UPDATED GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYEES ON RETURNING TO MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

COVID-19 TESTING NOW REQUIRED July 31, 2020

Dear Faculty and Staff:

This communication provides updated information regarding the Re-opening of Morgan State University.

Since mid-March 2020, most employees of the University have been teleworking in accordance with the guidelines provided by Governor Larry Hogan’s various Executive Orders and at the direction of President, David K. Wilson.  Governor Hogan recently affirmed on July 29, 2020 that teleworking should continue, and Dr. Wilson has determined that those employees who have been successfully teleworking should continue to do so in accordance with the temporary telework policy until further notice.

On June 8, 2020, Dr. Wilson issued the re-opening plan for Morgan State University, which included the Phases developed to implement the return to campus for students, faculty and staff.  (See https://news.morgan.edu/fall-reopening-plan.)  Since Dr. Wilson announced the re-opening plans for the University, the COVID -19 landscape has shifted, and the concerns regarding the return to campus of both faculty and staff have increased.  Morgan wants to have in place effective measures to support a safe workplace for all employees.

Hence, on July 30, 2020, Dr. Wilson announced the University’s intention “to further bolster its evolving safety measures with the addition of mandatory testing for returning students, faculty and staff.”  https://news.morgan.edu/covid-19-testing-for-return/

THE AUGUST 3, 2020 RETURN TO WORK DATE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE EMPLOYEES HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED.  All employees who were scheduled to return on August 3, 2020 must be tested no later than August 10, 2020 with the hope that you will be able to return to campus on August 17, 2020.  That additional time is to allow employees to get tested and receive results prior to returning to the campus.  Any testing must take place no more than 14 days before returning to campus in order to be in compliance. You must submit the evidence of your test result to the Office of Human Resources where the results will be held confidentially. 

For those employees who have not been teleworking and have already returned to campus, a voluntary on-campus testing program has been scheduled for you because of the nature of your duties and responsibilities. The on-campus testing is scheduled for Thursday, August 6 and Friday, August 7, 2020 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Please contact Monica Waters at monica.waters@morgan.edu or Armada W. Grant at armada.grant@morgan.edu no later than 11:00 am on Monday, August 3, 2020 to be scheduled for the free on-campus testing and to receive the required documents.

Faculty members who will be teaching face-to- face classes and/or returning to the campus for any reason must also take the COVID-19 test under the same guidance (no more than 14 days and documented with OHR before returning).

As part of Dr. Wilson’s phased re-opening plan, Supervisors will be reviewing all individual telework agreements to determine if any adjustment is needed.  For some employees, based on the requirement of the position, there may be a combination of telework and on-campus work (including but not limited to temporary modification of work schedules) to achieve the goals of re-opening the campus while maintaining a safe environment.  Those employees who are scheduled to return to work on campus even on a modified basis, must also take the COVID-19 test under the same guidance (no more than 14 days and documented with OHR before returning). 

All test results should be sent to the Office of Human Resources where they will be held confidentially.

Please be advised that the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), effective April 1, 2020, was enacted to provide expanded coverage under the Family and Medical Leave Act as well as to allow for emergency paid sick leave for reasons related to COVID-19. These provisions will remain in effect through December 31, 2020. The Office of Human Resources provides information about the FFCRA and how to request leave.  Please contact the Office of Human Resources for more information.

While we hope no one at the University tests positive, if you do, you should contact your physician and follow the instructions and guidelines they provide.

Best wishes,

Armada W. Grant