UB continues to prepare for employees’ return

As UB announced plans Monday to offer a mix of in-person and online instruction for the fall semester, the university continues to prepare for the gradual return of employees to campus. The watchword for all remains the health and well-being of the university community.

As of June 15, more than 20 units have submitted return-to-work plans for review by the offices of Facilities, Human Resources and Environment, Health and Safety, said Mark Coldren, associate vice president for human resources. “Until a unit’s plan receives approval, employees who are working remotely should continue to work remotely,” he said.

Units were asked to develop return-to-work plans that follow a set of best-practice health guidelines that recommend that some employees continue to work remotely, when appropriate, in order to lower the number of people on campus ─ with a maximum target of 50% or fewer people in work units.

Employees also will be asked to maintain social distancing in work spaces, and wear face coverings where social distancing standards cannot be met, Coldren said. Supplies of disinfectant wipes will be distributed to each unit as employees return to work, he said.

But before employees return to campus, options are being investigated to ensure that UB meets New York State’s requirement for daily screenings, “which will ask employees to attest to their health status” each day they come to campus, Coldren said. That process, he added, will include essential employees currently working on campus.

More information on what faculty and staff can expect upon returning to campus will be shared as plans are finalized, including plans for testing and tracing at the university.

A “Safe Return” website has been launched for employees that includes a variety of information, including health and safety protocols, such as maintaining social distancing, required use of face coverings when social distancing cannot be maintained and disinfecting of work spaces.

In addition, the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development has launched a “Research Ramp-up” page on its website that provides information to help researchers return to their work.

“We sincerely appreciate the patience and diligence of all UB employees as we carefully plan to bring people back to campus while managing risk and implementing health and safety guidelines,” Coldren said.

Anyone with questions can contact Coldren at 645-8155 or mcoldren@buffalo.edu.