Campus COVID-19 Weekly Update

Sept. 24, 2020 @ 3:15 p.m.

To keep our community safe and supported this fall, we will be providing weekly updates on COVID-19-related news, resources, announcements, and more. You will also find these updates in our weekly CU Denver News e-newsletter.

For Everyone

A Message from Chancellor Marks

As you may know, positive cases of COVID-19 are rising on college campuses across Colorado and the country. Many campuses have gone to all-remote activities and students are being required to isolate at various locations.

The Denver Department of Public Health and Environment today issued an order for higher-education institutions in the city requiring many of the things that we’re already doing, including mandatory face coverings, mandatory reporting if you are exposed or sick, limited gatherings, and proactive monitoring of all visitors to campus for COVID symptoms.

As you can see on our COVID-19 dashboard, positive cases on our campus have remained relatively low. We owe this entirely to your support and cooperation in adhering to our safety protocols AND making good choices when you’re not on campus. On Tuesday, for example, I was so impressed by the students at Lynx Crossing for their mask-wearing and social distancing as we distributed ice cream in gratitude for their cooperation. We are hopeful that if everyone continues to follow our campus protocols, we can remain open with some in-person classes and services.

Thanks so much for doing your part – both on and off campus – to keep us all safe.

Michelle Marks signature

Michelle Marks
Chancellor
@MarksMichelleA

Reminder: Report COVID-19 Symptoms or Positive Tests

You must self-report your statusif you fall into any of the following groups. This is especially important in enabling us to monitor the impact of COVID-19 within the community and beyond.

  • You believe you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms.
  • You have had prolonged contact of 15 or more minutes, in close proximity of 6 feet or less, with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19. 
  • You are under quarantine or isolation by direction of a public health agency or medical provider, and/or awaiting test results for COVID-19. 
  • You have been informed by a public health agency or a medical provider that you have tested positive or are presumptively positive for COVID-19.

If you fall into any of these groups, please take the following steps.

  1. Let the head of your unit know immediately (or your professor, if you’re a student).
  2. Do NOT come to campus
  3. You must follow CDPHE guidance  and self-quarantine for 2 weeks if you have had prolonged contact of 15 or more minutes, in close proximity of 6 feet or less, with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19.  If you have a presumptive or confirmed case of COVID-19, you must isolate and follow CDPHE guidance
  4. Contact the Auraria Health Center  at 303-615-9999.

If you know someone who needs support or are concerned about something happening in regards to COVID-19, submit a referral form  to get assistance.

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Test and Flu Shot

The 1000+ faculty/staff and students who frequently completed the daily health attestation process when reporting to campus were contacted by e-mail for the opportunity to receive a free asymptomatic COVID-19 test and flu shot. This free opportunity continues, and you may still use the link in the e-mail you received. Others who did not receive that e-mail but who are interested may sign-up for an appointment through our $10 self-pay site (link below). 

Testing will take place at Lynx Crossing next week, from Monday, Sept. 28 – Wednesday, Sept. 30. Additionally, you may choose to receive a free flu shot at the same time.

City Offers Free COVID-19 Testing for College Students in Denver

The City and County of Denver is dedicating one of its COVID-19 testing lanes at Pepsi Center for college students studying in Denver until Wednesday, Sept. 30. Students can access testing Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Once on site, students will need to provide a student ID and should inform staff they are students so they can be directed to the correct testing lane. Students should also provide a working phone number to receive their lab results. Learn more.

Mental Health Resources

Caring for our mental health during these challenging times is essential. CU Denver offers a number of resources to support students, faculty, and staff in addressing their mental health needs, as well as training opportunities for how to help others. 

Health Check-In Station Relocated

The North Classroom health check-in station has been relocated to Atrium A along the wall of windows, closest to Speer. Hours are 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday. View the new location.

On-Campus Events and Activities

As a reminder, all employee meetings and student organization activities must be held remotely (virtually). This includes ALL indoor and outdoor activities, whether during normal business hours or on evenings and weekends, and whether typically roomed through the CU Denver/AHEC EMS system or otherwise. 

No CU Denver-sponsored events or activities that are non-academic in nature may be held at off-campus locations, unless authorized by the chancellor. To request authorization for an essential in-person activity, you must fill out an application.  

Activities requested by external organizations and affiliates will not be approved at this time.

Daily Attestation Update

We continue to see roughly 800 people complete health check-ins each day of the week.  As a reminder, every morning before coming to campus you should take your own temperature and then complete a daily health attestation.

For Students

Student Work Spaces

As a reminder, there are approximately 420 work spaces available for students on campus. Check out the computer labs in North Classroom, Student Commons Building, and the Tivoli—spaces can be reserved. 

If you haven’t already, make sure to request an EMS account  as soon as possible to start reserving spaces. Visit OIT’s Student Labs and Printing webpage  for hours and locations

  • 69 centralized computer stations with drop-in and reservable options through the EMS scheduling system
  • 56 centralized landing zones without computers
  • 233 school/college computer seats

Students who need more than three hours, which is the maximum time allowed at the reservable spaces, may use open public spaces, with safe distancing in place, at the atrium of the North Classroom Building and the  Auraria Library. 

Students who request a mask exemption at a student work space for medical reasons must contact the Disability Resources and Services.

For Faculty and Staff

Employee Surveys

About 25% of all CU Denver employees, for a total of 610, have responded to a survey on well-being and support. The survey will be open until the end of day tomorrow, Sept. 25. As your employer, we want to both understand the extra challenges that you face and explore changes that we can make that may help mitigate those challenges. The survey is voluntary and anonymous for anyone who would like to provide input. If you haven’t already, take the survey.

CMS Login