Update on care for students in isolation or quarantine

Dear Regis community,
 
The Jesuit principle of Magis invites us to continually seek to do more for others in need, and that is our focus this week as we address serious concerns that have been raised by some of our students who are in isolation and quarantine.
 
We are a month into this semester and while much has gone as anticipated, there have also been unexpected challenges as we navigate a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic. But that is no reason to shrink from the battle; rather we are compelled to confront new challenges that develop along the way to ensure a campus that is safe and compassionate.
 
As the number of cases have grown, we have adjusted our plans and protocols to meet the growing demands and needs of our students.  
 
Here are some updates we want to share with the whole Regis community:

1. Students who have tested positive for the virus can expect an in-person visit by a nurse practitioner for a wellness check twice a day. They will monitor temperatures, listen to students’ lungs, and take a pulse oxygen reading.
   To support students’ mental wellbeing, the Office of Counseling and Personal Development will call sick students once a day to check in.
2. We will continue to provide three meals per day to students who submit their selection by 8 p.m. Students who do not submit a meal selection will receive a pre-established meal.
3. Additional waste receptacles have been placed on the first floor of O’Connell Hall. We will continue twice daily cleaning in common areas and shared bathrooms and as needed. (The photos you may have seen of trash bags in hallways was taken while rooms were being cleaned; the bags are left there for disposal after the cleaning is completed.)
4. Pallets of water will be delivered to the floors of isolating students per a request. Water will be distributed to rooms by Student Affairs staff and volunteers.

We will also implement the following:

1. 1. Whenever possible, students needing to quarantine will remain in their own rooms. We are hopeful this will help make students more comfortable.  (Please note that quarantine and isolation are distinct. Isolation rooms– for students who test positive for COVID- will remain in O’Connell).
   2. In response to the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment (DDPHE) recommendation, we will implement baseline surveillance testing for all residential students.  (Please note that students residing in the Residence Village have already been tested and will not be required to test again at this time).  We continue to closely adhere to the guidance from DDPHE.
   3. We will only quarantine entire floors of students when a shared bathroom makes it a necessity, unless directed otherwise by the DDPHE. 
      
      

Dr. Janet Houser
Provost



Dr. Barbara J. Wilcots
Vice President of Student Affairs