Dear Roadrunners, 

It’s finally starting to look and feel like fall. As Denver usually experiences frost and freezing temperatures from mid-October through late April, it’s necessary to begin winterizing our campus buildings and systems.  

In anticipation of cooler temperatures, the Auraria Higher Education Center Facilities Department is winterizing cooling systems to avoid potential damage to buildings and infrastructure. The process of chemically treating, draining and flushing systems takes about a week, after which the systems are disabled. 

While Denver weather can be unpredictable, and the campus may experience some warm days between October and April, the AHEC Facilities team believes this is the most responsible approach to maintaining campus infrastructure.  

The winterization process will begin the week of Oct. 16 and will include the following cooling systems and buildings:

North Chiller Plant, servicing: 

  • Auraria Library 
  • Arts Building 
  • Old Science Buildings 

South Chiller Plant, servicing: 

  • Boulder Creek 
  • Cherry Creek 
  • West Classroom 
  • Central Classroom 

Plaza Building 

PE/Events Center 

Rectory 

The North Chiller Plant will also undergo renovation to install state-of-the-art equipment that will provide more reliable and energy-efficient cooling. 

 

Moderna, Pfizer vaccines now available at Health Center at Auraria 

The Health Center at Auraria will continue to offer its Fall Immunization Clinic for Auraria Campus constituents through Nov. 17. 

  • Immunizations are available Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Plaza Building, Room 111. 
  • Vaccines will be provided at no cost only to members of the Auraria Campus community who have a valid campus ID badge. 
  • Moderna and Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines are available.  
  • Availability is limited — check the Health Center at Auraria website for the most current availability status of these vaccines. 

Please read this recent Early Bird article for more details, including what to do if you test positive for Covid-19 and how to protect yourself and others. 

Holiday calendar and reminders

We are also approaching the holiday season, and MSU Denver is proud to offer 14 paid holidays. The University subscribes to an alternate holiday schedule that exceeds the state’s identified number of holidays and incorporates observed dates. In anticipation, please refresh yourselves with the Holiday Schedule and Winter Break dates for 2023.  

Sim Labs project update 

The Simulation Labs project is progressing, and Roadrunners can learn more about highlights and recent milestones in RED. While most aspects of the project continue on schedule, please note that construction will now continue in Suite 310 of the Administration Building through November as opposed to October. Visit the project’s SharePoint page for updates on department locations and contact information, a full construction schedule, anticipated noise impacts, project maps and more. 

Additionally, all Roadrunners are invited to join the Project Update meetings. The next meeting is Oct. 17 from 1-2 p.m. Click here to join the meeting. 

Please submit any questions or feedback to Martha Nelson, senior project manager for Facilities Planning, Design and Construction. 

 

Employee Wellness Fair 

Finally, MSU Denver’s Annual Employee Wellness Fair is Nov. 3 from 7-11 a.m. in the Tivoli Turnhalle. The event is for full-time faculty members and staff members and includes free comprehensive health screenings, flu shots and a chance to visit with campus vendors. Register for screenings or flu shots and refer to the Oct. 10 email from Human Resources’ Total Rewards team for more details. 

Thank you for staying up to date on all the exciting things happening at MSU Denver. 

Sincerely, 

Larry Sampler, chief operating officer and vice president for Administration