Colorado Mesa University has updated its plans for responding to the coronavirus pandemic while continuing to offer in-person instruction on its Grand Junction campus. 

The update — titled “The Future is Now” — builds on the “Safe Together, Strong Together” pandemic plan.

“The Future is Now is a metaphor for the idea that taking assertive action now ensures we can continue to deliver on our mission as an institution in the future,” said CMU President Tim Foster. “Our first-generation college students and low-income students especially need and want in-person instruction. They need campus to be open to be successful. This is why we made the plan and is why we are committed to in-person learning this spring.” 

The update includes information on the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine that will add to efforts to offer more protections and open more activities to students. 

The plan also extends a COVID-19 testing strategy into the Grand Junction community. The shift in focus is a result of modeling from the Broad Institute, a collaboration between Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, that supported community testing protocols.   

The Colorado Mesa University Foundation will award a $1,000 scholarship as part of a promotion for ongoing efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

To automatically enter the competition for the scholarship, students, parents and others must watch a student music video titled “The Future is Now” on Facebook, share it and use the #FutureIsNowCMesaU hashtag before Feb. 4.

The video shows CMU students are serious about safety, but also optimistic about the future. The video also highlights the collaboration between CMU and Pardis Sabeti, a Harvard University researcher who advises and works with CMU on research.