custodial staff member disinfecting a surface

Returning to Work

UWG established and follows a data-driven, staged approach to gradually return employees to their on-campus work environment based on recommendations and timing provided by the University System of Georgia. 

 

Return to Campus

The University of West Georgia’s plan for full reopening will be informed by decisions and guidance from the governor, the Governor’s Task Force, the Georgia Department of Public Health, the CDC, USG, and appropriate local considerations and will include contingency plans for adapting to any possible escalation of COVID-19.

Institutional plans will account for possible and probable decreases in state appropriations, tuition and fee revenue, and losses in auxiliary funds. While attempting to plan for and mitigate issues related to COVID-19, UWG will remain focused on our mission and purpose while using this situation as a reflective time to reinvent academic delivery models, operational efficiencies, employee flexibility, and care.

A plan that involves the full return of faculty, staff, and students to campus for the Fall 2020 semester is currently being developed with guidance from the University System of Georgia. 

The goals of this plan are centered around key themes, concepts, and strategies to ensure the healthy return to work of UWG faculty and staff members, the wellness of our university surrounding communities, and the careful and deliberate preparation for the safe return of our students for Fall 2020. This plan will be informed and updated as new information is discovered.

Phases

Phase I (Initial On-Campus Services) - Begins June 15

  • Incrementally return to a physical work environment in a limited capacity. Priorities include positions necessary for campus safety or reopening and employee roles that may not be effectively fulfilled from home yet are essential to ongoing operations.
  • Plan for social distancing for on-campus employees.
  • Adhere to state and executive orders and data from the CDC, GDPH, and informed by local and university health professions. Changes in phases may occur.

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Phase II (Expand On-Campus Services) - Begins July 6

  • Carefully bring back additional personnel to increase unit capacity and functionality as needed while allowing schedule flexibility and remote work options.
  • Refine workspace habits on social distancing and hygiene.
  • Adhere to state and executive orders and data from the CDC, GDPH, and informed by local and university health professions. Changes in phases may occur.

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Phase III (Full Non-Academic On-Campus Operations) - Begins July 20

  • Return to all non-academic on-campus services available with full faculty and staff on campus while continuing to utilize remote work, scheduling, and other measures to maintain social distancing, health and wellness practices, and flexibility.
  • Adhere to state and executive orders and data from the CDC, GDPH, and informed by local and university health professions. Changes in phases may occur.

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Appendix - Strategy Detail Procedures

The appendix is intended to provide additional detail and context to information contained in the UWG Return to Work Plan. Information included in this appendix represents up-to-date content as of its writing. Content in this appendix will be updated to represent changes necessitated by changes to the COVID-19 response, new guidance from the CDC, USG, or GDPH, or improved processes.

See Full Appendix

Positive COVID-19 Test or Diagnosis

Strategies

core principles

  • Ensure every step of the plan is informed by the values of wisdom, compassion, flexibility, and thoughtfulness.
  • The health and wellness of the university community is of paramount importance.
  • Embrace, normalize, and expand upon the processes and practices utilized when responding to the initial COVID-19 crisis in March.
  • Continued adherence to CDC recommendations including social distancing, handwashing, staying home when sick, and the use of face coverings.
  • Value the physical and mental health of all of our faculty/staff, including those who may be members of a vulnerable population, reside with a member of a vulnerable population, or are caring for children or other relatives by providing individual accommodations.
  • Be ready to adjust based on guidance from the CDC, USG, GDPH, and from state and local health officials.

Strategies

Six primary strategies will guide tactics and actions within each phase within this Return to Work Plan.

  • Staffing. Increase staffing incrementally to gradually reinstate operations.
  • Hygiene. Scale hygiene and distancing practices into cultural norms.
  • Sanitation. Conduct standardized cleaning practices to maintain sanitary work conditions.
  • Scheduling and Workplace. Continue and expand innovative work and health practices.
  • Faculty/Staff Monitoring. Monitor health to ensure the wellbeing of our campus community.
  • Phase Review. Proactively review the current situation and adjust as needed.