How to Protect Yourself and Others

Buffs, we each have a role in keeping our community safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19. All Buffs—students, faculty and staff—are expected to fully honor the policies, protocols and guidelines outlined here.

These requirements are for you, for our community and for our herd at large. Join us, because we are Buffs together.

Daily Buff Pass

Symptoms & Testing

Prevention Guides

Before Coming to Campus

COVID-19 Basic Awareness and Safety Training (required)

All students, faculty and staff will be required to take a COVID-19 awareness and safety training course before returning to campus.

Students

This course is designed to develop your knowledge and skills on how to maintain a safe and healthy environment for you, your peers and our herd while at CU Boulder. Start the COVID-19 Student Health & Expectations Course >>

Faculty and Staff

All employees returning to work on campus must take a Skillsoft training course that provides health and safety information. Start the Skillsoft course >>

Buff Pass (required)

Each day before coming to campus, all faculty, staff and students must complete their Buff Pass form. This is required for every day you intend to be on campus.

The form asks four brief questions related to COVID-19:

Symptoms
Temperature
Recent close contact with a probable COVID-19 case
Testing history

If any concerns are identified, e.g., a positive test, we’ll advise on next steps.

It takes less than one minute, and will help the CU Boulder community stay safe and healthy.

Access Buff Pass

Pre-arrival COVID-19 PCR Test (Students Only)

First-year students living on campus are required to complete a COVID-19 PCR test within five days before moving into the residence halls. The test should be negative for COVID-19. After arriving on campus, students will complete the daily student health form to track symptoms. You can find details on pre-arrival testing requirements along with other move-in processes on the Living website.

Stay Home if You Are Sick

If you’re sick, stay home. Students, staff and faculty should not put the herd and our community at risk by coming to campus if they are showing symptoms of COVID-19. Everyone should complete the daily Buff Pass before being out on campus and should stay home or in their residence hall room if exhibiting symptoms.

Personal Responsibility and Physical Distancing

As we come back together, we have a responsibility to one another. We’re a herd that cares about kindness, respect and accountability, and we know all Buffs will be responsible and respectful to protect themselves and our herd.

Wear.

Wear a face covering. When you're on campus, you're required to wear a face covering in public places.

Avoid.

Avoid congregating and large gatherings. Personal gatherings (private or public) are limited to 2 households with no more than 10 people.

Wash.

Wash your hands frequently. Practice good hygiene by washing your hands for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available.

Clean.

Keep it clean. Disinfect common surfaces and handheld devices frequently.

Stay.

If sick, stay home. Review the symptoms and testing information to determine when to seek medical services.

Wear a Face Covering

Wear a face covering to help protect others in case you’re infected with COVID-19 but don’t have symptoms.

Make sure your mouth and nose are fully covered.
Wash your hands before putting on your face covering and after removing it.
The covering should fit snugly against your face, without gaps.
You should not have difficulty breathing while wearing the face covering.
Avoid touching your face covering with your hands.
Wash your face covering regularly—daily and whenever soiled—with water and a mild detergent, and dry completely

Physical Distancing

We’re a community that looks out for each other. Together, we will engage in physical distancing practices and also support our peers and colleagues in this practice.

Physical distancing and limiting face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Keeping at least 6 feet apart is one of our best tools to stay healthy.
On campus, physical distancing guidelines will be clearly marked and updated as needed.
Maintaining a safe distance will be important in all locations, including classes, study rooms, waiting areas for public transportation, and even in line at a coffee shop. While challenging, this practice will help reduce the spread of the virus.
Follow signs that direct traffic flow in hallways and stairwells.
Follow capacity limits for campus transportation and buildings.
Follow elevator signs for capacity. Board an elevator only if you feel comfortable with occupancy.
Eliminate physical contact (skip those introductory handshakes).

Keep Hands Clean

Handwashing is a powerful prevention tool and is even more effective when combined with additional protections like wearing a face covering.

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use running water and a clean towel, or air dry them so you do not reintroduce the virus to your clean hands. Antimicrobial soap is not necessary—just follow the hand-washing steps.
How long is 20 seconds? Some people recommend singing Happy Birthday twice, or you could try singing the CU Fight Song once.
If soap and water aren't available, a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol is a good alternative.

Keep Spaces Clean

We’ll clean and disinfect high-traffic, high-touch areas frequently. You can help by cleaning your own space and keeping common areas clean.

Disinfect your work/study space daily.
Disinfect shared living spaces and frequently touched surfaces daily.
Reduce sharing of items as much as possible and clean thoroughly between uses.

Cover Your Cough or Sneeze

When you cough or sneeze:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or use the inside of your elbow. You should cover your face when sneezing or coughing, even if you are wearing a face covering.
Throw any used tissues in the trash.
Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water aren't readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Look out for each other. With distancing!

High-Risk Groups

Your personal health and well-being are important to us. People in high-risk groups—and those caring for people in high-risk groups—should practice physical distancing to reduce chances of infection. We’re here to help, and supervisors and administrators will work to accommodate those who should be staying away from campus.

Health and Safety Guidelines

Things are a little different on campus this year, and we want to help you navigate the changes. Learn about our physical distancing campus signs, how to get to—and move about—campus, and information specific to students, faculty and staff.

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Be safe. Be you. Protect our herd.

Before Coming to Campus