Human Resource Services has released a message concerning planning for the Spring semester. The message reads as follows:
Planning for Spring Semester
The Fall semester is well underway with many of our faculty, staff and researchers back on campus, and we have seen successful adherence to our campus health and safety measures by members of our campus community. We are building on this foundation as we start planning for the Spring semester.
The Provost’s letter “Preparing for Winter and Spring 2021” notes an adjusted academic calendar and outlines academic plans for the Spring semester as we focus on our mission to provide opportunities for our students to progress academically in their undergraduate, graduate and professional education.
As faculty, staff and students make plans for the Spring term, we remind our campus colleagues of our resources, which we have expanded to further promote the health and safety of our campus community.
COVID-19 Pandemic Health and Safety – Campus Resources
Our new COVID-19 Pandemic Health and Safety Policy provides helpful guidance and identifies regulations in place to help keep our campus safe.
Our new campus COVID-19 Dashboard, updated daily, keeps our campus informed of COVID-19 cases , testing and quarantine.
The Faculty/Staff section of our continuously updated Coming Back Safe and Strong website offers the most recent COVID-19 related updates.
COVID -19 Testing
Our capacity to offer frequent, reliable testing has expanded as well. This leads to expeditious identification of positive cases possibly leading to isolation and quarantine of individuals exposed.
For students, surveillance testing has been expanding to reach the goal of testing all resident students weekly, and to require periodic testing for commuter students who come to campus at least weekly.
For faculty and staff testing has been expanded as well:
- Nasopharyngeal testing without a providers order and at no cost to the employee continues to be available at the University’s South P Lot.
- Saliva pooled testing, in accordance with agreements with our unions, soon will be required for all faculty and staff who come to campus. Details will be provided in a separate message to come.
Exemptions for Telecommuting or Alternative Work Assignments
Many of our colleagues have returned to campus and are working staggered hours/days to help ensure appropriate social distancing in the workplace. As we plan for the Spring semester, faculty and staff who wish to be exempted from working on campus, including those who requested an exemption in the Fall and wish to renew it, will need to request to do so by October 13 through the following procedures:
- Faculty, staff and graduate student employees who have an underlying medical condition determined by the CDC to place them at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19, or who live with someone with an underlying medical condition, or who are pregnant, and who wish to request a telecommuting or alternative work assignment, will be asked to provide updated documentation, as appropriate, to the health providers on the Health Information Line (631-632-5000) to support such a recommendation
- Faculty and staff who are 65 years of age and over may also request a telecommuting or alternative arrangement. Recommendations for such arrangements will be referred by the Health Information Line to Human Resource Services which will notify the appropriate supervisor(s).
- Employees seeking accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act may also, at any time, contact the Office of Equity and Access (OEA) directly.
- Employees who do not have an underlying condition or who do not wish to provide supporting medical documentation and wish to request a telecommuting or alternative work assignment may speak to Surita Bhatia, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs, for West Campus faculty; to Stella Tsirka, Dean for Faculty Affairs, for East Campus faculty; and to the appropriate Human Resources offices for staff. Graduate student employees may contact Eric Wertheimer, Dean and Vice Provost of the Graduate School.
The COVID-19 Telephone Information Line (631-632-5000)
The confidential telephone health information line continues as a resource for employees who have general and work-related questions about COVID-19.
- This number connects directly to the Health Information Line (HIL), Human Resources Information Line (HRIL) and FSA Employee Information Line (FSAIL). See details below.
- This line is available to all employees of the West Campus, Health Sciences Center, and the School of Medicine, and can be accessed by calling (631) 632-5000 (on campus 2- 5000).
- Stony Brook University Hospital employees and the clinical faculty in the Renaissance School of Medicine SOM should contact HR at (631) 444-4700 or at sbuhhr@stonybrookmedicine.edu. LISVH employees should contact HR at (631) 444-8617.
Callers to the COVID-19 Telephone Information (631-632-5000) may choose from the following options:
Option One (1): The Health Information Line (HIL)
This line is staffed by licensed health care providers who are available to:
- Help answer questions about an existing health condition;
- Help answer questions if you are pregnant;
- Provide information if you believe you have symptoms of or have been exposed to COVID-19;
- Provide quarantine information, whether precautionary or mandated;
- Discuss concerns about being in the workplace and provide recommendations for telecommuting or alternative work assignments.
Information provided to the HIL staff is confidential. It will not be used for medical treatment purposes, nor is the information provided to you meant to constitute medical advice. For medical treatment/advice, please call your personal physician.
The HIL is open to receive messages every day, including weekends (not holidays) and is checked by staff throughout the day. Messages left from 8:30 am -5:00 pm will generally be returned that same day. Messages left after hours will be returned within 24 hours.
Please note that this resource is not for medical emergencies. If you have a medical emergency, call 911.
Option two (2): The Human Resources Information Line (HRIL)
This line can provide general information to State and Research Foundation employees regarding alternate work arrangements/locations and can answer questions about the use of accruals and leaves. This line is open M-F 8:30-5:00.
Option three (3): FSA Employee Information Line
This line is for FSA employees who wish to speak to FSA Human Resources, which can provide similar information to that provided by the HRIL.
These phone lines receive a number of calls. If they are busy, or if you are calling outside the workday, please leave a detailed message (name, employee ID number, and a return phone number) on the appropriate line, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Summary
Every member of the Stony Brook community plays an important role in helping to maintain the health and safety of our work environment. So as we plan for the Spring term, please take advantage of our testing and information resources and make plans and follow guidance if you wish to request a temporary exemption from returning to work on campus, and continue to do all you are doing to keep us Coming Back Safe and Strong.
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