Guidance for faculty and staff

Updated Nov. 4

Health and safety

Will the campus close after Thanksgiving when all classes are switched to remote instruction?

At this time, we are not expecting to close down the campus when classes switch to remote instruction. If you are currently working on campus, you should expect to continue to do so. As always, requests to work remotely should be discussed with a supervisor and/or with your HR partner.

A student has let me know about a positive test result or possible exposure to COVID-19. What should I do?

Please consult this spreadsheet for information about recommended actions, depending on the situation.

Students are strongly encouraged to self-report potential exposure to COVID-19, or suspected positive cases of COVID-19, to the Dean of Students or to the UMaine COVID-19 hotline. Faculty and staff should encourage students to call Marnie Kaler at 207.255.1320 or marnie.kaler@maine.edu; or call 207.581.2681.

Will faculty and staff be asked to participate in on-campus COVID-19 testing?

On-campus COVID-19 testing is available to faculty and staff through Saturday, Nov. 7. Testing is administered 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Clipper Lounge in Sennett Hall. Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes prior to testing.

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and are not able to schedule a test through your primary care provider, you may contact Student Health Coordinator Jordan Porter for assistance with testing access, by calling 207.255.4567 (option 1) or emailing jporter@dech.org.

Should I: quarantine/isolate/stay home/go to work/travel/leave the state/return from out of state?

The University of Maine System has provided a “COVID-19 Situation Matrix” planning document that provides guidance for employees in a variety of different scenarios. Access the document here.

Will the university provide face coverings required for employees while on campus?

Yes. Two reusable cloth face coverings will be made available to each UMaine and UMM employee on return to campus. Colleges and departments can use the online  COVID-19 Essential Supplies Request Form to order as-needed supplies, such as hand sanitizer, cloth face coverings, disposable surgical face masks, clear hygiene barriers and social distancing floor signs.

For more information about face masks and other PPE, visit the health and safety FAQ.

Should individual employees be using the supplies request form to place PPE orders in order to conduct research and other activities specific to their research groups?

No. The COVID-19 Essential Supplies Request Form was not designed for individuals to order supplies. UMaine’s Emergency Operations Center supply chain was developed to document all supplies directly relate to the COVID 19 mitigation efforts. Depending how a division is organized, unit supervisors or above should be the only ones placing orders. Those orders should also intersect with your Return to Work plan and be based on calculated —not perceived — need. In addition, we cannot acquire items not listed under this process. All other expenditures need to follow regular channels.

Travel and events

Can faculty and staff host public events, such as a lecture or presentation, on campus?

Campus events must be approved by the EOC. For approval, submit your reservation request to Dan Qualls at least 21 days prior to the date of the proposed event. Reservation requests must include the Hierarchy of Controls Task Assessment and Checklist.

Event promotion is permitted only if the reservation has received a final approval. Please forward promotional materials and event information to the PR department. Distribution of these materials will be embargoed until the signed EOC approval is forwarded by the event organizer.

University of Maine System guidance currently limits events to 50 or fewer people; however, the number of attendants may be further constrained based on venue capacity and social distancing requirements.

All visitors must wear a cloth face covering unless they are exempt based on UMS guidance. Event organizers will be expected to clearly communicate this expectation to all guests.

Will faculty have use of the university motor pool for field trips?

While we have not been released to utilize the vehicles from the motor pool, the vans will be available this semester for faculty and staff. However, the van carrying capacity is limited to a driver and two passengers.

What are the university’s general travel guidelines?

University-related travel outside of the state is currently prohibited with rare exceptions, and unnecessary work travel is discouraged. While UMS cannot prohibit personal travel, employees are strongly discouraged from traveling outside of the state and, in the event of necessary travel, must follow civil guidelines regarding quarantine upon return. The UMS COVID-19 Situation Matrix has more extensive guidance regarding travel scenarios.

Communication

Are there signs that I can post in my office and classroom to encourage students and colleagues to follow COVID-19 protocols?

The resources page has print-ready PDFs of UMM COVID-19 protocols and CDC signage.

How should I approach a situation in which a student will not follow COVID-19 protocols?

The PDF “Talking to students without a mask” provides suggestions for how to approach this situation. In addition, Student Life is developing a “good behavior” program in which students will be rewarded with tickets for complying with the Clipper Pact. Faculty and staff will be provided with these tickets if they wish to use them to encourage good behavior among students. De-escalation training is also available through UMS Academy, accessed via the campus portal.