Blog

Dear Colleagues,

• The COVID-19 Task Force had a meeting on Thursday, December 9th. Here are today’s meeting notes from the Augsburg Staff Union representative.
• Minnesota Department of Health Updates:
• There is an increasing case count in the 18-24 age range: 3,000 last week compared to 2,000/week recent trend.
• Positivity rate and hospitalization rate have both increased in the week after Thanksgiving.
• Delta remains the predominant variant in Minnesota, but there is a lag in the reporting of that data (about a month).
  • Omicron variant in MN, now identified in 20+ states.
  • There is probably community spread of Omicron in MN, but the extent is unclear.
  • Transmissibility and virulence still not clear.
  • Preliminary clinical information from South Africa suggests no unusual symptoms; asymptomatic infection remains possible.
• Testing options
  • The Department of Administration has a list of testing vendors (with contract pricing) we can use.
  • State supported BinaxNOW for higher ed will continue into early next year.
  • MDH can still help with testing for surges and clusters.
  • The State will continue to operate Vault testing sites until some point that has not been determined yet; when it changes it won’t be all at once.
• Federal mask requirement for transportation extended through March 18
• Healthcare worker students (vaccinated) who are close contacts of a positive case may return to class but should wear a mask
• MDH has issued a health advisory about flu on higher ed campuses
• They urge us to communicate with students ahead of holiday and share the usual reminders
• Preliminary survey results from 90 higher ed institutions
  • 79 percent have masking requirements
• A COVID-19 Task force member brought up the idea of doing an on-campus event to promote boosters.
  • Student government has voiced support for doing an on-campus booster event.
  • Stephen Jendraszak will follow up with Rebecca John about this.
• MDH will have the weekly meeting next week, then cancel the following two unless something urgent comes up.

Dashboard Update:

• Regional case rates rose substantially in Hennepin and Ramsey counties during the week following Thanksgiving, and test positivity in both counties moved into the high range (>10%).
• On campus: multiple new confirmed cases this week; 14-day on-campus student cases already > .5% for the period ending Saturday, 12/11. The response team is drafting an email to all students reminding them to stay home if they have symptoms.

Other Updates:

• A COVID-19 Task force member stated that departments are requesting a restock of ‘back up’ mask supplies for next term, and they asked if we can support them. There was not a definitive answer concluded in the meeting.
• The COVID-19 Task force discussed whether or not to meet Dec. 23 and 30. Pending approval from Rebecca John, those two meetings will be potentially canceled unless something comes up.

We set up a Google Form so Augsburg Staff Union members could state their questions or concerns to be addressed at the meeting.

Please note: Urgent questions related to COVID-19 should not be submitted via the Google Form, those questions should continue to be sent to helpline@augsburg.edu, calling 612-474-3100, and/or by using the Augsburg self-reporting form.

The interim staff union representative will continue to send weekly updates based on information gathered in the COVID Task Force meetings and questions asked in the google form.

Dear Colleagues,
Over the last several weeks, the Staff Union Bargaining Team has been working on an updated Leave article, including Parental Leave. Monday night during bargaining, the Union Bargaining Team proposed a Letter of Understanding that would allow the University to immediately institute a New Parent Leave Policy.
The policy would provide up to 6 weeks of paid leave–separate from your accrued sick leave or vacation–to the parent of a newborn, newly adopted, or newly placed foster child. Either or both parents may use it within a year of the birth, adoption, or placement, and the benefit applies per child. If an employee is ineligible for or has exhausted FMLA leave, they can still use up to 6 weeks of new parent leave as defined in this proposal.
The administration was supportive, even excited, to agree to six weeks of paid leave…but they do not want to institute this policy until after the contract is finished. 
The Bargaining Team told the administration that they see no reason why this policy can’t go into effect immediately, especially if both parties agree with the language. (The parties signed similar Letters of Understanding to speed up implementation of the upcoming 2% annual raise, and regarding 2022 insurance premium increases.)
New Parent Leave is a big deal for us. Many Augsburg staff members are new parents or expecting. This policy isn’t an abstract legal exercise. This would have a real, tangible effect on us and the health of our families, and would help Augsburg keep pace with other universities which already offer a similar benefit.
We urge the administration to sign this Letter of Understanding immediately. We go to the bargaining table again on Thursday, and there is no good reason to withhold this improvement in our workplace.

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 Task Force had a meeting on Thursday, November 11th. Here are the meeting notes from the Augsburg Staff Union representative.

Minnesota Department of Health Updates:

• Cases remain “high” in nearly all MN counties. Campuses are continuing to do well, but the concern is about a large uptick in hospitalization and the 9% statewide positivity rate (substantial per CDC definitions).
• MDH recommends institutions of higher education continue with the mitigation practices they have in place during this time.
• MDH also suggested encouraging:
• Masking/distancing off campus.
• Promoting boosters (everyone in higher education is eligible).
  • Six months after Pfizer or Moderna.
  • Two months after J&J (booster for J&J is recommended).
  • Providing recommendations for Thanksgiving:
  • Layers of mitigation (vaccination, distance, testing, masks) are important.
  • If anyone has symptoms, they should stay away from gatherings.
  • Keep the gathering small (less than 5) – Any gathering increases the risk of infection for everyone.
  • Space out the furniture to encourage distancing.
  • If high-risk people are in attendance, consider getting others tested.
  • Lay low before you go.
  • Unvaccinated people should test before they go home and/or before they visit vulnerable people.
• CDC has no recommendation for additional dose if the original vaccination was a non-FDA approved type (e.g., for international students). CDC and FDA are working on this.
• MDH expects to shift how it partners with Institutions of Higher Education for contact tracing (focusing on clusters and surges vs individual cases) – Updates and training planned for December.
• Assessment of classroom transmission – only 1 secondary infection confirmed.
• Vaccine 101 training Nov. 23, 1 hour, 9am and 3pm.
• New event guidance is expected to be published by the end of the week.

Dashboard Update:

• Cases per 100k were in the upper 300 range last week. Reports this week are back in 200s, but there are data anomalies potentially affecting the daily numbers at this time-https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view

Campus Operations:

• Expanding designated dining spaces in Hagfors — an announcement will be sent before Saturday for classes on the weekend.
• There are still COVID Policy holds that are preventing students from registering for classes. Working with students to reduce that number.

Covid-19 Task Force Elections

• Later this month, we will open nominations to run for the permanent Augsburg Staff Union position on the Covid-19 Task Force.
• Please join us at the November 17th Town Hall at Noon to learn more about this position. Register for the Town Hall here.

We set up a Google Form so Augsburg Staff Union members could state their questions or concerns to be addressed at the meeting.

Please note: Urgent questions related to COVID-19 should not be submitted via the Google Form, those questions should continue to be sent to helpline@augsburg.edu, calling 612-474-3100, and/or by using the Augsburg self-reporting form.

The interim staff union representative will continue to send weekly updates based on information gathered in the COVID Task Force meetings and questions asked in the google form.

Dear Colleagues, The COVID-19 Task Force had a meeting on Thursday, November 4th. Here are the meeting notes from the Augsburg Staff Union representative. Minnesota Department of Health Updates:

• Cases remain “high” in nearly all MN counties – significant recent increases in regional rates.
• Vaccination now available for children ages 5-11.
• Updated CDC guidance for higher education. 
• Vaccine 101 Training will be on Nov. 23rd, 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
• COVID coordinators, residential staff, campus life, student leaders, athletics, faculty, etc. are welcome to join.
• The COVID Task Force is working on gathering more information on how to join for those interested.
• This will be shared with potentially RAs, student government, and other student organization leaders.
• Discussion of boosters for those in higher education settings. Getting a booster is recommended for higher education.
• MDH will consult on whether/how they would advise us to track boosters. 
• Anyone who is living in a residence hall can get a booster.

Dashboard Update: 

• For comparison: less than 60% of all Minnesotans 18-24 have at least one dose. 
• Last week’s on campus cases of COVID was 5. 

Campus Clear Stats: 

• Much like September, half as many reports in the Campus Clear app overall vs a year ago (this Oct 4,966 vs last Oct 10,739). 
• Higher percentage of that 4966 total is faculty reporting (14%) vs last Oct (6%). More faculty are participating this year. 

Campus Operations: 

• Exploring expanded dining areas in Hagfors. The Mpls Operations team to discuss further at their meeting on 11/4. 
• Continuing indoor mask mandate. 

We set up a Google Form so Augsburg Staff Union members could state their questions or concerns to be addressed at the meeting. The following question was requested in advance of the meeting: 

• Q: Explain more please … “During the MDH meeting, there was a discussion of what not to use antibody testing for.”
• A: Here’s more detail on what MDH said about not using antibody tests:
• Antibody tests are not to be used to diagnose acute COVID 19 infection. 
• Antibody tests are not recommended to assess for immunity after infection or after vaccination. 
• Not recommended to determine the need for quarantine after exposure. 
• There is no identified correlation between antibody levels and immunity.

Please note: Urgent questions related to COVID-19 should not be submitted via the Google Form, those questions should continue to be sent to helpline@augsburg.edu, calling 612-474-3100, and/or by using the Augsburg self-reporting form.   The interim staff union representative will continue to send weekly updates based on information gathered in the COVID Task Force meetings and questions asked in the google form. 

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 Task Force had a meeting on Thursday, October 28th. Here are the meeting notes from the Augsburg Staff Union representative.

Minnesota Department of Health Updates:

• MDH suggested keeping the masking requirements indoors through the end of November.
• During the MDH meeting, there was a discussion of what not to use antibody testing for.
• MDH has an updated K-12 decision tree which can also be used in the higher education setting.
• MDH is preparing training for those sharing reassuring and accurate vaccine information with the community.

Dashboard Update:

• We are continuing to see a low number of cases per week– both vaccinated and unvaccinated.
• Vaccination numbers (students and faculty/staff) continue incremental improvement.
• Regional transmission is still very active.
• Testing Access Update:
  • A summary of testing opportunities will be discussed with Augsburg Day Student Government regarding how to use and share the information.
• Communication Update:
  • COVID Policy hold communication has been sent to students, with information to faculty and staff who may get questions from students.
• Federal approval of booster vaccinations added to Outbreak Planning site.

We set up a Google Form so Augsburg Staff Union members could state their questions or concerns to be addressed at the meeting. The following question was requested in advance of the meeting:

• Q: When an Augsburg staff, student, or faculty member gets a booster to their COVID-19 vaccine, do they need to or are they encouraged to report that info to Augsburg? If so, how?
• A: Dawn Miller addressed this briefly during the meeting. HR is waiting for more detailed guidance from OSHA about federal requirements. Employees are welcome to upload their booster information on the Human Resources page, but this is not a requirement at this time. As more information is clarified, this question will be provided a fuller answer at a future meeting.

Please note: Urgent questions related to COVID-19 should not be submitted via the Google Form, those questions should continue to be sent to helpline@augsburg.edu, calling 612-474-3100, and/or by using the Augsburg self-reporting form.

The interim staff union representative will continue to send weekly updates based on information gathered in the COVID Task Force meetings and questions asked in the google form.

Dear Colleagues,

The COVID-19 Task Force had a meeting on Thursday, October 21st. Here are the meeting notes from the Augsburg Staff Union representative.

Minnesota Department of Health Updates:

• 3,000 cases of COVID-19/week in the 18-24 year old range in MN (down from 4,000/week in previous report).
• Statewide positivity (8.3%) and hospital usage still very high (higher than spring 2021 “alpha” wave).
• MDH encourages higher education institutions to maintain strong indoor mask policies and other campus mitigation efforts. Transmission rates are good on campuses in general, but MDH is seeing transmission in the community.
• Vaccinated individuals are 6.4% of total cases in MN and 1.4% of vaccinated have tested positive for COVID.
• Students (specifically) can use community sites for routine testing, but institutions should list it as one of the options.
• CDC change to guidance: Vaccinated individuals should get tested 5-7 days after exposure. The website will be updated with this information and the Response Team will update their communications.

Dashboard Updates:

• The latest vaccination report is available on the Dashboard website.
• There is also a link on the Dashboard website to a new CDC report about risk of infection and death for unvaccinated individuals.

Testing Access:

• Doing an on-campus testing event will most likely not be happening at this time.
• Students, Staff, and Faculty are encouraged to go to People’s Center for testing. No appointment is necessary, but you can also schedule appointments via phone.
• In the meeting, a member of the COVID Task Force asked, “Do you need to be symptomatic?” The answer that was provided was that this question did not come up in conversation with People’s Center when discussing testing.
• The COVID tests are an oral swab test. The results are provided in a phone call, and they will leave a message only if the test is negative.

COVID Policy Hold:

• Emails have been sent to students about getting their vaccination cards or exemptions submitted. Students have been responding to these emails.
• The question brought up in the meeting that a student could ask was, “What’s going to happen if I don’t follow through?” Overall, the answer addressed in the meeting was that Augsburg is really trying to work with students on helping them be in compliance at this time.
• A point brought up in the meeting by a member of the COVID Task Force was that Faculty will need clarity on how they can answer questions from students about compliance with the vaccine mandate.
• More information will need to be provided about the hold to deans to share with faculty.

Indoor Mask Mandate Discussion:

• 2 year history of campus/regional case rates
• Main question proposed in the discussion: At what point, under what conditions, and in what contexts, might we reduce campus mask requirements?
• Some other metro area schools have similar mask mandates as Augsburg, and many are comparable to our situation with respect to commuting, visitors, etc.
• Student government was in support of keeping the mask mandate unless community spread was lower.
• Setting a metric (vs a date) for lifting the mask mandate could be helpful, but the COVID Task Force will still need to have a conversation about the context at that time that the metric is met.
• Questions and Comments posed in the meeting:
  • Is there a sense of urgency about changing what appears to be working?
  • What does it mean if we had to reinstate masks if rates went up?
  • If there is a change, we need to be very clear about when/if people can take their mask off.
  • Masks are becoming a habit.
  • With the holidays coming up, there may be an impact on rates we don’t know yet.
  • We’ve followed the science to date.
  • Masks send a message that we care about people’s safety. We are protecting the community.
• Overall, this was primarily a discussion about benefits of the mask mandate at the present time.
• It was also discussed how it will be important to talk with the faculty senate and staff senate as well about any potential future changes.

We set up a Google Form so Augsburg Staff Union members could state their questions or concerns to be addressed at the meeting. The following questions were requested in advance of the meeting:

• Q: Will there be an on-campus flu shot opportunity for students, faculty, and staff this year?
  • A: Nothing is planned at this time. Elaine Eschenbacher is working on getting more information about what would be possible with People’s Center.
• Q: What are the next steps for faculty and staff who are out of compliance with the vaccine mandate?
  • A: Dawn Miller responded to this question in the meeting. Dawn stated that Augsburg is waiting to finalize the policy once they receive final guidelines from OSHA. Reminders have been sent to faculty and staff who are out of compliance.
• A COVID Task Force member asked a follow-up question: Can the final compliance policy be sent out to all staff and faculty once completed? (Not just those who are out of compliance)
  • Answer from Leif Anderson and Dawn Miller: Yes. The policy will be sent to everyone’s email and will also be published on the HR website and in other areas.

Please note: Urgent questions related to COVID-19 should not be submitted via the Google Form, those questions should continue to be sent to helpline@augsburg.edu, calling 612-474-3100, and/or by using the Augsburg self-reporting form.

The interim staff union representative will continue to send weekly updates based on information gathered in the COVID Task Force meetings and questions asked in the google form.

Dear Colleagues, The COVID-19 Task Force had a meeting on Thursday, October 14th. Here are the meeting notes from the Augsburg Staff Union representative. Minnesota Department of Health Updates: 

• There was no general higher education meeting this week. 
• Updates from Augsburg’s classroom group: Based on their meeting notes, they are looking into advice for institutions on mask mandates. 

Dashboard update: 

• Overall, Rebecca John stated that Augsburg is doing well. On campus, case rates remain low (2 new cases reported in the past week).
• The growth in regional and statewide transmission rates for COVID-19 has accelerated over the past week. 
• Last week, the 7-day case rate in Hennepin County exceeded 200 per 100,000 population for the first time since the peak of the April 2021 wave. Case rates outside of the metropolitan area are even higher, and hospitals statewide are at or near full capacity.
• Vaccination status will be added to the COVID-19 Dashboard this week (numbers will be updated Friday). Example of what will be on the Dashboard: 
• Vaccinated students (as a % of all reported): 85.93%
• Vaccinated Faculty & Staff (as a % of all reported): 97.53% 
• Students who have reported their vaccination status: 97.79% 
• Faculty & Staff who have reported their vaccination status: 89.45%
• 10% of all students at Augsburg have not met our policy (note: you can be in compliance with the policy without being vaccinated) 
• 6% of the 10% are not vaccinated 
• 2% of the 10% have their first dose 
• 2% of the 10% are unknown

Testing access: 

• Updated Outbreak Planning webpage will include Minneapolis Convention Center option. This will be added to Amail and on digital screens.
• Testing options added to emails to students from response team.
• Working on connection with People’s Center for testing events.

COVID policy hold: 

• Approximately 300 (10%) of students not in compliance with the policy. 
• Marah Jacobson-Schulte, Katie Bishop, Rebecca John met to confirm the plan for students who have not met the policy. They are targeting an initial email early next week encouraging students to take one of the action options and stay enrolled. 
• Sarah Griesse, Mike Fetting, and Rebecca to confirm logistics of adding/lifting the holds in Agresso.
• Questions brought up by COVID Task Force members during the meeting on this topic: 
• Question: If they have submitted the original exemption form and it got bounced back for more information are they being flagged as compliant or not currently?  And when will answers be given to those that got it bounced back and resubmitted more information on their exemption request?
• Answer from Katie Bishop: We’re working through those right now.
• Answer from Rebecca John: Students are not on the policy hold list if they have started the process. 
• Percentage rate of faculty & staff out of compliance: 10.55% 

CampusClear App

• Jennifer Bankers-Fulbright, Scott Krajewski, Rebecca John are working on the logic of CampusClear and directing faculty, staff, and students to more situation-specific information. 
• Working on updating the Exposed to COVID-19 or Feeling Sick? website as well to help direct staff, students, and faculty for updated next steps on what to do.

We set up a Google Form so Augsburg Staff Union members could state their questions or concerns to be addressed at the meeting. Please note: Urgent questions related to COVID-19 should not be submitted via the Google Form, those questions should continue to be sent to helpline@augsburg.edu, calling 612-474-3100, and/or by using the Augsburg self-reporting form.   The interim staff union representative will continue to send weekly updates based on information gathered in the COVID Task Force meetings and questions asked in the google form. 

Dear Colleagues, The COVID-19 Task Force had a meeting on Thursday, October 7th. Here are the meeting notes from the Augsburg Staff Union representative.Minnesota Department of Health Updates:

• Visit Minnesota’s COVID-19 Response Capacity webpage to view data for capacities for hospital surge.
• Hospitalization rate and test positivity rates are up for COVID-19.
• There is a free Docket smartphone app available to share vaccination status.
• There will be no MDH meeting next week.

Dashboard update:

• Augsburg’s cases are still low.
• Beginning to see accelerating increases of COVID-19 in all regions of MN, including the metro area.
• Updated student vaccination rate information is available based on the new MDH reporting access.
• Augsburg students will have a hold on their course registration for spring semester if they are not vaccinated and/or if they have not filed for an exemption.
• Questions brought up by other members of the COVID Task force during the meeting about student vaccination status:
• How are we handling students who will be matriculating in the spring? Will we also require them to have met the mandate requirements before registering for classes?
• When considering this question, also think about the new international students coming in the spring.
• Katie Bishop, Rebecca John and Mara Jacobson-Schulte will meet to discuss student vaccination status further.

Campus Clear App:

• Compared to 1 year ago, there are half as many reports (symptoms or not, any reporting) in total within the Campus Clear App. 
• Since October 2020, there have not been over 6000 reports (symptoms or not, any reporting) in a month until September 2021 (7897 reports). 

Other updates:

• Booster information is now available on the Outbreak Planning page and in Amail.
• Working on getting more COVID-19 testing options this semester.
• Working with People Centers to set up a potential COVID-19 testing event.
• A suggestion was brought up that signage be put up around campus to advertise how students can currently get tested.
• Student government is also looking into getting the word out about testing for COVID-19.
• In contact tracing emails, information on where to get tested will be added.

We set up a Google Form in advance of the meeting so Augsburg Staff Union members could state their questions or concerns to be addressed at the meeting. There were no questions this week.
Please note: Urgent questions related to COVID-19 should not be submitted via the Google Form, those questions should continue to be sent to helpline@augsburg.edu, calling 612-474-3100, and/or by using the Augsburg self-reporting form.   The interim staff union representative will continue to send weekly updates based on information gathered in the COVID Task Force meetings and questions asked in the google form.

Dear Colleagues,
Are you interested in getting more involved with the Augsburg Staff Union? The Contract Action Team is recruiting: 
Short term: Help us plan our next Town Hall lunch & learn! 
Help the CAT prepare the next virtual Town Hall. This is a great chance to learn more about union bargaining, union issues, and get connected to fellow staff union members. Here’s the task:

• Meeting tonight on zoom, 6-7 pm. Click here to join the call!We will plan the next Town Hall: Seniority: What does it mean, how does it work, and what approach are we taking?
• Zoom Town Hall: October 20, noon-1pm. 

New to Augsburg? New to Unions? Not so new, but haven’t attended a CAT meeting yet? NO PROBLEM! We will do some introductions at the start of the meeting. All are welcome!
Help us longer term: We also always welcome union members to join the CAT on a more regular basis. What does the CAT do?

• Communicates important bargaining information to union members.
• Plans events and actions for solidarity.
• Manages the Augsburg Staff Union social media accounts.
• Connects with unionized colleagues at other institutions.
• Builds solidarity with neighborhood community organizations.
• Reaffirms support for an Augsburg contract with Augsburg values!

Any and all union members can join the CAT. Just stop by our meetings to join–all taking place on Zoom from the convenience of your home/office/wherever! We typically meet on Tuesdays at 6 pm. 
Other ways to help:There are many ways to get involved: help with social media posts, occasional phone banking or event planning, coming to socialize at Union Social Lunch on Wednesdays at noon in Murphy Square. Have another idea? Let us know!
See you at tonight’s CAT meeting!

Dear Colleagues,
The COVID-19 Task Force had a meeting on Thursday, September 30. Here are the meeting notes from the Augsburg Staff Union representative. 

Minnesota Department of Health Updates: 

• Faculty/Staff over 18 who are at increased risk for exposure may receive a booster dose for the Pfizer vaccine six months after completing the primary series for the Pfizer vaccine. 
• Augsburg is looking into confirming legal guidance on whether we can use Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) for student vaccination data to verify remaining student vaccination status. 
• Discussion of interpretation of antigen test results: 
• Advantage: Can identify positive cases much faster (the person who tests positive can start their 10-day isolation earlier). 
• Disadvantage: Ability to accurately rule out COVID is lower (lower sensitivity). If someone is exposed, has symptoms, and/or is unvaccinated, a PCR test is recommended. 
• Updated MDH bus guidance-If traveling on a bus, the standard definition of close contact (6 feet from someone for 15 minutes or more over the course of a day) is used if a positive case is determined instead of considering all passengers exposed.  

Dashboard Update: 

• Most of the case growth in MN is happening outside the metro area. However, Hennepin and Ramsey county are still at a high level. 
• Test positivity for COVID-19 in both Hennepin and Ramsey county are dipping below 5%.
• Student vaccination rate is 86.73% for at least the first dose, and 81.55% for fully vaccinated. 
• Average county rates for 18-24 yr olds in Minnesota (from MDH) are 43.7% for at least the first dose, and 39.4% for fully vaccinated. 

Updates from MDH Classroom Group: 

• As MDH is transitioning out of pandemic mode into an endemic management mode, how do institutions prioritize where the high impact areas are for contact tracing? In particular, the pros/cons of classroom contact tracing (transmission data, disruption to student/faculty/learning) need to be evaluated.

CampusClear App: 

• The question brought up in the Task Force meeting was, “Does the recommendation to students/staff based on symptoms match the MDH Decision Tree?” 
• Members of the COVID-19 Task Force will be looking into how the CampusClear app can be edited to match the MDH Decision Tree. 

We set up a Google Form in advance of the meeting so Augsburg Staff Union members could state their questions or concerns to be addressed at the meeting.  Please note: Urgent questions related to COVID-19 should not be submitted via the Google Form, those questions should continue to be sent to helpline@augsburg.edu, calling 612-474-3100, and/or by using the Augsburg self-reporting form.   The interim staff union representative will continue to send weekly updates based on information gathered in the COVID Task Force meetings and questions asked in the google form.