Voiland College > Employee Resources > Voiland College COVID-19 Information

Voiland College COVID-19 Information

Following are references to help Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture personnel navigate WSU’s COVID-19 procedures.

Updated 7/15/2022.

1) Workplace Expectations

  1. If someone is feeling sick stay home – please do not come to a WSU work site.
  2. Per WSU HRS Workplace Expectations & Guidelines “WSU employees are expected to fully comply with statewide and university COVID-19 health and safety requirements as a condition of employment for the health and safety of themselves, their colleagues, and the WSU community.”
  3. All VCEA employees were requested to return to their workplace as of Monday July 12, 2021.
  4. Telework practices:
    1. Employees currently teleworking to comply with the state of Washington “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, with an approved accommodation, are exempt from completing a formal telework agreement in accordance with BPPM 60.34, Telework Agreement.
    2. If an employee wishes to continue working remotely after July 12, 2021, employees will need to contact their supervisor for approval. If a supervisor approves the employee’s request to work remotely (HRS Supervisor Guide for Returning to a WSU Work Location), the supervisor and employee must complete a WSU Telework agreement, BPPM 60.34.

2) Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Required

  1. All WSU employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 as a condition of employment.
  2. All employees must submit their vaccine status within Workday and provide proof of vaccination to their supervisor. The steps are:
    1. Complete the “COVID-19 Vaccination Verification” process within Workday. Instructions are provided in the COVID-19 Vaccination Verification for Workers.
    2. Show (do not give a copy) the CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or other acceptable supporting COVID-19 vaccination documentation (PDF) to their appropriate supervisor/manager.
    3. An employee can update their vaccine status within Workday should their vaccination status change.
    4. Exemptions may be allowed for sincerely held religious beliefs and documented medical reasons. Persons requesting these exemptions are to follow the COVID-19 Vaccination Verification process through Workday and provide the supporting documentation to HRS. Any employees, contractors, or volunteers who receive exemptions may be subject to COVID‑19 testing and/or other COVID‑19 public health measures.
      1. If you have verified that you are requesting a medical exemption, you and your healthcare provider will need to complete the COVID-19 vaccination medical exemption verification (PDF) and return it to HRS Disability Services. See the HRS Disability Services website for more information.
      2. If you have verified you are requesting an exemption based upon a sincerely held religious belief, you must complete the Religious Exemption Request Form (PDF) and return it to HRS. See the HRS website for more information.
    5. Providing falsified information regarding vaccination status is grounds for disciplinary action, which may include actions through student conduct, removal, or trespass from WSU locations, up to and including termination from employment.

3) Student & Student Employee COVID-19 Vaccination

  1. All WSU students are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
  2. Student employees need to submit proof of vaccination in both the WSU Student Health system (required as a student) and in WSU Workday (required as an employee).
  3. Exemptions will be allowed for medical or sincerely held religious reasons.
    1. If you have verified that you are requesting a medical exemption, you and your healthcare provider will need to complete the COVID-19 vaccination medical exemption verification (PDF) and return it to HRS Disability Services. See the HRS Disability Services website for more information.
    2. If you have verified you are requesting an exemption based upon a sincerely held religious belief, you must complete the Religious Exemption Request Form (PDF) and return it to HRS. See the HRS website for more information.

4) Face Coverings

  1. Face coverings are not required for healthy employees, visitors, or guests.
  2. Face coverings are required to be worn by persons recovering from COVID-19 through the 10th day after testing positive. in the following circumstance:
    1. After testing positive for COVID-19 per the Washington State Department of Health a person can only return to work when all of the following are observed:
      1. Symptoms are abating.
      2. Are without fever in 24 hours and is not taking fever reducing medicines.
      3. Five days have passed after testing positive for COVID-19.
      4. Person must wear a mask while at a WSU work site through the 10th day after testing positive.

5) Social Distancing

Social distancing is not currently required.

6) Supervisor Vaccination Verification Responsibility

  1. Supervisors (including laboratory Principal Investigators) are responsible to confirm the vaccination status of all their employees.
    1. View the employee’s CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or other acceptable supporting COVID-19 vaccination documentation (PDF) – do not take or make a record of it as this would be a HIPPA violation.
    2. Complete their verification process within Workday. Instructions are provided in the COVID-19 Vaccination Confirmation for Managers.
  2. Supervisors (including laboratory Principal Investigators) must ensure employees are following WSU policy for face coverings and social distancing as applicable.
  3. Supervisors (including laboratory Principal Investigators) must provide employees that have an HRS approved vaccination exemption with a safe work environment.

7) Sick Employee

  1. If an employee is feeling sick, they should not come to a WSU work site. Stay home.
    1. Follow departmental call-out procedures for leave, contact the supervisor remotely, by phone or electronic mail.
    2. Get tested if experiencing COVID-like symptoms.
    3. Employees that have been to a WSU work site that have tested positive:
      1. Review WSU Environmental Health & Safety Contact Tracing.
      2. Contact WSU’s Environmental Health & Safety’s Jason Sampson at 509-335-9564 or Shawn Ringo at 509-335-5251.
      3. May return to work when all of the following are observed:
        1. Symptoms are abating.
        2. Are without fever in 24 hours and not taking fever reducing medicines.
        3. Five days have passed after testing positive for COVID-19.
        4. Must wear a mask while at a WSU work site through the 10th day after testing positive.
  2. Employees who begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms while at work must:
    1. Following departmental call-out procedures for leave, contact the supervisor remotely, by phone or electronic mail.
    2. Leave work while maintaining 6 feet of distance between themselves and others.
    3. Get tested if experiencing COVID-like symptoms.
    4. Employees that have been to a WSU work site that have tested positive need to:
      1. Contact WSU’s Environmental Health & Safety’s Jason Sampson at 509-335-9564 or Shawn Ringo at 509-335-5251.
      2. Per Washington State Department of Health employees may return to work when all of the following are observed:
        1. Symptoms are abating.
        2. Are without fever in 24 hours and not taking fever reducing medicines.
        3. Five days have passed after testing positive for COVID-19.
        4. Must wear a mask while at a WSU work site through the 10th day after testing positive.
  3. Coworkers &/or supervisors that believe an employee is obviously sick at work must:
    In event a WSU employee comes to work and becomes obviously sick report the matter to the employee’s supervisor.
  4. Close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19:
    Follow the Washington State Department of Health guidelines for exposure. A close contact as any individual within 6 feet of an infected person for 15 minutes in a 24-hour period.

8) Cleaning and Disinfection

On April 5, 2021, the CDC revised their guidance concerning the risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface is low. As of May 17, 2021, WSU changed its disinfection and cleaning policy to follow the updated CDC guidelines.

  1. Apply standard daily cleaning requirements for the work environment and maintain good hand hygiene.
  2. Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue or crook of elbow. Immediately dispose of tissue and wash your hands.

9) Teaching

WSU continues to actively monitor public health recommendations and best practices for supporting students during the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, a COVID-19 syllabus statement will not be required. The Provost’s Office published WSU’s key policies (PDF) memorandum July 25, 2022. Please review section 4 of the Memorandum for class attendance and absences regarding Covid-19, or other illnesses.

10) Events & Contractors

Units looking to host events or engage with service contractors (examples may include caterers, furniture purchases or services for laboratory equipment) are free to do so, however:

  1. If the contractor is working only outside, there are no vaccination, masking, or social distancing requirements.
  2. If the contractor is working inside, a contractor or supplier must submit a vaccination declaration before the unit arranges for on-site goods or services, enters a new PO or contract with a contractor for on-site goods or services, or requests that Real Estate and Business Operations or Purchasing enter a new PO or contract with a contractor for on-site goods or services. Units should work with their unit’s administrative manager to determine if the contractor has already verified vaccination status or to submit a request for verification.
  3. Where food and drink are served it is highly recommended there are clear signs indicating the locations for handwashing and there is hand sanitizer visible and easily accessible.

11) Reference Information for Consideration

In addition to this document, the following links provide valuable sources for important details and updates. Please review them at your convenience.

WSU COVID-19 Recovery Guidance