"News You Can Use" Archive

HR update: Flu shot policy and dates

Mandatory Influenza Vaccine Policy

This year the University has implemented a new Mandatory Influenza Vaccine Policy. Universal immunization against influenza during the COVID-19 era will help reduce the burden on resources of the healthcare systems on and off campus while promoting campus community health and wellbeing. This policy requires all faculty, staff and students to receive a flu shot and submit documentation by Dec. 15, 2020. Faculty and staff may request a medical, religious or off-site exemption from the policy by completing the Influenza Vaccine Exemption Request Form. Black and white photo of a stethoscope

 

Free flu shots

Wake Forest University is offering free flu shots to all faculty, staff and retirees Sept. 21 through Oct. 19. Spouses and dependent children (8 years and older), who are enrolled in the University’s BlueCross BlueShield of NC medical plan are also eligible.

 

Dates and drive-through opportunities

The University will offer two days of drive-through flu shots at the LJVM Coliseum to accommodate off-site colleagues, retirees and family members. Registration is required for both the drive-through and on-site clinics in order to help minimize contact and facilitate social distancing. Visit the PDC website to view a full list of dates, times and locations and to register.

 

Visit the HR flu shot page for additional safety reminders and directions for submitting your flu shot documentation. Human resources is available to answer questions at askHR@wfu.edu or 336.758.4700.

 

Survey for WFU faculty/staff with school-age children

The following information was emailed to faculty and staff this morning by human resources:

Faculty and staff have expressed concerns to WFU human resources about the recent Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WS/FCS) announcement to move to virtual learning for the first nine weeks of the school year. Sharpened set of colored pencilsWe understand colleagues with children in other school districts are grappling with similar challenges and uncertainties.

Imprints Cares, the largest provider of before- and after-school care in Forsyth County, would like to measure faculty and staff interest in enrolling their school-age children in an e-learning enrichment center and childcare program. Responses from this short Imprints Cares interest survey will help inform possible locations and whether a program for only Wake Forest families is feasible. Parents or guardians with school-age children are asked to complete the survey by Monday, August 3.

Imprints Cares has continued to offer Crisis Care and Summer Enrichment Camps throughout the pandemic while adhering to strict safety guidelines. Although weekly rates have not yet been identified, tuition will be competitive with other local providers. This care would complement Imprints Cares’ year-round community offerings, already utilized by many faculty and staff.

We recognize that this opportunity does not address the childcare challenges our families with Pre-K children and younger may still be facing and that it may not meet the needs of all families with school-age children. We continue to ask managers to remain flexible and work to meet the family needs of individuals whenever possible.

Additional resources for parents and caregivers are available on the Women’s Center website.

Campus libraries launch new discovery interface

This week, Wake Forest University libraries launched Primo, a new discovery interface that adds functionality at a time when online library services are more important than ever. Students, faculty and staff will use Primo to access their library accounts and search catalogs and databases. The new platform will be used campus-wide.

The Library is offering a series of PDC online workshops to help orient you to Primo and highlight key features. Workshops will cover finding books, journals and articles, as well as virtually browsing campus stacks. Participants will learn how to manage course reserves, holds, ZSR delivers, library accounts and more.

ZSR will post instructional videos on its YouTube channel and create additional aids for reference and sharing with students. Librarians are available to set up online appointments for one-on-one instruction and to present virtually to your classes to show how best to use the new system.

ZSR and your library liaisons are available to answer your questions about Primo and how to harness its new features for teaching and research success.

Wake Forest COVID-19 website provides up-to-date information to campus community

Wake Forest is committed to providing faculty, staff, and students with the most up-to-date information and direction possible. The coronavirus website is our community’s best resource for information.

The University’s COVID-19 website was updated with significant changes on March 24 and will continue to be updated regularly as we adapt our policies and procedures to quickly changing circumstances locally and nationally.

The website includes a section with information specifically for faculty and staff on distance working.

We know this is a time of heightened anxiety. The FAQ, is not meant to substitute for direct conversations with deans, department chairs, supervisors and students; however, it can provide helpful information on campus operations, tech support, and community wellbeing.

The proposed College Academic Commons: Five Q&A

In his State of the University speech on Nov. 7, Wake Forest President Nathan Hatch shared plans for a new academic building on campus: “The College Academic Commons will be filled with learning spaces that are interactive and flexible – ready to accommodate the dynamic delivery of education in the 21st century. This proposed space will set a new standard for highly effective teaching and learning.”

What are Wake Forest’s plans for a new academic building?

Wake Forest is in the midst of planning for a new College Academic Commons to provide needed academic space for the College — including classrooms, faculty offices and common areas. The focus is on creating a building that will strengthen the experience of first and second-year students and underscore the importance of the humanities and the liberal arts.

What is the timeline?

Planning is in the early conceptual phases, but the goal is to begin construction during the 2020-2021 academic year. Fundraising is currently underway. As plans develop and milestones are reached, there will be updates on the project.

Where would the building be located?

The proposed placement for the facility is on the upper part of Davis Field across from the ZSR Library. This location is consistent with the original Larson master plan for the Reynolda Campus and is in close proximity to many of the other college academic buildings.

How will the new space be used?

Plans for the College Academic Commons include classrooms, offices and common areas. The focus is on providing flexible and interactive learning spaces designed to facilitate thoughtful conversation and study. The space will also nurture the University’s deep commitment to relational teaching and learning. The building is envisioned as a new home for many of Wake Forest’s humanities departments and programs, including the Leadership and Character program. It will likely also house academic advising and scholarship programs. 

Who has been involved in the planning?

A planning group made up of faculty, students and staff is exploring various aspects of logistics and planning. Working groups are looking at instructional spaces and office spaces, as well as areas for faculty-student engagement, academic advising and scholarship programs. 

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