Dear Roadrunners,
As new Covid-19 infections, hospitalizations and deaths remain low in Denver and across the state, Metropolitan State University of Denver will suspend all Covid-19 protocols and requirements effective immediately. The decision to pause the requirements was made in consultation with state and local public health officials and with input from stakeholders across campus following successful prevention and mitigation efforts, including the administration of more than 36,000 vaccine doses at the Health Center at Auraria.
The suspension includes all Covid-19 vaccine requirements for students and employees as well as any related registration holds for student non-compliance. Students and employees will no longer need to show proof of receiving the vaccine or apply for an exemption.
No further action is needed from either current students or employees at this time.
While Covid-19 protocols and requirements were critically important at the height of the pandemic, declining cases and hospitalizations coupled with building immunity have given University leaders and public health professionals the confidence to take more deliberate steps toward returning to pre-pandemic operations. Efforts of the campus community to adhere to requirements throughout the last two years have resulted in low community spread and strong vaccination rates, significantly limiting the severity of infection.
If public health conditions demand, the requirements may be reinstituted at any time. To safeguard your health, please stay up to date on your Covid-19 vaccinations. Recent studies show that, among adults recently hospitalized with Covid-19 those who received two or three vaccine doses had 90-95% less risk of dying or needing a ventilator compared with the unvaccinated.
Regardless of these changes, Roadrunners are expected to:
- Stay up to date on Covid-19 vaccinations and all immunizations to safeguard both personal and public health
- Stay home when feeling ill, whether with COVID-19 or not, to recover and prevent community spread
- Report any cases/exposures to the Health Center at Auraria
- Remain flexible, as certain protocols may be reinstated as public health conditions necessitate
- Be kind and act respectfully around others by continuing to carry a mask and be prepared to wear it when asked
Moving Forward
The University has replaced the broader Covid-19 webpage with more streamlined health and safety information and guidance. All Covid-19 vaccine information will be securely archived.
The University will also replace the broader Roadrunner Safe Return Committee with a smaller Covid-19 Monitoring Task Force.
The Roadrunner Safe Return team served us incredibly well during difficult and uncertain times. Members’ patience, candor and diligence are a large part of the reason we’ve been so successful in protecting our community. Moving forward, RSR members will be given a well-deserved rest as we initiate the Covid-19 Monitoring Task Force, which will also include a diverse and representative cross-section of our community. Members will meet as needed to follow evolving Covid-19 and general public health data and make recommendations to leadership as necessary.
Should you have any questions or concerns about next steps, please contact [email protected].
Thank you all for continuing to act in the best interest of our University community.
Sincerely,
Larry Sampler
Vice president for Administration, Finance and Facilities and Chief Operating Officer
Roadrunners Safe Return Committee