The Procurement Service Center (PSC) is rolling out a new, centralized approach to purchasing COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) and disinfecting supplies to make it easier for staff, faculty and students to get what they need.
CU Boulder has leveraged this new process to aid with the purchasing of products that will be used for the larger campus good, such as reusable cloth face coverings, disposable face coverings, additional hand sanitizer stations, shared cleaning supplies and other materials to aid in protecting the community against the spread of COVID-19.
Departments looking to buy COVID-related supplies for their workspaces can also do so through the new COVID Supplies section in CU Marketplace. Before you buy, be aware that some supplies can be requested through the distribution center or available from your building proctor.
“The PPE Task Force has worked hard all summer fighting a volatile market of supply and demand and navigating the complexities of COVID-19 response to make sure that we have the supplies we need to ensure safe spaces on campus,” said Sam Bogan, PPE Task Force coordinator. “We must now all do our part to protect our herd.”
Here are some key details about how to get face coverings, hand sanitizer and other cleaning supplies.
Face coverings
All students, faculty and staff who will be on campus and show a Buff One card will receive two reusable cloth face coverings.
- New students or those who will be living on campus this year will receive their face coverings during the move-in or welcome back process.
- Returning students and employees will be able to pick up their masks at the following locations:
- Fall Welcome Tent—Aug. 17–21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- UMC South Terrace Tent
- Buff Stops: Navigation, Education and Support Stations—Aug. 24–28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- UMC South Terrace Tent
- Ekeley Kiosk
- Math/Engineering Circle
- Kittredge Village Bridge Underpass near the Center for Community
- Welcome to the Neighborhood!—Aug. 15 and 22, 10 a.m to 2 p.m.
- Beach Park on The Hill and the underpass at 28th Street and Aurora Avenue (near The Lotus)
- Fall Welcome Tent—Aug. 17–21, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Employees who will be working on campus will also have the opportunity to pick up masks the week of Aug. 24 at stations located on East Campus and Research Park.
- North side of ARCE—Aug. 25, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- South side of Aerospace—Aug. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m
- Anybody who was not able to pick up a mask during the first few weeks of the semester can stop by the UMC Reception Desk after Aug. 31.
A small stock of disposable masks will be provided to building proctors/managers to support faculty, staff and students who may forget, lose or damage a mask. Aside from certain job duties that have already been determined to need the protections of them, N95 face coverings are reserved for campus emergency and medical personnel only. For inquiries related to N95 use, send an email to the Environmental Health & Safety office. If you intend to buy face coverings for your department, please see the FAQ section of Protect the Herd’s PPE site regarding guidance.
Current state and local public health orders require the wearing of face coverings in all public indoor spaces and outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained of at least 6 feet from any non-household members.
Adding to that, per guidance from CDC, state and local health officials, the reusable cloth face coverings should be washed after each day’s use.
Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes
Hand sanitizer stations will be provided and maintained for all main building entrances and high-traffic areas. In addition, all classrooms will be supplied with dual-purpose hand sanitizing and disinfectant wipes to provide students and faculty the opportunity to wipe down surfaces before and after use.
If you need additional supplies for office or departmental spaces, additional items—such as small bottles of hand sanitizer—can be purchased through CU Marketplace.
Cleaning supplies
Spray bottles of disinfectant cleaning solution and paper towels will be provided to support self-cleaning of high touch surfaces before and after use in departmental suites, offices, mailrooms, lounges, break rooms and kitchens.
A spray bottle exchange program is being coordinated through Facilities Management and building proctors/managers.
In accordance with the Return to On-Campus Research and Creative Work plan, research lab staff are responsible for cleaning and disinfecting their respective laboratory spaces and equipment. For supplies, contact your building proctor or liaison. More information can be found on the Return to On-Campus Research and Creative Work Resources webpage.
The PPE Task Force is composed of people from CU Boulder Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Facilities Management, Housing and Dining Services, Distribution Center, and the CU Procurement Service Center.
A more detailed list of available COVID-19-related PPE supplies and a running FAQ regarding PPE and cleaning supply questions can be found at Protect Our Herd’s Personal Protective Equipment page.
Questions? Contact the PPE Task Force.
