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Pitt Resilience Steering Committee Update


As you know, the University continues to require all Pitt faculty, staff and students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or have an approved exemption. With your support, Pitt has navigated compliance for those with an approved vaccination exemption.

Recently, the University made a few changes to processes that we want to bring to your attention.

Mandatory testing program paused:

  • Per the COVID-19 Medical Response Office’s August 18 announcement, and in line with new CDC recommendations, Pitt will be pausing its mandatory testing program for unvaccinated individuals.
  • Pitt will be offering response testing for individuals, including faculty and staff, who may have been exposed. Response testing — also known as focused testing — will be offered at the O’Hara Student Center and on the regional campuses.

New testing vendor:

  • The University’s COVID test vendor has changed from Quest to ColorHealth. Tests are no longer available by mail.
  • Please familiarize yourself with new test options to support your employees who may need to test due to exposure or symptoms.

Compliance reporting and disciplinary action:

  • As provided in University Policy, employees must submit proof that they have received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine or received an exemption prior to the start of their employment. As has been the case, employees who are non-compliant with Pitt’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement will not be permitted to work, are not permitted on campus, and must follow directives in emailed disciplinary communications.
  • Those non-compliant employees will be subject to progressive disciplinary action led by the Office of Human Resources (staff) or Office of the Provost (faculty), in consultation with the Responsibility Center. Supervisors and leaders will continue to be copied on escalated disciplinary communications.

Other updates:

  • The CDC no longer recommends quarantining for people who have been exposed to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. Instead, they should mask for ten days and test on day five, or sooner if symptoms occur.
  • Please review the August 18 CMRO message for other important reminders about masking, individual responsibility and vaccines.

Questions? Email the RSC at resiliencesteeringcommittee@pitt.edu.

With thanks for your continued support,

The Resilience Steering Committee



8/27/2022
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