Mathematics Faculty Detailed Return to Campus Plan

Winter 2022 Detailed Return to Campus Plan - Mathematics Faculty

Starting March 1, 2022 most restrictions have been lifted making this detailed plan no longer necessary.

Previous Detailed Plan in effect January 2022 - February 2022

The table below provides plan details with respect to two categories of space: 

  1. Instructional space - Instructional space has been defined by the University to comply with Provincial legislation. Instructional space includes: Classrooms and Seminar Rooms; Teaching labs; Student computer labs; Dedicated study rooms under the control of a Faculty; Libraries; Research labs where the instruction of graduate, undergraduate or postdoctoral fellows is occurring; In-person experiential/clinical learning setting; and Group tutorial rooms. Please see full details for instructional space posted by the Registrar's Office. 
  2. Non-instructional space - all other space including, but not limited to: offices, lounges, meeting rooms, and all public areas.

As of January 4, 2022, we are in Stage 3b. There may be updates as new information becomes available. 

Return to Campus Stages
 

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 3a

Stage 3b

Alignment with Provincial Reopening Steps                               

Emergency Brake/ lockdown
Step 1

 Step 2 -3

Step 3+

Step 3+ Step 3+

Implementation Dates

Before June 14, 2021

Between July 2, 2021 and August 2021

September/October 2021

November 2021

January 2022 

Employees Return to Campus

Staff required to support infrastructure and core academic services.

Research activities with occupancy limits

Roles that continued on campus from March 2020; critical research.

Expand research occupancy and resume limited teaching.  Retail and athletic facilities re-open.

Math: Employees who cannot work effectively at home

Some employees required on campus to support students.

Leaders will have an on-campus presence.

All employees are permitted to return on a part-time or full-time basis, subject to distancing within their work location.

All Math employees required to return to campus on a part-time basis; full-time return to campus permitted.

All employees on campus. Optional Work from Home for staff members, subject to approval, for Winter Term.

% return employees*

<10% of employees

Restricted to essential workers, research

Up to 15% of employees

Math: May consider higher limit for private offices.

As of September, 100% of employees may return if they work in private offices.

Occupancy in shared offices is limited to capacity available with 2 metre distancing or other suitable physical protection/barriers.

As permitted by distancing restrictions. 

No restrictions

Physical Distancing

Restricted capacity. 

2 metre physical distancing

Restricted capacity. 

2 metre physical distancing

Non-instructional spaces, including all offices, meeting rooms, and all public areas: must maintain 2 metre physical distancing, even if masks are worn.

Instructional spaces: No specific distancing requirement, but masks are required. 

Non-instructional spaces, including all offices, meeting rooms, and all public areas: must maintain 2 metre physical distancing, even if masks are worn.

Instructional spaces: No specific distancing requirement, but masks are required. 
Non-instructional spaces, including all offices, meeting rooms, and all public areas: must maintain 2 metre physical distancing, even if masks are worn.

Instructional spaces: No specific distancing requirement, but masks are required. 
Mask Wearing
(face shields and visors are not acceptable alternatives)
When moving in areas shared with others or when physical distancing not possible. All indoor spaces except in well-defined dedicated work areas When moving in areas shared with others or when physical distancing not possible. All indoor spaces except in well-defined dedicated work areas
  • Masks are not required in areas not accessible to the general public (e.g. access-controlled meeting rooms and offices) if ALL participants are not moving, and the required distancing is maintained. [Math-specific note: The host/organizer is encouraged to seek consensus with respect to mask-wearing. This is especially important where there is a power differential e.g. supervisor-student, manager-employee, etc.] 
  • Otherwise, masks are required.
  • Masks are not required in areas not accessible to the general public (e.g. access-controlled meeting rooms and offices) if ALL participants are not moving, and the required distancing is maintained.
  • Otherwise, masks are required.
  • Masks are not required in areas not accessible to the general public (e.g. access-controlled meeting rooms and offices) if ALL participants are not moving, and the required distancing is maintained.
  • Otherwise, masks are required.

Dedicated in-person service areas (reception desks, help desks, math undergrad main office, etc.)

No in-person services

Minimal in-person services (retail services and athletics)

Follow guidelines for distancing and mask-wearing associated with "non-instructional space".  In many cases, protective barriers have been installed. 

Dedicated service areas must consider the impact of queuing on surrounding areas; distancing must be maintained within the queue.

In-person services require established protocols for occupancy and personal protection

Continue use of protective barriers.


Distancing must be maintained in queues.

Offices

Specific-purpose access only

Limited capacity

Accessible. Individuals in single-occupant offices do not need to wear a mask if they are the only one in the room.

Shared offices will have limited capacity to ensure 2 metre distancing between occupants while working. Follow guidelines for distancing and mask-wearing associated with "non-instructional space".  

Single-occupant offices may be used for meetings or service delivery (e.g. office hours) if 2 metre distancing can be maintained within the office, and if there is sufficient space to manage a queue outside the office without impacting others. Follow guidelines for distancing and mask-wearing associated with "non-instructional space". 

Increased capacity; may need protocols.

Grad student offices are considered "Instructional Space" and are not subject to distancing or capacity limits. 

Meeting Rooms and Seminar Rooms

Closed

Closed

Available. If used as for a class, seminar or group tutorial, follow guidelines for distancing and mask-wearing associated with "instructional space".

Otherwise, follow guidelines for "non-instructional space".

Available 

Available. Follow guidelines for All Other Space. 

Lounges and mailrooms

Closed

Open once protocols are in place

Available for food storage and preparation; follow guidelines for distancing and mask-wearing associated with "non-instructional space".

Seating areas not to be used until guidelines are established.

Available

Available. Follow guidelines for All Other Space. 

Corridor break-out areas

Closed

Closed

Available subject to distancing and mask requirements; no food or drink allowed.

Available subject to distancing and mask requirements

Available. Follow guidelines for All Other Space. 

Building status

Locked

Locked

Open Monday-Friday 8am-11pm;
Open Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm
After hours access via fob.

Open Monday-Friday 8am-11pm;
Open Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm
After hours access via fob.
Open Monday-Friday 8am-11pm;
Open Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm
After hours access via fob.

Scheduling time on campus

Required; limited after-hours access

Required

May be required by those in shared offices. 

May be required by those in shared offices. 

Required by those in shared offices (other than graduate students).

Assumptions 

  • Public Health Guidelines establish that the workplace is safe for employees to return, with or without a vaccine.
  • Movement through stages will be determined based on Public Health Guidelines (dates may be adjusted).
  • Details for Stages 4 and 5 will be updated as and when public health guidelines change
  • Some departments may have an increased department % return based on needs (e.g. those that continued on campus during lockdown)
  • *Capacity on campus includes total employee complement (faculty, staff, temporary and definite terms, casuals and students) >12,000.

Unit-level Responsibilities

Beginning with Stage 2, each unit will have the flexibility to manage the return within the constraints described by the Faculty Plan table.  Each unit will develop a plan for their department consisting of:

  • Mechanism for scheduling employees and managing capacity
  • Specification of In-person services location and protocols, including traffic management
  • Capacity limits and safety protocols for shared offices, including signage and posting
  • Capacity limits and safety protocols for common spaces, including signage and posting
  • Development of People Plan for Stage 3 and Stage 4, including conversations with employees
  • Identification of resource limitations associated with people working in hybrid mode

Prioritizing Return

During the staged return, the capacity limits may not be sufficient to accommodate everyone that wishes to return. The following priority groups have been discussed with the COVID Core group as a suggested framework for decision-making at the unit level. It is expected that the capacity limits will be sufficient to accommodate all activities in Priority groups A and B; for activities in Priority group C, it may be necessary for units to allocate access on an equitable basis.

Priority A – Highest priority; needed in order to achieve our core mandate

  • Approved Research labs and associated personnel
  • Instructors and TAs while delivering scheduled on-campus course components
  • Employees who need to work regularly on campus (full or part-time) to have access to materials or equipment. Examples: IT support staff, CEMC contest staff
  • Occasional “as-needed” access with approval from manager/unit head

Priority B – To be provided as per decision by COVID Core

  • In-person course support activities for on-campus Math students: instructor and TA office hours.
    • Identify suitable locations and develop safety protocols; possible adjustments to space
  • In-person student support activities: advising, counseling, help desk, administrative support for graduate students on campus
    • Offer in-person support roughly proportional to the number of students on campus. This is a suggested guideline, not a requirement
    • Identify suitable locations and develop safety protocols; possible adjustments to space
    • Consider a rotation cycle for employees so that on-campus work is distributed
    • The expectation for faculty advising and staff advisors advising be consistent
  • Managers and unit heads, to demonstrate leadership
  • Instructors using their office independently on teaching days
  • Employees who are unable to work effectively from multiple (split) locations due to equipment or resource constraints
  • Student leadership and associated services (MathSoc, CnD) to serve students on campus

Priority C – could be provided as capacity allows, but may be constrained

  • Those who prefer to work on campus due but are not required to do so by nature of their job. This may include faculty members, grad students, and staff.
  • Meetings – may include research meetings with grad students, visitor meetings
  • In-person support of other employees who are on campus. This is mostly administrative-type support, provided by staff members

Medical Accommodations

Some employees may be unable to return to campus due to concerns about their own health, or the health of a member of their household.

For Stages 1-3, the manager will incorporate this information into the workforce plan for the unit; if the manager is unable to accommodate remote working during Stages 1-3, it may be necessary to consult with Occupational Health. If an employee feels they will be unable to return to campus by Stage 4, they should consult with Occupational Health prior to November to discuss alternatives.