Dear Colleagues,
Earlier this week Chancellor Khosla shared an update about UC San Diego’s return to full campus operations by the start of the fall quarter. In this edition of Updates from your CHRO, I want to reiterate and expand upon some of the important information as it relates to campus staff.
With an institution as large and complex as UC San Diego, there will be a gradual and considered approach to repopulating the campus. Below you’ll find an overview about how campus leaders are approaching these conversations and decisions, along with details about some upcoming opportunities to share your experiences, feedback and ideas.
Human Resources is committed to keeping you informed throughout this next phase of the Return to Learn program. I’ll share updates and announcements through my regular CHRO campus notices, our monthly Staff Town Halls, and the Return to Learn website. We are also working to create a dedicated point of contact for staff questions and feedback related to ramping up campus operations; look for an email address and phone number in the next few weeks.
Five Things for Staff to Know about Returning to Campus:
- If you are currently working remotely, you will continue to do so through at least May 31. As Chancellor Khosla shared, we will be carefully and gradually ramping up campus operations in alignment with county and state guidelines.
We recognize that many employees have been faced with significant changes in their child care and other caregiving responsibilities as a result of the pandemic, and that staff will need advance notice before returning to on-site work. A phased approach that takes into consideration the broader COVID-19 landscape in our region will allow staff time for planning and making arrangements.
- The safety and health of our campus community guides all decision-making. As we consider and plan for increasing the number of staff working on campus, our strategy is guided by evidence, science and expertise from healthcare leaders at UC San Diego Health and academic experts on campus.
- University leaders are in the process of determining what a return of UC San Diego staff to on-site work will look like. Vice chancellors and other campus leaders are exploring opportunities to reimagine the staff experience and look creatively at how we deliver on our commitments to our students and all those we serve.
- This work is informed by the research and recommendations of the Reimagining the Workplace task force, which comprises representatives from across campus and from the Staff Association. The task force developed a set of guiding principles for making decisions about workforce innovation, including safety, equity, work/life balance and sustainability. Centered in all discussions and decisions is our laser focus on maintaining the prestige and distinction of a UC San Diego education and the world-class research that is conducted here.
- Share your voice and your ideas. As campus leaders continue conversations about gradually ramping up campus operations, there are some opportunities coming up for you to share your ideas and thoughts about embracing a new vision for our future workplace.
