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| Dear Bargaining Unit Leaders,
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| As we are all facing unprecedented times in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, the leadership of the College is working diligently to protect the health and welfare of our students and employees, while simultaneously striving to continue to serve our students in many new and different ways. Needless to say, we are entering into a new era of how we operate and serve students, and we will continue to work to keep employees updated as we move into a new methodology of educating students. |
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| We understand employees have questions about the status of College operations as well as how those operations impact various employee groups. This is a challenging time for all of us, and the College appreciates the work and dedication of our employees as we navigate these constantly changing conditions. Over the past several days, we have provided responses to many questions posed by different groups, and have provided guidance for working through this pandemic, including staff working remotely. If you have additional questions as to these guidelines, please reach out to me at robinphillips@stlcc.edu, or your supervisor. |
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| In addition, in recognition of these extraordinary circumstances, last night the Board of Trustees granted the Chancellor with additional, temporary authority to include: “to place into immediate effect temporary lawful policies, procedures, or other measures, which in his judgment are necessary or appropriate to meet the COVID-19 public health emergency, including but not limited to safeguarding persons and property and maintain College activities as appropriate.” College leadership is grateful for the flexibility this provides to the College in these fast-changing times and is considering what additional policies, procedures or other measures may be appropriate. |
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| Yes. STLCC has moved classes to an online format to better serve the needs of students and employees. While this format of delivery will change the operating hours of College buildings, the College remains committed to serving its students while complying with federal, state and local regulations associated with COVID-19. |
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| What is the College doing to keep people safe?
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| As reported to the College community last night, yesterday a student from the Florissant Valley campus reported to the College that they had been diagnosed with COVID-19. In anticipation of this reality, and in complying with federal, state and local guidance, the College is working to move as many functions as possible to work remotely. Starting next week (March 30), access to most buildings will be limited. Administration buildings on campuses will be open on Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. to complete the work that cannot be done at a distance. The default, though, is that any work that can be done via phone, email, Skype, or other distance tools should be done through these methods. |
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| The College understands that these changes to the way employees work will require some flexibility and adjustment. The College will continue to assess the effectiveness of remote work and update and make changes as necessary to ensure continuous service to students. We encourage employees to be proactive in looking for ways to contribute in whatever way they are able. |
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| As part of its pandemic response plan, the College has stood up the COVID-19 Incident Response Team (IRT). The IRT’s role is to help ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff by monitoring potential COVID-19 cases in our facilities and providing that information to the City and County Departments of Public Health as appropriate. The IRT is also assisting with risk assessment as per CDC guidelines to provide guidance to employees who are symptomatic, may have been exposed to COVID-19 or who have traveled in areas with widespread ongoing transmission of COVID-19. |
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| Anyone who comes to campus to work or receive services must follow social distancing policies. The College will be posting signs on campuses, so that students or others who come to receive services understand that they must comply with social distancing requirements, such as maintaining a six-foot distance from anyone with whom they are interacting. |
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| The College is also taking special precautions to ensure that our facilities are safe for employees who need to work on-site. STLCC’s housekeeping staff will continue to disinfect common areas such as restrooms and commonly touched areas such as doors, handrails, elevator buttons, etc. We also continue to monitor announcements from health officials to ensure that our efforts are appropriate. We will make adjustments if additional procedures or precautions are deemed necessary. |
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| What should employees do to keep people safe in the workplace?
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| Employees who have been notified by their supervisors to report to a physical on-site work location should NOT report to work if they have any flu-like symptoms, including fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, cough, or shortness of breath. If an employee who has reported for work and subsequently develops these symptoms, they should leave the work site and notify their supervisor immediately – via phone, if possible, to maintain distancing recommendations – so that the College can take the appropriate actions. If possible, the employee may perform appropriate work from home until they are cleared to return to on-site location. |
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| In addition, due to higher instances of COVID-19 in some foreign and domestic locations, any essential on-site employee who has traveled in areas with widespread COVID-19 transmission, including outside the St. Louis metropolitan area (defined as 100 miles from any campus) should notify their supervisor and not return to campus until cleared to do so by the IRT. Supervisors will immediately engage the IRT to perform a risk assessment. The employee may perform appropriate work from home during this assessment period. |
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| Employees who are on-site must follow social distancing requirements (distances of at least six-feet from others in the workplace), as well as recommended practices to include: |
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Discontinuing in-person meetings and use virtual options if possible.
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Washing hands frequently with soap and water.
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Keeping hand sanitizer or wipes with you.
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If at all possible, avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
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Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
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Watching for cough, trouble with breathing, or other signs of respiratory infection.
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Monitoring temperature for a fever above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C).
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Staying home when sick or if other family members are sick.
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Covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
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Avoiding touching your eyes, nose or mouth to prevent infection.
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Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
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| How is the College complying with the Stay At Home Orders?
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| The Stay at Home Orders issued in the metropolitan St. Louis region recognize that higher education institutions are “essential businesses” for purposes of providing online education. This means that STLCC employees who are needed in essential on-site roles to support online instruction may need to report to on-site locations to perform this work. The Stay at Home Orders also allow employees to come on-site to obtain resources that will allow them to work remotely. For example, some of our faculty have requested access to labs so that they can make videos to post online for their students. |
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| The Stay at Home Orders also recognize that all businesses need to maintain “minimum basic operations” such as security, processing payroll or employee benefits, or work that facilitates employees being able to continue to work. Again, to keep the College operating, some employees will need to be on-site. The College has worked to limit this number as much as possible to reduce the workforce density. |
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| Again, the College greatly appreciates the work of all of our employees. If employees have specific concerns about their situation working on-site, employees should contact their supervisor or me at robinphillips@stlcc.edu or 314-539-5220. The safety and well-being of our employees is our primary concern. The College will continue to assess the situation and make adjustments to ensure our employees remain safe. |
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Robin Phillips
Associate Vice Chancellor, Human Resources |
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