Given the rapidly growing number of COVID-19 cases in communities across the San Luis Valley and the fact Adams State is being impacted by the increase in cases, classes will shift to Blackboard-only instruction for the remaining 10 days of classes the fall semester.

In consultation with academic department chairs, the full academic council, and public health officials, Adams State will transition to Blackboard-only instruction beginning this Wednesday, November 11.

Students who reside on-campus may remain in their living spaces through the end of the semester. Students do not need to remove items from their residence hall rooms since they will have the same room for spring semester. Meals will continue to be served in La Mesa through lunch on November 25. Please be conscientious of your health if you consider traveling to another community. Before you return home, please limit your personal contacts to reduce your potential exposure to COVID-19 and take advantage of our free testing opportunity (see below).

A virtual campus forum to address questions or to clarify any information will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Nov 10th.

Current COVID-19 cases

Anyone who is currently in isolation due to a positive test result should remain isolated. If you are part of a quarantine effort due to a positive case, you may shift your quarantine to your personal residence if you currently reside in on-campus housing.

Campus services

The campus will remain open. Students may continue to access computer labs in Nielsen Library and the Student Union Building. Faculty may use their classroom space to deliver class material throughout the Blackboard-only instruction period. Other services will remain available such as the One Stop, Financial Aid, student services in the library, etc. Whenever possible, students should interact with these offices via phone or online services such as Google Meet, Zoom, and through email.

Employees and Work Study

Adams State also will continue to follow state guidelines of having no more than 50 percent of employees in an office space at a time and continuing with remote work agreements when employees are not assigned to work on campus. Student workers can continue working in accordance with state guidelines since the campus remains open.

Next COVID-19 testing

In an effort for a safe and healthy Thanksgiving break, Adams State will host two days of FREE COVID-19 testing on Nov. 20 and 21. All students, staff, and faculty should make a plan to get tested. In addition, residents of communities across the San Luis Valley can get tested. Please let your family and friends know about these important testing dates. To pre-register, visit https://www.adams.edu/safe-return/testing/. This clinical-grade diagnostic test will again be conducted by Mako Medical with support from our Adams State Nursing students. This test is FDA-approved and has a 99% accuracy rate.

Upcoming important dates

Adams State’s fall commencement will be a virtual ceremony on Saturday, December 5. Graduates, their families and friends, and the entire Adams State community can participate in the ceremony through adams.edu/live beginning at noon on Dec. 5.

For spring semester, before attending any on campus events or classes, all faculty, staff, and students will need to have a negative COVID-19 test result. To support this process Adams State will be offering a COVID-19 testing event on Friday and Saturday, Jan 15 and 16. The spring semester begins January 18, 2021, with the celebration of MLK Day and key events to honor the life of Dr. King. The first day of on-campus classes will be Tuesday, Jan 19, 2021.

Students should be registering now for spring semester courses, with Adams State planning to begin in-person courses on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.

Should other decisions regarding the spring semester, the campus will be alerted through an all-campus email bulletin and through Adams State’s emergency text message/email alert system. To sign up for Grizzly emergency alerts, please visit: https://www.adams.edu/police/alerts/.

“We know this has been one of the most challenging semesters we’ve ever experienced,” said Adams State President Cheryl D. Lovell. “Your perseverance, your determination, and your collective efforts to keep the campus as safe as possible have been heroic and greatly appreciated.”