Integrity, Safety and Compliance - August 21, 2020

As we welcomed our students back to campus this week, it became clear that we needed to clarify policies and provide guidance around face coverings and other aspects of campus life. 

Our students, faculty and staff play a critical role in our ability to continue with in-person experiences. Choosing not to follow these policies puts our opportunity for a residential and in-person experience at risk.

Those who were here last spring remember that the institution can and will swiftly shut down operations in order to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our students, faculty, staff and community. 

It is not ok to knowingly jeopardize the health and safety of our community and the opportunity for in-person educational and residential college experiences. 

  • Wear a face covering while on campus, inside and outside. While you are on campus, you must wear a face covering unless you are eating, brushing your teeth, or in a private location, like your residence hall room. This includes outdoors. If you are walking across campus, wear a face covering. If you are running on our trails, wear a face covering. If you are hanging out on Farrand field, wear a face covering. These are all busy areas and consistently staying six feet from others is not possible.
  • Hosting and attending large gatherings and parties violates policy. Whether you are in a residence hall, at a party on the hill, or gathering in a very large group outside, you are accountable to the Student Code of Conduct. Sanctions could include probation, fees, educational sanctions and potentially suspension. If you may have been exposed to COVID-19, consequences will include exclusions from all or parts of campus.
  • Residence hall expectations: Limit guest numbers. You can have up to one guest per resident in a residence hall room. Guests must live in that residence hall, and everyone must be wearing a face covering.
  • Consequences could include contracting COVID-19. Whether symptomatic or not, if you get COVID-19 or are in close contact with someone who does, you will be required to quarantine or self-isolate, and not see your friends or leave your residence for up to two weeks. 
  • Update your address.If you live off-campus, please update and provide your local address. This will help with contact tracing, so that we can limit the spread of COVID-19 to your friends, family and community. 

University staff, researchers, and faculty have gone to great lengths to create an environment that has provided you with the chance to move into the residence halls and have the opportunity to attend classes in person. And yes, there are factors that are outside of our control that have led to changes in the way our campus is able to operate. However, make no mistake, the largest factor in this is the choices you collectively make as a student body.

This is not an individual effort. You must hold each other accountable. Be a leader. Set an example with your friends. Say no to parties. Say no to large gatherings. Say yes to wearing a mask. Yes to physical distancing.

We have clearly shared our expectations of you. We will not tolerate anyone putting the health, safety and well-being of the Boulder community and our campus at risk.

Our ability to remain here is directly dependent on the behavior and actions of our students, faculty and staff. There is so much at stake for each member of our community—we need you to do your part. Let’s set an example for the nation and prove everyone wrong. Prove that you can do this.

Be Better. Be Boulder.

Dan Jones
Associate Vice Chancellor of Integrity, Safety and Compliance