Faculty Remote Teaching and Teleworking Requests

Temporary vs. Semester-Long

Some instructors might request either temporary (a few days) or semester-long teleworking or remote teaching assignments for various reasons including:

• medical need
• temporary illness or exposure

Please keep in mind faculty and staff do not have to disclose to their supervisors or show proof that they tested COVID positive. Instructors simply may inform their supervisors of a need to miss work or class for a few days due to personal or health reasons.

What if an instructor requests a temporary remote teaching option because they have tested positive for COVID-19 (but feel their symptoms are mild enough they can continue to work remotely) or are caring for a child or other family member who is in isolation at home?

• Some faculty who are positive but present with mild or no symptoms might ask to record lectures or temporarily move their class to remote instruction.
• Shifts in teaching modality should first be discussed and coordinated with the department chair or head, including strategies for multiple communications with students (e.g., CSU email, Canvas, etc.) in advance of announcing to students.
• We recommend instructors take their class lists (via ARIESweb or ARIESwebLite) and email their students the plan (including details of how to access any synchronous remote lectures or engagements) in case the class temporarily shifts teaching modality.

What if the instructor does not feel well enough to teach remotely and needs other options for having their classes covered temporarily as they recover?

• Department chairs and heads will assist instructors who are too ill to teach in-person or remotely in finding solutions such as a temporary substitute, out-of-class assignments or additional options to minimize disruption of instruction, or other backup strategies.
• It is important to have flexibility and fairness in providing support and options for COVID-impacted faculty in their efforts to isolate and get well or comply with isolation requirements for themselves or family members for whom they provide direct care.
• Faculty should remind students to check communications regularly in case there is a sudden need to shift teaching modality so they do not show up to an empty classroom. They should inform students of how they will communicate (e.g., CSU email, Canvas, other).
• We recommend instructors take their class list” (via ARIESweb or ARIESwebLite) and email their students the plan (including details of how to access any synchronous remote lectures or engagements) in case the class temporarily shifts teaching modality.

What are the options for instructors who request teleworking or a remote teaching assignment for the entire semester based on a medical need (e.g., immunocompromised)?

• If an employee has a qualifying medical exception (their own – not related to a family member), they should apply for an accommodation through Office of Equal Opportunity process under Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Public Health Emergency Leave is a possibility for a COVID-related need for an employee or an immediate family member, if the employee qualifies for this leave. This leave is provided under a governmental executive order declaring the pandemic; it will not be available indefinitely and  it will run out. However, it can be used as intermittent leave or a block of leave to address COVID-related needs. This one-time allotment of leave allows up to 80 hours and is prorated. (Note: check with CSU Human Resources for the latest availability of this option; this leave may expire by dates set by state executive order.)
• The Family and Medical Leave Act may be an option for those who qualify (e.g., an employee’s own health or a family member’s). This federal leave also has a limit for a year, up to 12 weeks, and is not paid. An employee’s accrued sick or annual leave may be applied, however.

How has CSU typically approached faculty requests for teleworking or remote teaching assignment for the entire semester based on personal reasons not covered by illness or medical accommodations?

CSU offers a world-class residential experience through in-person instruction in classrooms, labs and studios. Options to teach remotely for faculty during a full semester are very limited and tied to institutional mission, the needs of students and programs. Any instructor who is approved for resident instruction remote teaching in a semester should keep in mind that such an approval is for the current semester only and not a guarantee for future semester assignments.

• Department chairs or heads have prioritized assignments and requests based on availability of remote sections, program type, and student need.
• Chairs or heads should consult with their deans to ensure an equitable process for consideration of applications is in place, and that all faculty requests are responded to with an email or letter to explain why the request was granted or not granted.