Safe Return Weekly Update

July 30, 2020 @  6:00 p.m.

Our safe return to campus continues this week with several important updates for our students, faculty, and staff, including details on returning to campus, a second student webinar, a training session on creating a safe campus culture, and more.

For Faculty and Staff

Returning to Campus for a Limited Purpose
Faculty and staff may resume work on campus only as part of a fully approved Unit Safe Return Plan ​or an approved Research and Creative Activities application. If you need to return to campus for a limited purpose, such as picking up materials from your office, you will be permitted to do so without prior authorization starting Monday, Aug. 3. Please contact your Unit Return Coordinator determine when you can access your work area or office.

Please contact your Unit Return Coordinator to determine when you can access your work area or office. All on-campus safety protocols (completion of Skillsoft training, completion of daily attestation, obtaining wristbands from screening stations) will apply. If you do not need to return to campus, we encourage you to stay home.

Unit Safe Return Plans Due Aug. 7
Faculty and staff may resume work on campus only as part of a fully approved Unit Safe Return Plan. To date, 58 units have submitted plans. The deadline for submitting a Unit Safe Return Plan is Aug. 7. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to complete reviews by Aug. 17 (the start of the fall semester) for plans submitted after the deadline, and units must have an approved plan to resume on-campus operations.

We are requiring plans from everyone, even those units that plan to operate entirely remotely this fall. If a question on the return plan form does not apply to you because you are not planning to physically return, leave it blank. 

Safety Protocols in Email Signature
To elevate the messaging around safe return protocols, faculty and staff are encouraged to add a “6 Steps for a Safe Return” graphic to their email signatures as a replacement to the logo/social elements or any additional elements outside of contact info. There are two safety protocol graphics listed at the bottom of the Safe Return Assets webpage. Please use the one that is specific to CU Denver unless you have responsibilities for both CU Denver and CU Anschutz.

Training Session on Creating a Safe Campus Culture
All faculty, staff, and student workers who are approved to return to campus are invited to join a training session on Friday, Aug. 7 at 2 p.m., with a focus on creating a safe culture on campus. Participants will be briefed on safety protocols, learn about compliance measures, and learn critical conversational skills for requiring safety compliance. Zoom invitation to follow.

Technology Progress
The Office of Information Technology reports that good progress has been made on getting technology ready for the fall semester. Right now, we anticipate that every room being used this fall will be Zoom capable.

For Students

Course Formats Clarified
Course features often vary by the type of course you are enrolled in. Understanding the features of your course can help you better plan for success in your course environment. We’ve created an infographic to help you better understand the similarities and differences between fall 2020 course formats. View the infographic.

Campus Work Spaces for Students
This fall there will be approximately 420 work spaces available on campus. Students will be able to work in fully equipped computer labs where they can log into a desktop computer or use a "landing zone space" where they can connect their own devices to the internet.  

Students will also be able to settle into open public spaces, with safe distancing in place, such as the atrium of the North Classroom Building or the Auraria Library.

COVID-19 Safe Return Student Ambassadors Needed
Safe Return Student Ambassadors will be responsible for welcoming all students, staff, and faculty entering CU Denver buildings, as well as performing checks for indicators of successful health screening (e.g., wristbands) at entrances to buildings. They will politely remind and assist all members of the campus community to comply with health and safety protocols.

Additionally, they are responsible for directing the campus community with respect to new protocols including circulation within buildings, elevator and stair usage, restroom occupancy, queueing procedures in and out of buildings and the requirement for use of PPE and social distancing everywhere on campus. Apply now.

COVID-19 Student Contact Tracers/Case Investigators Needed
The COVID-19 Student Case Investigators and Contact Tracers will join a fast-paced and dynamic team on the Auraria campus. Collectively this team will work to prevent COVID-19 transmission on campus. Cases will be distributed by the team supervisor. The role will provide education about isolation and quarantine procedures and physical and mental health resources to cases and contacts. Apply now.

Webinar Reminder: Lynx Launch: Start Fall 2020 Right
An interactive webinar designed to give students the information they need to begin the fall 2020 semester will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 4, from 5 – 6 p.m. A panel of students, staff, and faculty will answer questions submitted in advance or during the webinar. Read about the July 14 student and parent webinar here. 

Student Course Assistant Program Progress
More than 50 students representing most schools and colleges have submitted applications for a Student Course Assistant position.