July 30, 2021
With the recent news of increases in COVID-19 delta variant infections and mask requirements being reinstated in some areas of the country, we are writing with an update on our preparations for the fall semester.
COVID-19 virus
As of earlier this week, 78.8% of all eligible Boulder County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccination, which makes our county one of the most highly vaccinated communities in Colorado. The delta variant now accounts for nearly 90% of the COVID-19 cases in the state, as well as in Boulder County. The number of cases in the county remains low at approximately 50 cases per 100,000 residents, but has gradually risen over the past few weeks. The vast majority of cases are occurring in the unvaccinated population.听
We continue to incorporate guidance for our campus health and safety operations from national, state, local public health officials and our own faculty experts. We will continue to rely upon the Scientific Steering Committee and Pandemic Response Leadership Implementation Team to advise us as the fall semester approaches. Rest assured, we are committed to making science-informed decisions to safeguard our campus and community while promoting vibrant academic and social experiences.
Next week, we will be able to provide more detail about how the delta variant affects our planning for the fall semester, providing our campus experts and public health authorities an opportunity to analyze the data and make informed recommendations.
Masks
Campus continues to follow state and county requirements regarding masks. Currently, facial coverings are not required indoors on campus, but we continue to recommend facial coverings indoors for individuals who are not fully vaccinated. Facial coverings do continue to be required indoors in health care settings, child care settings, youth camps and on public transit. This aligns with Please continue to adhere to existing campus policies and preventative measures.听 Faculty and staff cannot set or enforce stricter than what are currently in place, or ask or encourage people to share personal medical information such as COVID-19 status, test results or vaccination status.
Vaccine requirement
As health experts have stated, the best way to end the pandemic is vaccination. All 抖阴短视频 Boulder faculty and staff must submit their COVID-19 vaccine information or an exemption form online to complete the 抖阴短视频 system鈥檚 vaccination requirements. The only exception will be faculty and staff vaccinated through 抖阴短视频 Boulder Medical Services. Data for this group will automatically be uploaded to the portal on behalf of faculty and staff vaccinated through Medical Services.
- Take action now: Complete the vaccine requirement by logging into the My抖阴短视频Health portal. Detailed instructions are available through Medical Services. The deadline is Sept.15, 2021.
- Still need a vaccine? Faculty and staff can receive a free Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine at one of the governor's mobile vaccine clinics on campus in August or September. For more information, visit the COVID-19 vaccination requirements page.听
- Enter to win: Faculty and staff who complete the vaccination requirement will be entered into a drawing with a chance to win:
- 听$1,000 of credit to use at the 抖阴短视频 Book Store.
- 听$1,500 in cash prizes (subject to taxes).
- 听Apple pencils and air pods.
- 听抖阴短视频 Buff gear from the 抖阴短视频 Book Store.
- 听Tickets from 抖阴短视频 Boulder Athletics.
Drawings will take place on Aug. 5 and Sept. 15.
Campus events
We follow state and county requirements. There are no local capacity restrictions on events. If this changes, we will notify you.
Questions? Please contact the Pandemic Response Office via email for guidance. The office manages the campus response to the pandemic and will provide timely information regarding any updates to our campus approach based on the latest local and state public health guidance.
Thank you for all you have done over the past 18 months to get our university through this pandemic. Together we will address the challenges that the pandemic has brought to our campus and the community and advance the campus鈥檚 mission of teaching, research, scholarship and service.
Sincerely,
Russell Moore, Provost
Patrick O鈥橰ourke, Chief Operating Officer