Spring Semester Return To The Workplace

Faculty and Staff,

On Thursday, December 10, Governor Ralph Northam announced new, targeted measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 as new cases and hospitalizations continued to rise in the Commonwealth. Executive Order Seventy-two provided updated direction relevant to all JMU employees and became effective Monday, December 14, and was to continue through January 31, 2021.

As a result, on December 11, you received an email correspondence emphasizing the importance of our universal mask requirement, a reduction in social gathering size, the need for supervisors to be as flexible as possible when considering remote work for employees, and a continued ban on state employee travel.

On January 27, the Governor extended the executive order through February 28 via an amended Executive Order Seventy-two.

Spring semester began on January 19, and over the the next few days, JMU students will continue to return to campus. On February 1, programming and events will be held virtually, hybrid and in-person. We can expect to see more students on campus seeking support and services.

Therefore, it remains critical that JMU provide students and the entire campus community the best possible experience. Consequently, beginning February 1, all campus departments must be fully open, and all services made available to students, faculty, and staff. Offices should be staffed and maintained in such a way as to ensure the safest work environment possible while maintaining the highest quality service.

All faculty and staff should:

• Contact their direct supervisor if there are questions about work schedules beginning on February 1.
• Everyone should review the Return to Workplace Guidelines and diligently follow all health-related protocols at all times.

Together, we must strike a balance that ensures the safest environment possible while fulfilling our commitment to our students to ensure JMU’s long-term success and viability.

Thank you for the work you have done that has allowed JMU to succeed through the pandemic while maintaining the safest environment possible.

Rick Larson
Assistant Vice President for HR, Training and Performance