Campus Message - June 8, 2020

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8 June 2020

Good morning Blazers!

We have received approval from the USG to launch our plans to bring staff back on campus during the summer months. The goal is to initiate on-campus operations in a manner that allows all campus community members to return to work safely as well as to mitigate the risks associated with COVID-19 on our campus.  The health and wellness of our students, faculty and staff remains a priority for each of us.

In preparation, we have developed a detailed, multi-phased approach to resume on‐campus operations in phases from mid‐June through mid‐August. This plan incorporates appropriate prevention and monitoring processes, as well as social distancing measures to help with the transition back to on-campus work. These processes include considerations for staggered hours, flexible scheduling, physical workspace adjustments, a combination of teleworking and on-site options, an extended use of virtual meeting technology, and continued modified operation schedules for campus offices and facilities.  

The timing and specifics of this plan will be guided by a number of factors including, but not limited to, guidance received at the local, state, federal and system level. Detailed information has been attached and can also be found https://valdosta-state-university.foleon.com/publications/return-to-work-summer-2020/cover/. All employees are responsible for reviewing the entire plan. 

The virus that causes COVID-19 is still present in our community. It will be critical that each of us continues to observe practices that protect everyone, especially those who are most vulnerable. Employees returning to on-campus work should adhere to all policies, procedures and practices specified in the work plan. Furthermore, all VSU employees should stay informed and take actions that will protect their health and support the revitalization of our campus. Employees needing additional support or in unique situations should email hrstaff@valdosta.edu with questions or concerns that are not addressed in the plan. 

Supervisors will be reaching out to their employees directly regarding the specifics of how their unit will return to work. They are expected to work with a goal of creating a schedule for their direct reports that will allow for work on campus while ensuring social distancing and other strategies, and the execution of job responsibilities. As the information is just being shared today, I would ask for some flexibility for those employees scheduled to return on June 15th as well as patience in regard to the development of the staggered schedules that will need to be completed.    

The plan was developed utilizing the best information and guidance available at the time it was written, and therefore, some of the specific elements and/or guidance within the document may need to be revised or modified as the situation continues to change. VSU’s COVID-19 Task Force and work groups worked diligently to assist in developing strategies for our planned return to campus operations in Fall 2020 semester. Please join me in thanking them for their assistance in this effort.

I can’t wait to see you all on campus again – with safety and well-being as a primary goal during this process. We will all need to work together patiently as we navigate a successful return to campus this summer and beyond. As always, we truly appreciate your continued flexibility, cooperation, and support of our students and each other.

I look forward to seeing you soon!

Dr. Richard Carvajal

President