Early Bird

Answering employee questions for fall 2020

Expectations for the new semester, including more info on health protocols, remote work and campus access.

July 30, 2020

Fall semester is just three weeks away and many faculty, staff and student employees still have questions about what to expect. Here’s the latest update from Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Roadrunner Safe Return Committee. Stay tuned to the Early Bird next week for the launch of a new series answering frequently asked questions about fall. The series will run each Tuesday and Thursday in the lead up to the semester. 

Limiting people on campus

The health and safety of students, faculty and staff, as well as their loved ones, remains the University’s top priority. Research continues to show that the best way to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 is to limit contact with others. With that in mind, most of the University’s operations will continue online for the fall, with a few exceptions.

With 90% of classes being held online, most employees will continue to work remotely as well. Most offices will do business virtually. This does not mean that students won’t be able to access the same great support services as always; they will just need to do so online. The University is counting on its employees to make sure we meet the high standards our students have come to expect. 

To serve the limited number of students who will be on campus for face-to-face classes, the University plans to have members from Admissions' “Crew in Blue” staff the front desk of the Jordan Student Success Building. Roadrunners, who have graciously volunteered to be there, will be available to answer questions and direct students to resources starting Aug. 10.

The Health Center at Auraria also continues to be open to serve all Auraria students, faculty and staff. COVID-19 testing is available Monday through Friday, in addition to medical and mental-health services via virtual telemedicine visits and select in-office visits. Roadrunners should call 303-615-9999 before visiting. 

As a general principle, members of the University community should limit their time on campus as much as possible. That being said, MSU Denver leaders also understand that some employees who are not directly involved with face-to-face classes this fall may still need access to campus either for a short time or on a recurring basis. For those Roadrunners, please follow the process outlined on this webpage.

Learn more about other services now available on campus.

On-campus health and safety protocols

For those who will be on campus this fall (Roadrunners taking, teaching or supporting face-to-face courses; students accessing support services; and employees who have been approved to be on campus), the University has developed a communicable disease policy and the following protocols and guidelines to help keep the community safe.

The protocols and guidelines (Spanish version) were created to protect our community in accordance with recommendations from the Colorado Department of Higher Education, and state and local health experts, including our team at the Health Center at Auraria and the University’s Facilities Department.

Protocols MSU Denver is using to keep Roadrunners safe on campus

• Enacting public health-informed campus and building safety protocols, in coordination with our Auraria Campus partners, including more frequent and intensive cleaning.
• Providing hand sanitizer stations at designated entrances for each building, plus more at elevator banks.
• Maintaining social distancing in shared spaces such as classrooms and labs.
• Requiring a face covering (mask or face shield) over the mouth and nose while on campus in the presence of others.
• Providing masks to community members who may have forgotten to bring their own.
• Having Welcome Back ambassadors at designated entrances to answer questions and remind people to wear face coverings.

Guidelines for Roadrunners before and during their time on campus

• Perform this health assessment each day. If you are not feeling well or have any of the symptoms listed in the assessment, you should not come to campus.
• If you answer "yes" to any of the symptoms /circumstances in the daily health assessment, or if you simply are not feeling well for any reason, please call the Health Center at Auraria at 303-615-9999. A medical provider will assess your health and advise you on next steps. Do not come to campus until you are medically cleared to do so.   
• Wear a face covering (mask or face shield) on campus when in the presence of others. 
• Maintain physical distancing of at least six feet.   
• Wash your hands frequently and/or use hand sanitizer on the way in and out of buildings.
• Follow signage for designated entrances and exits; comply with posted signage in common areas.
• Minimize touching of surfaces.  
• No food-based events or gatherings will be allowed.  
• For employees, wipe down work surfaces often, but at least at the start and end of your time on campus. Disinfectant and paper towels will be available in classrooms and at student-service desks, as well as in any offices where people are working on campus. Please contact the Department of Facilities at facilities@msudenver.edu and someone can provide supplies in a designated drop-off area.
• Comply with occupancy limits posted on elevators; maintain physical distancing if using the stairs.
• A student, faculty or staff photo ID is required at all times when you are present on the Auraria Campus. Your ID will be needed to access buildings and services. If you do not have a campus photo ID, the bookstore will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to issue IDs. Additionally, you can call this number to set up an appointment: 303-556-8352.

This University has also put together this “7 ways to keep our community safe” video to serve as a reminder of on-campus health and safety protocols.

If you have additional questions about the fall semester, please refer to the FAQs on the Safe Return to Campus webpage, and feel free to ask a question using the form on that page. Please keep up with the Early Bird for more details in the coming weeks.