Information below provided by the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Colorado State University Pueblo and the National Collegiate Athletics Association
In addition to the information below, CSU-Pueblo Athletics has suspended practice activities indefinitely to ensure the safety and well being of the student-athletes.
RMAC Official Statement Regarding COVID-19
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) has announced the suspension of all spring championship and non-championship competitions and travel through April 6th as a result of the rapidly developing information and decisions related to COVID-19.
The decision made by the RMAC Presidents Council affects all spring sports including baseball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's lacrosse, softball, and men's and women's outdoor track & field. The suspension also limits the activity of fall sport programs engaged in spring competition or travel including football, men's and women's soccer and volleyball.
The action, also endorsed by league athletic administrators, was made with the well-being of student-athletes, institutional staff, fans and officials in mind while considering the recent decisions made by member institutions to extend spring break periods as they continue to assess the impact of COVID-19. This action was also informed by the developing National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) decision to cancel all spring sport championships and fellow NCAA Division II conference decisions to pause spring sports competition.
"This is an extraordinary period we are in," said RMAC Commissioner Chris Graham. "As a membership organization, we are guided by the decisions and actions of our members and always in the best interest of our students and student-athletes."
League administrators will continue to monitor developments to determine any further steps.
NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships
Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men's and women's 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.
Campus Message: COVD-19 Information and Planning Update 3.12.20
Dear Colorado State University Pueblo Students, Employees, and University Partners:
Colorado State University Pueblo is committed to your safety, health and wellness, and to the academic success of our students. As you know, we are monitoring the coronavirus pandemic closely, and our campus has made many decisions as new information has been shared over the last 24-hours. All messages, updates, and resources are available online and updated daily here: https://www.csupueblo.edu/coronavirus. This morning, CSU Pueblo leadership attended a community forum at the Pueblo Department of Public Health and Environment with state leaders, community members, and state and local government and health officials. At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Pueblo County. Slowing viral transmission by practicing good hygiene and social distancing remains our best approach to this current health crisis. At CSU Pueblo, we want to do our part to support health officials and ensure the safety of our campus and community.
ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION: CONTINUITY OF LEARNING
In consultation with state and local officials, CSU Pueblo leadership has outlined a plan for campus instruction moving forward. Beginning Monday, March 16 through May 1, CSU Pueblo will suspend all face-to-face instruction as a first step to minimize social contact. All courses will move to an online or distance format.
Faculty who are ready to move online or to a distance model, will do so immediately. During the week of March 16-20, other faculty will begin to immediately transition instruction into distance formats. In the meantime, additional training and faculty resources can be found online: https:// www.csupueblo.edu/coronavirus/faculty-resources.html.
Individual academic units and faculty will follow up with their students regarding this transition— including needs around online and computer access, internships, clinicals, practicums, student teaching, field experience, laboratory classes, and other special circumstances. Students who need accessibility accommodations, due to a disability, and because of instructional shifts to online or distance methods, should contact the Disability Resource and Support Center in LARC 169, or call 719-549-2648.
All academic administrative offices, satellite locations, housing, food, and learning support systems will operate as normal, until further notice, or as the situation unfolds.
To allow faculty time to utilize these resources, prepare, and to potentially modify or adapt learning outcomes or course objectives, the university expects that all faculty will remain on campus March 16-20 for training or to set-up of online or distance instruction and in order to work within departments or programs to assist colleagues who may need additional support. All instruction will resume fully online or in a remote format after spring break (March 23-27), on Monday, March 30.
All campus services, residence halls, buildings, and offices remain open at this time.
SERVING STUDENTS
For everyone on campus, social distancing remains crucial. Please minimize group interactions, public gatherings, and personal contact. At this time, all campus services will remain open and ready to serve students and employees. While we understand that some students may choose to leave campus, for those who do not, the residence halls and food services remain open. At this time, all students and employees will continue to have access to the campus, including access to services in the Library and Academic Resource Center, the technology help desk, and the recreation center. First year advising for summer and fall 2020 will continue as normal; faculty advising may occur remotely or via email. All tutoring services will continue to work as normal.
Athletics: We continue to work under the directives of the NCAA and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) for potential impact to spring sports and to our student athletes. Contact your coaches directly for additional information.
Work Study & Student Employees: All student employees and students who receive federal, state, or institutional work study funds may continue to work on campus and should consult with supervisors immediately in order to coordinate and plan.
TRAVEL AND ON-CAMPUS MEETINGS AND EVENTS
All university-sponsored international and non-essential domestic travel is suspended, effective immediately, until further notice. All non-academic, student programming is canceled immediately, until further notice.
All university-sponsored campus events and meetings are canceled, effective March 16 through May 1. When appropriate, all face-to-face meetings will utilize conference calling, web technology, or other distance platforms. At this time, Commencement will move forward, and a decision to postpone or reschedule will be made by no later than April 1.
CSU Pueblo's Auxiliary Services and our Food Provider, A'viands, continue to work closely with all outside vendors and external events. We are committed to working with these partners on a case- by-case basis in order to reschedule, postpone, or cancel as appropriate.
OUR PEOPLE
Although we are limiting our on-campus instruction and group activities, CSU Pueblo is not closed at this time, and our work will continue on multiple fronts. Information about the use of our annual leave and sick leave policy will be forthcoming and posted when available. Some employees may be asked, or allowed, to work remotely. We are developing a remote work process now, and more information will be shared as soon as possible. Employees who have questions about their specific situation should speak to their supervisor or Human Resources.
MOVING FORWARD
We understand that there are many nuances to our current health crisis. Regardless of the uniqueness of our situation, students remain our top priority. Because this situation is changing by the hour, serving students will mean being agile as a campus community and working together during this global health crisis.
Continue to practice good hygiene and social distancing: wash your hands (often) with soap and water, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and remain home if you have flu- like symptoms or are sick. If at any time you are concerned about your health while on campus, please call Student Health Services to set up an appointment by calling 719-549-2830 or visit CSU Pueblo's health center in Culebra Hall, 109B.
As always, we will continue to update you as the situation develops.
Thank you,
Dr. Timothy Mottet CSU Pueblo President
