CU Denver COVID Info: Booster Requirement and New Isolation/Quarantine Policy

Jan. 6, 2022

Dear Lynx Community,  

We are writing today to provide further guidance on COVID protocols outlined by Chancellor Marks earlier this week, as well as to introduce new isolation/quarantine protocols based on the latest information from the CDC. Thank you all for your continued commitment to our community by wearing face coverings on campus and following safety protocols. As Chancellor Marks noted in a memo earlier this week, we have not had COVID-19 case spread on campus when people wear face coverings, stay home when they’re sick, and get regularly tested.  

Isolation & Quarantine 

In accord with CDC guidance, our campus is changing our protocols for individuals who are exhibiting symptoms or have been exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19.  

If You Test Positive for COVID-19 

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status: 

• Isolate away from campus and self-report. 
• Stay home for 5 days. 
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house. 
• The Contact Tracing Team will help you get clearance to return to campus. 
• Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. 

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves (without fever for 24 hours) 

If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19  

Self-Report if you: 

Have been boosted OR completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last 2 months 

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days. 
• Test on day 5, if possible. 
• If you are up to date on your vaccinations, you will be cleared automatically by the Contact Tracing Team. 

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home. 

Self-Report and Quarantine if you: 

Are Unvaccinated OR Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR Completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson over 2 months ago and are not boosted. 

• Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. 
• Test on day 5 if possible. 
• The Contact Tracing Team will help you get clearance to return to campus. 

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home. 

*Please complete a self-report form if you are symptomatic, positive for COVID-19, or been exposed to COVID-19 and have questions about protocols or need support.   

Vaccine Booster 

As noted by the Chancellor, students, faculty, and staff must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 — and receive a booster when they become eligible — in order to come to campus. Individuals are only required to get a booster if they are eligible (i.e. five months after previous Pfizer and Moderna vaccination or two months from J&J vaccination). Because most students, faculty, and staff have granted CU Denver access to the state COVID-19 vaccination database, for most people, no action is required to confirm booster status.   

Here are a few details:

• With the first two weeks of the spring semester (Jan. 18-28) conducted remotely, new students have until Jan. 31 to complete their vaccine verification form. Students who are fully online are not required to be vaccinated and need to send an e-mail including your full name and student ID to Vaccineexemption@ucdenver.edu to verify your status. 
• Individuals are expected to get the booster when they are eligible, not before. If you have been ill with COVID-19 and been advised not to get a booster for a period of time, please contact our contact tracing team at covid.team@cuanschutz.edu so we can note your delayed eligibility. 
• You must get your booster within 30 days of becoming eligible. For example, if you are eligible Jan. 14, you should get your booster by Feb. 14.   
• You can continue to receive an exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical and non-medical reasons. If you previously submitted an exemption, you do not need to submit another one for the booster. Unvaccinated individuals must get tested weekly and wear a face covering on campus at all times.  
• If you received your booster outside of Colorado, you may upload your booster vaccine card on the vaccine verification form or you may e-mail it to  vaccineexemption@ucdenver.edu.    

You are invited to the Community Conversations: COVID virtual event on Tuesday, Jan. 11 from 10 to 11 a.m. to discuss our COVID response. Speakers will include several campus leaders, including Chancellor Marks and Lynx Together Task Force members. We will provide information about the new booster requirement, remote learning from Jan. 18-28, review the latest COVID data, explain updated safety protocols, and more. You will also be able to ask questions live through the Q&A function on Zoom. 

Please join us, and please take care of yourself and each other. 

Chris Puckett  
Managing Associate University Counsel & Co-Chair, Lynx Together Task Force 

Pamela Jansma 
Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences & Co-Chair, Lynx Together Task Force