CU Boulder Health & Safety Compliance

1. While maintaining physical distancing, approach the individual and introduce yourself.

• Ask them to wear a face covering (example phrasing: Are you aware that face coverings are required to be worn on the Boulder campus?)
•  If they put one on or apologize – thank them and remind them of the face covering requirement. 
• Remember that individuals who have a disability or religious accommodations may be unable to wear a face covering. It can feel isolating and uncomfortable to be unable to participate in this very visible community safety effort. If they indicate a medical or religious reason for not wearing a face covering – thank them for their time and walk away. Do not ask to see documentation or ask specific questions about an individual’s health, medical condition, or religion.
• If they refuse – explain that there is a face covering requirement and walk away.  If you know the student, staff or faculty member, you can escalate this observation to a supervisor, HR liaison or academic leader such as a department chair or director.
• If the individual is a student in a class, the instructor should address this as a classroom behavior issue. For more information about how to address this issue and how to respond to student noncompliance, see the COVID-19 Classroom Behavior Guide. 

2. Do not debate with or harass anyone not wearing a face covering.

3. Do not call CUPD or 9-1-1 unless you are being threatened or have immediate safety concerns from the individual.

1. While maintaining physical distancing, approach the individual and introduce yourself.

• Ask them to physically distance (example phrasing: Are you aware that individuals are required to maintain a 6-foot separation on the Boulder campus?)
•  If they physically distance or apologize – thank them and remind them of the physical distancing requirement. 
• Remember that there may be individuals who live together and therefore can be closer than 6 feet apart while walking on campus. If they indicate this reason for not physically distancing – thank them for their time and walk away. 
• If they refuse – explain that physical distancing is required by policy and walk away. If you know the student, staff or faculty member, you can escalate this observation to a supervisor, HR Liaison or academic leader such as a department chair or director.
• If the individual is a student in a class, the instructor should address this as a classroom behavior issue. For more information about how to address this issue and how to respond to student noncompliance, see the COVID-19 Classroom Behavior Guide.

2. Do not debate with or harass anyone not physically distancing.

3. Do not call CUPD or 9-1-1 unless you are being threatened or have immediate safety concerns from the individual.

• Students should contact Disability Services at dsinfo@colorado.edu or 303-492-8671.
• Employees, contractors and visitors should contact ADA Compliance at adacoordinator@colorado.eduor 303-492-9725.
• All individuals seeking religious accommodation should contact OIEC at cureport@colorado.edu or 303-492-2127.

Supervisors and academic leaders such as chairs, directors, deans, and associate deans should foster and maintain a culture of ongoing compliance within their areas of responsibility by modeling compliance through their own behavior and by addressing concerns as they come up about the behavior of students, instructional personnel, and staff in their units.

How should supervisors and academic leaders address concerns and noncompliance?

Supervisors and academic leaders should approach and resolve concerns pertaining to face coverings, physical distancing, and related issues through compassionate interactions with others, providing educational information to achieve compliance. When necessary to address egregious circumstances, such as repeat or severe violations, the policy may need to be enforced through disciplinary action. Further guidance and information about best practices is available from Employee Relations and Faculty Relations.

What if a faculty member is not complying?

It may be unprofessional conduct that the academic leader (e.g., department chair) who is the supervising administrator should address with the faculty member, applying the educational approach addressed above. In circumstances where further responsive action, including disciplinary action, may be appropriate, academic leaders should follow Part IV of the Professional Rights and Responsibilities document, in consultation with Faculty Relations. 

What if a staff member is not complying?

It may be inappropriate conduct that supervisors should address as a personnel matter, applying the educational approach addressed above. In circumstances where further responsive action, including disciplinary action, may be appropriate, supervisors and academic leaders should consult with Employee Relations, through their unit’s human resources administrator, if any.

What if a student is not complying in the classroom?

It may be a violation of the Student Code of Conduct that instructors should address as a classroom behavior issue. For more information about how to address this issue and how to respond to student noncompliance, see the COVID-19 Classroom Behavior Guide. 

What if a visitor is not complying?

It may be a violation of the CU Boulder COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy. Employees and students are encouraged to engage with the visitor with the steps outlined above. If the visitor does not respond positively to the education and continues to be noncompliant, employees and students should walk away. In the rare situation that escalates to the point that individuals feel unsafe, the police should be contacted.

Can an employee refuse to provide service to an individual not complying with the requirement of face coverings or physical distancing?

Yes. After asking the individual to comply, the employee may inform the individual to reschedule the service at a different time to ensure their own safety. Rescheduling could mean finding a larger space for the meeting, finding a more convenient time when the individual has a face covering, scheduling a virtual meeting, etc.