Integrity, Safety and Compliance - New state restrictions take effect Friday, Nov. 20, as case numbers rise

Nov. 18, 2020

Dear faculty, staff and students,

Governor Jared Polis announced a revised COVID-19 state dial yesterday. Certain counties, including Boulder County, will be at Level Red: Severe Risk as of 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 20. The newly defined Level Red brings additional restrictions for the entire county. These restrictions include, but are not limited to:

  • No personal gatherings of any size. Individuals may gather only with people from their own household or residence hall room.
  • Reductions in capacity for offices and gyms.
  • No indoor events.
  • No indoor dining at restaurants; curbside, takeout and delivery services are permitted.
  • Outdoor restaurant dining is limited to one household per table. All sales for on-premises alcohol consumption must end at 8 p.m.

The highest level of restrictions, now considered Level Purple: Extreme Risk, is what most people would know as the stay-at-home level. No counties in Colorado have moved to Level Purple yet, and the decision to move to this level would occur if there are critical shortages of health care resources in the community. We must take the new restrictions seriously to avoid burdening those resources and contributing to a shift in status. An amended health order from the state details the restrictions at each level of the new dial.

What does this mean for current campus operations?

  • The campus shifted to fully remote instruction (with very limited exceptions) as of Monday, Nov. 16. This instructional status will continue through the end of the fall semester.
  • Academic support services, student affairs offerings and business operations remain available with most services and programming provided remotely.
  • The Rec Center will continue to operate in limited capacity by reservation only.
  • COVID-19 surveillance monitoring tests and services from the Public Health Clinic at Wardenburg remain available on campus. Anyone who is traveling is strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 surveillance monitoring test 48 to 72 hours before traveling.
  • On-campus residents will continue to be able to check out through Wednesday, Nov. 25.
  • Isolation space for on-campus residents who test positive for COVID-19 will continue to be available.
  • Students who are found to be allegedly violating health and safety expectations will go through the Student Conduct process.
  • Current research and creative work activity approved to be on campus may continue. Additional restrictions for research and creative work will come into effect if Boulder County moves to Level Purple on the state dial. The campus Health and Safety Policy was updated to address parameters for research activity under a stay-at-home order.
  • Under Level Red, businesses and organizations are strongly encouraged to have employees work remotely. This aligns with current university operations, and CU Boulder employees should continue with their current work mode (in-person or remote) unless instructed otherwise by their supervisors.

Looking to the spring 2021 semester

We will continue to discuss the projections for COVID-19 in Colorado with public health officials and monitor our county’s status on the state dial to determine if the current plan for a combination of in-person and remote classes in the spring semester needs to change. If changes are needed, we are committed to providing you advance notification to support your planning. We expect to have more information to share early next month.

The best strategy for ensuring that the campus has the ability to continue as many of its operations as possible is for everyone to take the precautions necessary to protect themselves and the community. Physical distancing, masking and avoiding personal gatherings are, by far, the most effective interventions. For us to provide the broadest range of educational opportunities, continue vital research and enrich our community, we need everyone to do their part to reduce the rates of infection across Boulder County, Colorado and the nation.

Please continue to check colorado.edu/covid-19 for the latest information on campus operations. Any major updates will be communicated to you via email, in CU Boulder Today, on campus social media and through additional virtual town halls as needed.

Thank you,

Dan Jones
Associate Vice Chancellor for Integrity, Safety and Compliance