Dear Roadrunners, 

I hope you’re all having a safe and relaxing summer. I appreciate your taking the time to follow these updates, even while our lives and campus operations have mostly returned to pre-Covid-19 conditions. That said, I write this week encouraging you to be aware and to consider taking personal precautions, as our community is experiencing another spike in new cases.  

As of Tuesday, the State of Colorado saw 1,751 reported cases, an increase of 493 over the previous day. Our positivity rate has also increased to 16.02%; however, new and seven-day hospital admissions have decreased slightly. While this is not cause for alarm, it is cause for caution and a reminder to take personal responsibility: For healthy people, Covid may be just an inconvenience. But for those among us who are more vulnerable, Covid can still be quite severe and even fatal. The University continues to do its part to mitigate risks and observe best practices regarding health and safety. Especially as summer travel has increased, we appreciate your cooperation in masking as needed (or if you are asked), continuing to observe good hygiene, making use of hand sanitizer stations across campus, staying home when you feel sick, etc. 

Also, please reacquaint yourselves with these important changes regarding the scheduling of on-campus testing and vaccination appointments through the Health Center at Auraria. Additionally: 

  • Covid-19 vaccines will be provided at no cost to students, employees and family members and/or household members only.  
  • Covid-19 testing for all students, employees and family members and/or household members will no longer be covered at 100% after this Friday. Patients are asked to verify their insurance coverage to determine their cost.  
  • Testing and vaccination services will no longer be offered to members of the broader community unless they are family members and/or household members of a campus constituent. 

Finally, should you test positive on a home-administered test, please complete the Health Center’s self-reporting form at https://healthcenter1.com/covid-19/ and seek guidance if necessary from a medical professional. 

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A new look for academic, athletic spaces  

Classrooms: 

Demolition and patching are complete for all buildings and rooms within the current project scope. Contractor Fransen Pittman is now focusing on new paint in classrooms and will follow with new lighting and audiovisual installation starting within the coming weeks.  

  • West Classroom Building — Painting and carpeting on the second floor began this week. 
  • Jordan Student Success Building — Existing marker boards have been removed, and Fransen Pittman has completed patching these classrooms to prepare for paint. 
  • Arts Building — Patching of walls is complete, and priming and painting of walls will kick off next week. 
  • Central Classroom Building — Wall patching is complete, and priming and painting of walls will begin at the end of this week. 
  • Science Building — Wall patching is complete, and priming and painting of walls will begin next week.  
  • Cherry Creek Building — Wall patching is being completed this week, and priming and painting will begin next week.  
  • Administration Building — Wall patching is complete, and priming and painting of walls will begin at the end of this week. 
  • 7th Street Classroom Building — Wall patching is complete, and priming and painting of walls will begin next week.  
  • King Center — Wall patching is complete, and priming and painting of walls will start uly 21. 
  • PE/Event Center — Wall patching is complete, and priming and painting of walls will start July 21. 

Athletic fields:  

  • Tennis court resurfacing is complete and looking great. 
  • Softball field turf installation is moving quickly and expected to be completed today, with rubber infill to follow the turf completion. 
  • The soccer field base and prep work for turf are complete, and Rocky Mountain Turf has begun laying turf.  
  • New lighting for softball and soccer fields is complete; new lighting on the baseball field will be completed soon. 
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Other updates  

  • New parking fees took effect July 1. Visit the Auraria Higher Education Center website for more details and to learn how to save money through the Passport and Permit programs. 
  • The Dazbog outside the Jordan Student Success Building will be closed through Aug. 15.  
  • The Central Classroom building is accessible by badge only. Students and employees who require access should visit the ID Cards and Access Control website.

Sincerely,    
Larry Sampler    
Vice president for Administration, Finance and Facilities and chief operating officer