Colorado College continues to closely monitor developments in the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The president's cabinet and the college's multi-disciplinary COVID-19 Emergency Response Team are meeting regularly (remotely) to assess the situation and plan for impacts to our campus community. If you have additional concerns about COVID-19 or our campus response, direct them to covid19@coloradocollege.edu; please leave your phone number if you prefer a personal call back.

Updated June 26, 2020

Additional Resources

As the number of cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to increase, we are taking the following actions. Our top priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff.

• NEW: A More Flexible Academic Calendar for 2020-21
  We are doing everything we can to prepare for students, faculty, and staff to come back together. By the end of June 2020, we will announce whether we can start the academic year on campus. Our goal is to come together on campus as soon as the Centers for Disease Control, state, and county guidelines allow. Our revised calendar for the 2020-21 academic year gives students more options for when, where, and how they pursue their education at CC, while simultaneously offering additional value. In this plan, we will:
  • Offer 11 blocks beginning in August and continuing through Summer 2021. This includes the standard eight blocks, a new Fall Semester “J Block” in January, and two summer blocks. If the entire Fall Semester must be delivered via distance learning, we will add a 12th block to the summer.
  • Allow students to take up to 10 of these blocks for the standard comprehensive fee. This 10-block option for the coming year (as compared with the usual 8½) provides additional value for all students and families in a difficult time.
  • Allow students who are enrolled full time during the academic year the option of taking some of their 10 blocks in the summer. We will also offer Half Block classes during both the J Block and Block A in the summer (which can be combined for a full block of credit).
  • Offer distance-learning classes for all fall blocks, so that even if we have in-person, on-campus instruction, we can accommodate those students who cannot be onsite due to health vulnerabilities, or if they are limited by travel restrictions. We will prorate room and board charges and adjust financial aid awards for students who elect to take fewer than eight blocks on campus.
  • To accommodate these changes, we are shortening Spring Break to one week, and moving the Class of 2021 Commencement one week later to Sunday, May 23.
    See the revised academic calendar for 2020-21
    

• Updated Safety Protocols
  We all must do our part to help our campus and our community stay safe. College leadership and working groups continually monitor the number of cases and situation related to COVID-19, and will adapt quickly if needed. We are implementing a multi-layered approach that includes:

  • social distancing at all times
  • wearing masks
  • handwashing
  • screening
  • testing
  • contact tracing
  • isolation and quarantine capability
  • holding classes and activities outdoors when the weather allows
  • classes and activities occurring only in small groups
  • hand sanitizer available throughout campus
  • Plexiglass shields at some front desks, counters, and cashier locations
  • proper ventilation in all areas

• Testing & Quarantine Protocols
  Testing will be conducted for any symptomatic students, faculty, and staff. We are arranging for testing to be conducted on campus by a large healthcare organization that can provide quick turnaround of test results. That organization will also work with our Athletics Department both to determine type of testing and testing schedules for varsity athletics, and to carry out that testing. A campus team of trained staff will work in collaboration with our public health department to conduct contact tracing.

  We have designated isolation and quarantine spaces if needed for students living in campus housing, and are developing isolation and quarantine protocols that ensure that any students in isolation or quarantine have access to medical care, mental health supports and care, food delivery, and other basic needs/services. We are also looking at how technology might be utilized in our contact tracing process.

• Travel
  Travel will follow state guidelines:

  • Currently, anyone who has traveled to a hotspot should stay at home for at least three days, taking their temperature daily. Employees may return to work if they have no elevated temperature.
  • In addition to state guidelines, athletics teams will also follow NCAA and conference guidelines
  • Students, faculty, or staff who have been traveling internationally and are planning to re-enter the campus environment must follow state and local health department recommendations and requirements. At this time, this includes quarantine at home for 14 days, checking temperature twice a day, monitoring for onset of symptoms of COVID-19, and maintaining contact with the appropriate health department as directed.

  In addition, we are researching technology solutions including density monitoring systems for larger buildings; a health-check app; and queuing systems to eliminate people standing in lines.

• New Student Orientation & Move-In
  As we work to prioritize the safety of our students, guests, faculty, and staff while also preserving the impactful experience of an in-person orientation and achieving the same outcomes and goals of our traditional New Student Orientation program, both on campus and through a more local Priddy Experience. NSO will be designed to meet Centers for Disease Control, local/state, and campus guidelines.

  Move-In: An extended move-in will take place August 14-16 to allow for proper social distancing; students will be able to sign up for available timeslots in advance (more information coming soon). Students participating in early arrival programs, such as Bridge Scholars, International Orientation, and fall athletics, will be contacted by their specific program administrators with more information regarding move-in.

  NSO Modified Schedule and Hybrid Delivery: New Student Orientation will be delivered using online modules, in-person sessions (following local/state guidelines), live-streaming, and small-group meetings. The revised NSO schedule will allow for better social distancing and safety, increased retention of required information, community building opportunities, reflection, and adjustment to campus, while preserving the key aspects of the NSO experience as much as possible.

  Family and Parent Orientation: Due to space capacity and in an effort to limit the number of guests on campus and traveling from around the country and world, students are limited to having just one guest accompanying them to campus for move-in. Only one guest will be allowed in the halls at a time for move-in; family and parent programming will primarily be offered online via virtual sessions.

• Student Life
  Distancing, limiting the number of people in buildings and groups, wearing masks, handwashing, and adhering to our safety guidelines will help our student and entire campus community stay safe. Student activities are more likely to occur outdoors this year, and only in small groups.

  Community Standards/Conduct Policies Related to COVID-19: Students will be required to provide documentation of required immunizations prior to arriving on campus. Student conduct policies will include expectations to comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines as outlined by the CDC, state, and county public health department.

  Housing: We are working on plans to reduce the number of students in residential housing to prevent crowding. Measures include:

  • No temporary triple housing.
  • Providing some options for rooms with private bathrooms
  • Safety strategies for the use of common bathrooms
  • Increased cleaning and sanitation
  • Developing policies for having guests and changing rooms
  • Reconfiguring common areas to enhance spacing
  • Obtaining rooms for sick students to self-isolate safely until they are well

  Campus Dining: Our campus food service provider, Bon Appetit, is following industry best practices to increase safety. Bon Appetit will be the only vendor allowed to cater at the college. Meal times may be extended over a longer period of time in order to eliminate crowding.

  Athletics and Recreation: We plan for the return of fall NCAA-authorized sports to campus. The COVID-19 Athletics Action Team is developing plans to enhance a safe return to athletic activity. We will be following state, NCAA, and conference guidelines, including for travel and competition, and continue to develop plans for access to practice and competition.

  Fitness Center: Following state and county health guidance, we are planning a phased opening of the Adam F. Press Fitness Center with capacity limits for campus community members beginning in early August. More information will be posted here: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/fitnesscenter/index.html

  Club and Intramural: Club sports participation details are in progress, however it is likely the experience could be significantly altered. Intramural participation begins Block 2 and plans also continue to develop to provide organized sport and fitness opportunities to our students. For more information on recreation plans, contact Chris Starr, cstarr@coloradocollege.edu.

• Employees and the Workplace
  In order to allow for a safe return to work, the majority of employees have been working from home. Beginning in mid-July, some areas supporting students and faculty will return to campus, adhering to the state’s 50% density limit: No more than 50% of our workforce may be on campus at any time and no more than 50% in any one building at a time.

  Safety:

  • Masks are to be worn by employees anytime they are near others who don’t live in their household.
  • Any employee who has traveled to a hotspot should stay at home for at least three days, and should take their temperature daily. Employees may return to work if they have no elevated temperature.
  • We want to protect employees who are at increased risk based on the CDC’s guidelines. Employees should inform both their supervisor and HR if they are in this category.
  • We encourage employees to continue meeting virtually even when on campus. Small groups may meet outdoors if distanced.
  • Outside speakers/visitors to meetings in enclosed spaces are discouraged.
  • Only catering from our food-services provider, Bon Appetit, is allowed. Bon Appetit is following industry best practices.
  • At this time the campus remains closed to routine delivery of products from vendors.

  The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College Museum is working on a reopening plan, following state guidelines.

• Social distancing: The State of Colorado prohibits all gatherings of more than 10 people, and people are to stay at least six feet from each other. This requirement is still in place despite the shift from a stay-at-home order to a safer-at-home order. Visitors are still not allowed on campus.
• Students staying on campus: Room and board is being provided only to students who have no option but to remain on campus, including international students, those whose legal residence is Colorado College, and those with other extenuating circumstances. Students who qualify for need-based aid and require emergency assistance should contact emergencyrequests@coloradocollege.edu. Other Student Life questions can be sent to Zak Kroger at zkroger@coloradocollege.edu. For those remaining on campus, all courses will be offered in a distance-learning mode, as they will be for all students. Boxed meals are provided at Benjamin’s and Colorado Coffee. Campus Activities is providing pop-up food banks and solo or virtual activity kits. Campus Safety is providing shuttles to grocery stores and emergency transportation to urgent care centers and to the hospital, as well as safe rides, 24/7.
• Faculty and staff will continue working, most of them remotely, while adhering to all required protocols to keep safe and healthy, including not reporting to work if they have symptoms or have been exposed to the virus.

Sodexo staff, who provide custodial services to the Colorado College campus, are increasing their cleaning efforts, especially on touch points such as light switches, door knobs, water fountains, and handrails, using disinfectant cleaner that can kill bacteria, viruses, and fungus.

Support

We understand that this situation is causing anxiety for many people. There are numerous resources on campus for support and assistance, including the Counseling Center, Chaplain's Office, Employee Assistance Plan, the Butler Center, the Advising Hub, and the Wellness Resource Center.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Response Fund

We’ve received an outpouring of support from many of you and others in our community, asking how they can help the college during this difficult time. In response to these inquiries, we’ve established the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Emergency Response Fund to support existing measures that offer housing and food assistance, academic support, and quality healthcare to every member of the CC community.

For many Colorado College students, there are significant costs associated with the disruptions we are experiencing, including unexpected travel, shipping or storage fees, the loss of some campus wages, and potential loss of summer job prospects. This fund supports efforts to meet our students’ financial and logistical needs, helping them to financially navigate these difficult times. It also provides the college with resources to respond quickly to challenges that are developing during this crisis.

If you wish to contribute, please visit https://ourcc.coloradocollege.edu/covid19responsefund

If you have additional concerns about COVID-19 or our campus response, direct them to: covid19@coloradocollege.edu; please leave your phone number if you prefer a personal call back.