COVID-19 campus updates: April 22 edition

Through the spring semester, campus officials are providing weekly updates through CU Boulder Today and weekly Campus Q&As.

Summer and fall 2021 transition updates

Campus leaders are analyzing the campus health and safety policy, mitigation measures on campus, events guidance and other COVID-19 response efforts within the context of expected changes to public health conditions and restrictions.

An update will be provided the week of May 10 with more information on how the campus will adjust operations under shifting public health guidance in our transition to a more traditional in-person experience this fall.

Staffing transition guidance for returning to on-campus work

Human Resources updated the University Executive Leadership Team and provided guidance to supervisors this week regarding the process and timing for assessing work environments and planning for increases in employee presence on campus beginning in June. The Research & Innovation Office is providing guidance on the timing and process for increasing on-campus research and creative work. Campus leaders will be working with their supervisors within each unit to develop their staffing plans in the coming weeks.

COVID-19 testing, Buff Pass requirements change May 10

COVID-19 monitoring testing will not be required after May 10.

• Monitoring testing will continue to be available through Aug. 6 with reduced locations and hours.
• In the fall semester, the monitoring testing program will not be operating.
• Medical Services will incorporate COVID-19 diagnostic testing for students as part of their regular services, same as with testing for other viruses or infections.

Buff Pass becomes optional May 10

The daily completion of the Buff Pass form will be optional as of May 10. Monitoring test results will still appear in Buff Pass through Aug. 6. The weekly report to supervisors will no longer be sent after the Buff Pass requirement ends May 10.

Boulder County approves new COVID-19 dial

Boulder County is anticipated to remain in Level Blue until at least May 16, 2021, as Boulder County Public Health adopted a Boulder County COVID-19 dial framework. 

CU Boulder COVID-19 vaccine appointments available to all interested CU affiliates 

The more than 20,000 people who signed up to receive notifications for COVID-19 vaccine opportunities at CU Boulder have received at least one opportunity to receive the vaccine as of April 20, 2021. Any CU affiliate (student, faculty or staff member) is now able to make an appointment.

The university received a vaccine shipment and appointments are available Friday, April 23, and Monday, April 26.

Things to keep in mind before scheduling an appointment for the Pfizer vaccine:

• The Pfizer vaccine is two doses given at least 21 days apart. Please make every effort to attend your appointment for your second dose. If you miss this appointment, we can’t determine how quickly you will have another opportunity to receive a second dose through CU Boulder.     
• Your appointment for your second dose will be automatically scheduled as follows:
  • If your first appointment is Friday, April 23, your second appointment will be Wednesday, May 19, at the same time as your first appointment.
  • If your first appointment is Monday, April 26, your second appointment will be Monday, May 17, at the same time as your first appointment.

If you will be heading home and will not be able to return to campus for your second dose, here are some things to consider before scheduling an appointment:

If you aren’t able to get a second dose at the designated time (at least 21 days for Pfizer after your first dose) it’s still important to schedule an appointment with another provider to receive your second dose as soon as you’re able.  

• You should plan to look for a second dose of the Pfizer vaccine in your home city or state. However, know that it could be harder to find a second dose at a location that is different from where you received your first dose.
• If after your first dose you cannot attend your automatically scheduled second dose appointment, please call Patient Access Services at 303-492-5101 to cancel.
• The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is currently approved for those 16 years and older.

If you try to schedule an appointment on any of these dates and see the phrase “No appointments found on this date," that means there are no more appointments available.

Those who are unable to make an appointment during the allotted time frame or who miss/cancel their appointment will need to wait for the next vaccine availability.

To schedule your vaccine appointment

• Visit My CU Health.
• Log in to Medicat with your CU Boulder login name and identikey password. Press continue. 
• Select the “Appts” option in the top left-hand corner.
• In the Departments and Services box, choose “COVID-19 Vaccine” and press the Submit button.
• For “please select the reason you are seeking an appointment,” choose “COVID-19 Vaccine” and press the Submit button. 
• When searching for next available appointments:     
  • For Group Appointments select “No.”
  • For clinic select “Medical Services.”
  • For reason select “COVID-19 vaccine.”
  • For provider select “All.”
  • Press the Submit button.
• Once your appointment is scheduled, you will automatically receive two appointment confirmation emails from the scheduling system. Your vaccine appointment instructions will be included in the confirmation message titled “You have an appointment for your COVID-19 Vaccine on (Appointment Date) at (Appointment Time).” Please disregard the other appointment confirmation message that is used for all other Medical Services appointments.

If you have questions on how to schedule an appointment, please contact the Buff Info team at buffinfo@colorado.edu or call 303-492-INFO (4636) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Already received a COVID-19 vaccine? Opt out of notifications from CU Boulder 

To help ensure those who are still interested in receiving a vaccine at CU Boulder can be notified quickly, please update your status on the COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility and Status Update Form and opt out of communications if you have already received a COVID-19 vaccine elsewhere.

The COVID-19 vaccine is also available through community vaccination clinics throughout the state. CU Boulder faculty, staff and students are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine at their first available opportunity.

Six community vaccination sites are available in addition to opportunities available through medical providers and the U.S. Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

Vaccine guidance

• Four reasons to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
• Vaccine safety and information from Medical Services.
• Answers to common vaccine questions.

COVID-19 vaccination status and monitoring testing requirements

If you are required to complete weekly monitoring testing based on your role with CU Boulder, you will continue to be required to participate regardless of when/if you are fully vaccinated. Please note, the requirement for COVID-19 monitoring testing ends May 10.

Campus Q&A 

• The last Campus Q&A of the spring semester will be held at noon on Tuesday, April 27.