Dear Students,
The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is well underway and warmer temperatures have us all looking toward a more “normal” spring and summer ahead. However, we must all continue to stay vigilant.
Vaccines will end the pandemic.
- Gov. Jared Polis announced Friday that all Coloradans 16 and older will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by mid-April, including CC students. To protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19, please get vaccinated as soon as you are eligible.
- Remember: Colorado has a vaccine distribution plan in place to protect the most vulnerable in our community, particularly the elderly.
- Getting vaccinated early doesn't mean that you may gather just yet: CC's restrictions on gatherings apply to students living on campus and locally off campus, even if they are vaccinated. If you are vaccinated, please help us to protect all community members by following mitigation protocols.
- All mitigation protocols, including social distancing, mask wearing, testing, and quarantine protocols will remain in effect for all CC students living on campus and locally off campus, even when they are vaccinated. Remember, even if you have been vaccinated, you may still carry and spread the virus.
This is not the time to let our guard down.
Recently, Duke University experienced a rapidly escalating number of COVID cases among undergraduate students, principally driven by students attending parties. In one week, 180 students had to isolate after receiving positive COVID 19 test results, and an additional 200 students were placed in quarantine as a result of contact tracing. This was by far that university’s largest one-week number of positive tests and quarantines since the start of the pandemic. Not only do we hope to avoid the large outbreaks and mass quarantines, we hope to finish the year strong and continue on a path to increased in-person instruction in Blocks 7 and 8 and an in-person Commencement ceremony with our graduating seniors.
At CC, there have been no cases of Coronavirus transmission in classrooms. The most common types of exposure to COVID-19 among CC community members are through
- Roommates
- Friends
- Family
- Indoor gatherings
- Travel
Based on this exposure data, we recommend the following precautions to reduce your exposure risk:
- Stay six feet away from other people.
- Wear a mask when around other people, particularly indoors where aerosols containing the virus tend to build up.
- Avoid indoor gatherings. Prioritize outdoor activities.
- Increase ventilation of indoor spaces by opening a window.
- Stay local including during weekends and block breaks.
Travel warning: Those who travel to south Florida are at high risk of getting infected with a more contagious and likely more deadly variant called B1.1.7 (first found in the UK) and spreading it among their community upon return.
- All travelers must follow arrival protocols upon return, even if vaccinated.
- Travel is highly discouraged and may impact your ability to attend in-person or hybrid classes in Block 7.
- If you choose to travel, you should return to Colorado Springs by March 18 at the latest and make sure you are tested on March 18 to be able to complete 10 days of enhanced social distancing and re-testing in time for the beginning of Block 7.
All students who live on campus or locally off-campus are required to participate in weekly testing throughout the Spring Semester, even if they are not accessing campus facilities, and even if they are vaccinated. Schedule your appointment here.
Remember: You must have completed arrival protocols by the first day of Block 7, Monday, March 29, to attend in-person class sessions. To maintain campus access, you must participate in testing every week.
Thank you for your continued work to reduce the risk to yourselves and our community.
Sincerely,
Rochelle T. Dickey
Acting Dean of Students/Acting Vice President for Student Life
Andrea Bruder
Associate Professor of Mathematics/Associate Dean of the Faculty/COVID-19 Response Team
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