Dear Colleagues:

The Instructional Continuity Workgroup (ICW) recently decided to allow changes to the fall 2021 course delivery modes currently listed in the schedule of classes (i.e., in-person vs. remote instruction), through an approval process starting in the home department that is offering the course. These course modality changes are limited to instructors who either: 

a.    Live with children under the age of 12 who do not attend in-person school or daycare. 

b.    Live with one or more immunocompromised individuals, or are themselves immunocompromised.

Given this late adjustment, please notify all staff and supervisors in your units that similar consideration should be provided to any staff member in an equivalent situation and for whom remote work is feasible. 

If remote work is feasible, our campus process requires staff to work with their supervisor(s) to define the most appropriate remote work options that allow staff to effectively carry out their duties and responsibilities when away from campus. Most staff and their supervisors have already determined specific plans for returning to and supporting in-person instruction and operations this fall, but we wish to encourage any staff member who meets the above criteria, and who would like to request an adjustment to their work plan based on these conditions, to approach their immediate supervisor and discuss their situation. 

To promote consistency, supervisors should review employee requests and make recommendations to their organizational unit head (typically a vice chancellor, associate vice chancellor, vice provost, or dean) before finalizing. Approvals are not guaranteed, may not extend beyond December 31, 2021, and should be regularly revisited by supervisors to ensure they meet the workload needs of the unit and remain consistent with current health and safety conditions.