Discontinuing Sunrise Submissions

Dear Twin Cities campus leaders,

The Minnesota Legislature and the Governor have agreed to end the Governor’s emergency powers that helped facilitate Minnesota’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. You may recall that the University’s own response—including, and especially, the use of Sunrise Plans to facilitate the return to work for some on campus—was partly necessitated by the state’s requirements of Minnesota employers.

Now that the Governor’s emergency powers have ended (effective July 1), the University will discontinue collection and use of unit Sunrise Plans, effective immediately. Please communicate this to any team members currently working under a Sunrise Plan. Because capacity restrictions are now lifted, permission for individuals to work from the office is no longer required, unless as instructed by one’s supervisor.

Also keep full records of any Sunrise Plans you have maintained over the past year. These may be needed if the University receives questions or concerns about how we managed through the pandemic, and plan contents may be useful if something similar is needed in the future. The COVID-19 Restriction Exception Process remains in place through August 2, for units that wish to seek exceptions.

I want to again sincerely thank you for your leadership, your attention to detail, and the support you continue to provide your teams during this challenging time. Ensuring work and living environments on campus are as safe as possible has allowed the University to deliver its mission to students and the entire state, but has also kept campus COVID rates well below community rates and those found at peer institutions nationwide. While Sunrise Plans will no longer be a necessary part of our work, the precautionary measures you implemented will continue to be our best defense against COVID-19. Please continue to remind your team members to:

  • Get the Vax. This is the best way to protect our entire community.
  • Stay home when they are sick.
  • Wear a mask if they choose, and support those who choose to do so.
  • Seek testing through MTest if they feel ill, and follow isolation and quarantine instructions, in accordance with current public health guidance.
  • Practice good hygiene habits, such as washing hands frequently.

Thank you, and have a relaxing and safe July 4 holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

Rachel T.A. Croson
Executive Vice President and Provost

email sent to the Twin Cities administrative email list (AEL) on July 2, 2021