January 3, 2022
Dear Pitzer Faculty and Staff,
We hope you had a wonderful, restful, and safe Winter Break.
At this time, Pitzer and The Claremont Colleges are planning an in-person return to the spring semester as previously scheduled. However, given the recent and rapid increase in COVID-19 infections locally and nationally, we are making a few important adjustments to our return to campus to help protect the health and safety of our community. Please note that we will continue to follow all of our health and safety protocols, including daily health screenings, but now with some additional procedures in place as outlined below.
Booster Requirement
Based on advice from our medical advisors and recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH), Pitzer is requiring all faculty and staff accessing any College facility or program related to their employment, appointment, or educational program, to receive a COVID-19 booster by Tuesday, January 18, 2022.
If you have already submitted proof of vaccine booster through the Healthy Pitzer portal or to Human Resources, or if you have been previously approved for a medical or religious exemption by Human Resources, you need not do anything further.
For those who have or will receive the booster, the College asks that you follow the Vaccine and Booster Reporting Instructions to submit proof of your booster no later than January 18, 2022. While it is recommended you do this through the Healthy Pitzer portal, other options are available for those that are interested.
If you are unable to receive your booster until a later date based on the CDC recommended waiting period between vaccination and the booster, additional testing may be required. (Employees who are not yet eligible for the booster will have seven days from eligibility date to receive their booster.) New requests for exemptions for religious or medical reasons must be submitted to Human Resources on or before January 18, 2022. New employees with a start date of January 18, 2022, or later are required to adhere to the booster requirement and show proof of booster or file for an exemption on or before their first day of employment.
Return to Campus
In efforts to reduce the density on campus, we are asking staff members who can perform their jobs from home to work remotely until January 18, based on approval from your area Vice President.
This two-week shift to remote work will reduce density on campus and allow time for the College to ramp up COVID-19 testing. We recognize remote work will not be possible for all employees – please confer with your supervisor or area vice president as soon as possible regarding your work arrangements for the next few weeks. Additional communication will be sent to the community over the next few days as we continue to evaluate COVID infections and the potential impact on our campus.
Additionally, many new employees have joined the Pitzer community since our return to campus in the fall. If remote work is approved by your supervisor or area VP, and you need assistance to get set up for remote work, please reach out to [email protected] for assistance. (As this is a temporary remote work arrangement, new staff may be required to come to campus to work until technology is available.)
Updated Mask Requirement
Based on the latest directives from the CDPH, LACDPH, and California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), all individuals in the workplace, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a face-covering/mask while indoors, unless a valid exception applies.
Based on a Public Health Order issued by the LACDPH on December 31, 2021, only well-fitting 1) medical grade mask, 2) surgical mask, 3) medical procedure masks, or 4) higher-level respirators approved by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), such as a N95 filtering face respirator, will be permitted by Pitzer. KN95 and KF94 masks are also approved for use on campus. Face masks must not have any visible holes or openings and must cover the nose and mouth.
Pitzer will be supplying surgical-grade masks to all staff and faculty who will be working on campus. The Pitzer-supplied masks are required to be used at all times while indoors for both vaccinated and unvaccinated employees.
If you are exposed, contract, or test positive for COVID-19, please follow the latest CDC guidance.
Additional information about campus COVID protocols and measures will be shared with the Pitzer community in the next few days.
Thank you all for your continued support and efforts to keep our community safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Laura Troendle VP, Chief Operating Officer, and Treasurerd Treasurer
