I strongly encourage everyone to get vaccinated when they can wherever they are able to get an appointment. Higher education is now a priority group. As someone who became eligible earlier in the month, I received the first dose of the Moderna vaccine about 10 days ago. The process was very easy from registering through Denver Health to arriving at the Costco parking lot and waiting in my car to getting jabbed in my arm. Everyone was very friendly, supportive, and excited. We had to wait the 15-20 minutes after the shot (which I did not notice at all) in our car and then we were on our way. I had arm pain for a couple of days as well as some tiredness and a light headache for a few hours—well worth the protection the vaccination provides.
I'd like to make sure you all saw the important points from last week's Lynx Together Update from Chris Puckett (Special Assistant to the Chancellor for COVID-19 and Managing Associate University Counsel):
- The Health Center at Auraria's Vaccine Request Form is the first step to registering to get vaccinated on campus.
- It’s critical that you check your university e-mail accounts on a frequent basis over the next few weeks. We are using both the LynxTogether@ucdenver.edu and support@primarybio.com accounts to communicate about vaccine availability. Many of these invitations have a quick turnaround time for scheduling.
- Getting the vaccine is free and does not require proof of lawful residence or status. For more information on vaccination eligibility and vaccine sites, visit CDPHE’s website.
- We have seen a few COVID-19 cases with on-campus contact - a couple of asymptomatic cases in Lynx Crossing were identified this month. Please keep doing what we know that works; wearing face coverings, washing hands, and social distancing.
Chancellor Marks has charged our Lynx Together Task Force (chaired by myself and Chris Puckett) to begin planning for fall 2021. We have seven teams focused on Staff Support, Faculty Support, Student Life, the Space Force, Research & Creative Activities, Teaching & Learning, and a Communications Team. The taskforce will emphasize the following principles:
CU Denver’s No. 1 priority is the safety and well-being of our community. We believe in science and will follow public health guidance. Access to safe and effective vaccines are critical for having more people on campus.
CU Denver is resilient and ready for the future. We recognize that COVID-19 continues to come with many uncertainties, and we must remain agile as conditions and guidance evolve. We will bring renewed creativity and new thinking as we move forward and integrate positive disruptions that have emerged from the pandemic. These positive disruptions should be collected, evaluated, and shared throughout CU Denver.
CU Denver should plan for the next normal for students, which will include a fuller set of in-person, online, and hybrid options that serve our student body.
CU Denver is the home for students who want real life experiences at a research institution in the city, and this student-centered mission must be at the core of any plan for Fall 2021. CU Denver is committed to furthering equity and inclusiveness in all it does.
CU Denver strives to be an employer of choice that adopts streamlined policies and practices for flexible work environments that support employees to work effectively, innovatively, and in service of our students.
If you are interested in participating in the Lynx Together Task Force please contact LynxTogether@ucdenver.edu.
