safety. Therefore, where possible we encourage you to work from home.

The rest of your week and the coming weeks will be defined as we continue our planning. We appreciate all those areas who have begun to plan for off-site work and encourage all others to make planning and communicating an off-site work plan their top priority tomorrow (March 17). We will provide supervisors with strategies for supporting this plan. We recognize that as you plan, employees may need to return this week to retrieve essential files, etc., to do this work remotely.

For the purpose of this directive, essential employees are any person whose job function is essential to the effective operation of the campus, or who must be physically present to perform their job, or who is involved in the emergency response to COVID19. Non-essential employees should be considered any person who does not need to be physically present to perform their job functions, or they are not currently required to meet the core functions of their agency or authority during this emergency response.

Throughout state government, non-essential employees will not be charged accruals during this time. Non-essential state employees are being directed to work from home, to the extent practicable. While they are home, these employees may be assigned work outside of their normal duties. The campus may change an employee’s designation as either essential or nonessential at any time and will provide notice if that change is necessary.

This morning we provided information and guidance to employees and supervisors regarding request to work off-site.  This afternoon we have been informed by SUNY and GOER (Governors Office of Employee Relations) that a statewide telecommuting pilot program has been approved for UUP, M/C, CSEA, and PEF-represented employees.

Much of the guidance provided in this morning’s email remains but the new pilot program does include a few additional provisions.  You can see the full outline of the pilot program here.  If you have already finalized your off-site or telecommuting arrangements with your supervisor and HRDI, you do not need to duplicate your efforts by completing the form. All others, except for academic faculty, are must fill  out the form here.

We draw your attention to the following, which may be particularly critical to planning:

• This pilot program is for a temporary period of 2 months beginning with an effective date of March 17, 2020 through May 14, 2020.
• Upon receiving a request to work off-site, supervisors have 48 hours to review and make an initial determination on the request.
• Supervisors who are reviewing the off-site proposal should inform HRDI of the decision.  HRDI will provide final approval within 48 hours of receiving the request in their office.
• If the request is disapproved or if an employee wishes to contest mandated telecommuting, they may appeal to the agency head or designee (Jodi Papa) in writing within 24 hours of the denial. The appeal shall state the reasons for disagreement with management’s determination and a decision on that appeal shall be provided within 7 calendar days. If the appeal is denied, the reasons for denial must be provided. 
• Any denials of request for telecommuting are not grievable under any collective bargaining agreements.

We remind you that this week HRDI is providing WebEx training to supervisors to help plan for these requests. A message about registering for this training was also sent today.  In addition, we will soon be providing some training on best practices for telecommuting to support those who will be working off-site.  HRDI is available to help our campus community as we all look to meet the operational needs of the college and maintain important services for our students. 

Message originally distributed via: Campus Update