Working on Campus Guide

• According to the Virginia Department of Health, a close contact is defined as:
  • Being within 6 feet of a person who has COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, or
  • Having direct exposure to respiratory secretions (e.g., being coughed or sneezed on, sharing a drinking glass or utensils, kissing)

• The following protocols apply to all close contacts, regardless of their vaccine status:
  • Consistent with CDC guidance issued in August 2022, the University does not require close contacts to quarantine.
  • Anyone identified as a close contact will be required to wear a mask when indoors for 10 full days from the date of their exposure to an individual who tests positive.  The mask should be a N95, KN95, or surgical mask and NOT a cloth mask.
  • All close contacts must close monitor their symptoms and test promptly if they develop symptoms of COVID-19. If the initial test is negative, the close contact should test again 24 hours later.
  • Close contacts will be required to conduct a self-test on days 1, 3, and 5 post exposure and report that test result as directed by the University’s contact tracing team. 

Review the University’s masking policy here.

The University has taken a multi-pronged approach to address the health and safety challenges presented by COVID-19, including building systems enhancements. These enhancements include: 

• Modified air handling systems to the greatest extent feasible to increase outside air input into buildings through existing systems;
• Added UV-C filtration and/or bi-polar ionization to existing air handling systems to neutralize viral particles;
• Installed foot pulls on bathroom doors, wherever possible;
• Installed stanchions in high traffic locations or where people are likely to queue;
• Modified water fountains so that they can only be used to fill bottles and adding bottle fillers in buildings without them; and
• Installed at least one no-touch faucet in public restrooms.

The University’s custodial services teams follows all applicable public health guidelines for cleaning and disinfection of campus facilities.

The University asks all faculty and staff members to self-monitor their health. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or are sick, do not come to campus. Contact your supervisor and reach out to your health care provider. For additional information, see the information above about COVID-19 exposure and close contacts.

Anyone with a fever (100° F or higher) or other possible COVID-19 symptoms (such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, chills, or new loss of sense of taste and/smell) must remain at home and notify their supervisor. Any employee who develops a fever or other symptoms while at work must leave immediately. In addition, employees with fever or other symptoms should stay away from others and contact their health care provider.

Should an employee report they have tested positive for COVID-19, supervisors must notify the COVID Support Team immediately by calling 804-289-8811 or emailing hr-health-screens@richmond.edu.

Employees who experience symptoms of COVID-19 or are exposed to someone with COVID-19 should please email hr-health-screens@richmond.edu.

Self-test kits are available on campus at no cost to any student, staff, or faculty member who is experiencing symptoms or concerned about a potential exposure. Learn more about where to pick up self-test kits and high-quality masks here.

All employees are required to notify Human Resources by calling 804-289-8811 or emailing hr-health-screens@richmond.edu with the results of their positive COVID-19 tests.

Learn more about health coverage during COVID-19 here.

Testing for Close Contacts

Staff and faculty identified through contact tracing as being a close contact of a person infected with COVID-19 will be informed whether a test is necessary or required.

A close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes. See above for testing options available for staff and faculty.

If you have a concern about a member of the campus community not complying with the University’s health and safety policies and protocols, you are encouraged to bring your concern to the appropriate party:

If the concern relates to a student, please contact the appropriate dean’s office:

• Undergraduate students: the Westhampton College Dean’s Office (804) 289-8468 or the Richmond College Dean’s Office (804) 289-8061;
• Law Students: Associate Dean Student Services (804) 289-8013;
• MBA students: Associate Director, MBA Program (804) 289-8012; or
• SPCs students: Associate Dean, (804) 287-8382.

If the concern relates to a faculty member, please contact the appropriate Department Chair or Dean.

If the concern relates to a staff member, please contact the staff member’s supervisor.

We recognize that under some circumstances, an individual may not feel comfortable reaching out in person or perhaps they wish to remain anonymous. If so, individuals may relay their concerns through the University’s Ethics and Compliance Helpline 804 287-1800 or Ethics and Compliance Reporting Form.

Flexible work options offer alternative approaches to getting work done through non-traditional work hours or locations. Guidance for assessing and implementing Flexible Work Arrangements can be found here. To view the University’s Flexible Work Arrangement Policy, click here.

Employees who have health conditions that may require accommodation should contact Human Resources following the procedure set forth here.

Any current/remaining COVID-19 balances will remain available for employees to use through June 30, 2023. COVID-19-related leave could include testing positive for and/or recovering from symptoms of COVID-19, receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, caring for a family member with COVID-19, or quarantining due to a COVID-19 exposure. Employees should consult with their supervisor about using COVID-19 leave. Please check BannerWeb for all your leave balances.

Please refer to the Human Resources website for additional information.

The University provides membership for all full-time employees to Care@Work by Care.com, a national network of child, elder, pet, home and other care providers.