COVID-19 & the CU Anschutz Community

April 9, 2021

Fall Planning

As Chancellor Elliman shared this week, planning is underway for fall, and our current hybrid model is expected to remain in place with limited expansion of in-person activities in June and beyond. The hope is for a measured, safe ramp up in phases from pandemic operations to a more normal fall semester, should conditions remain stable. More information is being developed now, and all CU Anschutz students and employees will have ample notice of any changes as planning progresses.

Travel Considerations

University-Sponsored Travel

Following recent guidance from the CDC on domestic travel for vaccinated individuals, domestic university-sponsored travel will become possible for fully vaccinated CU Anschutz students and employees, starting June 1, 2021, after having been suspended since the beginning of pandemic operations. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose of two-dose Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, or 14 days after receiving the single-dose Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. Please see your supervisor/unit head with travel requests, and be prepared to share vaccination status with them as required for university-sponsored travel. 

Personal Travel

The CDC recommends delaying travel until you are fully vaccinated if possible. Those choosing to travel for personal reasons are encouraged to assess the risks and current recommendations in place and to take precautions while traveling. A travel planner tool is available to help you evaluate conditions by U.S. destination, and quick reference guides detail recommendations for domestic travel and international travel based on vaccination status.

Returning from Travel

You are encouraged to follow CDC recommendations for returning from domestic travel. Carefully monitor your health status. If you were exposed to someone who is COVID-19 positive, or if you show COVID-19-like symptoms - even if you’ve been vaccinated - let your supervisor/unit head know and submit a self-report. You may register for free testing, and you will be contacted with further instruction and support. 

The CDC cautions individuals not to travel internationally until fully vaccinated, and notes that international travel poses additional risks. If you do travel internationally, follow CDC recommendations for returning from international travel, get tested and avoid close contact with people who are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Vaccines & CU Anschutz

CU Anschutz Vaccine POD

The university secured a limited supply of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and has scheduled vaccination appointments at our on-campus point of distribution (POD) located in Ed 2 South. Appointments were made available to CU Anschutz employees and students not previously invited to schedule through our hospital partners, as well as family members, on a first come, first served basis.

• All available dates at the POD have filled quickly, but the clinic continues to assess its waitlist as slots open up due to cancellations or no-shows. If you are on the waitlist and receive an opportunity to schedule, please do so as quickly as possible, so that we may gauge our ability to continue extending invitations. 
• If you have not received an invitation and are in need of a vaccine appointment, please contact adminexceptions@cuanschutz.edu. We will assist as available vaccine permits.
• Please note that, per State of Colorado policy, our on-campus POD site is prohibited from administering the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to anyone who received their first dose at another location. If you received your first dose elsewhere in Colorado, you will need to return to the same location to schedule or receive your second dose. 

Additional Vaccination Sites

With multiple COVID-19 vaccination clinics occurring across campus, please confirm your appointment location ahead of time - whether that is the CU Anschutz on-campus site in Ed 2 South, Children’s Hospital Colorado or UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital. Please refer to your appointment confirmation from the location at which you are scheduled for details and day-of information.  

You are encouraged to get the COVID-19 vaccine at your earliest opportunity to do so. All Coloradans age 16 and older are now eligible. Find details on Colorado vaccination sites here.

Remember to continue following safety protocols, even once vaccinated. Wear a mask, keep your distance, and stay home and self-report when sick.

Free COVID-19 Testing Continues Through COVIDCheck Colorado

COVIDCheck Colorado has generously extended no-cost COVID-19 testing to CU Anschutz employees and students, and household members including minors age 2+. Learn more and schedule here.

Both symptomatic and asymptomatic testing are offered at COVIDCheck Colorado’s Aurora Public Schools Professional Learning and Conference Center location. On-campus testing sites operated by CU Anschutz Environmental Health & Safety and COVIDCheck Colorado are closed at this time.

Remember to self-report your status if you have COVID-19 symptoms, test positive or may have been exposed, even once you’ve been vaccinated.

Remember to Take Required Skillsoft Training

All students and employees were required to take updated Skillsoft training by March 31, titled “CU: COVID-19 Return to Campus-CU Anschutz (2021 update)”. Those not yet in compliance will receive email reminders.

If you have not yet done so, please take the quick training course at your earliest convenience. It should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. 

This updated training requirement is an addition to the previous “COVID-19: Return to Campus” training. Upon completing the course, you may print a certificate for your records as detailed in the Skillsoft Completion Certificates Step-by-Step Guide

Campus Resources & Reminders

• The Mindful Moment meditation series continues with guided sessions on Mondays at noon, and Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7:50 a.m.
• Students can share input and ideas with university leadership with the CU Anschutz Listens form.
• Keep up with Colorado’s latest COVID-19 guidance.