Hi Students,

There is a lot going on this week with the MLK Jr. Day celebration today, the start of our spring semester tomorrow, and the Presidential Inauguration Wednesday.  All of this is set against a backdrop of rising COVID cases and civic unrest.

As the CSU Public Safety Team shared Friday, they are working with local and national law enforcement to monitor activity and will be prepared to respond on campus, if needed. At this time, we are not aware of any protests or demonstrations planned on or near campus.

Peaceful assembly and free speech are protected First Amendment rights. As a state institution of higher education, CSU celebrates, honors, and respects the First Amendment and everyone’s right to free speech. Indeed, CSU is legally required to do so.  However, those rights are not without limit, and it’s important to understand what constitutes protected expressive activity and what is not permitted at this public university.

CSU has a Free Speech and Peaceful Assembly Policy and the handout on Free Speech, Protests and other Expressive Activities on Campus is a helpful resource. Please review and be informed.

The fear some members of our community are experiencing is heightened by the violence and trauma related to identity and ideology over the past year, and over their lifetimes. It is important for us to recognize that impact is different for each of us. We encourage you to seek support and reach out if you need assistance.

As we navigate this week and beyond, we ask all members of the university community to practice and reflect CSU’s Principles of Community. We may not always agree with one another but we should interact with and respect one another as members of the CSU community.

If you are concerned about something you see on campus, please contact CSUPD by calling 911. If you experience or witness an incident of bias please submit a Bias Report. If you are concerned about the safety or mental health of yourself or someone else, please submit a Tell Someone Report online or call (970) 491-1350.

The Lory Student Center will be hosting a Welcome Back tent on the Plaza for the first three weeks of class to handout face masks and hand sanitizer, to take temperatures, and answer questions students may have. We encourage you to stop by.

While 2020 was incredibly challenging and there are still so many challenges facing many of us, we are hopeful for a vaccine and a better year ahead.

As we start this new semester, please take care of yourselves and each other,
Dr. Blanche Hughes, Vice President for Student Affairs