UA System Office transition to onsite work
May 28, 2021
This message is to provide clarification and updates to our transition to on-site operations this summer. The expectation is that the System Office will be operating under Phase C of the University of Alaska On-site operations plan beginning June 1, 2021.
UA System Office transition to onsite work
Consistent with UAF’s shift to phase C, Butrovich Building employees will begin to return to onsite work starting June 1 with the expectation that onsite work will fully resume by June 30. Supervisors may develop and implement transition plans to gradually return employees to on-campus work provided that each department is staffed to provide customer service to Butrovich visitors. Beginning June 1, the Butrovich Building will be open for public access during business hours.
System employees in Anchorage also may begin transitioning beginning June 1 with the expectation that onsite work
will fully resume August 2. System employees working in Juneau should follow local
guidelines and information posted at: http://uas.alaska.edu/pub/
System Office employees must abide by the Statewide On-site operations plan updated May 21, 2021. No one experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, in quarantine or isolation, may enter the facilities at any time.
Continued remote work: Remote work may continue based on departmental transition plans as determined by the UA president or designees*. To determine if a position is suitable for continuing remote work under the transition guidelines, consider business needs and whether staff members can work remotely or are needed on-site during Phase C. I am expecting that all departments will manage this remote work such that we have on-site staff available for visitors. Suite doors will remain open, and all departments should have staff visible as people enter the suites. Please review the remote work FAQ, and be sure to connect with your supervisor and with HR to answer any additional questions.
Additionally, supervisors can set up a flexible work schedule to help support employees (August 11, 2020, Communication from UA Chief Human Resources Officer Steve Patin).
The transition guidelines related to the COVID-19 On-site Operations Plan are different from the ongoing holistic project to identify the administrative guidelines, policies, and procedures for long-term remote work that are scheduled to be shared in Fall 2021. UA HR will issue further guidance about long-term on-site, remote and hybrid work based on the recommendations of the UA Post-COVID Workplace Team.
Masking: As announced May 21, masks are no longer required for fully vaccinated individuals –– those who are two weeks beyond their final vaccination dose. All other individuals, unless eating or otherwise exempted by campus-specific policies, must wear a mask and social distance in the facilities. Masks are still required for all campus public transportation users, both vaccinated and unvaccinated. Individuals who want or need to wear a face mask in group settings are still encouraged to do so.
Thank you for your cooperation throughout this process and for supporting UA’s plan to return to in-person operations.
* Designees for remote work approvals:
VPASR Paul Layer
VPUR Michelle Rizk
General Counsel Matt Cooper
Acting CHRO David Bishko
Interim CITO John Boucher
CFO Myron Dosch
Foundation President Tod Burnett