New Returning to Mines website offers tools, plans for fall—This morning, Mines launched a new website that offers detailed guidance aimed at helping faculty and staff prepare for a return to campus. Returning to Mines features the work of the nine pandemic recovery teams who have been gathering and preparing recommendations on everything from classroom configurations and campus service alterations to cleaning protocols. The site will be updated regularly as new developments emerge or new health and safety guidance is received.
Missed yesterday’s returning student town hall? Watch it here.—At an hour-long town hall yesterday hosted by Undergraduate Dean Vibhuti Dave and Dean of Students Derek Morgan, more than 350 Mines students heard the latest about reopening plans, course delivery modes, mask and other safety requirements, and more. The first half of the presentation featured updates from President Johnson and Provost Rick Holz, among others. In the second half of the event, panelists answered dozens of student questions regarding the Thanksgiving holiday, course changes, mask requirements, contact tracing plans and more. Watch the recording here. Questions that panelists were unable to get to during the town hall will be addressed in writing on the FAQ website. A second town hall for returning students is planned for July 27. Register here to receive the Zoom link.
Governor Polis issues state-wide mask order—On Thursday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a statewide order mandating mask wearing when in indoor public spaces. The order states, “We have learned that widespread mask use is a low cost and highly effective way to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections by as much as 65 percent. Broad adoption of mask wearing in Colorado may have significant economic benefits by allowing the State to prevent re-closures of businesses and schools and, ultimately, return to our normal lives more quickly.” In keeping with safety measures outlined in the Oredigger Promise, Mines is requiring all students, employees and visitors to wear cloth masks when on campus, among other requirements.
Campus waste procedures are changing to help protect faculty, students and staff, while boosting sustainability—To reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread, Facilities Management will no longer empty personal trash cans or deskside recycling bins in offices and labs on campus. Office occupants may empty their own trash cans into larger trash receptacles that will be placed in hallways, kitchens and other common areas. These larger receptacles will be emptied nightly by Facilities staff.
This new, safer procedure should help eliminate potential cross contamination of offices/labs and reduce the spread of the virus. Additionally, Mines throws away more than 100,000 plastic bags that line deskside trash bins every year. A bagless system will decrease our plastic waste and encourage more recycling among employees.
In conjunction with the service change, all personal desk trash cans will be replaced over the summer with smaller black trash cans that hang from the side of existing deskside recycling containers. Those workstations that currently only have trash cans will receive new deskside recycling bins with the attached mini trash containers.
As a way of saying thank you, Mines Sustainability and Facilities Management are also teaming up to give faculty and staff a vinyl adhesive recycling sorting guide for their recycle bin. If you need a personal exemption due to physical reasons, contact Jesse Vigil at jmvigil@mines.edu.
Student groups and organizations are required to follow new meeting and event guidelines—The Office of Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership published new meeting and event guidelines for student groups and organizations. In addition to abiding by local, state and campus guidelines, events and meetings are also subject to SAIL’s guidelines.
An event is classified as any gathering of more than 10 people that is not an academic class. Events will be capped at 100 people outside (or 50 inside) and require face coverings and physical distancing. All student-funded events will need to take place on campus. For every 50 people outside (25 inside), one professional staff/advisor or security officer must be present to mandate safety protocols.
For meetings, Mines recommends using virtual options, such as Zoom. Large groups can request an expanded Zoom license through ITS. If you are meeting in-person, attendees must physically distance and follow Mines guidance. Any organization violating SAIL, campus, local or state mandates will be subject to repercussions that could include frozen accounts/probation, a suspension period or dissolving/de-recognizing the organization, and student leaders may be ineligible for other leadership positions on campus.
The Rec Center is reopening with new policies and procedures—The Student Rec Center reopens on Monday, July 20, with new guidelines. First and foremost, everyone will always need to wear a mask within the SRC. The only exception is while swimming. While some workout equipment has been relocated and spaced out, visitors will also need to practice social distancing and remain 6 feet apart. Everyone is required to enter through the east side entrance (by the Pedestrian Plaza) and exit through the west side exit (facing Lot D), using their Blastercard to check in and out to ensure the building doesn’t exceed its capacity. The ORC will not be running trips but will reopen the bike shop and rental center by appointment only. Visitors are encouraged to come dressed for their workout, because locker rooms will only be available to swimmers and on a very limited basis. Before heading to the SRC, check out the full list of new policies and programs.