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Dear CSN Family,

The health and safety of students and employees continues to be our top priority. As we prepare to begin our Spring 2022 Semester, we find ourselves in yet another surge of positive COVID-19 cases throughout our state and nation. This surge is due in large part to the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, which is highly contagious and presents particular concern for members of our communities who are unvaccinated. At CSN, we will continue to be diligent in our efforts to mitigate the impact.

The good news is that approximately 98 percent of CSN employees are now fully vaccinated and we estimate system-wide approximately 72 percent of NSHE students have completed a COVID-19 vaccination series. The guidance and best practices that we are receiving from medical experts affirm that we must continue to be flexible, vigilant, and informed as we continue to confront these historic challenges. In addition to encouraging vaccinations, effective immediately, CSN is implementing the following strategies that will enable ongoing campus operations and to support our college’s health and safety. 

• Face coverings remain a requirement inside of all buildings, regardless of vaccination status, and outdoors when around others. CSN continues to secure a variety of effective masks including KN95 and when appropriately provided and used N95’s. COVID-19 PPE and supplies are available to departments via the PPE Ordering System. Supplies include cleaning products, gloves, hand sanitizer and a variety of face coverings.   
• Report COVID-19 symptoms, testing status and close contacts via the COVID-19 Reporting Form or Wellness@csn.edu so our Case Management team can provide timely guidance. Case Management will provide guidance consistent with revised quarantine protocols as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
• In-person meetings must adhere to COVID-19 spacing and safety protocols and whenever possible should include virtual options as an additional mitigation measure.

Campus support services and classes will remain operational in traditional in-person manner. Departments, faculty, and support areas should continue to maintain contingency planning should the need for temporary measures be necessary.

At this time, on-campus events for both internal and external groups will be deferred based on our local transmission levels. CSN’s COVID-19 and Events Office will work with groups on deferral and communicate when activities can resume. 

We know that these times are challenging and further exacerbated by COVID-19.   Together we will address these trends and concerns, and will work confidently together to keep our faculty, staff, students and campus communities safe. Please continue to be empathetic, compassionate and flexible to our students, employees and each other. 

Finally, please know that CSN is committed to providing services and support to our campus community in providing assistance as may be needed. Services to support physical and mental health are available and if needed we encourage you to reach out to HR and Employee Assistance Program (EAP). We know there are many stresses on our services across the CSN campuses. Thank you for your patience.  

Please continue to look for additional guidance and information on our COVID-19 webpage https://at.csn.edu/covid19 and from the CSN leadership team. During the Spring 2022 semester we will continue to hold Town Hall meetings to provide updated information and respond to questions.  

Thank you for all you do on behalf of CSN.  Wishing you a great Spring 2022 semester. 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada