Campus COVID-19 Weekly Update

Oct. 22, 2020 @ 4:36 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 Special Assistant to the Chancellor for COVID-19

Dear CU Denver Community,

I am writing with another update about our COVID-19 activities and the cases we are experiencing in our community. Few members of our community report having COVID-19, and even fewer report being on campus within 48 hours of becoming symptomatic. Thankfully, these individuals have recovered or are recovering. Even with recovery, there are significant interruptions and impacts, and we all should continue to support and be patient with one other.

We have had 10 cases with campus contact since the beginning of the semester. At Lynx Crossing, we have had only two confirmed COVID-19 cases out of the 1,881 tests administered, and our residents continue to wear masks and make great decisions. Denver’s public health department confirmed that there is little transmission being reported in classrooms.

However, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment and the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment are seeing transmission in small, often family events/gatherings. This is a reminder to all of us that this year we may need to consider celebrating traditional and religious holidays differently. With this cheery news, it is important to acknowledge that 2020 continues to be a daily slog for many of us with fewer family connections, illness, and changes in school programming whether that is in person or at home. Staying connected with each other and asking for help when you need it is critical. CU Denver has resources available (see below) and we are working on identifying new and different ways to increase connectedness. Stay healthy.

Chris Puckett
Managing Associate University Counsel
Special Assistant to the Chancellor for COVID-19

Finding Mental Health Resources

Caring for our mental health during these challenging times is essential. CU Denver and the Auraria campus offer 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. 

For everyone: 

  • Coronavirus Consultation: If you are experiencing undue stress or anxiety, or sense any type of discrimination to your presence on campus, but do not have any symptoms associated with COVID-19, we encourage you to call the Health Center at Auraria to talk to a medical professional or counselor. Simply call 303-615-9999 and indicate that you would like to schedule a “Coronavirus Consultation”. There will be no charge for this visit.
  • Lynx Connected: Free Suicide Prevention Training & Mental Health First Aid certification (free for students, $30 for CU Denver faculty / staff)
  • 24/7 Crisis Support for all: Utilize the Colorado Crisis Services by calling 1-844-493-8255 or texting “TALK” to 38255.
  • Well-being resources for CU Denver: YOU@CUDenver

For students:

  • Counseling Center: Counseling therapy is free and available to CU Denver students at the Counseling Center. The Counseling Center is currently offering virtual telehealth sessions. Call 303-315-7270 to schedule an appointment. For after-hours support, call 303-615-9911.
  • Free online training: You Can Help a Friend 

For faculty and staff: 

Asymptomatic COVID-19 Saliva Testing

In part because Colorado is seeing a spike in COVID-19 cases, we will be offering cheaper and less invasive COVID-19 saliva testing free to students and available through self-pay for staff, faculty, and their households.

Starting Nov. 1, through our partnership with COVIDCheckColorado, we will be offering the Yale University/FDA approved COVID-19 saliva test for $6 at North High School and later in the month at Lynx Crossing.

The goal of expanded testing is to quickly identify asymptomatic cases so they can quickly be isolated and quarantined, NOT so our community can travel at Thanksgiving. The CDC recently issued guidance on safe holiday activities that we ask that you review and follow. More than ever, we as a community need to wear our masks, practice social distancing, and stay home when sick.

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.

Denver Public Health Order

Last week, Mayor Hancock announced new public health measures requiring people to wear face coverings in more settings and reducing the number of people who can gather from 10 to five. Academic activity is considered essential business, which means CU Denver’s on-campus courses will not be impacted by the measures. Face coverings continue to be mandatory indoors and outdoors while on campus.

Be Prepared to Go Remote for Classes

In case we are required to transition to fully remote teaching and learning, we want you to be prepared. Below are tips to help you plan ahead.

Reminder: Use Single Sign-On for Daily Attestation

You must take the one-time SkillSoft training “COVID-19 Return to Campus - CU Denver” before returning to campus for the first time. To access the training, you will need to log into the CU Denver portal using your university credentials. Once you have finished the training, take a screenshot of the certificate of completion on your mobile device. You may be asked to show this at a health check-in station.

Get Your Flu Shot

We encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get a flu shot this season. Under the Affordable Care Act, if you have insurance you are able to get a flu shot for free. For those who don’t have insurance, the Health Center at Auraria is offering free flu shots on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. – noon and 1 – 4 p.m. Appointments are required and need to be made by phone (303-615-9997). Members of the campus community must wear masks, practice social distancing, and follow health and safety protocols.

As a reminder, we are entering flu season, and it can be difficult to tell the difference between the common cold or other illnesses and COVID-19. If you’re sick, please stay home. During this time, it’s essential to practice good hygiene. Continue to wash your hands, wear your mask indoors and outdoors if you’re coming to campus, and practice social distancing. 

Holiday Travel

Before travel, international students or scholars should contact their ISSS immigration specialist to discuss potential impact of international travel to their immigration status. For travel inquiries and up-to-date information on travel restrictions, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s COVID-19 Country Specific information page and “Travel during the COVID Pandemic” guidance of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which includes guidance for international destinations as well as links to each state’s public health department. 

Report Your COVID-19 Symptoms or Positive Tests

You must self-report your status if 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.

For Students

Fall Semester 2020 Grading Options

For fall 2020, students may select a more flexible P+/P/F grading option. To select this option, you must submit a schedule adjustment form to the Registrar’s Office by the extended deadline of Oct. 25, 2020 (this Sunday). 

Under this option, the P+ is awarded when the standard letter grade earned for the course would have been C- or above. P is awarded when the standard letter grade earned for the course would have been D+, D, or D-. The P+ and the P do not have an impact to a student’s GPA. The F does impact the student’s GPA.

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 (NC-1207, NC-1003, NC-1005), and use the EMS scheduling system to find and reserve a space on campus to Zoom into classes.

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

Faculty Input Requested on Open Educational Resources (OER)

A survey has launched to gather information about how CU Denver faculty use OER now and how they might use it in the future. Responses to the brief Qualtrics survey, which can be accessed online, must be submitted by Nov. 5. Survey results will help inform our request for state funding.

Complete the OER Survey Now

Save the Date for State of the Campus Address

The annual State of the Campus address will take place Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 11:30 a.m.

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