UIC SAC Newsletter September 2021

1

"A support for Civil Service Employees"

September 2021 Newsletter PDF

In This Issue Heading link

  • UIC COVID-19 Dashboard

    Learn more about the current situation on campus.

  • Vaccine Exemptions

    Learn about the COVID-19 vaccine exemptions.

  • Masking and Distancing

    Learn about UIC’s current policy regarding face masks and social distancing.

  • Juneteenth Holiday

    Learn about the newly added holiday, Juneteenth National Independence Day.

  • Flexible Work Arrangements

    Learn about your options regarding flexible work arrangements.

  • Delta Variant Updates

    Learn about how UIC is handling the Delta Variant.

COVID-19 Vaccine Disclosure Heading link

All faculty and staff are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by the beginning of the fall semester, if able to do so. This will provide the maximum amount of protection to our UIC community as we return to normal. UI Health employees will receive separate guidance from the leadership of UI Health.

You can disclose your vaccination status on UIC Healthcheck. Once you disclose that you are fully vaccinated (at least 14 days since your final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine), you will not be required to participate in on-campus saliva testing, to submit the daily UIC Healthcheck COVID-19 Self Monitoring Survey, to quarantine if you are a close contact of someone with a positive COVID-19 test or if you have returned from international or domestic travel, unless otherwise required by applicable public health regulations. Your UIC Daily Pass will remain green.

If you are partially vaccinated by August 23rd, you may participate in on-campus activities if you have a scheduled final vaccine appointment. Please note that you must continue to participate in on-campus COVID-19 saliva testing at least weekly, complete the daily UIC Healthcheck COVID-19 Self Monitoring Survey, and wear a face mask indoors until you are fully vaccinated.

Getting Vaccinated Heading link

Despite it being a year and a half since the start of the pandemic, it is not over. More than 97% of illness, hospitalizations and deaths in Chicago have been among the unvaccinated since January.

Please take advantage of UIC’s free, convenient vaccination appointments that are available on campus. You can make an appointment by visiting vaccine.uihealth.care.

Any questions about making a vaccine appointment can be answered by emailing covidvaccine@uic.edu.

You can find COVID-19 vaccination appointments or walk-in hours at a location near you by visiting vaccines.gov.

COVID-19 Vaccine Exemption Heading link

If you are exempt from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, you must place a request online. Exemptions are limited to specific medical conditions with physician documentation and religious reasons. All faculty and staff who obtain a COVID-19 vaccination exemption will be required to participate in the following:

  • on-campus COVID-19 saliva testing at least once weekly
  • daily symptom monitoring via UIC Healthcheck
  • quarantine if exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or return from international or domestic travel
  • wear a face mask when indoors on UIC property

Juneteenth Holiday Heading link

Juneteenth National Independence Day has been added to the University of Illinois System holiday schedule beginning June 2022.

In his Proclamation on Juneteenth, President Biden stated, “On Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality, and justice. And, we celebrate the centuries of struggle, courage, and hope that have brought us to this time of progress and possibility.”

The annual observance of this historic day will provide us with an opportunity to continue engagement and conversation toward eradicating racism and encouraging social equity.

The updated holiday schedules for each university and system offices can be found at hr.uillinois.edu/leave/holidays. Holiday usage and pay policies will apply, as they do for other designated holidays.

The first observance of Juneteenth will be on Friday, June 17th, 2022.

Campus Holiday Schedule

Masking and Distancing Heading link

Despite an increasing vaccinated community, indoor masking is still required. The following situations are exceptions:

  • when alone in a private office or personal residence hall room
  • when an individual has a medical condition, disability or other reason that prevents them from safely wearing a face mask.

For outdoor masking, note that individuals who are not fully vaccinated may unmask outdoors on university property only if traveling alone more than 6 feet from others. Masking is optional outdoors on campus for fully vaccinated individuals.

As the beginning of the semester approaches, August 23rd, social distancing indoors may no longer be required in classrooms and other campus facilities effective Aug. 16, but this is subject to change.

Flexible Work Arrangements Heading link

As the University continues to open up, transitioning back to normal operations, some employees may find this challenging. Flexible work arrangements can be made in an effort to meet the needs of the employee and their department.

Fixed and flexible work arrangements involve flexibility in schedules where the time can be arranged differently from a normal work week. An example would be the employee working the full number of hours over a 4.5 day period.

These schedules are subject to change dependent on operational needs and your supervisor.

Please note that flextime is not possible for all units.

Delta Variant Updates Heading link

The Delta variant is leading to an increased number of COVID-19 cases across the United States and world.

Since the situation is likely to change in the upcoming weeks, the University is closely monitoring public health recommendations.

Adjustments regarding physical distancing may be needed.

Please be patient as the University monitors and evaluates the situation.

We will continue follow the science and do everything we can to keep the campus and community safe.