Dear Campus Community,
As we near the end of Block 3 and the start of Fall Break, we want to thank you for the continued adherence to our risk mitigation protocols and participation in our COVID-19 testing program. Your actions have enabled us to experience an in-person Fall Semester. Thank you for staying diligent.
We have brought together campus leaders to share details about where we are with positivity rates, testing, vaccinations, quarantine protocols, attending class, travel and student gathering policies, and accessing health services on campus, along with on-campus supports during Fall Break. The two of us, along with Rochelle Dickey, dean of students/vice president for student life, and Heather Horton, senior director of student health and well-being, share a wealth of information in the info session video at the end of this message.
Current COVID Stats
Since Monday, the Student Health Center has performed 1,477 COVID-19 tests, with lower positivity as the week progressed. Screening testing continues on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. All students who haven’t yet tested should schedule their test here. Our COVID-19 dashboard has been updated with the latest data for the CC community.
Fall Break COVID-19 Protocols
- Please continue to participate in testing; it is critical in helping to keep our community safe and in protecting others.
- Those students who do not cooperate with contact tracers or who do not adhere to travel protocols after receiving a positive test result will be referred to the Community Standards & Conduct process.
- Students who receive positive test results this week may need to adjust their Fall Break travel plans as they will have to isolate for 10 days and may not travel, per the local health department’s requirements.
o The health department allows travel by personal vehicle if students travel home to isolate. The destination should not be farther away than what would require one tank of gas, limiting interaction and transmission.
o Students who travel home must continue and complete isolation there.
o Family members at the destination should be made aware of the risk of transmission.
- Students who received a positive COVID test and who disregard isolation rules and travel by plane or public transportation can be put on a “No Board” list.
- Every day, students in isolation will get a check from a COVID coordinator and daily meal/mail/prescription delivery continues over Fall Break. Students on campus will also have access to virtual and to-go activities from Campus Activities during the break.
- Students who have not participated in testing since Nov. 1 will be contacted directly; if you have not been tested please sign up for a testing time as soon as possible. Testing times are available this Sat. and Sun., Nov. 13-14, noon-2 p.m.
- The COVID Response Team will work with students on the process for exiting isolation over the break.
- If you have received a positive COVID-19 test result and need to alter your travel plans and isolate on campus, the COVID Response Team will alert the Residential Experience Team. You’ll hear from your COVID coordinator and your RLC with more information.
- All students are required to take a COVID-19 test after Fall Break. As announced previously, screening testing will be administered by eMed, a telehealth provider. We will send out more information soon.
- Students who receive positive test results during Fall Break will follow our isolation protocols and should contact their Block 4 professor to discuss options.
Resources and Support
CC is a residential college and does not “shut down” during Fall Break. In a typical year, several hundred students stay on campus during the break.
Students staying on campus will have access to campus dining options, virtual activities and to-go kits, small-scale on-campus programming, and other supports. View the detailed Fall Break Digest from Campus Activities.
- The Student Health Center will be open for normal hours through the end of Block 3, Wed., Nov. 17, (11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 8 a.m.-noon and 1-7:30 p.m. Monday- Wednesday), with limited hours Nov. 18 and 19 (noon-5 p.m.). Contact the SHC, (719) 389-6384, if you’re feeling sick. They will determine care and necessary testing.
- Symptomatic Testing
o Beginning Saturday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Nov. 28, students should contact the Optum Medical Center Point Urgent Care, (719) 636-2999, if they are experiencing symptoms or feeling unwell.
o Asymptomatic testing is available prior to Fall Break at Boettcher Monday-Wednesday, Nov. 15-17 (8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.).
Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? The Wellness Resource Center provides many online resources to help manage anxiety and stress. The Counseling Center counselor-on-call and after-hours access to a mental health provider remain available during Fall Break.
Reduce the Risk
Remember, you can still carry the virus while not experiencing symptoms and take the infection home or elsewhere. This is why it is critical to isolate if you receive a positive test result. El Paso County and other parts of the country are experiencing high transmission. We are likely to encounter the virus when out and about, and we encourage everyone to continue wearing masks while indoors, wherever you are.
We encourage ALL members of the CC community to travel responsibly.
- Please follow CDC guidance for domestic and international travel during COVID. Depending on your destination and vaccination status, this may entail testing. Testing is available prior to Fall Break at Boettcher.
- Test prior to departure to protect family members who may be more at risk of severe illness.
- Do NOT travel or interact with others if you’re feeling unwell.
- Get tested if you’re sick.
- Avoid large gatherings and mask up indoors.
- Get your COVID-19 booster shot.
We are grateful for our CC community and appreciate your support as we continue to navigate this pandemic together.
Sincerely,
Andrea Bruder
Chief Public Health Advisor to the President
Mateo Muñoz
Chair, COVID-19 Policy and Implementation Committee
