Dear Bears,
As we approach the start of the semester on Monday, we must remind everyone about the critical need to maintain a safe and healthy environment at UNC. Thank you to all of our students, faculty, and staff, who are making choices that support the overall health and wellbeing of the Community of Bears. As you already know, there are a number of guidelines, protocols, and rules in place to support a healthy transition into the fall semester that are outlined on our Spring Operations website and in Weekly Digest emails that you have received throughout the summer.
Unfortunately, many of our Bears have already decided to engage in behaviors that put the rest of us at risk.
These risks are not just to our health and the health of our families. We risk Bears
missing out on the opportunity to walk across the stage at graduation, engage in internships,
and earn a paycheck while working on campus.
Each one of us needs to think about the actions we take every day to stop the spread
of COVID-19. Each positive case impacts us all.
Wear a Mask and Avoid In-Person Gatherings
All students, clubs, and organizations need to take steps to stop the spread of COVID-19. It is critically important that everyone wear a mask that covers both their mouth
and nose and this is noted on the UNC Mask Policy web page.
- Masks are required whenever you are indoors in public spaces on campus—that is, whenever you are in any space other than your own residence hall room or a private office.
- Masks are also required outdoors any time you are around other people—even when those other people are roommates, family members, or loved ones who you live with.
- We should all maintain appropriate distance from one another, even when we are outdoors—and if you cannot maintain a minimum of six feet from those around you outside, you are expected to wear a mask.
- You should also remember that even when you are off campus, Colorado Governor Jared Polis has implemented a statewide mask order and other public health directives that govern expectations for mask wearing and gatherings in public or private spaces.
We recognize that you have received a lot of information about UNC’s expectations of you in this challenging environment. As students, you have the greatest ability to support each other through the decisions you make. Your decision to be active bystanders and address concerning behaviors among your peers is just as important to our overall success as your individual decision to wear a mask every day.
We encourage all Bears to report behaviors that put the health and safety of our community at risk. The Dean of Students Office has been receiving and will continue to address these concerns through the student conduct process. For more information about reporting options, visit www.unco.edu/dean-of-students/share-concern.aspx.
In Community,
Colleen Sonnentag, PhD
Dean of Students
