FAQ’s Related to COVID-19

Saint Mary’s COVID-19 Working Group, which represents vital departments throughout the College, is closely monitoring this health situation, preparing for potential scenarios and rapidly responding to new information. Please refer to the Responding To The Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage for overall updates on the College’s response to this public health concern.

Regular, pragmatic advice still applies. If you are sick, you should not go to class or work until you have been evaluated by a medical professional. The CDC recommends individuals who have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 take the following actions:

• If you feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, seek medical care right away, but call the doctor's office or emergency room before going, and tell them of your symptoms. 

• Avoid contact with others and do not go to class or work until you have been evaluated by a medical professional.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (and not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

• If someone reports to you that they are feeling sick with a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, encourage them to seek medical care using the steps listed above.

Please refer to the Responding To The Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage for overall updates, and FAQ's on the College’s response to this public health concern. Additionally, SMC's Health and Wellness Center offers information on recent updates from the Contra Costa Health Service Department.

In consultation with the COVID-19 Planning Group and Human Resources, the College has developed interim policies for supervisors supervising current student employees or those who will be supervising student employees during the pandemic.

We recognize that student employees are critical to the operation of the College, and that students benefit from on-campus work. Students who live both on campus and off campus will be permitted to be employed by the College during the 2020-2021 academic year, under the following guidelines:

• Supervisors should support remote work whenever possible. 
• Remote work is only available for students residing in California due to state law wage requirements and restrictions.
• Students Residing Off Campus - Students who live off-campus are permitted to come to campus exclusively for work shifts. They may arrive on campus no more than 15 minutes prior to their shift, report to their office and should depart campus immediately after. Students may not engage in other activities while they are on campus (i.e. remote classes, visiting friends, eating in campus dining facilities).
• Students Residing On Campus - Students who live on-campus are approved to perform both in-person and remote work. However, remote work is still strongly recommended.
• Supervisors are responsible for the safety and wellbeing of their student employees.
• Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that student employees:
  • Have a workspace that allows them to maintain physical distancing , and that they are adhering to physical distancing guidelines at all times while on campus. If students have a role that requires them to move about campus, the supervisor and employee should maintain a log of when/where the student travels in case contact tracing becomes necessary.
  • Have a plan for when/where they take their breaks. Student employees should avoid using break rooms, and congregating with others. They may wish to consider using outdoor spaces near their workspace.
  • Complete the Gaels Wellness Pledge.
  • Submit the Daily Health Screening via the LifeSafe app prior to leaving their residence. Students may not come to campus if they are determined to be “At Risk” based on their responses to the screening questions.
  • Wear a facial covering.
  • Engage in Health Habits such as proper hand washing while working.

Departments must provide an updated list of student employees names and work schedules to the COVID-19 Response Coordinator at covidcoordinator@stmarys-ca.edu so we have an accurate record of who to expect on campus. Only departments approved to provide in-person services may have students working on-site. For questions about Federal Work Study, please contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@stmarys-ca.edu. Any other questions may be directed to Human Resources at hr@stmarys-ca.edu.

In accordance with updates from the Health and Wellness Center, we encourage all staff to follow preventative measures. Most importantly, if you are sick, stay at home.  And if you have been in contact with someone who has been infected with COVID-19, or traveled recently to an affected country, self-isolate for 14 days.

During this time our existing Telecommuting policy, which limits virtual work to 20 percent of work time,  will be lifted, for those needing to self-isolate and work 100 percent from home.  

California's meal and rest period requirements for non-exempt employees apply to remote workers. All non-exempt employees are still required to take appropriate meal and rest periods while working remotely.

Here are additional resources for your review:

• Here is a good article for working virtually.

• Here is a good article on what to pay attention to with your desk set-up , screen time and more.

• Taking a walk can make a simple but big difference once or twice a day. 

• Here is a good article on dealing with grief during this time.

• This is a link to IT support and answers, when working virtually.

As information about Coronavirus unfolds, there can be a wide range of thoughts, feelings and reactions.  Below is the contact information for the College’s Employee Assistance Program.  Please don’t hesitate to take advantage of this resource.

SMC's Employee Assistance Program
Available by calling the 24/7 line (800) 834-3773
Website: https://www.claremonteap.com/
Company Name to Register: Saint Mary's College