Choose UMSLThis summer, each College, School and Division crafted individual unit plans to allow the vast majority of employees to return to campus this fall. Employees working on-site must follow and comply with university policies and public health and safety expectations while on campus and when conducting university business off campus.
Our guiding principle is to promote and support the health, safety and well-being of the entire Triton community. We are closely monitoring public health guidelines and have developed protocols and behaviors individuals can do to keep themselves and others safe. All members of our community should review and follow current safety expectations.
Mental health is an important aspect of overall health and well-being. It may be difficult to avoid mental health challenges right now, but there are things we can do to improve our ability to cope with difficult situations and mental health concerns.
Visit our resources section to find ways to maintain good mental health and to improve your emotional well-being.
UMSL’S Start Safe. Stay Safe. website provides guidelines, safety expectations, and community resources. If you would like additional information as an employee, please contact Human Resources.
Yes, you can watch the video recording below.
Refer to UMSL’s Face Covering Policy for the current policy.
A desk or cubicle is considered to be a "private work space" when the work space has a physical barrier between employees, such as cubicle wall that is at least 6 feet high.
Because the situation is rapidly evolving and recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other public health authorities change frequently, please review the most up-to-date UMSL face covering guidelines.
When you are with an employee who is not wearing a face covering and UMSL’s policy is requiring face coverings, please first ensure that you are wearing your face covering. You may also increase the physical distance between you and that person if possible. Remember that there may be approved reasons why the employee is not wearing a face covering, such as an ADA accommodation, and employees are not required to disclose that information to coworkers. If the employee does not wear a face covering, you may inform their supervisor.
Please remember, employees who are directed to wear Personal Protective Equipment or other face coverings, and who need disability-related accommodations should contact Human Resources.
If you have concerns, please contact your supervisor or Human Resources.
How do I address a student not wearing a face mask?
If a student is not wearing a face mask where required, you should first ask that they put a mask on per university policy or may ask if they have a university-approved accommodation. If an individual accommodation has been granted, the student will have appropriate documentation to verify that accommodation. You may not ask the individual to disclose the specific circumstances for the accommodation. It is important that these individuals maintain a six-foot physical distance from others when possible.
What if the student does not have documentation for a university-approved accommodation?
If a student is not wearing a face mask and does not have documentation for a university-approved accommodation, first ask them to put one on and explain that university policy requires all individuals without an approved accommodation to wear a face mask while inside a university owned or managed facility – including all classrooms and labs.
If possible, make every effort to provide an in-the-moment solution to safely enable the student to follow university policy. For example, if the student forgot to bring a mask, see if you can provide a disposable mask for them to wear. Communicate with your department chair or unit administrator to secure disposable face masks for the classroom or office, which can be ordered centrally online (you must be logged into Google) through Facilities Management. This will provide an immediate solution for the student.
Disposable masks are also available at no cost in the Welcome Center, MSC Information Desk, Cashiers Office, Multicultural Student Services, CAS Advising, COBA Advising, Nursing Advising, Honors Advising, TJ Library and Veterans Center. The Triton Store also has branded masks available for purchase.
What if a student continues no not comply with the policy?
First, ask them to leave the setting. In the event a student continues to violate the policy and is causing a significant disruption to the learning environment, you may need to involve university police personnel in order to protect the health, safety and well-being of the community. While this should be the last option for faculty to consider, it is important that our face mask requirements be consistently followed. The UMSL Police Department may be reached at 314-516-5155 and personnel are trained in de-escalation practices and can manage the situation professionally and with dignity.
Additionally, faculty should submit a Student Conduct & Community Standards referral form so Student Affairs can follow up with the student to determine if there are any issues that need to be addressed based on conduct and community standards. Sanctions for violations could include written warnings, university probation, loss of privileges and university suspension. For questions regarding referrals, please contact Dean of Students D’Andre Braddix at braddixd@umsl.edu.
Where should I direct students who indicate that they require an accommodation but do not have a university-approved accommodation?
We must all recognize that there are circumstances where individuals may be physically or medically unable to wear a traditional cloth face mask. However, there are many options for compliant masks that may meet a variety of needs. Students who require a health or disability-related accommodation, or are otherwise unable to place or remove a face mask without assistance must request an accommodation through Disability Access Services.
As a faculty member, what can I do to further mitigate potential issues in the classroom?
To help mitigate potential issues in the classroom while protecting the health and safety of our community, we encourage faculty to take the following steps:
Information on COVID-19 public testing locations is available on these websites: St. Louis, St. Louis County, Missouri, Illinois.
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to pursue vaccination opportunities within the county/state they reside or work in addition to those within the greater St. Louis region. For more information, refer to UMSL’s COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution information.
The university may ask an employee or student to provide proof of vaccination. Employees may voluntarily provide proof of vaccination by visiting myHR. In addition, some areas – such as Health Services – may also request the information to assist with contract tracing, decisions on the need to quarantine, etc.
Supervisors must consult with Human Resources before asking employees if they have been vaccinated. While it is permissible for the University to inquire about employees’ vaccination status, there are special considerations under law for how such information is gathered and maintained, and individual supervisors are not to undertake those inquiries on their own.
Faculty members must consult with the Provost’s Office before asking students if they have been vaccinated. While it is permissible for the University to inquire about students’ vaccination status, there are special considerations under law for how such information is gathered and maintained, and individual faculty are not to undertake those inquiries on their own.
Yes, if they choose to do so on a voluntary basis.
Any campus member experiencing symptoms or who has had close contact with a positive case should fill out the online “Report COVID-19 Diagnosis/Symptoms” form.
After receiving a report, the Campus Health Officer and staff in Health Services conduct campus contact tracing and make determinations related to quarantine and isolation decisions on campus. Supervisors are notified if there is a health-related reason for a faculty or staff member to not come to campus but will not give specific health or medical information.
Health Services will also gather information and work with Facilities if additional cleaning is needed. Health Services will not reveal employee’s health status but can work with supervisors about additional cleaning or other workplace concerns.
Any campus member experiencing symptoms or who has had close contact with a positive case should fill out the online “Report COVID-19 Diagnosis/Symptoms” form.
The Campus Health Officer and staff in Health Services conduct campus contact tracing and make determinations related to quarantine and isolation decisions on campus. Supervisors are notified if there is a health-related reason for a faculty or staff member to not come to campus but will not give specific health or medical information.
Supervisors are encouraged to provide telework options to employees, including non-exempt employees, whose job duties can be performed remotely without hampering operations. Supervisors and employees should follow the guidelines outlined in our Safety Expectations for employees who have tested positive for COVID-19, or have had contact with a person identified as testing positive.
Health Services will contact all campus members who have been placed into quarantine or isolation. Health Services will also send a clearance email allowing individuals to return to campus after they meet medical criteria for returning. Health Services also provides the clearance email to supervisors informing them of an employee’s eligibility to return to campus.
Any campus member experiencing symptoms or who has had close contact with a positive case should fill out the online “Report COVID-19 Diagnosis/Symptoms” form.
After receiving a report, the Campus Health Officer and staff in Health Services conduct campus contact tracing and make determinations related to quarantine and isolation decisions on campus. Supervisors are notified if there is a health-related reason for a faculty or staff member to not come to campus but will not give specific health or medical information.
Employees shall continue to follow department established guidelines for attendance and requesting approval for time off. Departments are encouraged to support employees to stay home if they are sick, thereby minimizing the spread of potential viruses. Paid Time Off benefits are available in accordance with policy.
An employee who is sick or whose family members are sick may be entitled to job-protected leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) under certain circumstances.
Information about eligibility under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is provided here.
For questions related to ADA Reasonable Accommodations, please contact Tara VanDeVoorde in UMSL HR.
Employee Health and Wellness Resources are provided on UMSL’s Community Resources page. Additionally, employees covered by the University health plan are provided resources through UnitedHealthCare (UHC) including an online symptom checker, access to Telehealth and Virtual Visits, emotional support resources and more. For additional details, employees enrolled in the university sponsored health plans can visit myuhc.com/covid and login to their account.
UMSL’s travel policies are provided on the COVID-19 Policies webpage.
What will classrooms look like?
Classrooms will no longer be arranged for social distancing and will return to a traditional arrangement with students selecting seating based on their preference. There are currently no restrictions related to social distancing on campus.
What is the cleaning schedule for classrooms?
Our custodial services staff will frequently clean all classrooms as well as provide disinfectant spray and paper towels in each room for any additional needs. Facilities will also provide packages of disinfectant wipes to each faculty member teaching in person this semester to take to class to wipe down keyboards at the instructor station as well as provide them for student use in the case of classrooms with student computer stations or laptops.
How will employees access or assess the need for cleaning supplies or PPE?Department chairs should order those through the PPE request form; note it is a Google form and requires chair to be logged into their UM System Google account. Departments/units should arrange to have administrative staff pick up the wipes packets from facilities when they are notified of their availability.
Have ventilation concerns been taken into consideration in our buildings and classrooms?
Yes, in buildings that have central ventilation systems the settings have been adapted to bring in fresh air rather than circulate air within the building. In buildings where the ventilation system are de-centralized it may be necessary to have windows open in classrooms and other areas to provide the fresh air return. These rooms will be marked with signage.
Notifying faculty of a student absence due a medical reason, which may include students with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19
The university requires all students to complete a Reporting COVID-19 Diagnosis/Symptoms form if they are sick, experiencing symptoms of coronavirus that are atypical of their individual health circumstances, if they have tested positive – or have had close contact with another individual who has tested positive – for COVID-19.
This form is directed to Campus Health Officer Chris Sullivan in the Office of Health, Counseling and Disability Access Services. Health Services staff will contact each student who self-reports to review their individual health circumstances to determine next steps, which may include faculty notifications.
Process for notifying instructors of a student absence due a medical reason
What you should do
What you should not do
If a student is absent due to a medical reason, how will you know if they are approved to return?
What will be the threshold for returning to remote learning and working only?
Can a faculty member pivot mid-semester and shift their class online?
A faculty member should not plan to unilaterally change the modality of their class. Once the semester starts, these types of decisions will be made at the campus level. In the case of a health concern, please contact your HR representative for the process of documenting the need for accommodations.
Can a supervisor or faculty member have their own, stricter policies if they are worried about safety? For example, can a professor say “N95 masks are required for my class, not just a face covering.”
No. Faculty and staff are expected to follow the campus guidelines on safety policies and may not impose alternative policies for their own classes or for employees reporting to work in-person.
Can staff shift back to working from home at any point if they don’t feel safe or cases rise?
No. A unit leader may request flexible work arrangements that are different than pre-COVID arrangements. Those approved to continue working under a flexible work arrangement, whether full- or part-time, must do so by completing the remote work agreement as outlined in the Collected Rules and Regulations HR-522 (remote work link).Yes, the Campus Testing Center will be open to UMSL students only with modified operations, including:
The University Libraries are open - please check the Building & Reference hours shown below. From their website, use the Chat button or select Research Help for assistance, Zoom session requests, & all other questions. Additional information: Remote Library Services.