April 9, 2020
COVID-19 has impacted the way we operate at UCF, affecting everything from how students learn to how employees work and so much more.
Our university community has done a tremendous job persevering through the challenges posed by this pandemic, and we thank each and every one of you for your continued commitment to UCF’s mission of student success.
Today, UCF is sharing important updates that impact students and faculty and staff members.
S/U Grading Opt-In Period
Starting Friday, most students will be able to select whether they would like a satisfactory or unsatisfactory grade or a letter grade for each of their Spring 2020 classes. The opt-in period will be open until 11:59 p.m. April 27.
There are important factors to consider when making this decision, but given the possible academic disruptions and hardships students have faced in the wake of COVID-19, this gives them the ability to select the option that works best for them. Students are highly encouraged to consult with their advisors about their options.
To also help students think critically about the impacts of their decision, we’ve put together FAQs for undergraduate and graduate students. Instructions about how to opt-in to S/U grading are available here.
Updates for Employees
As a reminder, remote work for employees will continue until further notice.
UCF HR has been working to adapt to federal, state and university guidance related to COVID-19 and the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, the federal legislation that took effect on April 1.
UCF will continue to provide paid administrative leave through April 16 to eligible faculty and A&P and USPS employees who are unable to work remotely or on campus.
Use of emergency paid sick leave also has been expanded for all eligible employees who are unable to work due to the governor’s Safer At Home Order that took effect April 3. The expansion allows employees — including OPS — to use emergency paid sick leave if they are unable to work remotely or on campus because of the order. This includes employees whose units do not currently have work they can do.
Employees currently on administrative leave will be eligible to use emergency paid sick leave to cover hours they are unable to work from April 17-30 due to the Safer At Home Order.
Employees have already been granted the total hours of emergency paid sick leave they are eligible to receive and can view their leave balances on their April 10 paychecks via myUCF.
Review the updated HR FAQs. Employees are encouraged to reach out to their HR liaisons with any questions.
Testing Site on Campus
On Monday, a COVID-19 drive-through testing site opened in UCF’s Garage A, providing up to 250 tests a day on weekdays to members of the community with a prescription and appointment.
Students and faculty and staff members who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 are encouraged to reach out to a healthcare provider and inquire about testing. Students should contact Student Health Services at 407-823-2701. Faculty or staff members should call UCF Health at 407-266-3627.
Upon calling, individuals will be given an appointment to be screened for symptoms. Those who qualify for testing will be provided a prescription, which will then be sent to Aventus — the third-party company facilitating the testing — to schedule a time for testing.
Tests are administered efficiently via a drive-through process that takes no more than 10 minutes from the start of the appointment time, and results can be expected within 24-48 hours.
Additional Information
In this period of dynamic change and unprecedented challenge, our students and faculty and staff members keep charging on.
Please continue to do your part in combatting COVID-19 by staying home as much as possible, practicing social distancing and taking personal health precautions, including proper hand-washing and avoiding touching your face and frequently touched surfaces.
UCF will continue to share new developments on the coronavirus website.