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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Dear Highlander Community,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">UC Riverside will resume in-person instruction on Monday, January 31.</span></b><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> A small number of courses that were previously approved for remote instruction due to exceptional
circumstances will remain remote, but all other courses will return to their Senate-approved delivery modes. If you are scheduled to teach a winter quarter course in-person and feel that your personal health circumstances have recently changed and you are
no longer able to do so, please contact </span><a href="mailto:disabilitymanagement@ucr.edu"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">UCR Disability Management</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> and work through our existing accommodation process.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">This decision was made following careful consultation with other UC campuses, our public health advisory committee, the Academic Senate, student and staff leadership, and local health officials, along with
an assessment of on-campus and community metrics such as case counts, available isolation space, positivity rates, and testing capacity. We are also mindful of the important social and psychological benefits for students, in addition to the pedagogical advantages,
of being together in-person on campus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Campus Has Been Open <o:p>
</o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Since I last wrote to you on January 14 about our instructional plans, we have seen the Omicron wave reach a peak and begin what we hope will be its much-anticipated decline. The campus has remained open,
many staff (including those in my office) have been working on campus each day, faculty have been accessing their labs and studios, and many students have returned to on-campus housing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Student housing, dining facilities, the Library, Highlander Union Building, Highlander One Stop Shop, Student Recreation Center, Student Success Center, bookstore and most offices have been open since the
beginning of Winter quarter. Thank you to the staff, faculty, and student workers who have continued to serve our campus community both on and off campus during this period of disruption. For employees who have not yet returned, please follow the existing
staffing plans for your unit and contact your supervisor if you have questions. <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Conditions Are Improved<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">As planned, our temporary pivot to remote instruction allowed the university to slow down the repopulation of the campus, conduct testing for students and employees coming back from holiday gatherings, and
provide time for those who tested positive to isolate and recover. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Reported cases among students and employees are down substantially since the start of the quarter. The number of students in isolation on campus is also down, following a peak in the second week of the quarter.
Positivity rates and demand for testing are much improved following the expected surge immediately after the holiday season. And more than 4,000 employees have taken
</span><a href="https://campusreturn.ucr.edu/dashboards"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">COVID-19 tests</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> on campus since the start of the quarter.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Accommodations for Absences<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Although we avoided the worst part of the Omicron wave, it is possible that case rates will remain elevated as we resume in-person instruction. Therefore, we expect there will be
higher-than-normal student absences due to isolation and quarantine requirements.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">To help students remain current in their coursework while following their prescribed isolation and quarantine protocols, I recommend that each department and program discuss how
best to accommodate temporary student absences so that students don’t fall behind. Because of the rich diversity of disciplines and pedagogies at UCR, accommodations are best set by faculty in consultation with their colleagues. And because instructors are
not expected to track attendance and may not know why a student is absent due to privacy requirements, there is no expectation that these accommodations be tailored to individual students or reserved only for students impacted by COVID-19.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">As was the case before the pandemic, instructors may determine the best way to manage their course if they become ill or are temporarily unable to teach in-person for another reason.
This may include temporarily shifting to remote instruction until the instructor can return to the classroom.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">A letter from the Academic Senate will be forthcoming to Senate faculty with more specific information about instruction.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Health and Safety Precautions<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">I am grateful that our campus community continues to take COVID-19 health and safety measures seriously. We are more than 95 percent vaccinated as a campus. Booster requirements are in place. Indoor masking
will continue, with strong compliance among our students and surgical and N95 masks now available on campus. Robust testing
</span><a href="https://campusreturn.ucr.edu/sites/g/files/rcwecm4671/files/2021-09/UCR%20Testing%20Protocol%20--%20Students%20091021.pdf"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">protocols</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> also will continue for anyone who is
unvaccinated, symptomatic, or exposed. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Environmental Health and Safety is making surgical and N95 masks available to all UCR employees. To request masks, click
</span><a href="https://ehs.ucr.edu/coronavirus/facecoverings"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">here</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt">. The Well is offering a similar
</span><a href="https://well.ucr.edu/covid-wellness-kits-masks"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">resource</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> to UCR students.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">As </span><a href="https://insideucr.ucr.edu/announcements/2022/01/19/submitting-proof-covid-19-booster-new-employee-health-system"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">announced</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt">
last week, employees should obtain their COVID-19 booster by January 31 and submit proof of vaccination in our new employee health records system by February 25. Information on where to obtain booster shots can be found on our
</span><a href="https://campusreturn.ucr.edu/vaccines"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">vaccines page</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt">. Student Health Services is collecting student booster records and will begin offering on-campus vaccinations to students
this week.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black">Please remember to test before returning to campus, and do not return if you are sick.
<span style="background:white">The employee testing site is open for all UCR faculty, staff, contractors, temporary and third-party staff, and volunteers, regardless of vaccination status. The site also is open to family members of UCR employees. Click
</span></span><a href="https://campusreturn.ucr.edu/testing-requirements"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;background:white">here</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white"> for hours of operation, to schedule an appointment, and for
instructions on how to register. Short-term </span><a href="https://insideucr.ucr.edu/announcements/2022/01/20/short-term-parking-available-near-campus-covid-testing-site"><span style="font-size:11.0pt;background:white">parking</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black;background:white">
is available in lots 15 and 21.</span><span style="font-size:11.0pt;color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Workplace Notifications<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">If an employee or student tests positive for COVID-19, they are instructed to report the information on the Daily Wellness Check. Information on reported cases will be published on the
</span><a href="https://campusreturn.ucr.edu/dashboards"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Dashboards page</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt"> of the Campus Return website. Guidance for instructors who are informed that someone in their class has tested
positive can be found </span><a href="https://campusreturn.ucr.edu/what-expect-instructors#what_will_happen_if_a_student_in_my_class_tests_positive_for_covid19_revised_1292021"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">here</span></a><span style="font-size:11.0pt">.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Once again, I thank you all for your continued flexibility and patience as we navigate the complexities of this ever-shifting and extremely frustrating pandemic. With your help, I hope we can provide our students
with the top-notch residential research university experience they signed up for, while maintaining our vigilance to ensure everyone’s health and safety. I look forward to seeing your masked faces on campus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Elizabeth Watkins<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11.0pt">Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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