Coronavirus update from President Dietz (3/13/2020)

I am writing again to keep the Illinois State University community informed about campus planning and action during the worldwide Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We will face many challenges on campus, and in our society, in the coming weeks. I am confident that we will work together to navigate these challenges.

As part of Illinois State University’s continuing response, faculty members and Administrative Technology staff are diligently working to move from face-to-face teaching to online instruction and/or other instructional modalities. Teaching in these new forms will begin on Monday, March 23, and will continue through at least April 12. As I mentioned in a previous communication, that timeframe may be subject to change depending on evolving circumstances.

University Housing Services has communicated with students instructions for retrieving essential items and has provided a process for students to request their need to remain in on-campus housing due to extenuating circumstances.

As we continue to plan for potential impacts on campus operations, we are asking University units to develop plans for employees to work from home. The possibility that employees may need to work from home could come with little advance notice. Our Human Resources staff has communicated more information about this to campus units. This is part of a larger effort to follow the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, which include not being within six feet of someone for longer than 10 minutes.

During this stressful time, it is important to seek out accurate information and avoid being misled by rumors. Please visit Illinoisstate.edu/coronavirus for up-to-date information about Illinois State’s response to COVID-19. The site contains a Frequently Asked Questions section.

I realize that you will continue to have many questions as this situation unfolds. You can address questions to coronavirus@ilstu.edu, and someone will respond in a timely manner. I want to assure you that Illinois State is working tirelessly to address those questions and concerns. I urge everyone to remain calm and patient as we work together on this extremely complex and fast-moving situation.

Please keep yourself, your family, and the University community healthy during these unprecedented times.