SUBJECT: Faculty Office Access with Screening, Starting March 29th

March 23, 2021

I am happy to announce that campus leadership has approved the limited re-opening of faculty offices starting Monday, March 29.

Dear faculty colleagues: 

I hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the warmer weather. I am happy to announce that campus leadership has approved the limited re-opening of faculty offices starting Monday, March 29. This decision has been made as many indicators suggest that pandemic conditions are improving and as our campus has experienced a successful return to in-person teaching for a limited number of laboratories and senior design classes. As a reminder, in-person work is still prohibited under the MiOsha rules "to the extent it is feasible'' to perform work remotely. If you need to access your office in order to teach or perform other responsibilities,  you may do so, if you follow the outlined protocols. If you can work from home, you should continue to do so. 

Specifically, faculty may return to their office with no need to gain prior approval. All campus buildings will remain locked but faculty may enter through designated screening stations during limited hours. During these hours, researchers may also enter their labs without signing up in advance.  Additional safety and access guidance is provided below:

• All faculty must complete the online training, “COVID-19: Working Safely at U-M” through My LINC before returning to campus.
• All faculty members must complete the ResponsiBLUE health screening and receive a green check each day before coming to campus.
• Faculty members must not come to campus if they are sick. 
• Pre-approved MCard access will not be needed, but faculty members will need to swipe their MCards at the screening station and show their ResponsiBLUE green check each time they enter a building to support contact tracing.
• Faculty members in shared offices must have a minimum of 144 sq-ft per occupant (a 12’x12’ office is 144 sq-ft). Please be mindful of those you share office space with and notify them when you plan on coming to campus to use the space. Doing so will ensure that these occupancy guidelines are met.
• Researchers must continue to utilize the online portal to track their time in the lab and to document their disinfecting protocols.
• Face coverings must be worn at all times while on campus (except in single-occupant vehicles or in private spaces with doors closed).
• Custodial services will be limited.  
• Food services will not be available.
• “Pack it in; pack it out.” Be sure to take home all trash, packaging and leftovers from any food or perishable items.
• Gatherings in common/conference/eating spaces are not allowed during this phase.
• Visitors are prohibited (including family members and pets).
• Neither in-person meetings nor faculty/student in-person office hours are permitted at this time. 
• Faculty are encouraged to remain in the near confines of their individual offices and to not wander the building.
• Six-foot social distancing is still required at all times.
• Hand sanitizer, surface disinfectant, and paper towels will be available at building entrances and other high traffic areas.

We will closely monitor the roll out of this limited opening of offices with the goal to ensure that the campus community continues to remain safe. Additional adjustments to the re-opening of campus will be forthcoming as long as the improving COVID numbers continue and the vaccine rollout ramps up in the months ahead. 

On behalf of the senior leadership team, I want to express my appreciation for how all faculty have handled the situation over the last year, particularly with your restricted office access; we know this has been hard. I thank you for your patience and understanding while we continue to plan during these uncertain times. 

With all my best wishes, and thanks for all you do. 

Take care,

Sue
Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs
University of Michigan-Dearborn