Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the summer, we would like to keep you informed of operational plans to gradually transition more staff members back to our campuses. In-depth planning is in progress, and we will continue to provide updates as we learn more. While infection rates continue to decrease, vaccination rates have not yet increased to the level we previously anticipated. Thus, while we will continue to use a phased approach for our return to campus, we expect that effort to begin in earnest sometime in July, instead of early June as originally anticipated.
I would like to recognize our frontline staff who continue to work on campus to provide essential support to our faculty, staff and students both away from and on campus. I would also like to thank our researchers, patient care professionals, and public safety and emergency management employees for getting our community through these unprecedented times; facilities management, construction and maintenance teams for supporting our campus; and our housing, dining, transportation, customer support, mail, retail and logistics teams for serving our onsite students, faculty and staff.
Each unit and department will develop return plans specific to their area to support University needs, including office and lab space planning. The Office of Human Resources is working on a variety of resources to support ongoing remote and hybrid work arrangements, including a new flex work agreement, supervisor training and technology. Details will be shared when they are finalized.
Please review the Business and Operations website for operational updates, including what’s happening during the summer, what to expect on campus, building access, transportation resources and FAQs. We will also host a virtual panel in late June to share updates.
For those who are authorized to return to campus, please remember to continue following Pitt’s health rules. The health rules will continue to evolve in the coming weeks and months. Under current guidance, continue to wear your face covering, maintain physical distancing and wash your hands. We also strongly recommend getting vaccinated to protect yourself and others.
Over the coming weeks and months, we will continue to keep you informed, and you can always find our latest planning updates online at coronavirus.pitt.edu.
As always, thank you for your continued dedication to the University. I look forward to better, brighter days ahead. We will get there together.
Cheers,
Dave DeJong
Senior Vice Chancellor for Business and Operations