UW personnel and students are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
A safe return to in-person learning
The University of Washington returns to in-person work and instruction for autumn quarter with range of health and safety measures in place. We remain committed to supporting all faculty and staff with maximum empathy and flexibility.
The Center for Teaching and Learning has developed suggestions for instructors as they prepare for the transition back to campuses. Questions about the specific plans of colleges, schools and departments can be directed to deans, chairs and other unit leaders.
Updates
- Autumn quarter health and safety measures (Message to UW personnel) – Aug. 31, 2021
- Masks required for all individuals in all UW facilities (Message to UW students and personnel) – Aug. 13, 2021
Earlier updates
- Changes to face coverings, vaccination requirements and other COVID-19 updates – July 7, 2021
- Requiring vaccinations for UW employees to protect our community (Message to employees) – June 3, 2021
- Guidance on returning to campuses, mask requirement (Message to employees) – May 18, 2021
- Protecting our community’s health by requiring students to be vaccinated (University-wide message) – May 3, 2021
- Autumn quarter planning and vaccine eligibility updates (Message to Seattle instructors) – April 15, 2021
- Autumn quarter course schedule and vaccine eligibility updates (Message to Seattle students) – April 15, 2021
- Phase 3 guidance for instructors and student services (Message to instructors and staff) – March 31, 2021
- Phase 3, extension of telework and new vaccine eligibility (Message to employees) – March 22, 2021
- Consider lecture capture to enhance student learning (Message to instructors) – March 18, 2021
- The UW’s plans for spring quarter and for returning to campus this fall (Message to Seattle students) – Jan. 19, 2021
- Spring quarter plans and returning to campus this fall (Message to Seattle employees) – Jan. 19, 2021
- How instructors can support students’ well-being, and academic and career success (Message to Seattle campus instructors) – Nov. 30, 2020
- Most winter quarter courses to be offered remotely (Message to students) – Oct. 14, 2020
- The UW’s plans for winter quarter (Message to faculty and staff) – Oct. 14, 2020
- Preparing for autumn quarter (Message to instructors and staff) – Sept. 18, 2020
- UW students: Coronavirus testing for autumn quarter – Sept. 14, 2020
- Coronavirus testing for UW employees – Sept. 14, 2020
- How the pandemic will affect autumn quarter learning (Message to students from the United States) – August 6, 2020
- How the pandemic will affect autumn quarter learning (Message to international students) – August 6, 2020
- New details on the pandemic’s effects on autumn quarter learning and working (Message to faculty and staff) – August 6, 2020
- Things to consider as you prepare for autumn quarter (Message to students) – July 22, 2020
- Update as we prepare for autumn quarter (Message to faculty & staff) – July 22, 2020
- Learning Spaces COVID-19 Prevention Operational Guidelines posted – July 1, 2020
- Previewing autumn quarter at the University of Washington (Message to Seattle students) – June 29, 2020
- New details on our plans for autumn quarter (Message to Seattle faculty & staff) – June 29, 2020
- Update on planning for autumn quarter (Message to instructors) – June 26, 2020
- Most summer B term courses to be offered remotely – June 5, 2020
- Resiliency planning for autumn quarter – May 28, 2020
- As we face challenges ahead, the UW will put people first – April 24, 2020
Guidance and resources for UW units and employees
On March 19, 2021, chancellors, deans, vice presidents and other direct reports to President Cauce and Provost Richards received Back-to-the-Workplace Guidance covering the period from the start of Phase 3 on March 22, 2021 through Sept. 10, 2021. This guidance worked in concert with each unit’s COVID-19 Prevention Plan and Safe Start Checklist, which is submitted to the Executive Office for review and approval.
On May 13, 2021, those leaders received Back-to-the-Workplace Guidance for Staff for the period beginning Sept. 11, 2021. This guidance is supplemented by UWHR’s Return to onsite work page, which includes on-site work and telework resources for managers and employees.
Additionally, on March 31, 2021, the Back-to-School Task Force issued guidance regarding in-person instruction-related activities and student services for the spring and summer, running from the start of spring quarter on March 29, 2021 through Sept. 10, 2021.
The UW’s prevention plan and an accompanying presentation available for use by unit leaders are available below for reference, as well as a link to signage, posters and graphics for units to use.
UW Environmental Health & Safety also maintains a collection of COVID-19 health and safety resources for UW leaders and employees, including details on cleaning and disinfecting procedures, food service and personal protective equipment.
Planning
- Back-to-the-Workplace Guidance for Staff (March 22 – Sept. 10, 2021) (pdf)
- Back-to-the-Workplace Guidance for Staff (Sept. 11, 2021 and after) (pdf)
- UWHR resources for return to onsite work and for supporting telework
- COVID-19 Prevention Plan and Safe Start Checklist (PDF / Word)
- Building readiness guidelines from UW Facilities
- Learning Spaces COVID-19 Prevention Operational Guidelines
- Guide to face coverings in the classroom (pdf)
- State of Washington Campus Reopening Guide (pdf)
Student resources
- Summer quarter frequently asked questions
- Your Healthy Husky Home from UW Housing and Food Services (YouTube)
Trainings & presentations
- Back to the Workplace presentation for unit leaders (PowerPoint)
- COVID-19 Safety Training: Back to the Workplace
Personal protective equipment
Signage, posters and graphics
- Downloadable posters and social media graphics
- Signage, posters and graphics to order from Creative Communications
Task force members
- Suzanne Allen, School of Medicine
- Mary Gresch, University Advancement
- Joseph Janes, Faculty Senate
- Sharon Jones, UW Bothell
- Elizabeth Lowry, Office of the Provost
- Jill Purdy, UW Tacoma
- Phil Reid, Academic and Student Affairs
- Mark Richards, Office of the Provost
- Ed Taylor, Undergraduate Academic Affairs
- Joy Williamson-Lott, Graduate School
This task force continues to review University protocols to protect student, faculty and staff health in campus spaces including residences, classrooms, labs and libraries. Their work is informed by public health experts, including the UW’s Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases, Environmental Health & Safety and UW Medicine infectious disease specialists.
