COL Covid Faculty & Staff Update: Mitigation Measures, Get Tested, Furlough FAQs

Aug. 17, 2020

Dear Colleagues, 

The fall 2020 semester is at last upon us! 

Below is our weekly College of Law COVID-19 update, including on- and off-campus mitigation measures, COVID-19 testing information and furlough resources.  Following this note is the note we sent today to students.  Attached is the most current report from Dr. Joe Gerald. 

Wildcat WellCheck

The university is asking all employees and students to complete the daily Wildcat WellCheck screening (online or via text) to help reduce your risk of COVID-19 and ensure that our campus remains safe and can reopen. We encourage you to participate even if you are working off campus. Learn more about the Wildcat WellCheck.

Additional tracking measures, including College of Law screening, and a location-based app, are in development.

 

On-Campus Requirements

We are currently in Stage 1 of the re-opening process, which means that, except for some in-person clinic and externship components, all College of Law classes and services are fully online. 

If you must come to campus to work, you are required to follow these protocols:

  • Complete the Wildcat WellCheck before arriving on campus. A new touchless temperature kiosk is available in the Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie Lobby for those who are unable to obtain a temperature reading before arriving on campus. Clinic offices also have touchless thermometers in Rountree Hall for clinic visitors.
  • Wear a face covering at all times (Arizona Law face masks coming soon!)
  • Practice physical distancing
  • Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer 
  • Stay home if you are sick

 

Testing for Employees

Every member of the Arizona Law community is strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 antigen test before returning to campus to determine if you are currently infected. The Arizona Department of Health Services is offering free COVID-19 testing in Pima County.

Employees who are symptomatic or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive should stay isolated and contact Campus Health or their healthcare provider.

Antibody testing to determine whether you have been exposed to the virus in the past is available for free to all University of Arizona employees.

 

Furlough and Furlough-Based Salary Programs

The university moved forward with furlough and furlough-based salary programs beginning last Monday, Aug. 10. The central HR office has updated their furlough website with resources and FAQs, including guidance for supervisors. If you were unable to attend last week’s College of Law furlough information session or have additional questions, please contact your supervisor. We know this is a challenging time that will come with plenty of questions and adjustments. 

 

COVID-19 Reports

Thank you for the hard work each of you has put in to get us to the first day of the fall semester. 

Here’s to a safe and healthy launch!

Marc, Bernadette, and Leah

on behalf of the Arizona Law COVID Task Force Implementation Team 

law.arizona.edu/covid
Virtual Suggestion Box

 

Dear Students,

Welcome to the start of the fall 2020 semester! 

This week’s College of Law COVID-19 update includes information on Stage 1 protocols; free, quick COVID-19 testing; Red/Blue Team implementation, and more.

 

College of Law Reopens in Stage 1

All classes at the College of Law have begun fully online, aside from a few hands-on, in-person clinic and externship components. Students not engaging in those components must remain off campus. 

Remember, all College of Law services are available remotely, from the law library to academic support to career development.

If you will be on campus during Stage 1, you are required to follow these mitigation measures for the health and safety of our community:

  • Complete the Wildcat WellCheck before arriving on campus 
  • Wear a face covering at all times
  • Practice physical distancing
  • Wash hands frequently and use hand sanitizer 
  • Stay home if you are sick

We also strongly encourage every member of our community to get an Antigen test before returning to campus. 

Student Survey Follow-Up

Thank you to everyone who completed our student survey about which class modality you’re choosing and your technology needs. The COVID Task Force is carefully reviewing the survey results and working quickly to connect students with the appropriate resources. Students experiencing challenges during the semester should contact Dean Jordan-Curtis immediately so we can work with you to help ensure your success. 

 

Free COVID-19 Testing for Students

The University of Arizona has begun to offer free COVID-19 testing for students.

  • Asymptomatic off-campus students are strongly encouraged to get a free antigen test—which delivers results within one hour—at the North Rec Center before arriving on campus. Sign up here.
  • Asymptomatic students who live on campus are required to take an antigen test and receive a negative result before moving in. 
  • Students who are symptomatic or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive should stay isolated and contact Campus Health or your healthcare provider.

During the university’s weekly COVID briefing on Thursday, President Robbins reported that so far more than 1,200 students have already been tested with a nasal swab antigen test, with just one positive result.

 

Red Team/Blue Team, Moving to Stage 2

Many College of Law classes will be able to resume in-person during Stage 2 because of our Red Team/Blue Team plan that will reduce classroom density by limiting students to being on campus every other week. 

If you did not receive your Red Team/Blue Team assignment via email last Thursday, August 13, please email Chris Gast at cgast@arizona.edu. 

More information, including the full Red Team/Blue Team schedule for the fall, is on our Student COVID Information page.

Stage 2—which will allow flex In-person classes of up to 30 people—is tentatively scheduled to begin on August 31, but the university will ultimately base the decision to move to Stage 2 on metrics such as on-campus testing numbers, percentage of positive cases on campus and in the community, percentage of available local ICU beds, and campus compliance with mitigation measures. Remember, you will always have the option to continue learning fully online, and every College of Law class is available asynchronously.

COVID-19 Reports

While this start of the semester is unlike any we have ever experienced, we are thrilled to launch the school year with you. Please take care of yourself this week and let us know how we can continue to best support you.

Marc, Bernadette, and Leah

on behalf of the Arizona Law COVID Task Force 

law.arizona.edu/covid
Student Suggestion Box

Extra Info

Additional details and guidance from University of Arizona Law on the novel coronavirus COVID-19.

MORE INFORMATION