Through the fall semester, campus officials are providing weekly updates, including dashboard stats and items of note on positive cases, isolation, contact tracing, mitigation measures and more.
Spring 2021
- The spring 2021 semester will start on Jan. 14.
- The campus will continue to offer in-person and remote courses with key updates to address a number of lessons learned this fall.
- In an effort to curb the spread of travel-related COVID-19 infections in our and other communities, the university has made the difficult decision of opting out of scheduling a traditional weeklong spring break in 2021.
- In lieu of the traditional five-day spring break, the semester will start three days later than previously scheduled and there will be two wellness days off for students on Feb. 17 and March 25.Ìý
- Operational updates announced today for the spring term address academic calendar dates, academic instruction modes, expanded on-campus social programming, residence life and isolation spaces, public health guidelines, the launch of a new and improved daily health check-in experience, and enhancements to our student engagement and support model.
- addressing the spring plan will be held from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, Oct. 23.
Updates on the latest Boulder County Public Health order
Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) announced that—as of noon on Oct. 20—the county moved to the less restrictive baseline level of the current public health order on gatherings for 18-to-22-year-olds.
What this means for all 18-to-22-year-olds in the city of Boulder:
- People in this age group are permitted to join gatherings of up to 10 people. This is the same guideline that currently applies to people of all other ages in Boulder County.
- 18-to-22-year-olds may visit businesses (restaurants, retail, etc.), as long as they follow physical distancing, facial covering and gathering size limit requirements.
- The health order will continue to be enforced through a weekly review by BCPH, which may change mandates based on circumstances at the time.Ìý
- Residents of collegiate group homes that are under stricter stay-at-home orders must still comply with their specific orders and mitigation plans.Ìý
- More information is on the Protect Our Herd website.
Buff Pass launches Oct. 26
- Beginning Monday, Oct. 26, CU Boulder students, faculty and staff will begin receiving invitations to transition from the current Daily Health Questionnaire to Buff Pass.
- Designed to simplify and improve the health questionnaire experience–andÌý tested by members of the CU Boulder campus community—Buff Pass is a confidential, mobile-friendly and easy-to-use daily health check-in system.
- Invitations will be sent to students, faculty and staff by email.
- Students, faculty and staff will complete their Buff Pass every day they plan to be on campus.
Events
- The current status of local public health orders allows for limited CU-sponsored in-person events on campus.
- However, the university moratorium on in-person, on-campus events remains in place until further guidance is finalized. Narrow exceptions to this are being made in the interim for events organized by Student Affairs to help support the health and wellbeing of our students and facilitate opportunities for community among our students.
- The campus is working with CU departments/units and students using the county and state public health recommendations to develop what CU-sponsored events will look like, and will provide more information soon.
COVID-19 Testing
- All students, faculty and staff can participate in the campus monitoring program for COVID-19. . This is a free program available to students, faculty and staff.
- On-campus residents are required to participate in monitoring, as are certain employees. .
- Those who complete their weekly COVID-19 monitoring test will be entered for a chance to win $100. Three prizes will be given each week.
- In October, on-campus residents who live in a residence hall or apartment building with the highest level of monitoring test participation will also have a chance to win one of three $50 CU Book Store gift cards.
- Students should contact the to schedule a diagnostic test if they:
- Have a monitoring test that indicates the possibility of COVID-19.
- Are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
- Have had a known exposure to a person with COVID-19 (recommendation is to wait to test until five to seven days after exposure).
Isolation space
- As of the morning of Thursday, Oct. 22, the university had 2 beds in use of the 623 beds available for on-campus residents in need of isolation space.
Testing sites off campus
- The state of Colorado is currently providing a free community testing site in Boulder, available through Nov. 8. More information is on
- Residents do not have to have symptoms to be tested.
- Boulder County Public Health, Boulder Community Health, diagnostic testing developer Biodesix, Inc., and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for underserved and at-risk population groups across Boulder County.
Weekly COVID-19 update sessions
- Every Tuesday at noon, campus leaders host a live COVID-19 update for faculty, staff, students and Buff families. Each update begins with opening remarks and then time is reserved for viewers to ask questions. These presentations are recorded and available to view online.
- CU is also participating in the city’s weekly community update on Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. More information about the city’s weekly updates .
Enforcement
- The COVID-19-ready dashboard displays information regarding students who have been, or are currently, under investigation based on reports of public health order violations. The investigation data is updated once per week.
- As of Wednesday, Oct. 21:
- 381 students have received .
- 29 students are on an active interim exclusion from campus, pending the adjudication of a conduct hearing.
- 81 students have received the disciplinary status of probation.
- 32 students are on an active interim suspension, pending the adjudication of a conduct hearing.
Whom to contact:
- For campus technology issues or concerns, call the Office of Information Technology at 303-735-4357 (5-HELP).
- For health questions, contact your health care provider or Medical Services at 303-492-5101 (24/7 nurse line available for students) for advice and recommendations.
- For mental health questions or concerns, call Counseling and Psychiatric Services at 303-492-2277 (24/7 support available for students).
- For faculty and staff, call the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program at 303-492-3020.
- For students, faculty and staff who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or life disruptive event, the Office of Victim Assistance provides free and confidential information, consultation, support, advocacy and short-term counseling services. Call 303-492-8855.Ìý
- For families, New Student & Family Programs will be happy to assist you. Call or text 303-492-4431 or email families@colorado.edu.Ìý
- For employment and payroll questions, call Human Resources at 303-492-6475.
- Have additional questions about how COVID-19 affects your studies or work with CU Boulder? Use LiveChat at , call the central hotline at 303-492-8478, or submit your question via the ask a question form.
- For students who need assistance or who may be in crisis, please contact Students of Concern at 303-492-7348, SSCM@colorado.edu, or visit the Students of Concern Team webpage.
