June 24, 2021 Update: COVID-19
Employee Return-to-Work Update
Dear Colleagues,
As we shared in our June 2 update, we are excited to welcome all employees back to campus on July 6. Already we have seen a trickle of employees who have returned to practice new routines or escape the heat with campus AC! We have a very special campus community and many of us are excited for a break from the video chats and a chance to see each other in person. And we know employees who have been working on campus are looking forward to reuniting with the rest of our community.
This update includes:
- Steps for Returning to Work
- Campus Community Building, Wellness, and Engagement Opportunities
- Return-to-Campus Policy Reminders and Facilities Update
STEPS FOR RETURNING TO WORK:
- Complete the Summer Community Health Pledge
- If eligible, complete the employee vaccination attestation form.
CAMPUS COMMUNITY BUILDING, WELLNESS, AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
We encourage your participation in campus engagement activities as we rebuild our community on campus. Staff Council events are posted here; look to your calendars for more detailed information and additional events.
- July 7 – Lunch on the Quad, hosted by Staff Networking Committee
- July 13/14 – R/evolutionary Strategic Planning, hosted by the President’s Office
- July 21 – Lunch & Lawn Games, hosted by Staff Networking Committee
RETURN-TO-CAMPUS POLICY REMINDERS AND FACILITIES UPDATE
Vaccinations: In order to plan for testing needs, we will need employees to indicate their vaccination status prior to July 6. Employees who are fully vaccinated should fill out a self-attestation form. Employees who are fully vaccinated and fill out this form will not need to participate in the weekly testing program. We are pleased to share that we have officially reached a 90% vaccination rate for full-time employees. Those who have questions or concerns about vaccinations should reach out to Sara Quintana at squintana@champlain.edu.
Testing: Unvaccinated individuals are required to participate in our weekly testing program. The testing center is located in the lower level of Whiting Hall and is open on Mondays 8:00 AM–3:00 PM and Wednesdays 11:00 AM–6:00 PM. No advanced sign-up is required.
Masking & Social Distancing: Our masking & social distancing requirements were updated on June 15. Masking is only required for unvaccinated individuals when indoors or when outdoors and within 6 feet of others. Social distancing is encouraged but not required. Vaccinated individuals who wish to continue wearing a mask can continue to do so if that is their preference. Please note that the Federal Transit Administration still requires masks on public transportation for all riders (both vaccinated and unvaccinated) through September 13, 2021. Therefore, masks will continue to be required on the campus shuttle between main campus and 194 St. Paul (see below for shuttle details).
Campus Cleaning: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we primarily focused on general cleaning, but pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic to “cleaning for health.” Moving forward, we will continue to clean for health (disinfecting) while also maintaining overall cleanliness. Janitech team members are on campus daily throughout the summer on their regular schedule. In addition, we have increased sanitizing stations around campus, which will continue to be maintained. If your space needs attention or supplies, submit a Physical Plant Workorder for “Custodial” and it will be addressed.
Campus Air Quality: Last summer we upgraded the air systems in all campus buildings that have them, such as Perry and Lakeside, to allow for increased air flow and circulation. Filters were upgraded to higher quality HEPA filters in all buildings to continue to promote the best possible air quality and circulation. We plan to continue this higher level of air quality and filtration. Additionally, air systems will continue to operate 24 hours a day as part of our new normal.
Campus Dining: The IDX dining hall will be open to employees starting June 28. The menu will be available on the web and on the Bite Universities app (which can also be used for payment and other features). Hours will be 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. for lunch but may change during the summer. See the hours here. EATS in CCM is closed for the summer, as usual. Please feel free to also support our commercial tenants at 194 Saint Paul Street (Juice Amour, Cafe St. Paul, and Perky Planet), which offer a variety of food and drink options. We will also have seating areas for employees under the tent on Aiken Lawn, the terrace off of Fireside Lounge, and the commuter lounge in CCM.
Campus Building Access: As of July 6, campus exterior doors and office suite doors will be open (no ID card required) during normal business hours as it was prior to the pandemic. Lakeside will still require card access at all times.
EMS/Booking Rooms or Meeting Spaces: The EMS system to reserve campus space, which has been offline during the pandemic, will be reactivated for employee use during the last week of June. We encourage employees to use meeting space and technology to create efficiencies, such as scheduling hybrid remote/in-person meetings to minimize travel to/from Lakeside and Main Campus.
Campus Furniture/Storage: The facilities team is working diligently to return campus furniture that was moved to accommodate social distancing. They are prioritizing freeing up campus communal spaces like Fireside Lounge, conference rooms, residence halls, and then classrooms. This moving shuffle will take a few more weeks to complete, and we appreciate your patience with this process. If you have questions regarding a specific room or a piece of furniture please contact Lisa Martinez at lmartinez@champlain.edu.
Technology & Office Supplies: Please remember to bring back the technology and office supplies that you brought home during remote work. Champ Support students and staff will be on call and stationed at Lakeside and Perry Hall to help employees set-up their campus work stations. Please submit a ticket to Champ Support by emailing champsupport@champlain.edu and they will dispatch the closest available person.
Parking and Transportation: See the Employee Summer Transportation Update here. We will not have a shuttle from Lakeside to campus this summer. There will be a shuttle to transport 194 St. Paul residents up to testing on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. only. Please note that per Federal Transit Authority, masks are required for all riders (both vaccinated and unvaccinated) on the shuttles and other public transportation.
Maintaining a Healthy Campus. As part of maintaining a healthy campus moving forward, it’s important for employees to stay home if they are not feeling well.
Study Abroad. Our plans for reopening our Study Abroad programs in Montreal and Dublin remain on track. The Directors of each of our campuses are making needed preparations for students to return in Fall 2021.
Please direct any other questions to your direct supervisor or to Feedback@champlain.edu.
Sincerely,
Sara Quintana
Acting Director of Human Resources
Danelle Berube
Vice President, Student Affairs & Emergency Management Coordinator
Leslie Averill
Vice President for Academic Affairs & Chief Operating Officer
