COVID Update: Moving to alert level green

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DU is moving to alert level green and campus access phase IV on Monday, May 10, triggering several important changes in our COVID-19 mitigation protocols including:

• No mask requirements in specific, outdoor situations
• Larger event sizes will be permitted
• Reduced testing frequency for fully vaccinated individuals
• Increased occupancy limits and access to buildings
• Resumption of field work and domestic travel

Dear DU community members,

Congratulations on all of your hard work and diligence to help DU maintain a healthy, safe environment this past year. In recognition of the success of our efforts, effective Monday, May 10, 2021, the University of Denver is de-escalating to alert level green and moving to phase IV of our campus access plan. These decisions were made in recognition of the low on-campus positivity rate, increasing vaccination rate, and strong compliance with campus COVID-19 protocols, as well as improving conditions in Denver. Thank you for doing your part to get us to this point.

These changes trigger the following:

FACE COVERINGS

A face covering is not required if you are outdoors in a group of four or fewer (and not part of a larger event or assembly, such as lining up for Commencement). Face coverings are still required indoors and for groups of five or more individuals outdoors. Please note that because of the size of the gatherings, face coverings are required both indoors and outdoors for Commencement ceremonies on May 15, May 16, June 9, June 10, June 11 and June 12. Masks will also be required for students and guests at all times while on campus for the Sturm College of Law Commencement events on May 22.

TESTING

Individuals who have provided proof of full vaccination will be tested 50% less frequently. You are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after a one-dose vaccine or two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine.

Reduced Testing Schedules for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

• Residential students, fraternity and sorority members, and high-contact staff: Once per week
• Non-residential undergraduates: Once every other week
• Graduate students: Once every four weeks
• Faculty and low-contact staff: Once every 6 weeks

To qualify for reduced testing:

You must upload your completed COVID-19 vaccination card to the Health & Counseling Center (HCC) myhealth portal. HCC will review and change your status to “vaccinated,” which will trigger the lower testing frequency schedule. Please allow three (3) business days for HCC to process your documentation.

Whether you are fully vaccinated or not, you must follow your testing schedule, which you can find in PioneerWeb (Campus Access Status). If your testing schedule is inaccurate or you have questions, please email COVIDcoordinator@du.edu.

CAMPUS ACCESS AND BUILDING OCCUPANCY

• Campus buildings may now be 70% occupied.
• 80% of employees may return to campus after they have completed the campus access protocols.
• The Community Commons dining area may be 50% occupied.
• Everyone with active campus clearance will have badge access to all academic buildings during normal operating hours.

EVENTS

Events with 25 or more individuals will need prior approval through the events protocol, and events with up to 100 individuals may be allowed.

VISITORS

When the public health order specific to higher education is lifted later this month as anticipated, we will likely allow visitors greater access to campus and fewer restrictions within University housing.

FIELD WORK

Fully vaccinated DU personnel and students may now conduct research and field work, including within private facilities and homes. These individuals must take reasonable precautions including wearing face coverings.

TRAVEL

Domestic travel for University business is now permitted, provided that it is budgeted and approved. At this time, all expenditures anticipated at or above $2500 must be approved in advance. All travel must be booked through the Concur Travel and Expense system or directly with Christopherson Business Travel. Only those who are not fully vaccinated must quarantine before returning to campus following travel to restricted states or internationally.

Of course, these changes are contingent upon a continued low positivity rate on campus and improving conditions in Denver. Please continue to socially distance and wear your mask indoors, wash your hands frequently, test at your specified frequency, and limit large gatherings.

Please be aware that violations of COVID protocols, including large gatherings or parties, will continue to be subject to our student disciplinary process. This is not the time to ease up and put others at risk.

This is the time to employ these more relaxed protocols so we can more fully enjoy our beautiful campus! Thank you for all you are doing to protect the community.

Sincerely,

Sarah Watamura
COVID-19 Coordinator