March 13: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update
March 13: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update
Campus Status: The University is closed through March 18 for spring break (and through March 22 for students). The University will reopen on Thursday, March 19, with employees working remotely (facilities will remain closed).
Currently, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, at UMBC.
Daily Action Updates will resume after spring break. For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks in our community, please visit COVID19.umbc.edu.
Student Services and Support
- All residential students who have not been granted late stay must vacate campus by noon on Saturday, March 14.
- The University System of Maryland understands students have financial concerns regarding housing, dining, and other expenses and provided an update today.
- Staff are currently assessing where student employees may both be essential to continuity and can work safely during times where the university is open but classes are online. Student employees who cannot work remotely will remain in paid status. We are still developing the processes needed to make this happen.
Food
- True Grits will be serving food through April 6, no other dining locations are currently open. They will serve Lunch (10:30 to 1:30) and Dinner (4:30 to 6:30). All food will be served in to-go containers and must be eaten elsewhere.
Academic Continuity
- Nearly 200 faculty have participated in faculty training webinars sponsored by the Division of Information Technology in the last few days. They are working together to prepare for the transition to online teaching on March 23.
- Our faculty are still hard at work, with many sharing their expertise to inform response to COVID-19. Check out this article by Dr. Jeffrey Gardner.
Business Continuity and Staff Support
- The University will reopen on Thursday, March 19, with employees working remotely. Additional guidance on remote work and leave can be found here.
- Procurement staff are currently making arrangements to support procurement and delivery. PCard holders will be receiving additional guidance next week.
Facilities
- We are currently working with laboratory and research directors to evaluate which labs can and need to operate safely while facilities are closed. If you have questions about individual experiments, please reach out to your lab director.
- While the library is currently closed for spring break, it will reopen next week with safety measures prioritizing social distancing. Hours will be posted here.
- During the spring break closure, a number of health, safety, and structural maintenance projects will continue, including the RAC Renovation, work on the Health Services Building project, and elevator testing.
- Transit is operating but on a reduced holiday schedule.
Travel
- Based on the latest guidance and information, UMBC has suspended ALL study abroad programs for the spring 2020 and summer 2020 terms and is actively working to bring students home from all programs. More information available on the website.
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March 13: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update Campus Status: The University is closed through March 18 for spring break (and through March 22 for students). The University will reopen on Thursday,...
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Fri, 13 Mar 2020 19:15:54 -0400
Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:55:50 -0400
Updated Guidance on Remote Work and Leave
Dear Faculty and Staff,
We appreciate your patience during this rapidly evolving situation. Yesterday, we received additional guidance from the University System of Maryland (USM) regarding remote work and leave policies. USM is working to comply with the Governor’s directive to move all employees to remote work. You can read an update from the Chancellor here. This message shares highlights from that guidance and UMBC resources. This information also applies to UMBC staff at the Universities at Shady Grove.
The University will remain closed through March 18 for spring break (and through March 22 for students). The University will reopen on Thursday, March 19, with employees working remotely (facilities will remain closed).
What happens on Thursday, March 19?
The university will be open, although campus facilities will be closed. All employees who can work remotely should do so. Please work with your supervisor to determine your tasks, workloads, and reporting structures. Only essential personnel who have been notified by their supervisors should report to campus.
Who is eligible for remote work?
All UMBC employees are eligible, including: any graduate assistant, postdoctoral fellow, researcher, regular faculty or staff member, contingent 1 or contingent 2 employee, student employee, adjunct faculty member, hourly faculty member, or any other employee whose duties can be accomplished via remote work safely and productively.
Can I work remotely while caring for children or dependents?
The restriction on teleworking from home when caring for children or other dependents will be waived if the employee believes they can safely and productively telework while providing any necessary care.
What if my duties cannot be accomplished remotely?
Employees in regular and contingent 2 positions who are not on previously approved leave of any type and are in positions that are not appropriate for telework will be given administrative leave.
Contingent I and student employees may be assigned remote work or alternative work assignments. Employees in these categories, as well as graduate assistants and adjunct faculty, who cannot work remotely will remain in paid status. We are still developing the processes needed to make this happen.
We recognize that for many employees this is not a simple question to answer. We will continue to provide clarity in the coming days and are committed to taking care of our employees and their families. Please continue to share specific inquiries at
COVID19HRresponseteam@umbc.edu.
How do I fill out my timesheet if I am working remotely?
If you are working remotely, mark your timesheet as a duty day. Non-exempt employees who work remotely will receive administrative leave, as well as overtime compensation for any hours actually worked. If you and your supervisor determine that you cannot work from home, you will be granted administrative leave. We will provide further guidance on this procedure in the coming days.
Can I access my building during this time of remote work?
We recognize that some employees may need to return to campus to access offices and research spaces in the coming days. If you need to and are unable to access your building, please call the UMBC Police Department at 410-455-5555. Staff will be in place to assist you. For the safety of all, please limit your visits as much as possible.
Can I use my personal computer to perform work during this time?
We recognize and appreciate that in these extenuating circumstances that employees will need to use their personal computers when working remotely. If you are in a position that deals with personal identification information for students or employees, please check with your supervisor before doing so. For technical assistance on working remotely, the Division of Information Technology provides a variety of helpful resources.
What if I am sick?
This is a rapidly evolving situation. We are working to amend our policies to make accommodations for employees who are unwell due to COVID-19. At this time, leave-eligible employees who are unwell or are caring for an unwell dependent should continue to mark sick time on their timesheets.
For employees who are sick with a potential COVID-19 related-illness but who do not have adequate leave, our leave donation program will be made available for these situations. We have extended the leave donation program to include contingent 1 and contingent 2 staff, hourly faculty, and student employees. If you are in this situation, please have your supervisor make Human Resources aware so we can guide you through the leave donation program.
To help the University track absences related to COVID-19, employees should complete the
Coronavirus-Related Absence Tracking Form. Information reported on this form will be shared in summary form only (non-identifiable) and will be used to assist decision-makers responsible for determining if the University should close any or all of its operations, in relation to this virus. In addition, for COVID-19-related absences and quarantine periods, employees who do not obtain medical documentation from their healthcare provider may instead complete the
Work Absence Affidavit.
Note: Normal absence procedures apply for illness and/or other requests for leave time not related to COVID-19.
UMBC's Incident Management Team
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Dear Faculty and Staff, We appreciate your patience during this rapidly evolving situation. Yesterday, we received additional guidance from the University System of Maryland (USM) regarding...
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Fri, 13 Mar 2020 17:02:42 -0400
Mon, 23 Mar 2020 14:28:57 -0400
March 12: UMBC COVID-19 Action Update
Campus Status:UMBC will be closed on Friday, March 13. Essential employees should check with their supervisors to learn whether they need to report to campus. Employees who need access to offices can call campus police at 410-455-5555. This also applies to UMBC staff at the Universities at Shady Grove. Full message availablehere.
Currently, there are no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus, at UMBC.
This update will contain new information for each day. For the most updated information and more information on actions to reduce COVID-19 risks in our community, please visit COVID19.umbc.edu.
Statement by USM Chancellor Jay A. Perman: Guidance on Telework, Study Abroad, and Large Gatherings
Student Services and Support
Residential students received guidance on vacating campus. A summary is available here.
UMBC Athletics’ varsity teams will not participate in intercollegiate competitions or practices for the spring 2020 semester. Full statement available here.
Students across the University System of Maryland who have moved out of residence halls are understandably concerned about reimbursement for housing and dining services. We are actively working on this matter and coordinating with the USM.
Staff are currently assessing where student employees may both be essential to continuity and can work safely during times where the university is open but classes are online. With respect to students employees whose shifts are cancelled during this period, we are seeking guidance from the USM about applicable policies and laws.
The Academic Success Center is prepared to assist students who may be in need of support as it relates to exploring academic policy options, tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic success meetings, academic success courses, first year interventions, writing center support, academic advocacy, and more.
Events
Dining
In the interest of health, True Grit’s will be transitioning to all take-out containers. Updated dining hours are available here.
Retriever Essentials remains open. Details here.
Travel
Academic Continuity and Faculty Support
Classes are canceled Thursday, March 12, and Friday, March 13 to provide time for faculty to convert to online course delivery beginning March 23. Support for online instruction is available here.
Business Continuity and Staff Support
UMBC will be closed on Friday, March 13. Essential employees should check with their supervisors to learn whether they need to report to campus.
Faculty and staff also received additional guidance today regarding remote work and leave.
If you have questions or concerns, please email COVID19@umbc.edu.
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Campus Status:UMBC will be closed on Friday, March 13. Essential employees should check with their supervisors to learn whether they need to report to campus. Employees who need access to offices...
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Thu, 12 Mar 2020 19:44:19 -0400
Tue, 07 Apr 2020 17:56:06 -0400
COVID-19 Updates for Employees
We know that our employees have many questions about the University's current operations and their health and safety. We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, including minimizing the transmission of viruses. While the university is currently open for business, the following FAQs are intended to help address employee and supervisor questions regarding such items as remote work and leave, as they relate to UMBC’s Emergency Response to COVID-19. This FAQ document will be updated as circumstances evolve. Please visit the UMBC COVID-19 website for up-to-date information on the University’s response.
Campus Status: UMBC is currently open. This document is intended to address questions related to the University’s current open status. Should the University close, additional information will be communicated around leave and pay.
Are employees required to physically report to work when classes are cancelled?
In accordance with guidance from the Governor, employees, including student employees, are encouraged to work remotely when their job duties can be performed remotely without hindering operations. The University encourages supervisors to exercise maximum flexibility in implementing and approving remote work. This includes scheduling student and contractual employees as needed and available, where work exists and can be performed safely on campus or in a remote location. The University’s standard Telework Agreement will not be required at this time.
What resources exist for employees and supervisors who are working remotely?
Employees should consult with their immediate supervisor regarding the need for equipment and access to systems that would allow them to work remotely. UMBC offers free tools for video conferencing, chat, collaboration, and online storage. Information on these tools, as well as additional guidance and resources, can be found at
doit.umbc.edu/business-continuity/.
Additional resources are being developed and will be posted as they are available.
My job requires me to work on campus. What do I need to know?
Employees are asked to postpone any non-essential meetings. All other meetings should be held virtually. In-person meetings should only take place when appropriate
social distancing guidelines can be followed. Please continue to visit the UMBC
COVID-19 website for updated information and guidelines.
What if I am not able to work due to a COVID-19 related absences?
Eligible employees should continue to complete and submit timesheets, as well as communicate with their supervisor regarding absences. To help the University track absences related to the coronavirus, the employee should also complete the
Coronavirus- Related Absence Tracking Form. Information reported on this form will be shared in summary form only (non-identifiable) and will be used to assist decision-makers responsible for determining if the University should close any or all of its operations related to this virus. In addition, for COVID-19 related absences and quarantine periods, employees who do not obtain medical documentation from their healthcare provider may instead complete the
Work Absence Affidavit.
Note: Normal absence procedures apply for illness and/or other requests for leave time not related to COVID-19.
I am not on direct deposit. Will I continue to receive my paycheck?
Yes, while the university is open all payroll processes will continue. Departments should follow normal procedures to pick up live paychecks. We understand that the introduction of remote work will present challenges around this pick up; as such, detailed instructions will be provided to payroll preparers and approvers around check distribution. Employees and departments who use paper timesheets to submit time should institute procedures to receive these documents to ensure that payroll preparers and approvers can accurately input this time.
We continue to strongly encourage all employees to enroll in direct deposit. Information around setting up direct deposit, as well as creating a Payroll Online Services Center Account, changing an address, adjusting tax withholdings, etc. can be found
here.
What other resources are available to me?
It is not unusual to feel stress in a situation like this. Fear and anxiety around something like COVID-19 can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children.
Here are a few resources and tips posted by UMBC Counseling that can help you and your family cope. Employees can also contact our
Employee Assistance Program for confidential counseling and support.
If I have a question that has not been addressed in this FAQ, what should I do?
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We know that our employees have many questions about the University's current operations and their health and safety. We are committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace, including...
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Thu, 12 Mar 2020 16:59:19 -0400
Library Hours and Services
Update on Coronavirus Planning
Library hours and services are in flux due to campus planning for COVID-19 (coronavirus). Please stay tuned to MyUMBC or the Library & Gallery website for the most recent information and hours.
All Library & Gallery events are canceled until at least April 6, per University policy.
Students and instructors with materials on course reserve: some physical reserves materials may be available in our catalog as e-books, on sites that allow streaming of media items, or are accessible via the public domain. If the item is not available electronically, the Reserves (or ILL) staff, upon request, may be able to digitize assigned readings from items on Course Reserves and post to Blackboard. We are unable to reproduce content from a disc. Please allow a minimum of five business days for requests to digitize course materials. Staff will prioritize requests by the assignment due date whenever possible.
For requests to digitize course readings, please obtain the name and number of the course and share the digital copy with the Reserves staff (reserves-group@umbc.edu).
For inquiries regarding due dates and fines, nothing will become due from Sunday March 15th through Sunday March 22nd. All USM libraries will be lenient with fines if campuses close post March 22nd. Note that some short-term loan items may become due whenever the owning library is open. Patrons do need to be mindful of honoring such due dates – i.e. course reserves, and media items and equipment.
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Library hours and services are in flux due to campus planning for COVID-19 (coronavirus). Please stay tuned to MyUMBC or the Library & Gallery website for the most recent information and...
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