September 2020

Communications sent to the
UW Bothell community in September

September 29, 2020 | King County - Financial Assistance for Childcare for Eligible Families 

Sent to faculty and staff from Beth Beam, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Organizational Excellence & HR

King County is using CARES emergency funding for child care to provide vouchers to eligible families to pay for child care costs for children ages 0 – 12 for care between September and December 2020.

You may qualify for financial assistance to pay for child care if you meet the following criteria:

  • live or work in King County AND
  • have an income below 400% of the federal poverty level AND
  • your income, work schedule, or access to child care has been negatively impacted by COVID-19 OR you are an essential worker.

Please download this flier and visit the King County’s CARES emergency funding for COVID-19 child care support website for more information.

September 21, 2020 | Academic Affairs update: instructional information for autumn quarter from Vice Chancellor Sharon A. Jones

Dear faculty and colleagues,

Welcome back to another academic year, one that will challenge us all. I am confident that we will work through these challenges together.

I write today as a follow-up to Provost Mark Richard’s Sept. 18 message with some additional information for UW Bothell that you — and staff colleagues — may find helpful. Fair warning: This is another of my rather long emails as there is much more to share at the start of this year than may normally be the case. You may also want to save the content below for your future reference.

  • When on campus: The UW has developed extensive plans to safely support a limited amount of in-person instruction on our campus. Expectations for facilities services as well as faculty, staff and students at UW Bothell are listed in the Learning Spaces Operating Guidelines. If you are teaching in-person classes or need to go to campus regularly, you are encouraged to enroll in the UW’s voluntary Husky Coronavirus Testing program. Please encourage students in your in-person classes to volunteer as well. Enrollment opens Sept. 24. The more we participate, the better the data for our campus and the more we can slow the spread of coronavirus in the UW community.
  • Face covering protocols: During in-person classes, faculty and students must wear face masks during the entire class session. No food or drink is permitted in classrooms. Indeed, everyone on campus must wear a mask when indoors and when physical distancing is not possible outdoors. For more information on setting expectations and on what to do if someone is not wearing a mask, please refer to the information in the provost’s message and/or this face covering guide from Community Standards & Student Conduct.
  • Teaching spaces: In preparation for autumn quarter and in-person teaching, the staff in Facilities Services and Campus Operations and in Physical Planning and Space Management are preparing learning spaces for the reduced capacity required for physical distancing.
    • Furniture will be set with seating designed to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.
    • There will be a floor plan in each classroom that shows the required layout. COVID-19 safety graphics will be installed.
    • Depending on space size and entry points, doors may be designated for entry and exit only to reduce congestion.
    • Sanitation stations and supplies are being provided in each classroom for instructor and student use.
  • Remote learning options: Faculty teaching in-person classes should provide students with opportunities to complete all their course activities remotely in the event students cannot attend class sessions in person.
  • Classroom technology use: We cannot require students to have webcams on during scheduled class videoconferencing sessions. We also cannot require students to purchase mobile devices, smartphones, printers, scanners or other equipment to meet course objectives. If you would like help identifying pedagogical and technology alternatives, contact Information Technologies at uwbit@uw.edu. You may also refer students who want more information to the recently updated Technology Resources for Students webpage.
  • Mitigating low-bandwidth issues: Everyone is encouraged to help accommodate students who have limited internet access or low bandwidth. This can include, for example, posting course materials well in advance so that students can download and upload the materials from alternate locations. Because videos use more bandwidth than audio or text, this may also mean using video strategically and providing captions and/or transcripts for each video.
  • Think mobile: Faculty are encouraged to help students leverage mobile phones for learning. Strategies might include emphasizing the importance of downloading the Canvas app to phones; creating text in Canvas whenever possible rather than uploading PDFs and other documents as HTML is more mobile friendly and accessible; and allowing students to submit photos (e.g., captured by mobile phone) of handwritten work and upload to Canvas.
  • Setting expectations: Faculty may want to address “netiquette” guidelines and the University’s academic integrity and student code of conduct policies with students. In particular, faculty should emphasize that harassment, including taking screenshots of other students or the instructor in a virtual environment without their consent, is unacceptable.
  • Academic integrity resources: To support excellence in teaching and learning, UW Bothell’s Digital Learning and Engagement team provides guidance on enhancing academic integrity through Canvas functions and evidence-based teaching practices.
  • Student accommodations: UW Bothell’s Disability Resources Services team can consult and collaborate with faculty on any issues or concerns related to testing, technology and other accommodations. Regarding testing, DRS staff is available to discuss options for how accommodations may be implemented during remote operations. As a health and safety measure, the Testing Center is a last resort for faculty teaching in-person courses. Faculty are encouraged to consult with DRS as soon as possible. Faculty who have students registered in their courses who have academic accommodations will receive the Faculty Notification Letter from DRS. Faculty are encouraged to connect with DRS proactively after receiving the letter to discuss needs. For more information, email uwbdrs@uw.edu.
  • Times for extra flexibility: We will have students new to online learning and new to UW Bothell this autumn quarter. Faculty are encouraged to consider limiting graded assignments to low-stakes/no-stakes assignments in the first week of class while making connections with and between students. This might also be a helpful approach to the time right before and after the elections this year.
  • Textbook reserves and purchases: Reserves and Course Support Services staff in the UW Bothell and Cascadia Library are purchasing assigned textbooks as e-books whenever possible. Not all textbooks are available for libraries to purchase as e-books, however, and not all e-books have unlimited, concurrent user access (many e-books can only be used by one person at a time). The University Book Store sells and rents e-texts from many traditional textbook publishers, but most e-texts are not available for academic libraries to purchase. In most cases, students still will need to purchase their own textbooks. Email Reserves staff or Suzan Parker, head of Collections and Course Support Services, with your questions.
  • Media reserves and purchases: Reserves and Course Support Services staff in the UW Bothell and Cascadia Library are licensing streaming videos whenever possible, contingent upon funding availability, cost to license, streaming platform, licensing terms, and availability of streaming options for academic libraries. We encourage faculty to use films that the library has already licensed. Your subject librarian may be able to help identify options. Remember you can get the most current information about library services at the library’s COVID-19 Update webpage.
  • Professional development: The Division of Academic Affairs will reimburse faculty and academic affairs staff for registration fees (up to $500) to support professional development and knowledge sharing on remote teaching and academic support. Email Kathryn Rich for help with reimbursements after completion of the course, workshop, presentation, etc.
  • Wellness, networking and leadership training: Dedicated funding will be made available to support reimbursable expenses (up to $2,000 per person per year) for wellness, networking and leadership training for marginalized faculty and staff (defined by the formal plan submitted by each dean). More details about this opportunity will be shared soon.
  • Community support: You are encouraged to engage in a community of support for underrepresented minority and gender-marginalized faculty who are assistant professors or assistant teaching professors at UW Bothell. Contact faculty members Thelma Madzima at madzima@uw.edu or Rebecca Price at beccap@uw.edu for more information.

Have questions not addressed in this message? Do not hesitate to email uwbvcaa@uw.edu. 

I also invite you to take advantage of Academic Affairs’ office hour from 10 to 11 a.m. on the fourth Friday of each month (this will be modified in November and December because of holidays). Click here for a link to the next one, set for this Friday, Sept. 25. You can click here for a link to the next VCs on the Virtual Vista event, set for Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. And for more information and resources, you also can go to the Academic Affairs website, which now includes a link to past issues of our quarterly newsletter.

I am very grateful for your heroic efforts to support our students. Autumn quarter will be challenging, and I hope you will reach out as needed so we can support each other. Remember that this is a marathon and self-care will be critical during this time.

Sharon A. Jones
Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

September 17, 2020 | Fall Retreat update from Chancellor Wolf Yeigh

Dear staff and faculty,

Last week, we met online with some of you and our students to answer questions about the autumn quarter. We all know the circumstances are evolving rapidly and that the uncertainty around us affects how we go about our everyday. We hear you and are here for you.

Whether we are teaching from afar, assisting from a customer service IT desk, providing advice to students, engaging with our alumni and donors, or facilitating other services for our campus community, we are all being challenged to pivot and adapt.

Given our continued remote operations, we have looked for ways to keep the campus community engaged and connected. Our team in Organizational Excellence & Human Resources led the way with the now familiar Zoom Zoom to Connect sessions each Wednesday. The vice chancellors continue holding VCs on the Virtual Vista, the next of these informal chats set for Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. Within each school and unit, we have created other forums for us all to come together. Each week, we also send you our Remote Connections newsletter.

Because we value this connectedness, we have decided to transform our beginning of year retreat from a lengthy gathering to a series of smaller monthly engagement opportunities. We will work with various stakeholders to bring topics of interest to you all.

Please mark your calendars for the first event set for Oct. 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. — and watch the online calendar for more information soon. We plan to hold these monthly sessions through the fall and winter quarters, exact days and times to be determined.

Think of these as spaces to talk about matters that matter.

Bjong Wolf Yeigh,Chancellor
Sharon A. Jones,Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
S. Gowri Shankar,Interim Vice Chancellor for Planning & Administration
Sean Marsh,Interim Vice Chancellor for Advancement & External Relations
Wayne Au, Acting Dean of Diversity & Equity, Campus Diversity Officer
Tim Wilson,Dean of Student Affairs

September 14, 2020 | Coronavirus testing program open to UW Bothell students from Chancellor Wolf Yeigh

Dear Student,

Widespread testing — especially of people who aren’t experiencing symptoms — is one important way to protect you and your community from COVID-19. The sooner we can get the pandemic under control, the sooner we can return to a more “normal” way of living, learning and working.

That’s why the UW is launching the Husky Coronavirus Testing program, which is powered by the Seattle Flu Study team — the group that was the first to report community spread of COVID-19 in the United States.

Enrollment in the Husky Coronavirus Testing program opens Thursday, Sept. 24. Anyone who will be on any UW campus for any reason or who is living with several other people in neighborhoods near any UW campus this fall is strongly encouraged to participate, and you can express your interest now.

Testing isvoluntary and offered at no cost to you.

The tests will be conducted through self-administered test kits that will be delivered directly to your home after you enroll. The test only takes a few moments of your time. 

Additionally, on-site testing is being offered to on-campus housing residents at UW Bothell once they move into the dorms.

Even if you are testing before arrival or during move-in, you're strongly encouraged to also participate in Husky Coronavirus Testing. We expect all students to be tested as they come back for autumn quarter, as well as at any sign of possible infection or exposure throughout the quarter. 

Testing will be conducted throughout the course of the pandemic on an individualized basis as determined by health risk status and/or risk of exposure. We fully expect to find positive COVID-19 cases through this testing. Indeed, doing so is critical to stemming outbreaks before they can grow. Anyone who tests positive will receive follow-up guidance from UW Environmental Health & Safety about care, self-isolation and contact tracing.

You can learn more about the program at uw.edu/coronavirus/testing and from this UW News story.

Remember, young people under the age of 40 are just as likely to catch —  and spread — COVID-19 as those over 40, even if they are less likely to experience severe illness. People of all ages with underlying health conditions are at higher risk for developing severe illness and the long-term effects of COVID-19 illness are still unclear.

Protect your pack by participating in testing and by following the 3 Ws: Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Watch your distance.

Sincerely,

Bjong Wolf Yeigh, Ph.D., F.ASME
Chancellor and Professor of Engineering

September 14, 2020 | Coronavirus testing program open to UW Bothell faculty and staff from Chancellor Wolf Yeigh

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Widespread testing — especially of people who aren’t experiencing symptoms — is one important way to protect you and your community from COVID-19. The sooner we can get the pandemic under control, the sooner we can return to a more “normal” way of living and working.

That’s why the UW is launching the Husky Coronavirus Testing program, powered by the Seattle Flu Study team — the group that was the first to report community spread of COVID-19 in the United States.

Enrollment in the Husky Coronavirus Testing program opens Thursday, Sept. 24. Anyone who will be at any UW campus or facility this academic year, especially those who will be there at least once a week, is strongly encouraged to participate, and you can express your interest now. 

Enrolling in this testing program is voluntary and offered at no cost to you.

Tests will be conducted through self-administered test kits delivered directly to your home if you enroll, and they only take a few moments of your time.

Testing will be conducted throughout the course of the pandemic on an individualized basis as determined by health risk status and/or risk of exposure. We expect to find positive COVID-19 cases through this testing. Indeed, doing so is critical to stemming outbreaks before they can grow. Anyone who tests positive will receive follow-up guidance from UW Environmental Health & Safety about care, self-isolation and contact tracing.

You can learn more about the program at uw.edu/coronavirus/testing and from this UW News story.

Together we can protect our pack by participating in testing and by following the 3 Ws: Wash your hands. Wear a mask. Watch your distance.

Sincerely,

Bjong Wolf Yeigh, Ph.D., F.ASME
Chancellor and Professor of Engineering

September 3, 2020 | UW Resources for Caregivers from Beth Beam, Assistant Vice Chancellor Organizational Excellence & HR

Dear staff and faculty,

Many in our UW community are experiencing a stressful back-to-school season. Child care closures and remote learning continue to pose significant challenges to employee and student caregivers, and those providing care for adults and elders continue to face unique challenges due to resource constraints and health concerns for older and vulnerable populations.

UW Human Resources continues to work with on-campus and community partners to enhance caregiving supports and to inform our community about them. Our existing resources include:

  • The COVID-19 child care resources website, which is being updated regularly with child care options and financial resources to support our families.
  • The parenting@uw.edu listserv is a forum for real-time information about new child care resources and programs. Click here to join the list.
  • UWHR has introduced Komae, a cooperative child care app that enables parents to identify and vet families with similar parenting styles and COVID-19 hygiene practices to share child care and education resources.
  • The UW College of Education has created a website to connect families interested in hiring students to provide tutoring or enrichment opportunities with students interested in work opportunities. Learn about this service and post a job on the UW College of Education Community Job Board.
  • The University’s backup care programs continue to be available to support your unexpected needs for child or adult care. While backup care options were limited during the COVID-19 surge this spring, our providers report that they are currently able to fill most backup care requests, with in-home care being the easiest to accommodate.
  • The Whole U and the CareLink are also offering webinars and classes that are beneficial for caregivers. Please visit their websites to learn more about their offerings.

We are actively exploring additional resources that can support parents with remote learning and are creating tools and training opportunities to help staff and faculty who are trying to balance work and caregiving responsibilities. I will continue to update you as additional resources become available. Please let me know if you have suggestions or questions.

Thank you so much, as all of us continue to make efforts to move through this time with grace and kindness.

Beth Beam
Assistant Vice Chancellor Organizational Excellence & HR

September 2, 2020 | Back-to-Work Task Force – September 2 update from Gowri Shankar, Interim Vice Chancellor, Planning & Administration


Dear colleagues,

I hope that your summer has been safe and that you have found at least a little time to renew or rejuvenate.

I write today, as the autumn quarter fast approaches, to share preparations and plans from units across our campus as well as colleagues in Seattle.

Here is the latest information about our COVID-19 response status and planning:

  • The University of Washington’s Bothell, Seattle and Tacoma campuses remain in Phase 2 of the COVID-19 recovery, in accordance with Washington’s Safe Start plan. During Phase 2, only staff doing critical work should be on campus. Telework is strongly encouraged for all non-critical personnel, and all in-person work must adhere to appropriate safety measures and unit COVID-19 Prevention Plans (NetID required to see).

  • To learn more about UW-wide plans and plans specific to UW Bothell, use your NetID to log into this SharePoint site to see:

    • UW Bothell’s “unit“ plan (Note: Across the tri-campus community, the Bothell campus is considered one unit.)
    • Various “site” plans from across the UW Bothell campus. (Note: We have completed Phase 2 site planning for all sites identified at UW Bothell.)
    • An updated list of site supervisors (Note: These are the people charged with assisting various campus offices and teams with pandemic-related operations and safety measures.)

  • At this time, we expect that telework arrangements will continue for non-critical personnel in most units through the end of the autumn quarter, although individual units and site supervisors can modify as necessary to maintain their unit operations. Site supervisors should notify employees of any modifications at least two weeks in advance.

  • Phase 3 planning for the different sites is also underway.

Here is some new — and reminder — information about safety measures we are taking:

  • UW Bothell will provide each staff and faculty member with three reusable, cloth face masks to wear in the workplace, wash at home and reuse. We expect to mail masks to each employee’s home by mid-October.

  • Students from all three UW campuses are being provided with two reusable, cloth masks for their use on campus, along with a Husky PACK Pledge that details some of the responsibilities we share to keep our community healthy. They also were all emailed a “back-to-school checklist” last week by Dean of Students Tim Wilson.

  • Facilities and Physical Planning Space Management have been installing plexiglass, signage and rearranging spaces as needed to meet physical distancing and safety requirements

  • This fall, we expect to have very few people on campus, and so the Food for Thought and Common Grounds cafes will be closed. Food trucks will also not be available. Subway will be open (hours still to be determined). Food Services is exploring additional options for those who do come to campus, beyond nearby restaurants in Bothell.

  • In Phase 2, in-person events and gatherings should be held only if necessary and with no more than five people. When possible, hold your events remotely. Additionally, no non-UW events can be scheduled on UW campuses. For more information, see the UW Safe Start plan.

  • In Phase 3, in-person social events and gatherings will be allowed only if necessary and with no more than 10 people, per the July 16 revisions to Phase 3 limits set by Gov. Inslee. Events should be held remotely when possible. For more information, see the UW Safe Start plan.

Here is important information on training and safety protocols we must all take:

These rules apply to all employees, whether they are doing critical work on campus or need to make just occasional or short trips to campus.

  • All employees must view this 20-minute online training video on COVID-19 prevention developed by UW Environmental Health & Safety before or upon returning to work on site at any University location. After completing the training video, the employee and the employee’s (Workday) supervisor will receive emails confirming that the required training has been completed.

  • Employees that plan to come to any campus workplace must complete the daily attestation in Workday to confirm they do not have COVID-19 symptoms. This must be done by every employee every day they visit campus, whether it is a few minutes or a few hours. This is required for contact tracing purposes

  • All persons should wear a mask when on campus or in leased spaces. Read the Face Cover Policy or check out the face coverings requirements website for more information.

  • All employees should follow hygiene protocols and physical distancing protocols outlined in safety training and the UW Bothell COVID-19 Prevention Plan.

I appreciate your attention to these many important details — and your commitment to doing your part to keep our campus community healthy.

Please remember to mark your calendars for the Back-to-Work Info Session for faculty and staff on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 3 to 4 p.m. A panel of UW Bothell leaders will address common questions and offer a preview of what back-to-work will mean for the UW Bothell campus. You can submit questions this week to uwbchlr@uw.edu.

I will share more information about Back-to-Work plans as they continue to develop. Until then, please take good care of yourself.

S. Gowri Shankar, Ph.D., CFA
Interim Vice Chancellor, Planning & Administration