FAQ on the 70% Return to Campus Guidelines

On January 5, 2022 the Chancellory issued guidance for Return To Work that stated a 70% return to the office on February 28, 2022. https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/university-updates/testing-vax-return-to-work-updates/ Conversations will continue to evolve with the Chancellory related to CUNY SPS and developing models of innovation in the workplace, but we are still under their guidance as a member of CUNY.

If you are a faculty member who is teaching 100% online, you will be able to continue remote work for the time being.

Yes. Administration feels strongly that if you have a leadership position within the school, with staff reporting to you, that some on-site presence is important.

Yes, random testing will continue for all vaccinated staff. Non-vaccinated staff will continue to be required to test on a weekly basis.

We will not be considering this at this time. Not every staff member at CUNY SPS is covered under the PSC contract. There are those in other classifications that may have different obligations under their particular contracts.

We are making every effort to achieve a 70% return rate, while working through any challenges with managers and employees that may arise. Normal disciplinary procedures will be followed on an individual basis.

We do not have any guidance from the Chancellory related to summer schedules and the return to work at this moment. As information becomes available, it will be shared with the community.

With clearly defined walking pathways, elevators, and bathrooms marked for max occupancy, posted signage, frequent cleaning of high touch surfaces, available hand sanitizing stations and disinfectant wipes, the mask mandate in effect, high employee vaccination rates, infection rates subsiding, and respectful and mindful observance of all of the above by all -- we have a safe environment where in most instances social distancing can be achieved.

The Associate Dean for Administration and Finance is working with leadership in each area to provide guidance on the 70% return specifically related to physical distancing. With only a few exceptions that have been identified and taken offline, workspaces are 6' apart from one another. If distancing issues arise, supervisors/directors are encouraged to work with the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance.

We ask that everyone maintains social distance and follows the capacity guidance for each elevator. Building flow will be monitored for any additional guidance if issues arise. Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible with arrival and departure times to meet personal and unit needs.

Yes, this has been the current practice. Staff may eat and drink at their desks and there are designated places to have lunch.

As an SPS community member, please use learned social distancing practices when using the restrooms and water stations. Signs are clearly posted with occupancy maximums for each restroom in both buildings. All floors and facilities are cleaned/disinfected daily.

Common spaces are cleaned daily and there are sanitizing wipes available in the kitchen and around the building for personal use. Common spaces are open for eating as long as social distancing is practiced.

As per CDC Guidelines persons alone in an enclosed space ( i.e. classrooms, conference rooms, or offices) are not required to wear masks.

Supervisors are working with the Associate Dean for Administration and Finance to address any overlap in space usage. This will be worked out individually.

The Campus Operations Team oversees room reservations and scheduling. Please visit the Office of Campus Operations webpage for process and room reservation form.

At this moment, the Cleared4 and the ID card system cannot talk with one another at our locations. We are asking everyone to show their Cleared4 pass and ID card to assist Public Safety with changes in status and building egress.

The Chancellory has issued a vaccine mandate with a deadline of April 1, 2022, for all teaching and non-teaching instructional staff (which includes, among others, NTAs, CLTs and those in the HEO series) and ECPs. Our current vaccination rate for full time faculty and staff is at 90% and climbing.

At this moment, we do not have information specific to boosters and medical exemptions. As information becomes available, it will be shared.

Masks are available at the Public Safety desk in the lobby of 131 West 31st street. CUNY SPS currently has a 6-month+ supply of masks which will be enough to ensure all employees have a mask.

70% is a hybrid schedule and we support that. At this point, we have not received communication from the Chancellory reducing the requirement to 55-60%. We are looking into the communications to see if this is what was communicated.

Interim Dean Silva-Puras shared an example work schedule at the Town Hall that includes 7 out of 10 days in the office, with three days remote. He also gave guidance that managers should be flexible with timeframes and days to meet personal needs and well as unit needs. Please note that the hybrid model is based on days, not hours.

Please contact K. Maynard, our HR Director, to speak with her directly regarding acccomodation.

We do not have current plans to survey students about in-person vs. virtual events and appointments. However, students have noted that they appreciate the opportunity to choose the best way for them to participate. Even prior to COVID, we had events that were purely online and some that were hybrid and we’ll continue to operate in this manner. That being said, we do know from the PSOL data that distance from campus is not deemed as important by our students and has ranked #10 of #11 every year from 2017 - 2021. In terms of staffing and resources, we will note that our Events team continues to grow and the team, led by Heather, is now 3 FT and 2 PT team members. Convocation has been approved as an in-person event for 2022. Event guidelines are forthcoming, but we do know that masking, vaccination, and/or testing will be required.

A list of planned in-person events can be circulated. As of today, Commencement is being planned as an in-person event. It is important to note that the in-person status may change, based on feedback from students. It’s also worth noting that anything that will be held in-person will also have a virtual/live stream component. Prior to scheduling an event, please reach out to Heather Zeman to confirm the date/time to ensure availability. Please visit the Events webpage for a list of all scheduled events.

First, ensure your supervisor and/or Program Director is aware of any non-compliance. The Program Director should then work with our stakeholders to escalate the issue. Amy Perez, Executive Director, should be looped into the issue to support communication with the stakeholder.