College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

As you all know, the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination is ongoing in Southern Nevada. Our CSN Henderson Campus is a Point of Distribution (POD), and has been very successful in helping us and our fellow Nevadans to receive their vaccinations. Please review my recent message regarding the vaccine roll out, and review below how to volunteer time to serve at the POD if available and willing to do so.

Volunteer Registration

• Fill out the volunteer application at our GivePlus Portal. Applications will be approved by the volunteer coordinators and you will be added to the CSN Volunteer Group.
• Go to the CSN Henderson POD Event Page and click the green Register button to select the shift(s) for which you would like to volunteer.

As part of the volunteering process, I want to make very clear that under no circumstance should a supervisor ask an employee to use furlough time should they wish to volunteer. There needs to be a collaborative communication between an employee and supervisor regarding volunteering and balancing work duties. As we continue to operate under unique circumstances during the pandemic, if able, an employee should receive permission to volunteer.

Should you have questions or concerns regarding volunteering, please email Wellness@CSN.edu or HRCustomerService@CSN.edu.

Thank you for all you do for CSN as we work together during this vitally important time period.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

The UNLV School of Medicine has provided leadership and program development and has been instrumental in the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine process for our southern Nevada institutions. We are very grateful and appreciative of the guidance and leadership of Dr. Michael Gardner, Vice Dean Clinical Affairs and Strategy, Julie Young, Vice President Business Operations and Strategy, and Gregg Maye, Assistant Director of Emergency Management, for their efforts for the launch and continued operations of the NSHE Point of Distribution locations at UNLV and CSN. There is much work that occurs behind the scenes and we are extremely grateful. Messaging across our NSHE institutions remains consistent and is possible because of our partners at UNLV, including Executive Provost Chris Heavey and Communications Director Cindy Brown. 

On January 19, NSHE southern Nevada institutions began vaccinating the next authorized group of CSN faculty, staff and students. Vaccinations continue to be provided to our Tier 1 group that includes first responders, health care workers, public safety, and law enforcement. The additional expanded group includes individuals who belong to the following two categories:

• CSN instructional and administrative faculty, staff, students, and contractors who must work on campus in close contact with others, and who cannot and have not been able to conduct their job duties from home, or
• CSN faculty, staff, or students who are 70 years of age or older.

Invitations to Register for Vaccination

Individuals identified as part of these priority groups received an invitation to register directly from this email address: Patricia.Charlton@csn.edu.  Please note that the registration portal link was updated on January 25 and new invitations were sent out. If you received an invitation prior to this date, the link is no longer valid and we apologize for any inconvenience while the system was offline and enhancements were being completed. Please use the most recent email invitation for making an appointment. If you did not receive an invitation to register and you believe you are eligible for vaccination, faculty should contact their respective dean, and staff should contact their vice president. 

To receive your vaccination, you must verify your eligibility by producing a copy of the invitation (e.g., on your phone or a printout) and the CSN Confirmation Letter that was included in the email registration. We have also provided a complete list of all eligible individuals to the vaccination sites.  

If you have not been directly invited to register as a member of the latest priority group and have an appointment, you are not currently eligible. Without proof of your eligibility, you will be turned away when you arrive at the vaccination site.  

We understand that many of you are eager to receive the vaccination as soon as possible, but please allow the process developed by the State Division of Public Health to unfold as planned.  Vaccines are limited in availability. As more doses become available and we receive authorization from the state to expand our administration of vaccines, we will invite additional groups of faculty, staff, and students to register. CSN continues to work with our NSHE partners, the Southern Nevada Health District and the state to provide vaccinations to everyone in our campus community as expeditiously as possible.

Volunteers

On January 21, the CSN Point of Distribution began operations at the Henderson Campus Student Union. The POD operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is expected to continue operations through the spring semester and into the summer. In addition to the medical and clinical staff, nine non-medical volunteers are needed throughout the day to support various roles needed for the successful operation. We are requesting volunteers from across the campus should you be interested to assist in this important effort. Shifts are available for a half day (7:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. or noon – 5 p.m.) or a full day or 7:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering, please consult and obtain approval from your supervisor. Additionally, the UNLV site has been in operation since January 11; days and hours of operation are consistent with the CSN location. As both sites will be operational for the foreseeable future the opportunity may also be available to serve as a volunteer at UNLV. The  non-medical volunteer coordinator is Michelle Word, for more information, please contact her at Michelle.Word@csn.edu.  

CSN Campus Services and Facility Updates

For an update on the status of CSN activities, services available, campus operations, and hours of operation, please visit my blog.

For up-to-date information on our vaccination program, please visit https://at.csn.edu/covid-19-vaccine. You may also contact wellness@csn.edu with any questions.

Thank you for your patience, and please stay safe. 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

CSN Campus Services and Facility Updates

Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases remain elevated throughout Nevada. As a result, our campuses and sites continue to operate under restrictions set by Gov. Steve Sisolak laid out in Executive Order 35, which has been extended through February 15. This order includes recommendations for capacity limitations for public and private gatherings, retail, restaurants, and other areas within the community. As Nevadans have been urged to stay home, limit gatherings and to telework to the greatest extent possible. At CSN, we continue working to implement these requirements as the spring 2021 semester begins.  

A current update on the status of CSN activities is as follows.

Academics

Lab courses identified by deans and department chairs that are scheduled on campus and in-person will operate as coordinated through the Office of the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs.  Lecture classes identified on campus will operate at 25 percent of the fire code capacity.  For additional questions, please contact the respective department chair and dean.

Bookstores

All three CSN bookstores will continue to operate services in a remote environment with curbside services as communicated by the Office of Auxiliary Services until further notified.   Follet Bookstore operations staff will remain in the stores throughout the suspension of in-store service but provide curbside service at this time.

Signage has been placed on doors of each bookstore and the bookstore websites have been updated. 

Campus Child Care/Early Childhood Lab

Deemed an essential service, the CSN Child Care Centers will continue operations at this time.  For additional information please contact the Early Childhood Lab School at 702-651-4004.

Campus Life/Coyote Cupboards

Coyote Cupboard Services will continue on an appointment basis and by curbside pick-up on the following campus schedule.  

Cashiering Services

Cashiering services are available at all campuses for payment processing for students.  Services are available through Friday, January 22 till 5 p.m. for in-person payments.

Computer Labs

Computer labs at the main campuses will reopen on January 19 and will remain operational during this time, however new capacity limitations will permit only 25 percent of stated occupancy and workstation availability.   Labs will be open between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday for the spring semester.

Dental Faculty Practice (DFP)

The DFP will continue essential services on an appointment basis. Patients will continue to be required to complete temperature checks and a health questionnaire.

Delivery Services

Receiving and Mail Services will continue delivery of essential mail and orders. Courier service between the campuses is suspended.

Division of Workforce & Economic Development (DWED)

DWED courses will operate as guided by the course schedule and must adhere to 25 percent capacity of the fire code and 6-feet social distancing at all times. 

Events

All on and off campus events have been suspended  and CSN is not approving external parties or entities on campus at this time, unless recommended by the Campus Provost and approved by the COVID-19 Task Force.     

Facilities

CSN buildings not in use will remain locked down.  Buildings will be accessible based on the course schedule only and are intended for use by CSN faculty, staff and students with classes or approved access only.  Building systems will continue to be maintained to ensure operation continuity.

Food Service Operations

The Starbucks locations at all campuses have been suspended at this time.    

Signage has been posted in the student unions informing customers of the closures. The Boost Mobile food ordering application has been updated to reflect the closures. 

Libraries

Campus libraries will provide curbside services January 19-28 and resume in person services on February 1 at all three campus libraries.  In person services will be limited to NSHE student, staff and faculty at 25 percent capacity.  Library personnel and staff continue to be available to assist students remotely including online books and articles, online library instruction and online research assistance (chat, email and video conferencing).  For more information on the library services for Spring 2021 please use the CSN Library webpage at  https://library.csn.edu/

The outside library book drops at each campus are open for item returns.

Performing Arts Center

The Horn Auditorium will remain closed until further notice.   

Planetarium

The CSN Planetarium and Gift Shop will remain closed until further notice.

Russell’s Restaurant

Operations at Russell’s Restaurant are not available at this time and is closed at this time. 

Student Services

Services will continue to be provided remotely. Identified individuals will remain on campus for critical select time-sensitive services including financial aid processing and admission/registrar requirements.

Student Unions

The Student Unions are closed for operations and services. As noted above, food vendor Culinart has discontinued operations through the end of the calendar year and Coyote Cupboards will be available on an appointment basis and curbside pick-up.

Testing Services

Placement testing activities will be delivered solely in the remote environment until further notice.    

In closing, the CSN campus community must remain diligent in the use of mandatory face-coverings, social distancing requirements, limiting gathering capacity, the use of hand sanitizing and good hygiene practices.  The use of face coverings is required at all times and in all locations on campus both interior and exterior, regardless of social distancing and/or in open areas by yourself. We ask that you continue to be diligent in these COVID-19 mitigation efforts not only at CSN but also in your home and outside experiences.

We recognize that these are challenging times. The health and safety of all students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community is our paramount priority.  All planning at CSN has included contingency plans should the need arise to transition to remote activities.  As new information is known and operational changes are required, we will keep you apprised.    

Vaccine

CSN is working in partnership with the UNLV School of Medicine, the Southern Nevada Health District and our NSHE southern Nevada institutions as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to identified groups as prescribed in the Vaccine Program Playbook.  Registration eligibility has begun for healthcare providers, faculty and staff providing services and in clinical the clinical environment; EMS and law enforcement personnel; individuals aged 70+ and faculty, staff and students providing student facing services and those individuals that cannot work in a remote environment. As additional registration eligibility groups are approved updates will be provided by the Office of the President.  Please continue to monitor COVID-19 Vaccine | AtCSN  current information. 

Dear CSN Family,

As you may be aware, the Southern Nevada NSHE institutions are partnering to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to those who are working in frontline roles in health care, public safety, law enforcement, public health and emergency first response, both within NSHE institutions and in the broader community. Since we began this effort on Monday, more than 2,000 people have received vaccinations at the UNLV site. A second site, located at our CSN Henderson Campus Student Union, will open on Thursday, January 21.

We are preparing to notify the next two priority employee groups to register for their appointment to receive their first vaccination in the coming weeks. The first group, as defined by the state’s latest vaccination playbook, is instructional and administrative faculty, staff, students and contractors who must work on campus in close contact with others, and who cannot and have not been able to conduct their job duties remotely. Next are those faculty, staff and students age 70 or older whether on-campus or remote. Registrations are non-transferrable as they are based on an employee’s role, which will be verified when employees arrive for vaccination.

Human Resources is working with the vice presidents to confirm or obtain updated names of faculty and staff working in these roles. Notifications will go to each individual and will be sent from Patricia.Charlton@csn.edu, the COVID-19 CSN Lead. If you do not receive notification and you believe you fall into this category, faculty should contact their respective dean, and staff should contact their vice president. 

We are in a rapidly changing environment and we encourage you to visit the COVID-19-vaccine  webpage for updated information based on guidance as it is released. You may also contact wellness@csn.edu with questions. We are working with our colleagues at UNLV, NSC, and DRI to ensure coordinated messaging and processes and in adherence to state guidelines. Please see Chancellor Melody Rose’s latest communication on vaccine distribution within NSHE.

NSHE is partnering with the Southern Nevada Health District and the state to provide vaccinations to everyone in our university community as expeditiously as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

As you are aware, Nevada has begun its COVID-19 vaccination efforts. I’m pleased to report that NSHE Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose has shared information with the NSHE community regarding vaccine distribution within the system.

Vaccine inoculation for residents is being guided by the requirements established by the Vaccination Program Playbook and CDC guidelines. The system includes four tiers, with sub-group priorities within those tier groups. Tier 1 includes healthcare workers, residents of long-term care facilities, and law enforcement and public safety officials. The State of Nevada plan includes various NSHE personnel in Tiers 1, 2, and 3.  

In supporting the state’s effort, CSN is working with our partners across southern Nevada to conduct vaccinations. Working with the Southern Nevada Health District, University Nevada School of Medicine/UNLV, and University Police Services, we are collaborating across the valley to support the needs for deployment of the vaccine for Tiers 1, 2, and 3 for NSHE employees and our affiliated contract personnel.

All of our CSN family — faculty, staff, students, and our contract personnel — are important to us and we want everyone to have access to the vaccine as soon as possible. We will work with our partners to provide vaccinations to all of our CSN family as quickly as possible.

Availability and receipt of vaccines is uncertain, and we are unable to say when members of each group will be contacted to be vaccinated. Please understand that this is a changing environment and that priority tiers are subject to change based on revised and updated guidelines. We will provide updates as received. 

Prioritized roles within NSHE

The initial vaccinations dispensed by NSHE will first be given to remaining members of Tier 1  within NSHE and may include qualified individuals in the broader community.

NSHE has prioritized roles at its institutions as defined under Tiers 2 and 3 in the state’s plan in this order:

• Instructors (faculty) teaching in person during the spring semester
• Employees in facilities maintenance and custodial services currently working on campus
• Staff and student employees currently providing in-person services
• Instructors (faculty) teaching remotely during the spring semester 
• Faculty and staff who typically have low to no in-person contact or who are working remotely
• All remaining students

Times and locations

The CSN Henderson Campus Student Union and the UNLV Student Union will serve as vaccination locations. Vaccinations are dependent on the availability of supplies and will begin January 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on the UNLV Maryland Parkway campus. Vaccinations at the CSN Henderson campus are anticipated to begin on or about Tuesday, January 19, dependent on receipt of equipment and availability of staffing and supplies/vaccines. The CSN Henderson campus will also operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments will be required at both locations. You will be provided with specific location information when your appointment is confirmed.

Again, the initial vaccinations that will be provided at UNLV and CSN will be given to individuals in Tier 1 who are with NSHE and in the broader community.  

How to register

CSN faculty, staff and students in Tier 1 will begin to receive emails this week with a link to register through a portal. Individuals in Tiers 2 and 3 will receive an email invitation to register when their roles become eligible for vaccinations. 

A few important things to note about registration:

• You will complete registration information and your role will be crosschecked to determine when you are eligible for vaccination. Please enter all information as your appointment may be canceled if full information is not provided.
• You will be asked to upload a photo of your insurance card. While your insurance will be billed for services, you will not receive a bill and will not incur a personal charge for the vaccine. 
• You may be able to select a preferred date and time for vaccination based on appointment availability. If appointments are not available, instructions will be provided through the registration site. You will receive an email confirmation. Do not go to the vaccination site without confirmation.

What to expect

When you arrive at the vaccination site for your appointment, you will need to show identification by NSHE ID and/or other form of confirmation that will be provided regarding your role with CSN and state issued ID such as a driver license. You will also need to provide your insurance card. Remember, stay home if you’re not feeling well or have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

After you get your vaccination, you will be provided with a CDC vaccination record card noting the type of vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) you received and the date you will need to return for your second dose. Depending on the vaccine you receive, you will be scheduled to return 21 to 28 days later. It is vital that you return for your second dose for the vaccination to effectively protect you against contracting COVID-19. You will receive appointment reminders several days before your second dose appointment via phone, text email.

Information Resources

CSN has established a vaccine webpage. Questions you might have can be found in the links, including up to date information from the CDC, Immunize Nevada, and the Southern Nevada Health District. The Vaccine Playbook information can also be found on this site.

The environment is changing and while at this time there are two vaccines that have been approved for Emergency Use Authorization — Pfizer and Moderna — we are mindful that additional vaccines are in final trial or the review processes. Should you have any questions, please reach out to wellness@csn.edu. We are looking forward to having a dedicated town hall focused on the medicine and science of the vaccines early in the spring semester. 

I wish you a happy and healthy start of the spring 2021.  

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada