Human Resources

May 5, 2021: Campus Update

To the Wesleyan community,

I want to sincerely thank you all for your tireless efforts toward making Wesleyan a safe place to be this academic year. Because of your care, diligence, and cooperation in following the community guidelines, we have been able to maintain COVID-19 positivity rates well below the level predicted by our modeling. I am pleased to report that we are planning for a return to normal campus operations and residential education in the fall.

Toward that end, I want to share important campus updates from the Pandemic Planning Committee. In the coming months, we will begin to relax some restrictions in preparation for fall. Employees should continue to consult with their Cabinet members on work plans. The following changes will take effect:    

April 13, 2021: Student Vaccination Requirement for Fall 2021

To the Wesleyan community,

With the recent expansion of eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine in Connecticut and around the country, and given our relatively low positivity rate throughout the 2020–21 academic year, we are looking toward the future with cautious optimism. We expect that our fall semester will see us return to residential life and the close-knit, stimulating campus environment so meaningful to all of us.

To that end, Wesleyan will require all students to receive the vaccine prior to returning to campus for the fall semester. Every student (with the exception of those who have approved medical or religious exemptions) will need to verify with the University that they are fully vaccinated prior to their arrival. Students can upload their vaccination record to the Davison Health Center.

March 18, 2021: Campus COVID Updates and Reminders

To the campus community,

We are writing to share a number of important COVID-19 updates, in light of recent changes to the State of Connecticut’s plans.

Effective tomorrow, Connecticut’s governor has relaxed a number of restrictions across the state, including no longer requiring offices to maintain a 50 percent occupancy limit. The University will generally follow the 50 percent occupancy of offices for the time being while cabinet members will continue to guide and direct staffing for their divisions.

In addition, the governor has accelerated the state’s age-based vaccine distribution plan. As of tomorrow, all individuals aged 45 and older may schedule their appointments for COVID-19 vaccinations. Scheduling will open to all individuals aged 16 and older tentatively beginning on April 5. (Please note that this new phase starting April 5 combines the 35 to 44 age range and the 16 to 34 age range, which had previously each been scheduled during separate weeks later in the spring.) The University encourages everyone to get vaccinated when you have the chance to do so.

February 4, 2021: Information for Returning to Work on Campus

Dear colleagues,

Welcome to the spring semester. Tomorrow, students will begin arriving back in Middletown. After consulting with public health officials and carefully reviewing and refining our health and safety protocols, we believe we have a clear plan for students to safely return to campus. As always, we will rely on all students, faculty, and staff to do their part in following safety guidelines at all times throughout the semester to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Because the COVID positivity rate in Connecticut and across the United States is higher than when we began the fall, we will need everyone’s renewed attention to these guidelines.

July 28, 2020: COVID Testing Support — Help Needed

As we prepare to roll out a robust schedule of on-campus testing for students, staff and faculty, we anticipate needing 20-25 full time staff to assist.  Current thinking is that the testing will run for 15 weeks, training for test staff will occur the week of August 10th, testing for employees will begin on or around August 17th and August 24th for students.

April 16, 2020: HR Update

From: Lisa Brommer
Subject: HR Update

I hope this finds you well. I write today to share several important updates for faculty and staff as we all navigate the coronavirus pandemic together.

I’m pleased to share that Wesleyan has adopted new provisions in all of its health plans through Cigna to cover testing and treatment for COVID-19. We are also participating in provisions of the CARES Act that will allow eligible employees to access funds through loans or hardship withdrawals from their Supplemental Retirement Accounts. In addition, employees who utilize Dependent Care Flexible Spending accounts may change their annual elections due to …

March 19, 2020: Staff Update

From: Lisa Brommer
Subject: Staff Update

As we continue to support our students and faculty through the transition to a distance-learning model, Wesleyan remains fully committed to the health and safety of each and every one of our colleagues. Whether you are supporting faculty, helping students move off campus, ensuring that technology resources are available, or thinking creatively about how you can continue your daily work in new ways, we are deeply grateful for you and your commitment.

Currently, the majority of us are working remotely. Cabinet members are collaborating…

March 13, 2020: Staff Update on COVID-19

From: Wesleyan Human Resources

Subject: Staff Update on COVID-19

Dear Colleagues,

As you know, the University has suspended all in-person classes and is moving to a distance-learning model because of the rapid spread of the coronavirus. I encourage you to review President Roth’s message to the campus community and to review the central coronavirus website.

While this outbreak and the difficult decisions it has necessitated are unprecedented for Wesleyan, we will continue to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all who remain on campus. The University will remain open and staff shall continue to work during this period. It is also important to note that the demands…