With an outbreak of COVID-19 among CU Boulder students, the CU Boulder administration has created chaos and ambiguity with how to react and help infected and non-infected students. From poor communication to inhuman recommendations to major contradictions, many CU students are living in marginal conditions with limited information or support. In many instances, as reported by students on various social media, some C19 positive students are moved in with other non-positive students. In many cases, isolated and contained students are not getting proper and timely meals. 

One student reported that she was told to limit her use of the bathroom, even though she was sick with the flu.

In response to the chaos, Governor Polis simply replied with “kids will do the right thing.” ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. The empty statement does nothing to address major concerns and alleviate anxiety.

These “kids,” as Governor Polis calls them, need immediate support. They need immediate mental health support via a Zoom town hall where all students can be on the forum with mental health professionals immediately. They need support. They need directed and clear instructions. They need to be contacted by medical personnel daily to ensure they are properly taken care of. They need properly balanced meals delivered three times a day. 

CU Boulder collected enormous amounts of money from these students to attend school and now they have been treated in an almost inhumane way. Their physical health and mental health need to be a top priority. Clear directions, open and transparent, are a must and immediately.  These students should also have a choice of how or where they will recover from C19.  This can be done safely but needs to be part of a strictly enforced health protocol. Many of these students are young and without family support for the first time in their life. It is up to CU and the local community to support these students now. 

First, we need transparency, now. I am calling on the CU Boulder administration, regents, President, and the Chancellor to immediately provide transparency to students and the City of Boulder. A virtual town hall with an open chat with students, faculty, staff, and parents needs to immediately happen. I am hearing from parents who have reached out to the administration and regents with enormous concerns but have received little to no response.

Second, CU Boulder needs a clearly directed procedure for containment. They need mental help support and healthcare welfare checks daily. Open online forums for both medical and mental health support should be implemented immediately.

Third, CU Boulder students need physical and mental community support, now! Please visit this page on my website to learn how you can help CU Boulder students. If you are a student who needs support, you will find a form on that page to submit a support request so we can get you in touch with a community member who can help fulfill your need.

COVID-19 can be properly contained and fortunately for the youth, has minimal risk of death. But the ambiguity and lack of support can make this event terrifying. 

CU Boulder: act now to reach out to the community and be transparent about current events.