Early Bird

Town hall events on Wednesday addressed coronavirus concerns

University experts discussed moving to an online delivery format by March 30, canceling large events and providing student support and resources.

By Lindsey Coulter

March 12, 2020

Metropolitan State University of Denver on Wednesday hosted two town hall meetings to address faculty, staff and student concerns about coronavirus and its potential campus impacts. At each, President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., led a panel of experts including Ruben Zorrilla, M.D., medical director, Health Center at Auraria; Larry Sampler, chief operations officer and vice president for Administration; and Vicki Golich, Ph.D., provost. Matt Griswold, Ed.D., associate vice president for Online Learning, also joined for the morning session and Will Simpkins, Ed.D., vice president for Student Affairs, for the afternoon. 

The morning session allowed faculty members, in particular, to learn more about the resources available to assist with the transition to online courses. The decision to do so by March 30 was made later in the day and announced in an email from President Davidson. Griswold encouraged faculty to begin preparing their classes immediately at the Center for Teaching, Learning and Design’s MSU Denver Ready website.

The afternoon session for students and staff took a closer look at student concerns and provided further insight into MSU Denver’s plan to deliver all face-to-face classes in an online format by March 30. The panel also answered questions about field placements and internships, supporting student employees and hourly employees, providing access to wifi and technology, and concerns about upcoming events and University travel.

Davidson reiterated that the move to a remote teaching and learning format does not mean the campus will be closing, and operations on campus will continue until further notice. However, all gatherings of 150 people or more, including this weekend’s Open House, are canceled. No decision has yet been made about Spring 2020 Commencement.

Roadrunners are encouraged to continue adhering to health and safety advice shared by the Health Center at Auraria.

Please also continue to refer to the MSU Denver coronavirus update website for up-to-the-minute information about impacts to the Auraria Campus.