As Regis University prepares to start its spring semester on Monday, the university announced it will allow professors to opt for virtual instruction in January due to rising COVID-19 rates.

While classes can also meet in person, professors can choose to instruct their students virtually until Feb. 1, the university said. Professors must inform their students of whether classes will be in-person or virtual by Friday.

The omicron variant has pushed Colorado’s COVID-19 cases to an all-time high. The state’s seven-day COVID-19 case average hit 8,742 on Tuesday, according to data collected by The New York Times. Previously, Colorado’s largest case peak was 5,000 in November 2020.

“We believe this plan is appropriate and sound, but it does rely on all of us to do our part to help keep ourselves and our colleagues, classmates, teachers and teammates healthy,” interim university President Cody Teets said. “It is incumbent upon us to follow basic public health guidelines and together build as safe a learning environment as possible.”

In addition to the flexible classroom plan, Regis University is requiring all faculty, staff and students to receive a COVID-19 booster vaccination and provide proof by Feb. 1. Since the booster policy was announced in December, nearly half of faculty and staff have complied, according to the university.

An indoor mask mandate is also in effect for all university buildings and students living on campus will be required to take a rapid COVID-19 test upon arrival, or bring a negative test to move-in that was taken within 48 hours.

The university’s COVID-19 response team will meet weekly as the semester begins to monitor the situation, consult with public health officials and communicate any adjustments to their plan, Teets said.