I am so grateful for the progress that UCSC and Santa Cruz County have made in decreasing the numbers of new COVID-19 cases in our community. Coupled with the arrival of summer-like weather, there is the temptation to let our guard down. To keep us headed in the right direction, please keep wearing face coverings in public when you’re in close proximity to strangers, practice physical distancing, and strongly consider getting vaccinated. Making progress on the road to recovery requires a community effort.
The highlights
- McHenry and Science & Engineering libraries will open July 1.
- Santa Cruz County heads toward the yellow tier of COVID restrictions.
- UC Office of the President seeks funding for pay increases for policy-covered staff.
- New FAQs from UCOP address Accellion data breach.
More in-person campus resources
Campus resources continue to move toward in-person activities.
- Beginning July 1, both the McHenry and Science & Engineering libraries will allow the campus community in-person access to their print collections and restart on-site in-person services. If you plan to visit the facilities on July 1, first check the University Library website for the latest on hours, service, and safety protocols. Not all librarians and library staff will be immediately transitioning back to on-site, in-person work, so faculty and students needing resources or assistance should continue to use Remote Library Services as their first point of library contact.
County heads toward yellow tier — but not there yet
What health officials statewide have come to call “Tier Tuesday” brought positive news to Santa Cruz County this week. Local COVID case numbers are trending lower, but the data must hold steady for another week to push us across the threshold needed to enter into the least restrictive tier of COVID restrictions, the yellow tier. This status allows for the further easing of restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings, restaurants, places of worship, movie theaters and other businesses. The state’s tier framework is set to be eliminated and the entire economy reopened June 15, assuming vaccines remain readily available and hospital capacity stays in the normal range.
While the county continues to make progress, please note that all campus COVID protocols and mitigations remain in effect. Our Slug Strong campaign details what is expected of those who live on, work at and visit our campus. These protocols and mitigations will be adjusted once we have received updated requirements from the federal Centers for Disease Control, California Department of Public Health and Cal OSHA, especially those applicable to higher education.
Your Lucky Daye coming soon
Kick off Memorial Day Weekend with a Friday night concert with friends — and do it from the comfort of your couch! The latest installment from our Live! From the (Virtual) Quarry concert series is Lucky Daye on Friday, May 28. It’s brought to you by the Quarry Amphitheater and the Women’s Center. Register for this free show at the quarry website , and have a wonderful holiday weekend.
What work will look like as more employees return to campus
I hope you had a chance to tune in to the Staff Advisory Board Spring Forum last week. Many topics were addressed. A video of the forum can be found on the SAB website. A topic of interest to many was what work will look like with more people returning to campus — whether employees will remain remote or return to their workplaces, or if the future might be a hybrid of those options. It’s impossible to give a blanket response to that question, as work modalities are primarily determined by job requirements and the mission of each office. Some roles can be accomplished remotely . Others may require in-person work when the campus is primarily in person. Staff Human Resources is developing guidance for supervisors and managers to support staff as we prepare to welcome more employees back to campus for on-site work. Managers are encouraged to begin working with their employees now to discuss options. Those who work in buildings with approved worksite plans may return as soon as June 15. Employees should be working with their supervisors to discuss the staging of their return. All worksite plans will be in place before the start of the fall quarter. If you have any questions about the return to on-site work, please speak with your manager.
Staff compensation
Another question on the minds of many was the likelihood of a salary increase for the 2021-22 fiscal year. We expect news about a potential pay increase for policy-covered staff after this week’s Regents meeting. I can say that funding for an increase has been requested by the UC Office of the President, and I am hopeful this funding will be included in the governor’s May Budget Revise. We have advocated for this, hope for positive news, and will share updates as soon as they are available.
Latest information on Accellion breach
We continue to provide updates about the Accellion data breach as new information becomes available. Many of you have received or will soon receive an email from UC President Michael Drake sharing an update about the breach and more details about the credit-protection services available. As you know, UC was one of several institutions targeted in a nationwide cyber-attack on Accellion, and many members of our community were affected. Students and employees can find the latest information about this event, a new set of FAQs, and available credit-protection services on the Office of the President web page dedicated to the incident.
We have just three more weeks of classes before finals arrive, then commencement — we are definitely on the home stretch of the academic year! If you are set to graduate, and have yet to register for the virtual ceremony or to schedule a time for a special on-stage Slug Crossing, there’s still time! Visit the Commencement 2021 website and sign up now!
