Early Bird

Latest on Covid-19 and campus operations

COO Larry Sampler shares variant guidance and updated FAQs.

By Larry Sampler, chief operating officer

July 29, 2021

Dear Roadrunners,

The first day of fall classes will be upon us before we know it, and as we get closer to that date, the Covid-19 situation will continue to evolve. While Covid-19 is far from behind us, Metropolitan State University of Denver is in pretty good shape. Vaccination rates among our community are high. We’ve taken every prudent precaution we can think of, and thus far, compliance with health and safety protocols has been very strong. As I mentioned last week, however, the success of our return to the Auraria Campus this fall hinges on individual behavior and how we treat our friends and colleagues. So, again, take every opportunity to be kind, practice patience and assume the best intentions among those around you until they show you differently.

Evolving Covid-19 guidance

There has been a lot written and said lately about new Covid-19 virus variants, which may be more contagious or perhaps even more deadly. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have issued guidelines that recommend that everyone, including vaccinated people, wear masks in certain settings. This has created some understandable confusion.

The WHO and CDC guidelines should be taken in context. Both organizations advise policymakers who are responsible for hundreds of millions of people in different situations and with different health systems and capabilities. What these organizations recommend for India or Indiana, Bangladesh or Bangor, Maine, might not be relevant in Denver.

MSU Denver continues to work closely with the Denver and Colorado Departments of Public Health and Environment and will ensure that the University’s voice is heard as health leaders consider guidance for our communities. Additionally, the Auraria Higher Education Center and MSU Denver guidelines will continue to reflect and comply with city and state requirements.

Additionally, as Covid-19 continues to percolate in communities around the world, it may be difficult for people to know whether they’re sniffling from the common cold, the flu or Covid-19. Thus, anyone who plans on coming to campus is still required to complete a daily self-administered health check beforehand. By prohibiting those who feel ill from coming to campus (other than those who call the Health Center at Auraria and arrange an appointment to see a doctor), we hope to minimize the spread of not just Covid-19 but a whole host of communicable diseases.

Your questions answered

In response to employee inquiries and concerns, here are some newly developed FAQs that may be helpful.

What criteria do Coloradans have to meet to be legally exempt from vaccination or mask-wearing?

In the State of Colorado, there are three recognized causes for being granted an exemption from required vaccinations: medical conditions, religious convictions or personal disinclination. The MSU Denver Human Resources Department has been very responsive in considering and granting exemptions to members of our community. However, the exemption relieves you of the necessity to get the vaccine; it does not prevent the University from taking other measures to protect our campus and community from the disease. MSU Denver, in consultation with medical and policy professionals, requires that all unvaccinated people who come to our campus must wear masks. A legal exemption to being vaccinated does not apply to the mask requirement.

I see people around campus not wearing masks. How can I know for certain that they’re vaccinated?

The bottom line is that you can’t. Just as we had no way of knowing if the people around us were sick and contagious before the pandemic, we generally don’t know others’ health or vaccination status now. MSU Denver has made masks mandatory for those who are unvaccinated, and we require everyone to perform a health check each day before coming to campus. While enforcement of these mandates is on the honor system, we will – if informed of noncompliance – take appropriate measures up to and including separation of an employee from the University if necessary.

A colleague has told me they are not vaccinated, but they also won’t wear a mask. Is it my responsibility to ask them to wear it? 

No, it is not your responsibility. While some people might be comfortable speaking to a colleague about wearing a mask, others won’t. The better solution is to share your concerns with your supervisor and let your supervisor handle the situation with the unmasked employee.

Vaccination-survey update

As of Wednesday, 84% of the 9,519 MSU Denver employees and students registered for fall who have completed the verification/exemption form are fully or partially vaccinated for Covid-19.

Employees: 1,925/2,592 (74% response rate*)

• 95% of respondents are fully or partially vaccinated.
• 1% of respondents intend to be vaccinated by the start of the fall semester.
• 4% of respondents requested an exemption.

Registered students: 7,594/14,846 (52% response rate)

• 82% of respondents are fully or partially vaccinated.
• 4% of respondents intend to be vaccinated by the start of the fall semester.
• 14% of respondents requested an exemption.

*The response rate increases to above 89% when faculty (full- and part-time) not teaching during summer (and who may have not seen the emailed verification/exemption form) are removed.

We recognize that the registered-student response rate is well below 100%. Efforts to remind these students to complete the form will continue as the beginning of the fall semester approaches. Similar efforts will be deployed with employees who have not submitted their forms. Thank you all for your help in these efforts.

As always, if you have questions or concerns about our Safe Return to Campus, please reach out through this form or via email at roadrunnersafereturn@msudenver.edu.

Sincerely, 

Larry Sampler 

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