Details and FAQs on the COVID-19 Response website.
hr@seattleu.edu
206-296-5870
Rianna 200
Lobby Hours
Closed for walk-ins, appointments only.
We are still available via email hr@seattleu.edu and phone 206-296-5870.
On March 23, 2020, Governor Jay Inslee issued Executive Order 20-25, “Stay Home – Stay Healthy,” to slow the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Seattle University directed all faculty and staff to work remotely unless they have an essential or critical need for being on campus beginning Friday, March 20, at noon. In areas which serve our students or manage public safety, we will move to critical staff only. Each division leader and Dean will make the determination on those staff roles where an employee’s physical presence on campus is critical and will communicate this to the staff in their respective area. Vice Presidents and Deans will be working remotely as well.
In efforts to ensure compliance with Governor Inslee’s Executive Order, the Office of Human Resources is moving to remote operations and will be closed to walk-in service starting Monday, March 30. Be assured however, Human Resources staff will remain available to serve our campus community.
The HR team will be working remotely, available on email, phone and Zoom appointments throughout each day. You may call or email us for assistance directly, or for general questions or inquires, you may call or email: 206-296-5870 or hr@seattleu.edu. We will also be available in the office by appointment only. One administrative staff member will be present on campus between the hours of 10 am-12 pm, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to process and distribute items that come to our group by mail or fax. Our team will ensure that the following tasks will still be addressed promptly in service to our employees:
We ask for your patience as we work to respond to the inquiries and needs that we are receiving from our community.
Faculty and staff will be returning to the campus workplace in phases. With the planned arrival of students this fall, we anticipate employees in student-facing roles will be among the first groups to return to campus, with some returning as early as July. Leaders will notify faculty and staff 30 days in advance of their return date, where possible. As the School of Law is on the semester system, students will be returning mid-August, thus faculty and staff several weeks prior.
Employees returning to campus will be expected to complete safety training and adhere to all campus safety practices. Staff in roles that allow them to work from home will be asked to continue to do so until further notice. This is to reduce risks for both our workforce and student populations. Over the summer, supervisors will be providing further guidance to those employees who continue to work from home.
Gov. Jay Inslee and Secretary of Health John Wiesman today announced a statewide mandatory face covering order that will take effect Friday, June 26. Seattle University is no exception - all persons (including community members) who are present on campus will be required to wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing.
For more information on our ongoing public health efforts, please click here.
High-risk individuals who are asked to return to the campus workplace may seek workplace accommodations. Once you have received a confirmed campus return date from your supervisor, please contact Human Resources to begin this process.
COVID-19 Accommodation Process
COVID-19 Accommodation Form - Please note that you should download the form to your computer before attempting to fill it out
To minimize health risks and to relieve pressure on commuting, the use of public transportation, family and household demands, supervisors are encouraged to work with staff to build flexible on-campus work schedules for the fall term. We are encouraging plans that include staggered start-end times each workday and/or partial work from home schedules during the workweek to maximize physical distancing.
The university will provide those employees who participate in our ORCA program 10 parking days per month through the fall term. This will allow those who typically use public transportation to park on campus if desired. Monthly parking permit requirements will resume August 1, using the same systems as before the shelter-in-place orders, including rates, enforcement, permit types and policies. It will be important to re-activate your pass as confirmation of your return to the program. In addition, for those who normally work full-time on campus and will develop a hybrid schedule you can purchase a daily pass for the days you are parking on campus. If you plan to purchase a daily pass, please do so via the online ordering system. More information on commuting, transit, ridesharing and parking will be available on the Public Safety and HR site(s) in July.
Prevention remains the best defense against the spread of COVID-19 with physical distancing of at least six feet between you and others being a primary component. Physical distancing policies and practices will be in place across campus. Classrooms, offices, dining areas and event and gathering spaces are being reconfigured to implement capacity limits and enforce distancing.
Thorough handwashing remains a primary method to prevent the spread of illness. Soap and water remain the best method to clean hands. We will also make hand sanitizer more widely available throughout campus, including additional hand sanitizing stations.
Each day before coming on to campus, students, faculty, and staff will be required to complete the university’s short online health screening to certify you are not symptomatic, have no fever and have not had contact with any individual who has tested positive for COVID-19. You will be expected to stay home if you are unable to answer in the affirmative to these questions.
In addition to completing the university’s daily health screening, students, faculty and staff must continuously monitor for symptoms of illness throughout the day and take appropriate steps to isolate yourself from others should you become symptomatic.
Seattle University has well trained and professional custodial staff that is responding to the needs of campus regarding the COVID-19 outbreak on a daily basis. In addition to the standard custodial cleaning protocols, the university has implemented an enhanced cleaning frequency plan to clean and disinfect common areas (reception areas, conference/study/meeting rooms, restrooms/shower/locker rooms, hallways, stairwells, elevators, entranceways and other common areas on a daily basis. High touch points such as entrance handles, handrails, elevator buttons, tables and restroom stall handles/doors/faucets are being cleaned at least twice daily, five days a week.
Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities from surfaces. If surfaces are dirty, first clean them using detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Cleaning does help kill germs and it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
Disinfecting refers to using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs. However, disinfecting a surface after cleaning can further lower the risk of spreading infection. SU custodial departments use EPA registered disinfectants, electrostatic disinfecting equipment and microfiber products when doing disinfecting tasks.
Elevators will be limited to four or fewer passengers (depending on the size of the elevator) and all occupants will be required to wear face coverings. This is consistent with guidance from public health authorities for short term exposure (less than 10 minutes) to physical distancing less than six feet.
Signage and markings will be provided to keep waiting lines properly distanced and the number of occupants at a level allowing good distancing practices. As noted in Attachment A, in addition to the standard custodial cleaning protocols, the university has implemented an enhanced cleaning frequency plan to clean and disinfect common areas (reception areas, conference/study/meeting rooms, restrooms/shower/locker rooms, hallways, stairwells, elevators, entranceways and other common areas on a daily basis. High touch points such as entrance handles, handrails, elevator buttons, tables and restroom stall handles/doors/faucets are being cleaned at least twice daily, five days a week.
For the full list of FAQs and further information, click here.
Please visit our webpage here for information and FAQs regarding staff furloughs.
Seattle University is an inclusive community, and we deeply value the diversity of our community. We are committed to fostering a community that not only values diversity, but also models the principles of inclusive excellence throughout the university. To that end, it is critical that we equip ourselves with facts and each take on the responsibility of dismantling the myths and stigmas that have resulted in rampant ignorance and discrimination. And while we’ve not received any reports of harassment or discrimination on campus related to COVID-19, it is essential that we continue to share accurate information during this time of heightened concern. We must stay committed to our Jesuit values of inclusion, respect and care for the whole person. Important facts to know: