Message from VCU leadership - June 10, 2020

Phase II to begin Monday, June 15

Dear VCU Community:

This week, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced effective Friday, June 12, the city of Richmond is authorized to enter Phase II for lifting COVID-19 restrictions. Therefore, VCU will move into its Phase II beginning Monday, June 15 when a limited number of researchers, employees supporting clinical rotations, students who must return for clinical laboratory simulations and clinical placements, and student athletes will return to campus.

Each phase of VCU’s return to campus is listed below and posted at together.vcu.edu. Details specific to research are available at research.vcu.edu/covid-19/r2r.htm. Please note these important requirements for students and employees returning to campus:

• Training. Prior to returning to campus, students, employees and postdocs must complete training and attest to following health and safety protocols. Designated employees who are already authorized to work on campus must also complete the training. Employees and managers can now complete training in Talent@VCU. HR Professionals in each school and department will oversee training completion for employees who will return to campus in each phase. Training for students and postdocs will be available in Blackboard and VCU will monitor completion. Students will be notified by email when the training is available.
• Daily health survey. Also starting June 15, returning students, employees and postdocs must complete daily health surveys. Per the One VCU: Responsible Together plan, this daily five-second survey is required to monitor the health of the VCU community. A reminder email with a link to the health survey will be sent daily. Your responses are not stored nor is the information you provide accessible to others. VCU only tracks if you did or did not respond.

It will take all of us working together to uphold our commitment to the health and welfare of everyone in our community. This is an evolving public health situation. While we are cognizant that we must remain flexible as circumstances will likely change over time, our individual and collective responsibilities for supporting a safe and healthy environment at VCU is enduring. For the most up-to-date information, visit the One VCU: Responsible Together website at together.vcu.edu.

As always, thank you for the role you play in supporting the continuity of our mission.

Sincerely,

Gail Hackett, Ph.D.
Provost and senior vice president for academic affairs

Peter Buckley, M.D.
Interim senior vice president for health sciences

Meredith L. Weiss, Ph.D.
Vice president for administration

Phase II (June 15)

Research begins a phased return with researchers returning to campus at no greater than 25% occupancy capacity; employees supporting clinical rotations return to campus; a limited number of students return for clinical placements; a limited number of student athletes return

Phase III (July 1-15)

Approximately 25% of non-designated employees that cannot work well remotely return to campus; researchers return at no greater than 50% occupancy capacity; a limited number of students return for clinical placements; a limited number of student athletes return

Phase III (July 16-31)

Approximately 50% of non-designated employees that cannot work well remotely return to campus; researchers return at no greater than 85% occupancy capacity; a limited number of students return for clinical placements; a limited number of student athletes return

Phase III (Aug. 1-16)

Approximately 75% of non-designated employees that cannot work well remotely return to campus; 100% of researchers who cannot work remotely return; students begin returning to campus

Phase IV (Aug. 17)

Approximately 100% of non-designated employees that cannot work well remotely return to campus; all positions needed to support the in-person student experience return to campus; all others continue teleworking