Coronavirus Response Update: Letter to All Students

The wellbeing of all members of the Denver Seminary community is one of our highest priorities. To that end, the Seminary has been closely monitoring the global threat posed by the new coronavirus (COVID-19). As mentioned in Dr. Young’s email last week, we have formed a Pandemic Response Team (PRT) and this team has reviewed steps we can take to try to avoid an outbreak of the virus on campus and to be prepared in the case of a widespread outbreak in our area. Our posture is one of caution, responsibility for the well-being of the community, and compassion for others. We ask that you adopt this same posture in deciding how to personally respond to the current situation. Cautious but not fearful, trusting in the Lord and acting responsibly, these are the attributes we seek to model.

You will receive emails from the appropriate Denver Seminary community member when necessary. Email subject lines will note that this is a priority. Please regard these emails as a priority and check your DenSem email at least daily. A webpage has been set up to house updates and provide valuable resources during this time.

At this time, classes and events will continue as scheduled. In the event of any cancellation, students, staff, and faculty will be notified by email and the Rave communication system. In addition, notifications will be placed on the Denver Seminary website.

We actively monitor the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) website, and the Tri-County Health Department website for updated information.

If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to Kristy McGarvey, Interim Dean of Students, 303.357.5842.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include: coughing, fever, shortness of breath. If you are experiencing symptoms, seek medical help immediately from a health care facility or private physician. If you are experiencing symptoms, do NOT attend class or other events and do NOT come into work. Please err on the side of staying in or staying home. Students or employees should not return to class or work until they have been free of fever or other symptoms, without the use of fever or symptom-reducing medications, for at least 24-hours. Affected students should contact the Interim Dean of Students to make arrangements during their time away from the classroom.

As you anticipate travel in these coming days, students attending on-campus classes (Littleton or DC) traveling to affected areas that knowingly heighten their exposure, whether domestic or international travel, are asked to self-report to the Interim Dean of Students office and register with the U.S. Department of State through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, in the case of international travel. We are requesting this information out of an abundance of care for our community and in recognizing the quickly changing circumstances related to the spread of COVID-19. We will advise you when reporting your plans is no longer necessary.

Those who travel to a Level 3 or 4 area where there is widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19 or those who have had close contact with confirmed cases should plan on not returning to campus for 14 days. Please contact the Interim Dean of Students to make arrangements during the time away from the classroom. Please note that if you do choose to engage in non-essential travel to Level 3 or 4 areas, the Dean of Students office will not be able to support accommodations for missing class.

Pandemic Response Team