Dear research community,

By now, you may be aware of Governor Jared Polis’ Tuesday announcement of shifting to “safer-at-home” and Wednesday’s COVID-19 update from the Provost and COO covering campus budgetary impacts and stay-at-home transition plans.

The CU Boulder research enterprise continues to operate in alignment with state, local and campus guidance, which means that our operations will not change significantly at this time. Like the rest of campus, we are continuing to ask our employees and researchers who are not already designated as critical to continue remote work until instructed otherwise. Anyone performing work that has been identified as critical should wear a non-medical mask (e.g., scarf, bandana) when leaving home for essential business, in accordance with Boulder County and Colorado guidance.

We have transitioned from mitigating the emerging risks to planning for the safe, phased return to operations on campus, as campus and state guidance evolves. A comprehensive return to research plan is in development with representatives from colleges, departments, and institutes. Additionally, tapping into our campus expertise, we are developing cleaning, safety and COVID-19 management protocols and strategies.

I continue to appreciate your determination, flexibility, inventiveness and commitment to excellence as we face this challenge together. Your research advances, innovative solutions and informed opinions in the public sphere have been both valuable and inspiring.

I anticipate sharing plans for our phased return to research with campus before the middle of May.

Stay well,

Terri Fiez
Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation