Information for Staff | COVID-19 and Reactivation Planning

The university appreciates the flexibility and dedication of its staff who have worked so diligently to support the changes we have all faced during this unprecedented situation. The health and well-being of our workforce is of utmost importance to us during these changing and challenging times.

At this time, faculty and staff who can fully perform their job responsibilities remotely should continue to do so unless approved to return to campus by their dean, department chair or supervisor. Individuals approved to work on campus (or other facility) are required to complete the Daily Check assessment each day before arriving on campus or accessing campus facilities and to comply with the requirements of the surveillance testing program. Please review the COVID-19: Employee Guidance or reach out to your supervisor or unit HR director if you have questions.

Recent Updates

Doing our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19 (October 16)
Preparing for Thanksgiving break, travel and testing (October 14)
In-person gatherings and activities (October 5)
Faculty and staff town hall: Fall semester updates (September 24)
Ithaca campus moving to COVID alert level green (September 16)

More Updates

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is allowed to attend in-person meetings or events?

Anyone attending an on-campus meeting or activity must be approved to be on campus. Those with approval are typically coming to campus one or more days per week to conduct business or research activities, are part of the Daily Check process, and complete surveillance testing as assigned. In order to manage the density of campus, faculty and staff who are not currently approved to come to campus should not attend a one-time event, activity or meeting.

Do I need to be approved to be on campus to visit a flu clinic?

Employees are permitted to attend a free Cornell Health flu clinic without prior approval to be on campus and enrollment in the Daily Check and surveillance testing program.

The Academic Calendar has been adjusted for the fall semester. How does this impact the holiday/time off schedule?

In response to COVID-19, Cornell has revised this year’s academic calendar. As a result, classes may be held on dates that traditionally occurred during academic breaks or holidays, such as Labor Day and Veterans Day. If classes are scheduled on these days, faculty are expected to provide instruction. Staff may also be required to work these days; if so, they will be paid in accordance with university holiday pay guidelines. A list of staff holidays is available here. Faculty and staff may contact your Human Resources representatives with questions.