Here are some of the frequently asked questions – and answers – from the final staff and faculty April town hall meeting of the semester with IUPUI Chancellor Nasser H. Paydar and campus leaders.
Question: What guidance is available related to hosting in-person events and meetings this fall?
Answer: The university is assessing the situation related to hosting events on campus in the fall and will provide guidance in the near future. If you would like to plan and host an event on the IUPUI campus this fall, visit Event and Conference Services to begin the process and engage the correct parties. Having taken this step, you will be well-positioned once the university-level decision is made.
Q: Will a COVID-19 vaccine be required for all IUPUI faculty, staff and students? Should a faculty or staff member report if they have received the COVID-19 vaccine?
A: It has not yet been determined if a vaccination will be required, but all faculty, staff and students are strongly encouraged to get vaccinated and report it using the form available at One.IU.edu. Search for “COVID-19 vaccine reporting form.”
Q: If you are fully vaccinated, are you still required to participate in mitigation testing?
A: Once you are fully vaccinated, which includes two weeks past the date of your last dose, your name will be removed from the mitigation testing pool.
Q: Who is eligible to receive the vaccine at the IUPUI Campus Center clinic, and how do you make an appointment?
A: The IUPUI vaccination site is a closed point of dispensing, or POD, and vaccinations are available for faculty, staff and students only. To schedule an appointment at the POD, text APPT to 317-518-7003 with your name and phone number, and a staff member will call you to schedule an appointment.
You can also schedule an appointment through the state of Indiana at other convenient locations within Marion and surrounding counties by visiting ourshot.in.gov.
Q: What can we anticipate the fall academic calendar will look like? Will there be a fall break? Will the time after Thanksgiving be back on campus or online?
A: The fall academic calendar will include a Labor Day break, a fall break on Oct. 8 and a week off for Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving, classes will resume on campus. Please note that six-week winter session courses will continue to be offered mostly online for logistical purposes.
Q: Will classroom occupancy limits return to normal for the fall semester? What safety precautions will continue to be in place in classrooms and office spaces?
A: Classroom occupancy will return to normal spacing. The current cleaning protocols will remain and include a focus on high-touch points, and the mask requirement will remain in place.
Q: Is the hiring freeze still in effect?
A: Yes, the hiring freeze is still in effect, but there has been and continues to be a process by which exemptions can be filed for review.
Q: Will faculty and staff see pay increases this year?
A: The salary policy is being developed, and administration is hopeful that there will be modest pay increases for faculty and staff.
Q: When will staff be required to return to work on campus full time? Is this an individual conversation with our supervisors, or will there be a university-wide date to return to campus?
A: We are expecting campus operations to return to near normal on or around Aug. 1. This includes the return of on-campus activities as well as faculty, staff and student presence on campus. You should discuss the expectations for a return to campus with your direct supervisor.
The university is also looking at policies and procedures related to staff working remotely that might offer greater flexibility where work responsibilities can be fulfilled with a remote or hybrid arrangement.
