Published: Dec. 11, 2020

Since March, CU Boulder has coordinated COVID-19 planning and response through its Emergency Operations Plan. As the campus prepares for the spring semester—increasing testing capabilities, working to prevent and contain further outbreaks, and planning for the availability of vaccines—CU Boulder has established the new Pandemic Response Office. 

“Under Associate Vice Chancellor of Integrity, Safety and Compliance Dan Jones’ leadership, the campus has responded admirably to COVID-19 through its emergency management team, but we know that COVID is going to be part of our campus life for the foreseeable future,” said Pat O’Rourke, interim executive vice chancellor and chief operating officer. “Rather than continuing to task our emergency management team with COVID response, the campus needed to create the Pandemic Response Office to guide our efforts. 

“Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Jennifer McDuffie has done a remarkable job working with our Medical Services and Public Health teams over the past semester, and I’m looking forward to her leading the new office and integrating functions that have been performed across the campus into a sustainable structure.”

The Pandemic Response Office will serve to coordinate and facilitate management of major campus efforts related to COVID-19, including but not limited to: the surveillance monitoring testing program and containment strategies; coordination with public health agencies; data management solutions; policy recommendations for campus leadership; and short-term and long-term planning and support. 

A webpage for the office provides an overview of the work being led by the office and contact information.

Updates related to COVID-19 planning and response will continue to be shared via CU Boulder Today and emails from campus leaders.