Jan. 20, 2021 – Postdoc Return to Campus Update

Posted by webcomm on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in Community Messages.

As we prepare to welcome more members of our community back to campus for the spring semester, we want to share some updates and reminders about our plans to support our community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

In recent weeks, new infection rates were rising sharply in Nashville and across the U.S. There is hope on the horizon, though, as the nation has entered the staged rollout of available vaccinations.

We are optimistic about the spring semester based on our successful fall semester. That said, we are in an incredibly challenging situation. We are grateful for your ongoing diligence and commitment to one another and our community, and for your scholarship, research and teaching.

Spring VU-employed Postdoc (scholars and trainees) Testing Program and Protocols

We have updated the testing program  and quarantine protocols  for postdocs who regularly report to campus or interact in person. Please review the most  recent update on testing and guidelines for the quarantine of asymptomatic close contacts. You also can read more about the testing plans for undergraduate students, graduate and professional students, staff and faculty on the Return to Campus website.

If you have symptoms:  Contact Occupational Health or  get a test  through your health care provider. If testing off campus, you should submit a positive COVID-19 test result through  RedCap  to begin contact tracing efforts.

Spring Return to Campus Acknowledgment due Jan. 25

All faculty, staff, students and VU-employed postdocs (scholars and trainees) must complete a Spring Return to Campus Acknowledgment by Jan. 25.

• Complete your COVID-19 Return to Campus Acknowledgment in Oracle Learning.

VUMC-employed postdocs should take guidance on exposure, testing requirements and vaccination from the COVID-19 information portal for VUMC employees. Any questions on research operations and accommodations should be discussed with the faculty PI/mentor in concert with the department chair.

Safety Protocols

To bolster our community safety this spring,  we  must adhere to the safety protocols we developed in the fall. Although some community members are now receiving vaccines, the virus is still spreading. To protect public health as much as possible, we cannot relax our physical distancing, face mask wearing,  gathering protocols and sanitation measures. We are grateful for your ongoing vigilance in this shared effort.

As conditions evolve throughout the semester, we will rely on public health guidance and keep  everyone informed.