The College of Engineering’s weekly update aims to provide transparent and frequent information about how the College is operating, adapting and caring for its community. Updated information can always be found at the College’s COVID website. Questions and feedback can be submitted here.
The time between now and the end of the semester can feel like a marathon and a sprint wrapped up in one. The last day of class is next Tuesday (12/8), with exams ending ten days later (12/18). Try to pace yourself and support each other (and especially students) over the next few weeks.
IF YOU THINK A STUDENT COULD USE HELP
- Please fill out the Academic Progress Report so that advisors can get them the resources they need.
- This document can help instructors speak with students about specific issues.
- If he/she is completely disengaged or in danger of failing a course please submit a concern directly to the CARE center.
DECEMBER PAY DATE MOVING TO END OF MONTH
All U-M employees who are paid on a monthly basis will receive their paycheck on the last workday of the month, December 31. This change aligns the December pay date with the pay dates for the other 11 months in the year. If you have any questions regarding this change, please email payroll@umich.edu.
FAC/STAFF EMERGENCY HARDSHIP PROGRAM
When our colleagues face sudden and significant hardships and are left without sufficient funds for rent, utilities or other immediate and essential expenses, the Emergency Hardship Program can offer resource recommendations and, in specific emergency cases, provide funds.
W21 LAB & DESIGN COURSE MATERIALS – FINAL FUNDING REMINDER
The College is accepting funding requests to cover additional course material costs (e.g. lab kits and shipping) for lab and design courses. 25% department cost share is required. Additional info and funding request form. Deadline: Dec 7, 2020.
COVID TIME BANK PTO FORECAST
As many of you know and have utilized, U-M was able to offer special time off for staff/faculty faced with dependent care needs due to the pandemic. Here’s what we know:
- The unused COVID PTO does not expire on December 31, and it’s expiration remains TBD (note access to COVID PTO is not available to new hires since June 7).
- The Federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (EPSLA) expires Dec. 31, and it appears increasingly unlikely that it will be extended or replaced before the Biden administration takes office.
U-M Human Resources will be conducting a staff survey this month to assess needs of employees with dependent care/school age children. We ask managers to continue to be flexible with staff work schedules until we learn if these banks will be extended or replenished.
MICHIGAN MEDICINE COVID-19 VACCINATION PLAN FAQ
The promising news of vaccine arrivals brings a lot of questions. Michigan Medicine has put together a FAQ to help break it down.