For Students: Fall 2021 Updates & Resources

If a student in your class or an employee in your unit informs you they have tested positive for COVID-19, then remind them they must stay home and ask them to fill out a COVID-19 Self-Report Form. The contact tracing team will assess the exposure risk and respond with any further instructions. It is not necessary to move class to remote instruction, arrange testing of other students or employees, or request cleaning unless instructed to do so by the contact tracing team.

If you test positive for COVID-19, take the following steps immediately:

1. Isolate and follow CDPHE guidance. A medical professional will be in touch to inform you of when you may end self-isolation. DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS.
2. Inform your professor(s) or inform the head of your unit, if you are an employee.
3. 3. All students and employees who test positive for COVID-19 are to self-report their status regardless of where their test was performed and regardless of whether they have been physically present on campus.

Use the CU Denver referral form if you know of anyone who needs support or if you have a concern about something related to the spread of COVID-19.

Students, faculty, and staff who are 100% remote/online and do not plan to come to campus at anytime are still required to fill out the vaccine verification and exemption form. If you fall into this category and file for a vaccine exemption, please email vaccineexemption@ucdenver.edu so we can identify you as exempt from the weekly testing program.

CU Denver tracks vaccination data based on a web-based self-disclosure system. Through this system, all students, faculty, and staff must self-disclose their vaccination status or file for an exemption on the basis of medical, religious, or personal reasons.

For students, CU Denver can also confirm vaccination status for Colorado students with the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

Please email vaccineexemption@ucdenver.edu with questions about this process.

Per the latest county health guidance, there are no longer physical distancing requirements such as the previous 6-feet rules. Campus tour requirements differ, however, depending on your vaccination status.

Vaccinated individuals:

• Do not have to complete the daily health check
• Are not required to wear face coverings (effective August 1, 2021)

Unvaccinated individuals:

• Must complete the daily online health check
• Must wear face coverings indoors at all times
• Effective August 2021, must undergo COVID testing

Just as we trust our students and employees to self-disclose their vaccination status, we will also use the honor system for campus guests and visitors. These individuals should follow the same safety protocols as CU Denver students/employees, according to their vaccination status.

If you submit for a vaccine exemption, you will automatically be routed into a mandatory COVID-19 weekly testing program through Primary Bio. The testing program will begin the week of Aug. 23 and will offer both on- and off-campus locations to conduct weekly saliva testing free of charge. Additional details, including exact testing locations and available appointment times, will be communicated to you directly through Primary Bio in the coming weeks. Failure to complete weekly testing may result in disciplinary action.

Click here to file for a vaccine exemption for religious, personal, or medical reasons. The vaccine exemption process requires non-vaccinated individuals to self-disclose their status and consent to weekly COVID-19 testing, effective at the start of the fall semester. Failure to complete weekly testing may result in disciplinary action.

CU Denver’s process allows exemptions to anyone who requests one for any reason; religious, medical, or personal. We trust our students and employees to act in the best interest of our community.

Please use this form and follow the steps below to complete this process by Friday, Aug. 27. 

Step 1
Click here to enter the COVID-19 vaccine verification system using your university credentials. 

Step 2
Ensure your name and Employee ID number are listed correctly.
Employees who are also students will see both Employee and Student IDs listed.

Step 3
Select your campus affiliation.

Step 4
Vaccination Record
Select “I want to verify vaccination information.” Enter your vaccine type and dosage date(s).

Find this information on your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or in your immunization record with your medical provider. If you are not 14+ days beyond your final vaccine dose, you will not be able to submit the form. Instead, please wait until the 14-day time period has passed before submitting.

OR

Exemption 

Select “I want to file an exemption.”
Medical, religious, and personal exemptions are accepted.

Step 5
Click the checkbox next to the attestation statement and hit “Submit” to complete the process.

• Central Services Admin (CSA) employees should select the CSA Consolidated Unit affiliation; these employees will follow CU Anschutz Medical Campus processes for verification and exemption.
• Academic Services Admin (ASA) employees whose work brings them to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus should select the CU Anschutz Medical Campus affiliation. ASA employees who work on the CU Denver campus 100% of the time should select the ASA Consolidated Unit affiliation; these employees will follow CU Denver processes for verification and exemption.

No. We will not ask for your vaccination status on your application for admissions. However, once admitted, you will need to provide proof of vaccination records.

No. You do not need to be vaccinated prior to applying to CU Denver. 

In partnership with the Health Center for Auraria, we offer COVID vaccinations on campus. You can schedule on-campus vaccine appointments here. 

Additionally, local pharmacies and healthcare providers offer COVID vaccinations that may be more conveniently located.

Yes. As COVID-19 vaccine eligibility continues to expand, the Health Center at Auraria will serve anyone who is eligible.

Minors will require a parent to be present in order to receive a vaccine.

Yes. The University of Colorado announced on April 28, 2021 that its four campuses and system administration will require all students, faculty, and staff to have COVID vaccinations before the start of fall semester 2021. CU’s president and campus chancellors made the decision after consulting state and local health departments, as well as CU experts. Learn more about this requirement.

Yes. International students must be vaccinated before they arrive in August 2021. For international students who arrive in August without a vaccine, CU Denver will provide vaccine opportunities and develop a process for them to start classes on time.

If an online-only student is never required to visit any CU facility, then a COVID-19 vaccination is not required. All students who come to campus must be vaccinated or follow the routine testing or exemption process.

All faculty or staff who work on campus or have the possibility of having to work on campus are required to get vaccinated.

The COVID vaccines currently in use have Experimental Use Authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We anticipate FDA approval in the near future, before the start of the fall semester.

Contact your state and local public health authorities to identify locations to get the vaccinations before you come to campus in August 2021. The vaccine is available to all adults age 16+ across the country.

You must be fully vaccinated by the beginning of the fall semester, August 23, 2021. If you select Pfizer or Moderna's two-dose vaccines, then get your first dose no later than June 30 to allow enough time to get your second dose and be fully vaccinated by the start of the fall semester.

CU believes that doing so will support the health and safety of campus communities and the cities that call our campuses home. It will lower the rate of infection. Additionally, a vaccination requirement will further the goal of having an on-campus experience that is critical to academic success and personal growth. Learn more at the CU System Vaccine Requirement page.

It is unknown when or if a booster will be required. If one is required, we will do our best to provide easy and free access to everyone on campus.

Yes. CU Denver students, faculty, and staff can sign up for free, drive-up testing for themselves and for members of their household. Multiple people in the same vehicle can be tested, but each person must be individually registered for an appointment. The minimum age for testing is 2.