This week, the CU Anschutz Medical Campus launched heightened safety protocols and screening processes to guide its limited return to select in-person working and learning activity.
Only a small percentage of faculty, staff and students have thus far been invited and approved for on-campus activity. A formal process is in place to determine which programs or areas deemed mission-critical require campus access to operate. The majority of campus activity continues to be done remotely.
In a video message about the return to campus planning, CU Anschutz Chancellor Don Elliman notes that the early phases of the return have proven successful.
“Our early return to campus activity has gone smoothly, and we’re optimistic about our ability to scale up should current conditions remain,” he said. “In the meantime, all working and learning activity that can effectively be accomplished remotely should be done remotely. Let me repeat that: Anything that can be done remotely needs to continue to be done remotely.”
He emphasizes that the health and safety of the campus community are the top priority, and introduces a host of protocols.
A return to campus webpage outlines these protocols and what to expect for those invited to conduct limited working and learning activities on campus.
Three guiding principles
Elliman said that CU Anschutz’s operations as an academic medical campus demand a tailored strategy – often exceeding federal, state and local guidance – that accounts for all mission areas.
He said that campus leaders have set a high bar, and developed three guiding principles for both short- and long-term planning:
- Protect. The health of our students, faculty and staff and those that we serve is the primary focus.
- Innovate. Develop creative solutions for the challenges the pandemic has presented.
- Lead. Maintain unity of purpose and commitment to delivering the finest healthcare in the world today, while redefining that healthcare for tomorrow.
New protocols in place
Beginning Tuesday, May 26, the campus further heightened these measures. Those invited and approved to be on campus will be expected to adhere to the following:
- You must have completed the required, one-time Skillsoft training, “CU: COVID-19 Return to Campus - CU Denver | Anschutz” through the CU portal in order to be admitted to campus.
- You must be wearing your CU Anschutz badge and a face mask while on campus.
- You must also have successfully completed the daily health questionnaire, and have a confirmation email ready to show, before arriving at a designated campus check-in point.
- You must check-in daily at one of the designated check-in points, locations and hours of which are listed on the return to campus website. There, you will show your daily questionnaire confirmation email, get your temperature checked, and receive a wristband good for that day only.
- Building entry will be limited, and anyone entering any campus facility must be wearing a wristband in the color for that day.
- Instructional signage has been posted around campus and within buildings. Please adhere to posted guidance to ensure distancing and occupancy requirements are observed.
The chancellor emphasizes that all have a role to play in minimizing risk, staying safe and keeping the CU Anschutz community strong. “By doing your part,” he said, “you protect yourself and others and help us bring more of our community back safely to the campus.”
Regular updates about the phased return as well as resources available to the campus community can be found at cuanschutz.edu/coronavirus.
If invited and approved for return, you must adhere to these protocols. They took full effect on Tuesday, May 26:
- You must have completed the required, one-time Skillsoft training, “CU: COVID-19 Return to Campus - CU Denver | Anschutz” through the CU portal in order to be admitted to campus.
- You must be wearing your CU Anschutz badge and a face mask while on campus.
- You must also have successfully completed the daily health questionnaire, and have a confirmation email ready to show, before arriving at a designated campus check-in point.
- You must check-in daily at one of the designated check-in points, locations and hours of which are listed on the return to campus website. There, you will show your daily questionnaire confirmation email, get your temperature checked, and receive a wristband good for that day only.
- Building entry will be limited, and anyone entering any campus facility must be wearing a wristband in the color for that day.
- Instructional signage has been posted around campus and within buildings. Please adhere to posted guidance to ensure distancing and occupancy requirements are observed.
