During a pandemic, faculty and staff members are asked to review the following workplace policies and guidelines. This information will likely change as pandemics evolve. Questions may be directed to COVIDResponse@Bellevue.edu.
Bellevue University’s priorities during a pandemic are to:
- Maintain a safe and healthy workplace, including minimizing the transmission of contagious diseases.
- Sustain academic programs and operational continuity.
- Encourage open communication and concern for those in our community who may be impacted in a myriad of ways.
Employee Resources:
- BRUIN Return to Learn Screening Program online surveys are distributed daily to staff and faculty. Staff and faculty are asked to complete the questions about common COVID-19 symptoms and at-risk activities before coming to campus.
- People who self-report no symptoms or engagement in at-risk activities will be cleared to come to campus.
- People who report active symptoms or participation in at-risk activities will be asked not to come to campus until they receive further guidance.
- Participation in this program is optional. No one is required to complete the daily questionnaire.
- Employees who have concerns about wearing a face mask, should contact Human Resources to discuss possible accommodations.
- Click here for more information about the difference between a medical accommodation vs. a medical concern.
- Faculty and staff should review the Let’s Be Safe Together Work Reminders.
- Employees should work with supervisors and college Deans to determine their most appropriate work location. Many employees may continue to work remotely and those working on campus should follow guidelines.
- All employees engaged in remote work should meet with their manager to discuss and modify or extend their Remote Work Agreements. Click here to view the guidelines for extending or modifying these agreements.
- Additional information about remote work technology is available on the Faculty Resources and Development website: https://frd.bellevue.edu/
- Mobile technology equipment is available for check-out by staff and faculty. Contact dbhujel@bellevue.edu.
- Zoom All staff and full-time faculty have access to Zoom videoconferencing technology for one-to-one and group meetings. Adjunct faculty may request access through their college.
- VDI Remote Access To access work files remotely, go to: https://workspace.bellevue.edu
- Click Install VMware Horizon View Client.
- Select the download on the line reflecting your operating system.
- Click Download.
- Save the download.
- View the download folder.
- Open the download on your computer.
- Click Agree & Install.
- Follow prompts and restart.
- Open the VMware Horizon View Client you just installed.
- You will see an “Add Server” icon. Double click that icon and enter: workspace.bellevue.edu in the window that opens.
- Click Connect.
- Login using your credentials.
- Additional Tech Tips are available here.
- Phone
- To forward phone calls, contact BruinSupportServices@Bellevue.edu.
- To access voicemail from off-campus:
- Dial 402-557-5375
- Press *
- Press * again
- Enter your 7-digit extension
- 5. Enter your security code
- Microsoft 365
- Bellevue University faculty and staff who work in locations geographically distant from the main campus and are in areas of high concern for COVID-19 should follow their local health department’s regulations.
- Employees experiencing stress about recent events should contact the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-316-2796 or visit https://www.mutualofomaha.com/eap/
Well Employees:
- Well faculty and staff should work as usual, follow campus guidelines and practice basic preventive measures, including physical distancing.
- Faculty and staff who are caring for someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 should be in contact with the Sarpy / Cass County Health Department, and should expect to self-isolate.
- Faculty and staff who have recently traveled to an area of concern for COVID-19 should complete the Sarpy / Cass County Health Department COVID-19 survey, monitor for symptoms and follow the health department’s recommendations.
- Bellevue University business travel continues to be suspended, unless it is approved by the President’s office.
- Bellevue University is advising against personal travel to high-risk areas for Bellevue University employees.
- If an employee engages in personal domestic travel and then needs to self-monitor or quarantine at home upon their return, they will be required to use accrued paid time off for any absence from work.
Sick Employees:
- Faculty and staff who have symptoms of respiratory illness must stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours. Those with questions or concerns about their illness should contact their primary health provider.
- Paid sick time Bellevue University provides significant paid sick time for all benefits-eligible faculty and staff. Faculty and staff should consult their faculty/employee handbook and Human Resources for additional information.
- Paid family and dependent care time Bellevue University employees with dependent children, partners, household members and elders who are sick are encouraged to use sick time if needed to provide care.
- Reporting sick time Faculty and staff who are out sick should enter their sick time online in ADP as soon as they are able to do so. Public health authorities may ask employers like Bellevue University to monitor and report trends in employee absenteeism.
- Return to work In general, written medical clearance will not be required for return to work. This is being done to avoid overtaxing healthcare resources.
- Return from travel in affected areas If you have traveled to areas of concern, please be aware of traveler guidance from the CDC.
- Experiencing stress If you are experiencing anxiety or stress over recent events, please contact the Employee Assistance Program at 1-800-316-2796 or visit https://www.mutualofomaha.com/eap/
Procedure if the Library Remains Open During a Pandemic:
If it is determined that the Bellevue University Library continues to remain open during a pandemic, the following processes could be implemented:
- Place hand sanitizers throughout the Bellevue University Library.
- Place "Out of Order" signs on every other computer monitor to maintain safe social distancing.
- Instruct patrons to return books in either the front bookdrop or the back bookdrop. Gloves are worn by Library Staff when handling books deposited in the book drop(s).
- Returned books are NOT checked in. Instead, they are quarantined in Study Room #1 for one (1) week before they are checked in. Signs with the days of the week are placed on one wall in Study Room #1 and the returned books for that day are placed under the specified sign. After one week, books can be checked in (Backdated one week) and returned to the general shelf.
- Signs are placed on the outside doors informing patrons that masks are required upon entry, if not fully vaccinated.
- Plexiglass is placed at the Reference Desk and Circulation Desks.
- Library Staff, as well as all Library patrons, are required to wear masks that cover their nose and mouth at all times while working in the Library or when using the Library's facilities.
- Food is not permitted to be consumed within the Library during a pandemic.
- The microwave for student use is removed temporarily during a pandemic..
- The community puzzle for patron use is temporarily removed during a pandemic.
- Puzzles and games are temporarily suspended from being checked out during a pandemic.
- Fontenelle Forest guest passes and Lauritzen Garden passes are temporarily suspended from being checked out during a pandemic.
- Circulation and reference staff must remain at least 6 feet apart. Reference Staff should remain in their offices with their office doors closed as much as possible. A circulation staff member should use the Reference Desk work station during a pandemic.
- Library Staff should wipe down all study tables, including study room tables, computer areas, and chairs with a disinfectant after each patron leaves the area for more than 10 minutes.
Procedure if the Library Remains Closed During a Pandemic:
- Should the Bellevue University Library close during a pandemic, the standard holiday/weather closing procedures should be followed. This includes setting an "Out of office" message on the reference desk phone and the circulation desk phone, as well as an "Out of Office" Outlook e-mail reply.
- Library Staff are expected to work from home, when possible and complete a "Remote Work Task List" which should be given to their immediate supervisor on or before the next business day.
