Return to Campus #1 - July 9, 2021
Further to Western’s June 11, 2021 update to the campus community, and in anticipation of the University’s plans to return to full in-person learning this fall, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry is pleased to share this, the first of several communications, outlining our School’s return to campus this September.
In an effort to facilitate a September return in a measured way, the School plans to use the months of July and August to help those faculty and staff still working from home to safely and efficiently transition back to work using the following approach.
Everyone is asked to note and adhere to the following target return dates:
|
Target Date |
Invitees |
Conditions |
|
July 12 |
Anyone interested in coming to work in the office can do so. |
All current heath & safety protocols apply. |
|
August 3 |
All PMA and UWOSA staff are expected to start returning to campus to work. |
Same as above.* |
|
September 7** |
All faculty and staff return to work. |
Same as above. |
* Please direct any specific requests for accommodation through your direct supervisor, HR or the Employee Well-Being Office.
** Unless required earlier.
Your direct supervisor will be communicating specific timing based on operational needs and may even identify a short-term hybrid model before employees are back full time on September 7, 2021. Please note that the above timeline is predicated on current provincial re-opening plans and protocols. As such they may be subject to change.
When returning to campus, all faculty and staff are asked to continue to adhere to all applicable health and safety protocols, complete the screening questionnaire daily and park in your designated lots. You are also asked to carry your access card (Western ONECard) at all times as the buildings will remain locked until occupancy levels reach a level where such daytime precautions are no longer necessary.
All faculty and staff are asked to be mindful and respectful of others throughout this transition process. The past 16 months have proven stressful for everyone. As such, we need to exercise patience and empathy as our team members work through this transition.
We recognize that after such a long period away from the School, this transition will generate many questions. In response, the School plans to send out follow-up communications complete with any updates to health and safety protocols and a FAQ to help address specific concerns raised by our team members throughout their return to work. In the meantime, we continue to encourage everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible and follow the prescribed health and safety best practices.
On behalf of the entire Schulich Medicine & Dentistry team, thank you for your continued efforts to deliver a quality education and research program under such unprecedented circumstances. We now look forward with great anticipation to the start of the fall semester and our welcome return to our progressive work environment.
Paul Paolatto
Chief Operating Officer
