Dear Faculty and Staff Members,

Thank you for your good and hard work to make spring semester a safe experience for the campus community. Summer operations begin today, and this message includes some important information about our campus COVID-19 response.

A Summer 2021 Work on Campus Plan has been posted, which incorporates summer COVID-19 operating adjustments and guidance. The summer plan will continue through July 31, except for potential adjustments based on changing COVID-19 conditions, requirements, and/or operating enhancements. A Work on Campus Plan for the time period beginning Aug. 1 will be communicated no later than July 10. 

Vaccination Recommendations and Access
We continue to strongly recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for all students, faculty, and staff members. The vaccine has been added to vaccination requirements for students (with exemptions for medical or religious reasons) beginning with the fall semester.

Both the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna COVID-19 vaccinations will be available through CHWS on May 19 and 20 in Upper Marshall Hall, Wheelock Student Center, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feel free to walk in for a vaccination while supplies last. Other COVID-19 vaccination sites can be found at https://vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov/ or https://www.tpchd.org/healthy-people/diseases/covid-19/covid-19-vaccine-information.

Testing
Beginning the week of May 17: Faculty and staff members working on campus should participate in asymptomatic testing if needed according to the criteria below:

  • Testing required:
    • Faculty and staff members are required to test once weekly during summer if they provide in-person services to the Puget Sound community two or more days a week.
    • Faculty and staff members who are on campus three or more times a week without providing in-person services are required to test once weekly.
  • No testing required:
    • Faculty and staff members are not required to participate in testing if they work entirely remotely or come to campus fewer than three times per week and do not provide in-person services or otherwise interact with the community.

Later in May: We anticipate revising the testing requirements for those who are fully vaccinated and will communicate with campus members soon about revisions to the above testing requirements.

Summer Distribution and Collection of Test Kits
Beginning tomorrow, faculty and staff members can pick up new test kits at the CHWS office, on the second floor of Wheelock Student Center, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. The testing pavilion drop box has been relocated to CHWS; faculty and staff members should return completed saliva samples any time via the drop box located outside the CHWS office entrance.

Meetings
Departments and programs are permitted to hold in-person campus meetings this summer involving only campus community members in compliance with COVID-19 protocols. Following are key meeting requirements:

  • Masks must be worn at all times (except during a time designated for a seated, socially distanced snack/beverage break; no eating or drinking while standing per the health department).
  • Attendees must maintain a continuous distance of 6 feet from others.
  • The number of attendees cannot exceed the COVID-19 room capacity. Meeting organizers can contact Kerstyn Dolack, manager of occupational safety, at kdolack@pugetsound.edu or 253.879.2778, for COVID-19 room capacities and other COVID-19 requirements or questions.
  • Meeting rooms must be reserved via 25Live.
  • Meeting organizers can contact the Technology Services Service Desk for guidance in how best to conduct meetings with some in-person and remote attendees.

Catering Services
Dining and Conference Services will provide limited catering service and safety guidance to support in-person meetings. The cost of some menu items is higher than usual due to the need to provide prepackaged products. All services include sanitizer, gloves, and signage regarding mask wearing, buffet-area social distancing, and sanitizer use. Services will be available between 7 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

Travel
As communicated via President Crawford’s April 26 campus email message, the university’s Statement Regarding Temporary Restrictions on International and Domestic Travel Due to COVID-19 includes an international travel update and an update on domestic travel that goes into effect May 17, 2021. Please review and remind department and program colleagues about new summer travel guidance.

Mask Wearing
Due to ongoing Pierce County COVID-19 risks, current indoor and outdoor mask-wearing requirements will remain in place until further notice. This includes requirements to wear masks outdoors on campus at all times.

Although Washington state is moving toward fully reopening on June 30, we will continue to make decisions locally about our campus response and will keep you updated as conditions change. Please contact us if we can assist in any way.

Sincerely,

John
John M. Hickey '83 | Executive Director of Community Engagement and Associate Vice President for Business Services.