Friday Campus Safety and Operations Updates |
|
Strength is borne out of good partnerships, and we are seeing the fruits of our collaboration with Gunnison County Health and Human Services. For the first time since the start of the pandemic, the latest statistics are showing a lot of “zeros.”
-
There have been zero positive tests in Gunnison County since Sept. 1—and none on campus since Aug. 25.
-
The two-week testing positivity rate, a measure of transmission, also is zero.
-
Zero conditions have been met which would require more stringent health restrictions.
Gunnison County Health and Human Services Director Joni Reynolds earlier this week had high praise for Western. She said that we can all be proud of Western students who are continuing to partner with the community to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Way to go, Western!
|
|
|
|
Western students are seen here following the MLK Day of Service earlier this year. |
|
|
|
Giving back: So, what does one do with strength? Serve. As part of our partnership with the community, we can take advantage of the time that is not spent on quarantine and case count control and give back to the community which supports us. Two prime opportunities are forthcoming.
First, Western’s Fall Day of Service will be held Oct. 3 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Western students may join those from Gunnison High School to perform volunteer projects throughout the community. Pre-registration is required. Please reach out to LEAD Special Programs Coordinator Cait Clough for more information.
Second, Gunnison County is looking for volunteers who can help with the COVID-19 call center. Volunteers are asked to fulfill a four-hour shift, answering calls and providing information for community members. Volunteers help callers determine if they need COVID-19 testing, or may answer their other questions. The shifts are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon, or 1-4 p.m. To volunteer, you must fill out a form found here.
|
|
_________________
DAY OF SERVICE
BY THE NUMBERS
Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2020
196 Volunteers
784 Hours
$21,983 Value
Participation growth
80+ MLK, 2018
125+ Fall, 2018
145+ MLK, 2019
150+ Fall, 2019
195+ MLK, 2020
_________________
|
|
Taking care of the whole self: With the pandemic, we realize there is an even greater need to balance physical and mental health. Western is offering crisis intervention and suicide prevention trainings for students, faculty and staff.
|
|
Reminders: This is the year to get your flu shot! Public Health officials are encouraging everyone to get a flu shot especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The flu shot helps prevent hospitalization, further taxing our health care system, and it helps protect transmission of the flu to vulnerable populations. Western is planning the details of an on-campus flu clinic to be held mid- to late-October. Vaccinations will be free of charge to students. More details to come soon.
Also, please remember there will be a power outage on campus tomorrow (Sept 26) beginning at 7:30 a.m. for six to eight hours. The good news is a special Al Fresco “Power to the People Brunch” has been planned from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on the University Center south patio.
Again, Western, keep up the great work. Take advantage of the strength that has been built over these first six weeks of the semester—one in which we still maintain our diligence in wearing a mask, washing hands frequently and waving across a social distance, and daily logging into Safe2Return. Thank you for continuing to do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with the end result of remaining Western Strong.
With kind regards,
|
|
Dr. Abel A. Chávez
Vice President for Enrollment and Student Success
|
|
“Western has been doing a really good job on COVID and staying on top of it right now, so I feel safe. Even though we’re doing some online classes, I’m still really glad to have the opportunity to continue here. I know that some college campuses may be having to close down.
It’s definitely a unique experience coming from Texas. You don’t see a lot of mountains there.”
Jaelan McCloud
Junior, English
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
