Campus mask policy updated based on latest research on materials—A recently published study by researchers at Duke University found that bandanas and neck gaiters are not effective in reducing transmission of respiratory droplets. Until further notice, bandanas and neck gaiters should NOT be used as face masks to comply with Mines mask requirements, unless they are the only available option. In those cases, bandanas and neck gaiters should be folded into multiple layers. Read the full Mines mask policy here.
New Student Safety site offers guidelines and resources you’ll need to stay safe and be successful on campus—The new Student Safety webpage provides all students with a handy guide for staying safe on campus while keeping up with their studies and maintaining a social life (even while social distancing). The site outlines the commitment all Orediggers must adhere to when protecting themselves and others, in addition to other guidelines and resources for a successful return to campus this fall.
Faculty: Class attendance and seat assignments no longer required—This week, Academic Affairs determined that in-person class attendance and seating assignments do not need to be recorded. Although this requirement was previously shared on the Returning to Mines website, that language has since been removed. (The Classroom Usage site had previously stated: “Class attendance and seating arrangements should be carefully tracked to aid in contact tracing in the event of a reported positive COVID-19 case in your class.”)
Required online training course coming next week—Next week, Mines students, faculty and staff will be invited to complete an online training to prepare them for the start of classes. The training will detail campus safety protocols, discuss the Oredigger Promise, outline the implications for violating campus and public health guidelines and more. The training, which will take between 20 to 25 minutes, is required for all students, faculty and staff and must be completed prior to the start of classes on Monday, Aug. 24.
New meeting and events guidelines posted—The Campus Events office has finalized new meeting and event guidelines to help students, faculty and staff plan for safe and successful events this fall—inside and outside. The guidelines are now posted on the Returning to Mines website.
Mines Dining is back in business, with a few operational changes—Mines Dining will be following all government guidelines for day-to-day operations to ensure a safe experience for our guests. Fall dining hours are available here on the Sodexo website. Among the updates for Fall 2020:
- Masks are required inside all dining facilities unless seated and eating.
- Specific entrances/exits and traffic flow patterns will be put into place to maintain social distancing.
- Take-out dining is encouraged.
- Dining tables are reserved for eating only. Please do not hold meetings or study at tables as a courtesy to others who are looking to dine in.
- Enhanced sanitation practices and procedures have been put into place.
Mines Market
- Mines Market is limited to students living in the residence halls only, with limited seating capacity.
- Self-serve stations are now served by an employee.
- Increased take-out options are available and encouraged.
- Download the free Bite App by Sodexo to view menus at Mines Market prior to arriving.
Resident Meal Plans
- Residence hall meal plans will be activated on students’ move-in date.
- $100 in Munch Money will be available starting Aug. 21. The remaining Munch Money associated with the meal plan will be available after all meal plan changes are completed the week of Sept. 7.
Retail Dining
- Save time and avoid lines by ordering pickup or delivery through Grubhub. Learn more about Grubhub on campus here.
- The Periodic Table will have limited seating capacity.
- Zime, located in Spruce Hall, will open in September and offer fresh, nutritious meals, such as flatbread sandwiches, pasta, soup, salads, smoothies and more.
Commuter Meal Plans
- Two commuter meal plan options are available. All plans start on Aug. 24.
- Commuter meal plans consist of both Munch Money and Meal Exchange.
- Munch Money may be used at any retail dining location including Starbucks, WoW Café, Habaneros, Elements, Subconnection, Jamba Juice, Zime, Blaster’s Brew and Einstein Bros Bagels.
- A Meal Exchange is valid at select retail locations for pre-determined meals.
Commuter students: Looking for a socially distanced place to study on campus? Bookmark this page—The Return to Mines Task Force has identified more than 30 rooms in 11 buildings around campus that are available on a first-come, first-served basis for any Mines student in need of a socially distanced study spot with a strong Wi-Fi connection. Bookmark this page and keep an eye out for signage in buildings around campus.
Help stop the spread and keep these spaces safe for all by following these rules:
- Wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth at all times.
- Abide by the maximum room occupancy.
- Do NOT move any signs, chairs or furniture.
- Wipe down your work area before and after use with the provided cleaning supplies.
- Keep talking to a minimum.
- Wear headphones if you are listening to audio.
- No food or drink allowed.
- Dispose of all trash before you go.
Building common spaces throughout campus will also available for students looking for a place to study, with social distancing requirements in place. Please follow all protocols and signage. Students living on campus are asked to utilize their housing space for remote classes and inclement weather shelter to allow these spaces to be used by commuter students.
REMINDER: Monday is the deadline to make COVID-19-related building adjustments—Changes and adjustments to common areas, offices and other indoor spaces to encourage social distancing and allow the safe return of students and employees to campus—as approved in your department’s safety plan—should be in place by no later than Monday, Aug. 17. Members of the Return to Mines Task Force will be walking campus buildings next week to ensure proper signage, occupancy adjustments and other measures are in place. Contact EHS@mines.edu with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are your plans to support your students’ mental health, especially first-year students?
A: The Mines Counseling Center will offer an array of enhanced remote services for students this fall—all of which can be accessed by students from their home on-campus or off. Among the planned offerings are daily options for drop-in office hours with a counselor and peer support groups via Zoom and an assortment of remote 30-minute skills seminars on topics such as coping with grief, anxiety, mindfulness, stress relief and managing screen time. Students who require individual sessions with a counselor will also be able to access those appointments through a private tele-therapy platform. More information is available on the Counseling Center’s website.
Q: If I contract COVID-19 or live with someone who tested positive, what do I do?
A: If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, you will need to isolate for a minimum of 10 days and until you are symptom/fever free, according to CDC guidance. If you live with a COVID-19-positive person, you will need to quarantine per CDC guidance for a minimum of 14 days. (A number of steps and resources are included in our student safety guide as well.)
Begin by reporting your case or exposure to Mines via our COVID-19 reporting tool. Students should then complete the Dean of Students’ online absence request form.
And of course, if you need medical attention and live locally, contact your primary care provider or the Student Health Center at shc@mines.edu or 303-273-3381. Students living on campus should also contact their RA.
Q: I’ve tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. As a student living on campus, do I still need to get tested?
A: According to the CDC, it is unknown if people who recover from COVID-19 can be re-infected, and results “do not confirm whether or not you are able to spread the virus that causes COVID-19.” Therefore, we are asking students living on campus, including those who have received a positive antibody test result, to continue to be tested.
Q: I’ve had a positive PCR test. As a student living on campus, do I still need to get tested?
A: If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19 via a molecular PCR test (nasal swab), please email your test results to the Student Health Center at shc@mines.edu. Based on current guidance from the CDC and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, you may be exempt from testing for 90 days from the date of your last test. The Student Health Center will follow up with you, and you should not schedule a test until you hear from them.
This request for exemptions only applies to students who previously tested positive via a molecular PCR test AND who have not had any COVID-19 symptoms for the past 10 days. If you are currently experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should not come to campus during move-in and instead contact Residence Life for further instructions. Antibody test results (blood test) will not be accepted as proof of a previous COVID-19 infection.