COVID-19 Resources for Faculty Members
- The University will require face coverings be worn in all indoor public spaces at all McMaster locations, effective Tuesday, July 14
- Overall McMaster site: https://covid19.mcmaster.ca
- Protocols and guidance for return to campus: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/resources/covid19/workplace-health-and-safety-guidance-during-covid-19/
- Faculty & Staff-specific Information: Faculty & Staff Information
- MacPherson: How to teach virtually, supports for new courses, etc: https://mi.mcmaster.ca/instructional-continuity/
- UTS: Online tools, security issues, etc: https://cto.mcmaster.ca/it-updates/it-continuity-tools-services/
- Provost’s website (mostly undergrad teaching issues): https://www.mcmaster.ca/vpacademic/Academic_Contingency_Planning.html
- School of Grad Studies: COVID-19: School of Graduate Studies
- Employee Assistance program through Homewood Health: https://homeweb.ca/
- HR’s workplace wellbeing site, including upcoming events at the bottom: https://hr.mcmaster.ca/employees/health_safety_well-being/my-well-being/
- Questions about research, including what is essential, and how to manage research from off campus, should be addressed to your Faculty’s Associate Dean (Research) or equivalent.
- University Library: https://library.mcmaster.ca/covid19
- Library Support for Remote Teaching: https://dailynews.mcmaster.ca/worthmentioning/university-library-support-for-remote-teaching-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/
- The majority of employees will continue to work remotely, but those individuals experiencing extenuating circumstances may request Priority Access through their supervisor to work on campus. This new process is not intended to allow any full-time returns, but rather arrangements to enable limited and controlled access to campus in support of overall employee health, safety, and well-being.
- McMaster has a Working Alone policy which would apply any time a faculty member comes onto campus during the current State of Emergency in Ontario.
- On April 17 & 20, the MUFA executive and the Senate Committee on Appointments have passed a draft policy to extend the tenure/permanence clock for all faculty, unless they choose to go forward at the regular time. That policy will go to the Senate executive at their next meeting. Board approval could also happen quickly, but might wait until the Board meeting on June 4. Details will be released when the policy is final.
- Faculty who had research or administrative leaves planned for 2020/21, and who wish to discuss changing those plans should contact their chair/director and dean as soon as possible. Any changes to the timing of the leave should come with ‘credit’ on the leave clock, rather than an extension, and faculty should be sure to get that provision in writing. Faculty members and chairs/directors will need to work together to plan teaching and supervision schedules in future years.
- Faculty members can have costs associated with working from home reimbursed, either from their PDA, their research grants as appropriate, or possibly from their departments. For more information, please see https://financial-affairs.mcmaster.ca/services/accounts-payable-reimbursements/