Colorado College continues to closely monitor developments in the outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a 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 March 27, 2020

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.

• Colorado Stay-at-Home order: Colorado is under a Stay-at-Home order as of March 26. Only those employees who provide critical services to our students such as security, medical and mental health, housing, and food service, may work on campus. All others must work from home. Everyone must observe social-distancing requirements, staying at least six feet away from others. Students should not gather in groups; they should pursue activities on their own or with only one other person. People are allowed to go out for essential needs such as groceries, medical care, or prescriptions, and to ride bikes, hike, visit parks, exercise, or walk dogs while maintaining social distance. 
• Block 7 and 8 classes will be delivered via distance learning. Students should remain off campus through the rest of the academic year.
• Adjusted block schedule: Spring Break is extended by one week, through Sunday, March 29. On Monday, March 30, we will begin Block 7 with distance-learning classes only, in a revised schedule. See the updated academic calendar. Specific changes:
  Block 7: Monday, March 30-Friday, April 17.
  Block break: Saturday, April 18 - Sunday, April 26.
  Block 8 (also delivered via distance learning): Monday, April 27-Friday, May 15.
  A few classes will be canceled if an online alternative is not possible. Advisors will help students navigate the impact of these changes. Seniors received an email communication on Monday, March 16 from Vice Provost Pedro de Araujo regarding meeting graduation requirements. We will make sure there are pathways to graduation as planned for all seniors. 
• Social distancing: The State of Colorado prohibits all gatherings of more than 10 people and they are to stay at least six feet from each other. At CC, students are asked to pursue activities on their own or with one other person. Meetings should be virtual, and there will be no visitors to campus. Admission open houses are canceled. We will make a decision on Commencement soon, and will communicate that as soon as possible.

Extending Spring Break gives us more time to monitor and assess the ramifications of the virus’s reach, and allows faculty more time to modify their classes to be delivered via distance learning.

• Students who do not have permission to remain living on campus do not have key-card access to campus buildings.
• 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. Student Life is no longer accepting requests to stay on campus. 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 zkroger@coloradocollege.edu.
• Students staying on campus: All courses will be offered in a distance-learning mode, as they will be for all students. Boxed meals are provided at Rastall Dining Hall. Campus Activities is providing pop-up food banks and solo or virtual activity kits. Campus Safety is providing shuttles to grocery stores. In addition, Campus Safety is providing 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 the protocols advised by the Centers for Disease Control, the state, and our local public health department to keep safe and healthy, including not reporting to work if they have symptoms or have been exposed to the virus.

If you have questions, email covid19@coloradocollege.edu; please leave your phone number if you prefer a personal call back.

The fear of Coronavirus has resulted in incidents of bias and harassment against Chinese nationals, Chinese Americans, and people of Asian heritage here, and worldwide. Many members of our community, including our international students, faculty, and staff, may be dealing with stigma. Please uphold our commitment to antiracism. The Centers for Disease Control provides information on stigma related to this outbreak.

We are following guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and working closely with the local department of public health. The CDC is maintaining a list of frequently asked questions and answers.

Preventive Measures

In order to prevent the spread of illness in our community, the CDC recommends:

• Stay home when you are sick with respiratory disease symptoms. 
• Follow respiratory etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue, then dispose of it in the trash can immediately. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your sleeve.
• Hand hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%-95% alcohol.

If you have traveled to an area in which there is a coronavirus outbreak within the last 14 days AND feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, you should:

• Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms. 
• Avoid contact with others. Please let the COVID-19 Emergency Response Team Incident Commander, Maggie Santos, msantos@coloradocollege.edu, know if you are self-isolating so that the college can provide support.

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.