The following are policy changes that will begin June 1 and be in effect through the summer, reflecting anticipated vaccination rates, local incidence, and a smaller population on campus.

All policies currently in effect remain in effect through May 2021.

We are eager to develop clear policies in the coming weeks regarding work from home and flexible work arrangements as we look ahead to the 2021-22 academic year. Changes to the policies that have been in place through the pandemic will benefit with input from Hope Burnell, who has recently joined Bates as our new head of HR. The Remote Work Committee has developed a policy for consideration, as well. We are also carefully considering campus vaccine policies for the summer and coming academic year. Broadly speaking we should expect a full return to campus by mid-August as we welcome students back to campus and return to the residential and in-person education that we deliver so well. 

PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES

Face Coverings

Effective June 1, 2021, following recent changes to both federal CDC and state CDC guidance on the use of face coverings, face coverings will no longer be required in outdoor areas when appropriately distanced from others. Regardless of vaccination status, if you are in close proximity to others, face coverings are still required, even outside. Face coverings are similarly required indoors unless in a private workspace. As more of the campus community and surrounding community is vaccinated, we will re-evaluate our face coverings policy.

COVID-19 Testing

The college will not offer COVID employee testing over the summer. The last day for employee testing will be Monday May 24th. With increasing ability to receive a vaccine, a de-densified campus, anticipating fewer local cases, and very low incidence of employee positive identification during the semester (11 on approximately 15,000 tests), we will rely on the public health measures that have proven to work well in a pandemic: vaccines, face coverings when physical distancing is not possible, physical distancing, and good hand hygiene. This will lower the operational impact on the testing team, which has had a particularly busy year. With a small residential student population on campus, student testing will shift away from the testing center in Underhill.

Visitors

Effective June 1, 2021, visitors will be permitted in college buildings for college-hosted business  (e.g., meetings) at the specific invitation of faculty or staff. Hosts are required to escort their guests into and out of college buildings. All buildings will continue on keycard access, and unticketed events open to the general public will not be held on campus (e.g., Concerts on the Quad will not be held this summer).

UPDATES TO PANDEMIC POLICIES

Hiring Freeze

Effective June 1, 2021, the hiring freeze that was implemented in April 2020 will be lifted. As managers work with Human Resources and post open positions, you will find enhanced functionality of the PageUp tool implemented this past year.

Pandemic Sick Bank

A Pandemic Paid Sick Leave Policy was implemented effective July 1, 2020 to ensure that all staff employees eligible for leave have paid time off specifically for COVID-19 absences. This policy will be reviewed in the summer of 2021 given the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Travel and Food

Effective June 1, 2021, the college will resume support for domestic travel for business purposes, and related business meals. All state-required mandates and policies must be followed, which may make travel to certain locations impractical. Please be attuned to current  COVID incidence levels and calibrate indoor versus outdoor dining, and appropriately de-densified setting. Updates about on-campus catering will be provided in June.

International travel is not yet permitted on college funding unless by exception; faculty may request exceptions from the dean of the faculty, and staff seeking an exception may request exceptions to their respective member of senior staff.

A Comment on Travel and Food Expenses

This past year the college has reduced expenses dramatically, driven largely by limiting travel and food activity during the pandemic. While prudent travel and related expenses are important and will be supported by college budgets moving forward, we should carefully consider the lessons we have learned and the capacity we can create for other college investments. For example, we have learned that more and more of the hiring process can be performed over video conference formats, minimizing travel for candidates and enabling more on-campus flexibility for search committees. Travel and events should be carefully considered with the potential to meet business needs using Zoom and other technology where possible.

This is also a good time to review what are appropriate business expenses, and what are not permitted.

CONTINUED EMPHASIS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINES

Counties across the country have seen a correlation between high vaccination rates and decreasing incidence of COVID transmission. In short, getting vaccinated improves the health and safety for your community – work, schools, and so forth. To protect yourself, as well as your colleagues, the college urges all employees to get vaccinated.

Vaccines are easy to get in Maine, including walk-in appointments at the Auburn Mall. There are many vaccine clinics in Maine; we highlight this clinic due to its close proximity to the college, and our partnership with CMMC and Bates Health Services. A complete list of sites is available here. Those without ready computer access may call (888) 445-4111, which includes translation services, or simply walk-in. There is no out-of-pocket cost for vaccines, and Bates will provide two hours of paid time off to any employee to get a vaccine dose during work hours.

Employees may reach out to the Bobcat Express for rides to vaccine clinics during work hours to assist with any transportation hurdles to receive a vaccine.

As ever, thank you for your adaptability and efforts to make this academic year happen; it took a collective effort from all.