Staff Returning to Campus: Recording of Panel Discussion Now Available

University Relations

Staff members and students talk while following guidelines for masks.

More than 400 staff members participated in the 'Returning Staff to 100%' panel discussion April 14, which was recorded for those who couldn't join the virtual discussion. A recording is now available for those who were unable to attend.

Representatives from Human Resources, Equal Opportunity and Compliance, Staff Senate, Pat Walker Health Center and the Chancellor's Office discussed the return, key dates and answered questions from participants.

 The university's goal is to have all employees who would normally be on campus return to campus by June 14 or sooner.

In an effort to support the full return of students this fall, planning for more staff to return should start now, with each department completing an anticipated plan of return. Each unit's return plans should be approved by unit heads (dean or vice chancellor) and be ready to share by May 17 so employees can plan accordingly.

Supervisors should plan for the appropriate benchmarks in consultation with their unit heads.

Any surge in COVID-19 infections could modify return plans as the health and safety of the campus community will continue to shape all decision making. Consideration for employees who may need to continue to work remotely as a reasonable accommodation for a disability will be addressed on a case-by-case basis through our normal accommodation process with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance.

The university is also in the process of reviewing and updating its remote work policy, which will be shared with campus as soon as possible. It is anticipated that some employees and/or campus functions may continue to work remotely if in the best interests of the university.

The COVID-19 website will be updated with all the latest guidance and information later this spring.

FACULTY-FOCUSED PANEL SCHEDULED APRIL 27

A faculty-focused panel discussion is scheduled later this month.The 'Return to Campus Faculty Panel Discussion' will take place from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Tuesday, April 27, via Zoom. Registration is required.

Employees representing the various offices overseeing the university's COVID-19 response will be available to answer questions faculty may have regarding the return to campus in the fall semester.

Panelists include:

• Terry Martin, Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
• Kathy Sloan, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
• Scott Turley, Interim Associate Vice Chancellor, Facilities Management
• J'onnelle Colbert-Diaz, Associate Director/Accommodation and Accessibility Coordinator, Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance
• Capt. Matt Mills, Emergency Manager, U of A Police Department
• Huda Sharaf, Medical Director, Pat Walker Health Center
• Charles Robinson, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs (moderator)

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among fewer than 3% of colleges and universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.