Update from the Dean of Students
Dear Extended Ranger Family,
As I promised yesterday, Regis is giving you updates as events unfold and decisions are made.
As was indicated in our earlier correspondence, our primary focus at Regis is the well-being of our students and, by extension, those in their lives who are most vulnerable to the COVID-19 virus. To that end, the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) met yesterday afternoon with officials from the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment to review the actions that we have taken to date, receive new guidance, and learn more about the City and State’s response to the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Through that meeting DDPHE confirmed that Regis is following the current guidance as directed by local health agencies — without exception.
Regis has announced that it will suspend on-campus classes Monday through Wednesday and resume all on-campus classes in online environments starting Thursday March 19. Campus will remain open during this time. If there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 on campus, all-online teaching will start immediately. This is similar to what is being planned by many of our peer institutions in the Denver metro area. Regis has been preparing to make the transition to an online learning format for the last two weeks. Additional information on the online format will be provided to your student in the coming weeks.
In the interim, my office, our Housing and Residence Life staff, and our Student Health Services staff are working to respond to students who may be ill and have questions regarding what they should do. In accordance with CDC guidance, if a student believes they have either (a) been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or (b) been to or traveled through a country the CDC has labeled as Level 3 or higher; and if they are exhibiting cough, respiratory distress, or high fever, they are directed to contact Student Health Services or their medical provider to receive guidance on next steps. In these cases, students are asked to self-quarantine until medical guidance is obtained and directs them that such action is not necessary. Testing for flu is happening with regularity and if warranted, our health center staff are directing students to get tested for COVID-19. Any student who is ill is expected to stay home and be in contact with their faculty to make up missed work. Faculty have been directed to be reasonable and flexible in exercising any course specific attendance policies with regard to this expectation.
Following the guidance of the CDC and the Department of Public Health & Environment, we plan to keep our residence halls open to ensure that our students can remain in their homes away from home for the remainder of the semester. The Department of Public Health & Environment has assured us that the best course of action for those residential students that are diagnosed with COVID-19 is to isolate or self-quarantine in place rather than to go out into large gatherings of people in public places or public transit. We will take measures to isolate those who are diagnosed or have a presumption diagnosis. If this plan changes, we will advise our community. Our dining hall will remain open with the extra precautions of restricting self-serve options. Planning is in place for meal delivery should that become necessary. We have cancelled events where large numbers of the community are expected to be present and are seeking the wisdom of the leadership of the institution and our public health partners as we make additional decisions.
We continue to ask our students to practice good hygiene and follow the directives of the CDC with regard to preventing spread of COVID-19. In addition, students should refrain from sharing beverages, food, water bottles, etc. They should be keenly aware of cleaning hard surfaces in their immediate vicinity with regularity, and as best possible limit activity in large groups and spaces. While the DDPHE has not yet issued guidance on mandated social-distancing, it is a good idea to be aware of your surroundings.
It is important to note that while this situation is changing by the minute, we too are remaining abreast and adjusting our communication and response accordingly. Should the situation gain more severity or the University learn of any information that warrants swift action, we are prepared to do so.
As promised yesterday, the University will continue to be in touch regularly with the extended Regis family in the coming days as we respond to the dynamics of COVID-19. Should you have additional specific questions or concerns, please be in contact with the Office of Student Affairs by emailing studentaffairs@regis.edu or by calling 303.458.4086.
Most Sincerely,
Patrick Romero-Aldaz, MA. Ed.
Associate Vice President & Dean of Students