Coronavirus Update March 12, 2020: Campus Update, Athletics, Ent Center for the Arts Events Update

Current Coronavirus (COVID-19) Situation - Campus Update, Athletics & Ent Center Events update (5 p.m. March 12, 2020)

EVENT UPDATES:

We understand that all events are important, and we strongly urge planners to reschedule existing events through the end of April to increase social distancing. Events that can’t be rescheduled will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis based on impact to campus and safety of participants.

—Ent Center for the Arts

All large events at the Ent Center for the Arts are cancelled through April 30, including performances and shows. Current ticket holders can expect an email notification in the near future about their particular performance or event and the options they have regarding their ticket(s). Thank you for your patience while we make arrangements regarding the theatre, music, and visual arts events that are affected. 

—UCCS Athletics

All athletic events, in coordination with the NCAA and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, are cancelled through April 6.

CAMPUS UPDATES & CLARIFICATION:

With all of the changes in the past 48 hours at the Federal and State level and right here at UCCS, all of the information around COVID-19 can be confusing. Below is a short summary to clarify some of the key questions that have been brought to our attention for students, faculty and staff.

—Students

• Travel – UCCS is only restricting university-sponsored travel. Personal travel is not influenced by university restrictions, but we encourage everyone who is traveling for spring break to monitor for changes in any travel impacts to your destination. The U.S. State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have travel advisories for international destinations. For conditions within the United States, consult with your destination’s government agencies.
• Remote Learning – UCCS will implement remote learning starting March 30, running through April 13. Remote learning means that students will not gather in traditional classrooms on campus. Classes may happen online through Canvas, via video conferencing like WebEx, or even by conference call. Faculty have been encouraged to make that transition as soon as they are comfortable doing so if they can, and you will receive specific instructions from your faculty on how that will occur.
• Date for Remote Learning Transition – The transition to remote learning is simple for some classes but can be more complicated for other types of classes. UCCS started to evaluate the transition to remote learning two weeks ago. Other institutions are making the transition at different points, with several also using the Spring Break period as the opportunity to make the transition. Others have chosen different timelines based on their university. We recognize that it can be challenging to transition some classes, which is why we provided faculty some time to evaluate the best methods for teaching and put those practices in place by March 30. Please be patient with faculty as they work to develop these new teaching practices. Faculty have been asked to provide direction to students no later than Thursday, March 19.
• Student Employment – During the two-week remote learning period, departments and offices on campus will be open. Your supervisor will be able to give you more direction on what the staffing needs will be for your area during that period. UCCS is working with CU system officials, the Governor’s Office and the U.S. Department of Labor to interpret state and federal guidance and how it would impact student employment. More information will be coming on this specific topic.
• Course Offerings – Students will be expected to complete coursework if the course is continuing remotely or otherwise. Everything is being done to preserve each course to complete this semester. Refunds will only be distributed if a course must be cancelled. We understand that cancelling a course can significantly impact your anticipated graduation date, and everything will be done to allow options to complete a course, even on an individual basis, without cancelling.

Students with specific questions about classes should address them with your faculty member. Student employees should speak with your supervisor about student employment concerns. General campus policy or procedure questions can be sent to covid19@uccs.edu.
 

—Faculty

• Remote Learning Resources – There are individuals and offices across campus committed to helping faculty make the transition to remote learning. The Faculty Resource Center can assist. You likely know colleagues in your departments and colleagues who can help you adapt materials for the remote environment. The Office of Information Technology has resources supported by the campus for remote working and learning, including conference lines. Please provide direction to your students on how your class will be presented remotely no later than Thursday, March 19.
• Travel – UCCS is only restricting university-sponsored travel. Personal travel is not influenced by university restrictions, but we encourage everyone who is traveling for spring break to monitor for changes in any travel impacts to your destination. The U.S. State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have travel advisories for international destinations. For conditions within the United States, consult with your destination’s government agencies.

—Staff

• Remote Working – The Human Resources website has detailed information on working remotely and the different leave options that would apply. Most questions about leave can be answered on this website and after a conversation with your supervisor. The existing process for approving remote working arrangements remains in effect. The Office of Information Technology has resources supported by the campus for remote working and learning, including conference lines.
• Travel – UCCS is only restricting university-sponsored travel. Personal travel is not influenced by university restrictions, but we encourage everyone who is traveling for spring break to monitor for changes in any travel impacts to your destination. The U.S. State Department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have travel advisories for international destinations. For conditions within the United States, consult with your destination’s government agencies.

The safety of our community is our top priority. We realize that our COVID-19 guidelines will cause disruption—and that you will have additional questions based on the above information— but the risk of not acting outweighs the inconvenience of these temporary measures.