College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu sent the following message to the campus community on June 8, 2020:
Dear Campus Community,ย
As we enter the third week of Phase 1 of our Return to Work on Campus plan, Iโm writing to provide an update on where we stand and where we are going next.ย
Return to Work on Campus Planย
I have been pleased with the care, diligence and professionalism that our campus community has shown as we have begun to ramp up the presence of employees on campus. We will continue to move carefully through this phased process, keeping health and safety as our top priorities.ย
We have seen only a slight increase in the number of employees physically present on campus. On average, about 12 percent of our workforce has been on campus during Phase 1. Most of our faculty and staff continue to work remotely, the important day-to-day functions of our university continue to operate, and our students continue to learn and receive support and guidance.ย
Signage regarding the planโs requirements for face coverings and social distancing has been installed throughout campus, particularly around building entrances. Additional signage and markings for traffic flow are being developed and will be installed in the coming weeks.ย
As you know from the guidelines that took effect on May 26, Phase 1 was scheduled to last a minimum of two weeks. At this time, we tentatively expect to move into Phase 2 following the July 4 holiday. During Phase 2, employees whose in-office presence is not required to support normal operations may continue to work from home to limit the number of people on campus. In Phase 2, departments may resume face-to-face interactions with the public that are necessary to restore normal operations. We will announce a firm date for the beginning of Phase 2 in the very near future, and the decision will be based on consultation with state health officials.ย
Reporting Form for Employees Returning to Campusย
As circumstances for some employees may change throughout Phase 1 regarding their need to return to campus, either for normal work schedules or to visit campus occasionally for work-related business, we are asking department heads to compile one report for all employees within their areas. This information will help us plan for which offices need to be cleaned and which employees prefer to not have their offices cleaned.ย
Click here to access the reporting form.
Protective and Cleaning Suppliesย
As previously announced, the College has purchased a large quantity of face coverings, both cloth and disposable, as well as disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizers and latex-free gloves. Beginning on Tuesday, June 9, these items may be picked up at Public Safety, located at 89 St. Philip St., between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. As we move into Phases 2 and 3, campus offices can also order these supplies through Central Stores.ย
Technology Support for Remote Workย
Given that many of you will continue to work remotely during the summer months, we want to make sure you are supported with the proper equipment. The Division of Information Technology is making two new options available to employees:ย ย
- If you would like to have your office workstation relocated to your home, IT can help facilitate this move by packing up your workstation, color-coding all connections and allowing you to transport the workstation to your home. IT can assist with carrying the equipment to your vehicle. Contact the IT Service Desk at ITServiceDesk@cofc.edu or 843.953.3375 to schedule this service.ย
- A second option is employees may now checkout a 24-inch All-in-One Dell desktop computer for use at home. Contact the IT Service Desk to arrange pick-up at 843.953.3375 or email ITServiceDesk@cofc.edu.ย
In closing, I want to reiterate how much I appreciate the commitment and incredible effort of our entire campus community โ both those on campus and those who continue to work remotely. Your hard work, planning and ingenuity make all the difference!
Sincerely,
Andrew
Andrew T.ย Hsu,ย Ph.D.
President
College of Charleston
