Dear CU Denver Community,  

We are so excited to have our Lynx on campus and to celebrate CU Denver’s 50th anniversary this academic year. This semester marks the third fall semester that we are navigating COVID-19. It’s important to pause and remember what we’ve achieved together and the impacts on our community. More than two years ago, we created our #LynxTogether campaign to help unite our campus community and protect one another. We want to acknowledge all you’ve done to help us get through the pandemic and to where we are today: together on campus again.  

Although we are entering another phase of COVID-19 that is less acute pandemic and more endemic, it is still important to take precautions to protect yourself and others. As a reminder, CU Denver’s protocols, in accordance with public health guidance, are as follows:         

• Wearing a mask is optional.  
• If you are sick, please stay home and get tested. COVID-19 has serious health impacts, especially for those in our community who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised.  
• Get vaccinated and stay up to date on your booster vaccines.    
• If you test positive for COVID-19, please self-report, follow CDC guidance, and only return to campus when your isolation is finished.  

Given the current situation regarding COVID-19, we do not anticipate changes to our operating status at this time. We know that COVID-19 is not going away, which is why we’ve updated our approach to help us plan, prepare, and adapt to the ever-changing public health landscape. We will be moving to a more holistic, forward-thinking phase of Lynx Together, which we are coining #LynxForwardTogether.  

To help lead these efforts, we are pleased to share that Lacey Klindt, who formerly oversaw the university’s COVID-19 contract-tracing operations, is now CU Denver’s first-ever Public Health Response Director. In this role, Lacey will continue to support our COVID-19 efforts and keep a pulse on other public health challenges as they arise, including MPV (monkeypox) and fentanyl. She will monitor public health guidance and data to help our campus community plan, identify, and respond to emerging public health challenges. 

You will see updates from her and the Public Health Response Team through various channels, including the CU Denver News newsletter and our newly created Public Health Response website (which is where our existing COVID-19 webpage now lives). We encourage our campus community to explore this site, which offers information about COVID-19, MPV, and campus health resources. 

As co-chairs of the Lynx Together committee, we want to thank you all for staying resilient and adaptable over the last two-plus years. Let’s #LynxForwardTogether into a great fall semester! 

Chris Puckett 
Managing Associate University Counsel & Co-Chair, Lynx Together Task Force 
 
Pamela Jansma 
Dean, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences & Co-Chair, Lynx Together Task Force