UW Allows Some Outdoor Events on Campus this Summer

The University of Wyoming will allow outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people on campus after June 1, in accordance with new state rules.

This is an adjustment to a policy imposed in March closing general public access and prohibiting public gatherings in all UW facilities, in response to concerns about the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The change applies only to outdoor gatherings at this point.

As Gov. Mark Gordon makes further changes to his orders regarding public gatherings, UW also may adjust its restrictions during the summer. The governor’s updated orders allow for outdoor gatherings of up to 250 people to occur after June 1, with social distancing and increased sanitization measures in place.

Currently, gatherings of up to 25 are allowed indoors or outdoors by the governor. UW is allowing only outdoor events of that size, including the UW Air Force ROTC Program’s regular commissioning ceremony on Prexy’s Pasture June 7. Six-foot distancing guidelines will be observed.

Additionally, Albany County School District 1 will conduct two events in the parking lot east of War Memorial Stadium this week. These are “drive-in” gatherings in which participants will largely be in their vehicles, so the university’s current restrictions on gatherings of more than 25 people do not apply.

The first, which takes place this evening, is the graduation ceremony for Whiting High School. School district employees will staff the entrances to the parking lot and distribute COVID-19 protocols. Graduates and their families will exit their vehicles near the end of the ceremony, but 6-foot distancing guidelines will be followed.

The second, scheduled for Friday evening, is the Laramie High School capping ceremony. More than 200 vehicles are expected. Parking attendants will direct vehicles to parking spots, leaving one space between each vehicle. Graduates and their “cappers” will briefly exit their vehicles near the end of the ceremony, again observing distancing guidelines.

The Albany County School District approached UW to hold these events in the Stadium Lot because none of the district’s properties are large enough to host “drive-in” events with social-distancing measures. The district has the approval of UW, the city of Laramie and Albany County; the Laramie Police Department and Laramie Fire Department also are participating.