June 25, 2020

Dear AU Community,

This week, the District of Columbia entered Phase Two of the ReOpen DC plan. While Phase Two provides updated guidance for a variety of operations throughout the city – including retail stores, restaurants, and gyms, among others – American University’s operating status remains unchanged. Phase Two also allows universities to open according to plans approved by the District, and our AU Forward plan is currently being reviewed.

As we announced on June 16, we will move to a modified operating status on July 1 as part of the implementation of AU Forward and in accordance with the Health and Safety plan and the Moving to the Next Phase of How We Work overview. The Office of the Provost and Human Resources are working with schools, colleges, and administrative units to update their categorization of faculty and staff for the phased return to on-campus presence, and this will continue into July. For those members of the workforce who will be required to be on campus some or all of the time, we expect that most will not begin their phased physical return to campus before August 1.

Faculty and staff who are currently teleworking should continue to do so until they are informed of any change in their status related to physical presence – all members of the workforce will be informed of their status by the end of July. Staff who are coming to campus for essential services remain on their existing schedules and arrangements. For more information about our workforce arrangements, please visit HR’s COVID-19 FAQs.

Physical distancing and face coverings are required on campus at all times. Access to campus buildings and facilities remain limited. If faculty and staff need to visit their offices to retrieve materials necessary to complete their job responsibilities, they may do so for limited periods of time in consultation with their supervisor and HR representative. While the ReOpen DC Phase Two parameters allow for gatherings of up to 50 people, all in-person events or gatherings on AU’s campus must adhere to the posted room occupancy limits. This is to ensure physical distancing requirements are met. Meetings are to continue via videoconferencing tools.

Other localities in the DC region are announcing plans for Phase Three reopening and beyond, including plans for K-12 schools. We will continue to monitor these developments. The health and safety protocols outlined in the AU Forward plan will remain in place until the university announces otherwise, even if updated operating procedures are permitted under the current phase of reopening in DC.

For information about the overall university COVID-19 response and operations, please visit the COVID-19 Resources page.

Thank you for your support and dedication. If you have any questions, please contact hrpayrollhelp@american.edu.

All our best,

Seth & Beth

Seth Grossman
Chief of Staff, Office of the President

Beth Muha
Assistant Vice President of Human Resources