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Feb. 10, 2021

Dear instructional faculty and academic advisors:

As planned, ��ƷSM����ӰƬ will return on Monday, Feb. 15, to a blend of in-person, hybrid-in-person, and remote instruction modes. I’m writing to provide updates and key information to help you continue to navigate the spring semester.

Instruction modes

• As a reminder for what it means to return to our blend of instruction modes, every class must be taught in the instruction mode that was listed when students registered for classes. 

  • If students registered for an in-person class, that class will be taught in person. If students registered for a remote/online class, that class will stay remote/online. Hybrid classes will be taught according to the attendance pattern and instruction modes you’ve already set up in your syllabus: either (a) simultaneously offered in person and remotely; or (b) following a consistent meeting pattern with frequent and regular in-person class sessions.

• If you are teaching an in-person class, you may be wondering what to do if a student in your class asks to continue to take that class remotely starting Feb. 15. You are not obliged to teach your in-person class simultaneously in remote mode, and you should feel free to decline that request.

• For more information and guidance about instruction protocols for the spring semester, see the eighth edition of Academic Instruction Guidance from Dec. 7, 2020 and the FAQs for instructional personnel for spring 2021.

Wellness days

• Two wellness days are scheduled this semester. The first is coming up next week on Wednesday, Feb. 17, and the second is Thursday, March 25.

• No classes will be held on wellness days, and you also should not schedule any review sessions, makeup classes, and the like. Please also do not have exams or major assignments due the following day, Feb. 18 or March 26, so that our students can truly take a day off to rest and recharge.

• Chairs and directors should determine whether to use wellness days as a chance to ease off on other faculty obligations such as department and committee meetings.

• Wellness days remain work days for staff, and campus remains open. Chairs and directors may determine whether staff requests for days off on wellness days are appropriate.

Optional “spring pause”

• The provost has granted to the deans of each college and school the option of making available a “spring pause,” a week-long relaxation on exams and graded course work in March in lieu of spring break. Faculty in the schools and colleges that have adopted the “spring pause” are not required to follow this option in their courses, but they may choose to do so.

  • In any course employing the “spring pause,” classes must be held that week (with the exception of the wellness day on March 25), vital content should be shared in those classes, and students will be accountable for attendance in class and for all material covered.

  • Travel is discouraged to avoid the chance of spreading the virus.

  • For more information, contact your dean, chair or director.

• Whether you do or don’t choose to participate in a “spring pause,” please inform your students as quickly as possible so they can be aware. Students may be confused if some of their classes are pausing, and others are not.

• Staff will have Friday, March 26 as a spring holiday, though some will receive an alternate holiday, coordinated through unit leadership, if their duties require them to work on March 26.

Health and safety

• The state of Colorado has not included higher education faculty in its rollout of vaccine-eligible populations under phase 1. ��ƷSM����ӰƬ has joined with other higher education leaders across Colorado to meet with the governor’s leadership team and state officials to request that instructional personnel who are teaching in person be higher in the prioritization. We hope to hear back soon.

• It’s important to note that the data compiled by faculty experts show that our preparation of classrooms, laboratories, and learning spaces was successful during the fall, and that we did not have a single known case of laboratory or classroom transmission of the virus.

• All of the health and safety protocols applied on campus this fall are equally effective at preventing the spread of the new COVID-19 variants. There is no increased risk when our COVID prevention protocols are followed.

• Everyone who comes to campus regularly, for whatever reason, is expected to take a weekly monitoring test. Testing locations and hours are available online. The process is designed to be quick and convenient.

• Download the to use every time you come to campus and for COVID-19 testing at campus locations.

• Remember that student health services on campus no longer provide appointment verifications, also known as “doctor’s notes,” to students. Requiring doctor’s notes puts a strain on campus medical services and forces students to make unnecessary trips to the doctor.

• Rather than requiring doctor’s notes, consider adapting your attendance policy so it does not distinguish between “excused” and “unexcused” absences, and build in enough flexibility for students who must miss several classes due to quarantine or recovery from COVID-19.

• If a student in your in-person class tests positive for COVID-19 at ��ƷSM����ӰƬ Medical Services, the campus Public Health Office will begin the contact tracing process. The Public Health Office will notify any ��ƷSM����ӰƬ student, instructor or staff member if they have had close contact during the infectious period with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19. Remember that if you and your class have practiced correct masking and distancing procedures, it is unlikely that anyone has had close contact with the infected student.

More information

• Buff Info is the new campus information center staffed with dedicated professionals trained to answer questions on topics related to ��ƷSM����ӰƬ.

  • Buff Info liaisons may be reached at 303-492-INFO (4636) or via email,
    9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

• Protect Our Herd is the campus COVID-19 website for information on symptoms, testing and safety tips. Click on this tab for faculty and staff.  Also, COVID-19 Updates & Resources is an expansive go-to for status updates, campus data and more.

• Please join the weekly campus COVID-19 series,Tuesdays at noon, through April 26, 2021.

It’s hard to imagine that we’ve been in our “pandemic mode” for almost a year. We’ve gotten this far only because of the commitment, dedication, and flexibility of all those who contribute to our teaching mission. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Katherine

Katherine Eggert, PhD
Senior Vice Provost for Academic Planning and Assessment
Professor of English