Updating pandemic protocols
This message is sent on behalf of President Susan R. Wente, Provost Rogan Kersh and Executive Vice President Hof Milam.
Dear Wake Forest community,
With great joy, Wake Forest honored more than 2,100 graduates during Commencement weekend last month. The University returned to its traditional spring celebrations for the first time since 2019, allowing our community to share these moments in memorable ways.
Reaching that milestone did not happen without great sacrifice – more than is typically required for graduates to reach the finish line – from every one of you. Since the beginning of the pandemic, each of us has been stretched and asked to show courage, flexibility and resilience in all aspects of our lives.
For everything that you’ve done, both individually and as part of our Wake Forest community, we want to convey our deepest thanks. Your work has been inspirational and transformative.
In an April blog post, President Wente wrote about embracing change: “It’s how we approach change, not how we avoid it, that will distinguish Wake Forest.” We are positioned well to embrace change in the future in part because of how we have collectively handled so much transformation in the past. In that spirit, we’d like to outline the University’s approaches to the pandemic going forward: Read more
Categories: University Announcement
Breaking the bubble: COVID-19 safety
NOTE: While Dr. Ohl’s comments are directed at students, his advice is relevant to faculty and staff as well.
Infectious disease expert Christopher Ohl says that he’s been impressed with Wake Forest students this semester. “I wish I could personally thank each one of them for getting vaccinated and wearing a mask indoors,” said Ohl, who works at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist.
A high vaccination rate and student adherence to the campus and city mask mandate has kept the daily case counts displayed on the University’s COVID-19 dashboard in the single digits for most of the semester. Other university campuses, U.S. cities and some global destinations have had less success mitigating the spread of the virus.
However, the Wake Forest community must remain vigilant, especially during travel.
“When students break the Wake Forest bubble for Thanksgiving travel or for any other reason, they need to be even more diligent about wearing a mask and avoiding large indoor crowds than they do when participating in activities on campus,” Ohl advised. “I feel confident that the necessary safety precautions are in place and generally followed when traveling through airports, but once we reach our destination it is easy to let our guard down and give the virus an opportunity to spread.
“For extra insurance right after returning to campus a student could take an “at-home test” available at many pharmacies. If positive, they should alert the Student Health Service for confirmatory testing.” Read more
Categories: Guest Post
Updates from HR: COVID-19 vaccines, asymptomatic testing, face coverings
Wake Forest University Human Resources emailed the updates below to faculty and staff on July 28.
Vaccine Success
With more than 95% of colleagues completing the vaccine survey, we are approaching full vaccination status in several areas of campus. 
This will allow colleagues the freedom to work and connect without face coverings, if they choose. As importantly, this will protect the campus from highly contagious variants.
Vaccine Survey Closes August 2
The employee vaccine survey will close on Monday, August 2. Following that date, any updates to your COVID-19 vaccination status or records will need to be made directly in Workday. If you need to update your COVID-19 vaccination status, email askHR@wfu.edu for instructions.
Note: Supervisors or others on the team should not ask for or receive employee vaccination records.
Asymptomatic Testing Updates
The University continues planning for asymptomatic testing of those who are not approved to be unmasked in the workplace. Testing will be facilitated by WFBH staff in Benson Center. Faculty and staff testing will take place two days per week; student testing will occur on the alternate days. Start dates for testing and scheduling will be communicated in the coming weeks
I choose to mask, please don’t ask
There are many reasons why an individual may choose to wear a face covering on campus. For instance, they may be:
- Unable to get vaccinated due to medical or religious reasons
- Vaccinated and immunocompromised
- Vaccinated and living with unvaccinated children or family members
- Vaccinated and uncomfortable being unmasked in large gatherings
- Vaccinated and recently returned from travel
- Vaccinated and recently exposed to someone with COVID-19
Avoid making assumptions about the vaccination status of others and respect individual choices to mask.
View the full message, including frequently asked questions about vaccines and face coverings, on the human resources communications website.
Categories: Faculty News, Inside WFU, Staff News
Updates from HR: COVID-19, University Policy Library, student hiring and events
COVID-19 update
On Monday, the campus community received a message with key COVID-19 updates, including the lifting of some restrictions, a consolidated COVID-19 policy and a faculty and staff vaccine survey. Here are some key takeaways:
Lifting restrictions: All social distancing requirements and limitations on gathering sizes are lifted. Masks are optional for fully vaccinated individuals (except in specific settings). Those who are not vaccinated are expected to continue to wear masks indoors while in the presence of others. 
People may continue to wear masks for many reasons, and individual choices should be respected as we navigate this period of transition.
COVID-19 policy: Wake Forest has created a consolidated COVID-19 policy to replace the numerous policies governing University operations. Both the Sick and Care Leave and Vulnerable Employee policies will expire June 30, 2021. Eligible employees may request a medical accommodation using the ADAA Medical Accommodations Form.
Vaccine survey: Earlier today, Human Resources emailed all full- and part-time active faculty and staff with instructions for completing a vaccine survey to indicate their vaccination status, verify vaccination records and/or register their intent to receive a vaccination. Colleagues should complete this survey as soon as possible and before August 2. Read more
Categories: Faculty News, Inside WFU, Staff News
Updates from HR: COVID-19, parking fees, Data Standard on Names and Gender Markers, workshops and wellbeing
COVID-19 Update 
Yesterday, colleagues received an email from Human Resources with information regarding updates to the PTO policy, the implementation of a PTO leave bank, adjustments to SneezSafe requirements for faculty and staff, and additional direction on redensifying campus.
Parking Fee Waived
Faculty and staff who currently have a vehicle registered for on-campus parking will continue to have their parking fee waived through August 31, 2021.
Hybrid Work Best Practices: Foster Inclusivity
Inclusivity is essential for a successful remote and hybrid work environment. Make sure all participants, remote and on-site, have access to the meeting agenda and resources by attaching them to the calendar invitation and sharing documents prior to the meeting.
Learn more » is.wfu.edu
Weekly Wellbeing Tip: Celebrate and Savor
Typically, we celebrate big milestones and achievements, but what about the small victories along the way? Take some time to acknowledge the big AND small wins, and take note of how you feel.
Learn more » psychologytoday.com
Data Standard on Names and Gender Markers
The Data Standards Working Group is gathering feedback on how our University data systems gather and display information about names and gender markers. Colleagues are encouraged to provide feedback by completing the staff survey or faculty survey.
Learn more » docs.google.com Read more
Categories: Events, Faculty News, Inside WFU, Staff News
