National Newsletter for the
Cooperative Programs for the Advancement of Earth System Science
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March 2020 -
SPECIAL ISSUE
This is
our
newsletter so if you have a cool picture, a suggestion, or a question, please send it!
Hello from Hanne
Free, Fun, and Virtual
Questions and Answers
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Hello Everyone,
I hope this finds you well in the midst of this difficult time. As most of us don’t typically telework, know that I am aware of the challenges it can bring. I will do whatever is in my power to assist you.
At this point I'm assuming most of you are working from home, unless your host/agency has designated you as essential personnel. If virtual work arrangements are acceptable to your federal/host agency, please let me know if you are not taking advantage of these. We understand that social distancing is an important strategy in preventing the spread of this virus, and permissions and approvals on the UCAR | CPAESS and are no longer necessary. If you cannot execute the work duties of your position remotely, please contact me directly.
First of all thank you all for filling out our survey. Between the phone calls, emails and the Questions and Answers below and
here
I have tried to address some of the issues our telework situation has caused. I know that many of you have been working with IT support at your different agencies to secure the tools you need to properly telecommute. Please make sure I know if you still are missing equipment, connectivity or other resources for your work that we can potentially resolve.
Additionally here is a UCAR
Resource information
sheet in case any of this is useful to your situation. This covers a breadth of information that may be of use to you including UCAR Equipment & Connectivity, UCAR IT Issues, UCAR VPN, UCAR voicemail, Google Meet, GlobalMeet, UCAR Purchasing, UCAR COVID Info, Family Leave, Miscellaneous Other, and Connecting with Staff.
Being in the midst of a pandemic is an ever-changing and unusual situation. UCAR has a pretty robust site with many different resources on it that could be helpful to you. Please check out the
UCAR COVID site
which includes a lot of categorical links including FAQs, HR info, Tony’s COVID Emails, etc. In particular many of you may find that you have to care for sick family members. UCAR has temporarily expanded the Family Sick Leave Policy to include not only personal sickness but that of family members. Please see
Tony Busalacchi’s email
and
Neil Barker’s email
concerning this, and check out
UCAR’s HR FAQ
or
post your question here
.
As always, please
reach out to me
if you have any questions concerning this evolving situation.
I appreciate all of your work and want you all to stay healthy and safe.
My sincere thanks
,
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Based on the survey we have gathered some information for you. All of these
can be found here
as well.
Potential Family Issues:
Below are some points from your survey feedback. We know that caring for your family is critical and that this situation changes or could change a number of factors concerning the well-being of yourself and your family. UCAR has temporarily expanded the Family Sick Leave Policy to include not only personal sickness but that of family members. Please see
Tony Busalacchi’s email
and
Neil Barker’s email
concerning this, and check out
UCAR’s HR FAQ
or
post your question here
.
- If my son's daycare is closed as well, it will be hard for me to work at home with my 2 years old.
- Closing of daycare at federal facility
- Child care
General Equipment/Connectivity Issues:
Generally speaking you will need to speak with your Host concerning equipment you can take home (laptops, monitors, etc.) as well as their VPN protocol. Each agency is different and depending on the nature of your work their IT professionals will be able to sort out with you what is allowable in these circumstances and what is not. Please consult your Host and agency technical staff concerning these details. If you have questions beyond that please let us know. Below are some of the equipment you mentioned and we know there is a great deal of breadth and depth concerning what you all may potentially need.
- Possible equipment / sensor issues
- Possible shipment for repair replacement parts. Any access would be very limited.
- VPN issues and corresponding accessibility
- Physical files
- Workstation access
- Large storage devices
- More powerful computer (more RAM for 3D visualization)
- Proper ergonomic adjustable desk and chair
- Remote access to servers
- Internet from home is not as fast as working in the office. Products might be delayed.
People Connection:
Here are some tips from UCAR’s COVID site
about managing stress
which includes insight from the CDC concerning stress. We also recommend that you use Google Hangouts and other teleconferencing tools to regularly meet and interface with your colleagues for both the sake of your work and mental well-being. Don’t forget that UCAR offers the
Employee Assistance Program
which may be useful if things become particularly stressful. These are difficult times, but together we can get through them.
- Inefficient communication, possible slow down of team-effort
- Stress of isolation, harder to access colleagues
- Generally collaborative work more challenging when remote
- Feeling of isolation, both academically and socially speaking
Foreign National Guest Access:
We understand that foreign national guest (FNG) status poses unique difficulties. Please consult with your Host as to what they advise given any limited permissions. Please reach out to
Hanne Mauriello
directly with questions related to FNG status. Please keep us updated on your situation and we will help however we can.
- As a national foreign I do not have access to VPN and cannot work outside the Federal facility.
Federal Issues:
We recognize that many of you have very specific access permissions associated with your jobs. You will need to ask your Host to find out what you can and cannot have access to. We have heard your concerns and understand some of these issues are potentially very impactful. If you have questions beyond that please let us know.
- Agency policies largely prevent remote log-ins to various systems.
- Logins to necessary computer systems are only accessible from within agency grounds
Other:
We understand these are exceptional circumstances which will cause some difficulties, but we are here to help however possible. In consultation with your Host please work through any material difficulties and talk with us about other issues so that you have the greatest chance of success during this pandemic.
There may be delays on deliverables and goals.
Questions for CPAESS Leadership:
What paperwork will be required in case we have the option of telework?
Nothing. We expect everyone who can telework, to be doing so. As you are by now familiar, social distancing is a critical tool in “flattening the curve” and helping our medical communities contend with this pandemic. We want to do all we can to protect each other’s health and follow the advice of science throughout this situation.
Are there any recommendations from UCAR on personal travel outside of the U.S.?
All non-essential work travel is suspended until further notice. However concerning personal travel, that is up to you. We would recommend that you consult the State Department and other experts on the wisest course of action. Please find further info on the
UCAR COVID travel page
and potentially
useful links here
.
Could UCAR CPAESS or UCP convene weekly or bi-weekly teleconference /web calls on a regular basis?
CPAESS leadership is currently discussing opportunities for regularly scheduled meetings with staff from various agencies, as well as management teams. We think utilizing teleconferencing tools will be important during this time and recommend staff availing themselves this technology.
What should we do if our kids' school is closed for a longer time than the PTO we have
? A
s this situation evolves we will do whatever we can to help you, but we simply do not know how things will unfold. We will send further guidance out from UCAR as soon as we get it.
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In hopes of infusing a little fun into your quarantine we have gathered some links for you. All of these
can be found here
as well.
See the Sites
Music
- Free concerts including: Metropolitan Opera: Verdi’s Il Trovatore; Vienna State Opera: Falstaff; Shut In & Sing: Natalia Zukerman, Kirby Brown, Edie Carey, & Grant-Lee Phillips; Americana Highways: Janiva Magness, Aloud, Nathan Kalish, Nathan Bell; Electronic: Ultra Virtual Audio Festival: Major Lazer, Afrojack, Armin van Buuren, Martin Garrix, Above & Beyond, and more
- More Singing from Billboard, Also scroll through this article for tons of sites with pop, rock, R&B, country and alt concerts.
- Free online classical concerts from all over the world, and also here.
Health
Miscellaneous
Stuff for Kids and Kids at Heart
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