Early Bird

The latest on Covid-19 and campus operations

Information on booster shots, testing insights, travel protocols, testing for University contractors.

By Larry Samper, chief operating officer

October 21, 2021

Dear Roadrunners,

I hope you all attended or tuned in to the President’s Cabinet meeting Wednesday. The meeting kicked off with a great overview of our Safe Return to Campus efforts presented by Leone Dick, Roadrunners Safe Return Committee lead. The big takeaway is that our health and safety protocols are paying off. However, as we move into cold-and-flu season, we all must remain vigilant. So be sure to attend the Employee Wellness Fair on Oct. 29.

Here are some other important highlights:

• Metropolitan State University of Denver’s employee vaccination rate is now 98%.
• Our student vaccination rate is 89%.
• The University’s Covid positivity rate is 1.55%, compared with the City and County of Denver rate of 4.89% (as of Oct. 17).
• Last week, 16 of the University’s 18 positive cases were unvaccinated individuals.

Vaccine booster shots

The University is now offering Pfizer booster shots (for those who are eligible), coupled with flu shots. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots are still moving through the approval processes, and MSU Denver has already submitted a vaccine order.

Also approved by the FDA and CDC on Wednesday was vaccine mixing.

Travel protocols and quarantine policy

MSU Denver continues to observe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention travel guidelines for U.S. citizens as well as State of Colorado health, safety and travel guidance. While there are no specific University quarantine protocols in place related to travel, unvaccinated individuals are still required to test weekly per University policy. This required testing must resume once travel is completed. Between CDC guidelines and our testing and masking protocols, the University aims to quickly identify any positive cases and keep our campus community safe.

With regard to upcoming holiday breaks, if people are not on campus during breaks, they do not need to test. Additionally, the 5^th Street Garage testing site will be closed Nov. 25-26 and Dec. 24-Jan. 2.

Contractor testing

The University is working with all organizations that contract with us to certify that any of their employees visiting our campus are vaccinated or are submitting to testing twice weekly, as required by the guidance from the state. Responses are due from those organizations by Nov. 10.

A few more thoughts

I would also like to add that MSU Denver is working collaboratively with the Community College of Denver to help improve the success of that institution’s Covid-19 testing requirements. I am grateful for this alignment, which will help improve the overall health and safety of our campus.

Additionally, I recognize that mental health remains a concern for many of our community members, and I ask all Roadrunners to encourage a culture of wellness. In addition to taking care of your physical health, please remain patient and generous with each other.

Finally, don’t forget that spring 2022 registration begins Monday. Please encourage the students you work with to get registered.

As always, please check out the Safe Return Faculty Staff Guide, including guidelines around student mask noncompliance. For any questions not addressed on the website, please contact roadrunnersafereturn@msudenver.edu. Thank you again for your hard work in supporting our safe return to campus.    

Sincerely,    

Larry Sampler    
Vice president for Administration, Finance and Facilities and chief operating officer