Update to Campus Access

Based on ongoing careful review of daily data and consultation with faculty, staff, students, and public health experts, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will no longer limit campus access to only on-site essential personnel effective Monday, June 1, Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., announced today.

The expansion in campus access means that UNO employees, while encouraged to work from home, will no longer be required to carry signed essential personnel letters on their person while on campus. Campus buildings, however, will continue to be restricted by key card access as approved by employee supervisors.

"The removal of some campus access restrictions brings the UNO community one step closer to resuming in-person teaching, learning, and working," UNO Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., said. "The primary focus for UNO leadership since the beginning of our response to COVID-19 has been the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff and will continue to be top of mind as we closely monitor community and campus activity moving forward."

While conducting academic and business operations during this period of expanded access to campus, supervisors and unit leaders are expected to adhere to the following guidance:

• Employees able to work effectively in a remote setting are encouraged to continue to do so, upon consultation with their unit leaders and supervisor. Employees who have questions about reporting to work in-person should coordinate with their unit leaders and supervisors.

• For employees who do return to campus to conduct academic and business operations, unit leaders and supervisors are required to adhere to the latest CDC health guidance.

• All UNO personnel should self-monitor regularly for any potential COVID-19 symptoms using evidence based screening, such as the 1-Check COVID mobile app (on Android and iOS devices).

• Avoid in-person meetings as much as possible and instead utilize Zoom to support collaboration and communication efforts.

• Maintain appropriate physical distance and wear a mask in office spaces, classrooms, laboratories, and public spaces such as hallways, lobbies, elevators and stairways.

• Per university travel guidance of May 22, an automatic 14-day quarantine no longer will be in effect for those who have traveled to another state. Instead, all faculty, staff, and students returning to UNO’s campus after travel within Nebraska or any other U.S. state should self-monitor using evidence based screening, such as the 1-Check COVID mobile app.

The following measures will remain in place:

• Most summer courses will be taught remotely.

• All study abroad is postponed through the summer.

• Any employee not feeling well should plan to stay/work from home.

• Students and the public are encouraged to continue to communicate with UNO staff, who are working remotely whenever necessary.

• Faculty, staff, students and guests on campus must wear an appropriate mask in public places and common areas such as lobbies and elevators. Employees who need a mask should contact their supervisor.

• Physical distancing, surface cleansing and hand hygiene best practices are required.

In addition to increasing access to campus, we are currently preparing to resume in-person teaching and learning. Multiple working groups composed of students, faculty, and staff are addressing areas of academics, facilities, student services, communications, and events/athletics in order to ensure a safe return in a de-densified setting. In addition, a select group of classes and events will serve as pilot programs to phase-in the de-densified approach to in-person activities. More information on these pilot programs is forthcoming.

"Our ability to responsibly welcome our campus community back is made possible by faculty and staff who are committed to the success of this university and the students whose academic journeys they support," Dr. Gold said. "We will continue to carefully monitor the impact of COVID-19 on our community and update decisions in a real-time basis. I continue to be thankful for their mindfulness, diligence, and optimism throughout what has been a historically challenging period in our nation’s history. As we move forward, it is with an understanding that we each play a critically important role in protecting the health of ourselves and the countless others with whom we interact and depend upon our commitment."

University of Nebraska at Omaha leadership will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and provide timely updates on UNO’s response with the university community through UNO’s Coronavirus Updates website. Faculty and staff are encouraged to share their questions, comments, and concerns at contact@unomaha.edu.

Employees are reminded that they may take up to 160 hours of emergency paid administrative leave for absences related to COVID-19. Additionally, recently passed federal legislation provides other options for paid leave for COVID-19 related absences. Complete details are available here. Employees are encouraged to contact their campus Human Resources (unohr@unomaha.edu) office with questions about their leave options.