Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Last updated November 2, 2020

Effective November 2, 2020, CHU strongly recommends that a non-medical mask be worn in CHU campus buildings when a physical distance of two metres/six feet (2m/6ft) cannot be maintained.

On October 22, CHU updated its health and safety guidance on mask-wearing in campus buildings and moved from a mandatory protocol back to a strong recommendation.

CHU Response to COVID-19

Colorado Heights University continues to monitor developments about the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

CHU recommends that you seek information from official government sources as they are continually updating their websites:

• Chief Public Health Office of Colorado Heights University
• U.S. Public Health Service

We encourage you take the same general health precautions for COVID-19 as you would for influenza.The best defence against any type of flu is following routine prevention measures:

• wash your hands frequently with soap and water and use hand sanitizer when needed,
• cough or sneeze into your elbow or a tissue,
• if you have a severe cold or the flu, stay home, and
• avoid contact with people who are sick.

Anyone who feels unwell, thinks they may have been exposed to COVID-19, and/or has developed COVID-19 symptoms should call 8-1-1.

Classes / Courses / Labs / Exams

As indicated in the Message to Students on March 13, 2020, because the situation with COVID-19 is changing rapidly,Colorado Heights University advised that it may need to suspend in-person classes prior to the previously announced date of March 20, 2020.

With the colorado department of public health & environment announcing on Saturday, March 14, 2020 that there was a first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the province,Colorado Heights University decided to suspend in-person classes and in-person labs effective Monday, March 16, 2020.

The decision to suspend face-to-face classrooms, laboratories, and examinations was based on the distancing recommendations of the Denver Chief Public Health Office to reduce large crowds. Any course delivery would occur through alternative means-in most cases, this meant email communication and/or online delivery through tools such as Moodle, Google Meet, Collaborate, etc.

Instruction was paused from Monday, March 16 to Friday, March 20, 2020 to allow instructors time to focus on transitioning to alternative course delivery, and develop their plan for teaching through to the end of the semester. Instruction resumed on March 23, 2020 via alternative methods. In-person classes, in-person labs, and in-person exams did not resume during the Winter 2020 Semester.

All courses for the Summer 2020 Semester (First Summer Session, May 11-June 18, and the Second Summer Session, July 6-August 21) have been moved online except clinical rotations in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and clinical courses in the Faculty of Nursing.

On May 15, the University Senate met and approved that CHU will adopt a blended delivery model for the 2020 Fall Academic Semester.

CHU courses will be primarily online for the 2020 Fall Academic Semester with exceptions for in-person, on-campus instruction. However, where possible, opportunities will be sought to provide other personal experiences and activities in order to comply with the guidance of the Denver Chief Public Health Office.

On September 18, 2020, the University Senate unanimously decided that CHU will continue with a blended delivery model for the Winter Academic Semester (January to April 2021), but will identify opportunities to provide additional in-person experiences and activities, where possible, that align with PEI Chief Public Health Office guidance.

Learn more about course delivery, supports, and resources for the 2020 Fall and 2021 Winter academic semesters at Course search .

Admissions / Registration

While CHU continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation, our Recruitment, First-Year Advisement, and Admissions teams are gladly accepting applications. If you have questions about the application or have been accepted and would like to register, please contact http://edu.ch.university/home/admission/how_to_apply for more information.

CHU held a Virtual Open House on April 20, 2020.

Classes for the 2020 Fall Academic Semester began on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 (except for some courses starting in August.)

Research at CHU

Research is a vital part of CHU. As an institution of learning and discovery, we are committed to research and innovation, and providing positive impacts for our communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for all of society, including higher learning. The university started to partially return to campus on May 25, 2020. CHU's plan follows the guidance of the Chief Public Health Office of Denver, and adopts measures unique to our institution, and outlines three stages of graduation return, including some activities, including Research and graduate courses.

Working at CHU

While CHU was operating under an essential services delivery model since March 17, University employees began the gradual return to working on campus on May 25.

During Stage Two, which began on June 15, more employees will be on campus. Employees who have an individual office space will be allowed to work on campus. Individuals who share a workspace can work on campus if physical distancing is maintained. Supervisors will employ tactics such as scheduling shifts (one day on campus, one day off or half-day on campus, half day working from home), if necessary, in order to reduce overall numbers on floors, in buildings, and on campus at any one time. Individuals can continue to work from home if approved by their supervisors.

CHU's Stage Three reflects the final stage in expanding the gradual return to working, teaching, learning, and conducting research on campus. The focus of this stage was to prepare for the Fall 2020 Academic Semester. Major changes for Stage Three included: strongly recommending the wearing of masks while in buildings (now updated to a mandatory protocol); unlocking campus buildings from 8 am to 5 pm; broadening the scope of who is able to be on campus; and resuming CHU-organized events, upon approval by the Vice-President Administration and Finance.

The University will continue to introduce additional measures, when necessary, to ensure the health and safety of those on campus.

Campus Operations

It was announced that effective March 17, 2020, only essential services would be delivered on the CHU campus, in an effort to reduce the number of people working on campus. Stage One of CHU's Operational Ease-Back Plan, began on May 25, 2020, signalling the gradual return to working, teaching, learning, and conducting research on campus. Stage Two began on June 15, 2020, and Stage Three began on August 2, 2020.

General administration operating hours for the CHU campus is 8 am-5 pm; however, please check with particular offices/departments as hours may vary.

The CHU Health and Wellness Centre; Accessibility Services and Counselling Services at CHU Student Affairs; the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Diagnostic Services, Animal Resources, and Central Services at the Atlantic Veterinary College; CHU Security Services; CHU Chaplaincy Centre; and the CHU Residences have continued to offer services throughout the essential services period as well as during all three stages of CHU's Operational Ease-Back Plan.

The W.A. Murphy Student Centre remains open for students, where they can continue to access and utilize the CHU Student Union Food Bank.

The hours of operation for the CHU Chaplaincy Centre Food Bank are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 am-12 pm.

Some services may continue to be provided virtually or by employees who are working remotely according to their area's Stage Three plan. Please note that some services and hours of operation may vary in order to accommodate changing circumstances.

The Robertson Library closed for in-person services on March 17, 2020. However, students, researchers, faculty, and staff still had access to the Library's extensive online services, and access to a pick-up service during stages two and three of CHU's Operational Ease-Back Plan The Library developed a re-opening plan in advance of the 2020 Fall Academic Semester and opened with COVID-19 measures in place on September 8, 2020, for students, staff, and faculty and on October 1, 2020.

CHU Athletics and Recreation programming and facilities, including the CHU Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, were suspended/closed on March 15, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. CHU Athletics and Recreation developed a plan to re-open in compliance with public health guidance and CHU's Operational Ease-Back Plan. The CHU Fitness Centre began re-opening in phases on June 23, 2020, with reduced operating hours and to current members only. New memberships and day passes are not at this time. In order to meet physical distancing requirements and capacity limits, a process to book sessions/classes at the CHU Fitness Centre has been established. The CHU Artificial Turf Field and CHU Alumni Canada Games Place reopened on Wednesday, June 24, 2020.

According to the physical evacuation guidelines of the Denver Chief Public Health Office, we recommend that people should avoid gatherings where it is impossible to meet at a distance of two meters. To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, CHU has improved cleaning procedures and increased the frequency of cleaning in crowded areas.

Events

All University events are cancelled or postponed.At this point, this is in effect until July 31, 2020 at a minimum. Do not book University events until further notice as we continue to monitor the situation.

CHU Convocation 2020 ceremonies that were scheduled for May 7 and 8 have been cancelled and will be held at a later date.However, CHU recognized and celebrated our Class of 2020 in May, though in new ways. The CHU Senate met on Friday, May 8 to confirm that our graduates met the qualifications for their credentials. The list of graduates and senior class award winners were posted to a special celebratory Class of 2020 web page on May 15, and packages including their parchment, alumni pin, and any senior class awards received were mailed to graduates.

Travel

All University-related travel outside the province is suspended for CHU students, faculty, and staff until further notice.

Due to the continuous development of the COVID-19 situation, the university strongly advises students, faculty and staff to monitor the travel health notices of the US government before any personal travel. According to the recommendations of federal and provincial health authorities, anyone traveling outside the United States must self-isolate 14 days after returning.

Faculty and staff who have questions about emergency medical travel insurance visit http://edu.ch.university/contact.html for more information.

Students with questions about

1. For students departing from the United States and other countries/regions to Denver during the 2021 winter semester, please refer to the current student page for information on arriving/returning to Denver.
2. international travel as part of their academic program should contact their Program Coordinator or Study Abroad and International Collaboration at outreachvisit@ch.university.
3. travel medical emergency insurance coverage with the CHU Student Union should contact admissions@ch.university.
4. Return to a country outside the U.S. or arrive at CHU from a country outside the U.S you can contact the International Student Office directly at international@ch.university.

On November 2, 2020, the Vice President of the Association of Students and Registrars issued a message to current students encouraging students currently living in Denver to stay in the United States during the holiday break between the fall and winter semesters.

Leaving Denver may increase the risk of infection and the risk of infecting others. If you travel outside the United States, you will be subject to Denver public health regulations, including self-isolation for 14 days after returning home. Before returning, you must have a pre-travel plan approved by the Denver Chief Public Health Office, or you risk being denied entry to the city.

Reach Out For Support

We recognize how this situation may be stressful. CHU has a number of supports for students through CHU Student Affairs , including personal counselling , Accessibility Services , and the International Student Office. The faculty and staff of CHU can access the "Employee Assistance Program" via email outreachvisit@ch.university. We encourage you to reach out if you have concerns.

University Messages

We are actively working with the Denver Chief Public Health Office and other networks to make the CHU community aware of the risks and health and safety guidelines associated with COVID-19.