This week’s message includes information about vaccine distribution, the excused student absence process and policy, and testing availability.
Visit Illinois State University’s Coronavirus website for the most up-to-date information and guidance. Questions can be emailed to coronavirus@ilstu.edu.
Vaccine Distribution
Illinois State University remains in constant contact with the McLean County Health Department (MCHD) regarding vaccine availability for the campus community. MCHD determines when and how much vaccine the University receives.
University employees eligible to receive the vaccine in accordance with the State’s vaccine distribution plan will receive a prenotification email at their ilstu email from Student Health Services indicating that vaccine is expected to be received soon.
When the University receives the vaccine for persons in a phase, employees will be notified by email and provided instructions on how to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine. A similar process will be followed for persons receiving the second dose of the vaccine.
While participation is not required, all employees are strongly encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine by visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
At this time, there is no information available from state or county officials regarding the timing of mass vaccination for the campus community.
Excused Student Absence Process
As a reminder, students who are tested on-campus will have their test results shared with Student Health Services. Students tested at any other location should share positive test results with Student Health Services by uploading them to the Secure Patient Health Portal.
In order to receive an excused absence, students must provide documentation of the self-isolation/quarantine requirement to the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will send a notice to each instructor noting that the absence is excused by university policy and include an anticipated period of time for the absence to continue to be excused. This notice will not include any protected health information. Once a student is released from this requirement, they may provide documentation to the Dean of Students Office so that a return to class notice may be issued to each instructor.
Questions about the process of notifying instructors about a student’s need to quarantine or isolate should be directed to the Dean on Duty in the Dean of Students Office at (309) 438-2008.
Learn more about the University’s Excused Student Absences Due to Communicable Disease policy.
Availability of COVID-19 Testing through January 22
Students and employees are encouraged to participate in COVID-19 testing. Only individuals being tested should enter a testing center. Testing for asymptomatic students and employees is available at the following locations and times:
- January 11 – 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday: Temporary building in the parking lot between Watterson Towers and Stevenson Hall and the former fire station at 604 N. Adelaide St., Normal.
- January 19 – 22, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday: Temporary building in the parking lot between Watterson Towers and Stevenson Hall and the former fire station at 604 N. Adelaide St., Normal. On-campus testing will not be available on Monday, January 18, in observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday.
Students experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms or who believe that they were exposed to a person with COVID-19 should contact Student Health Services at (309) 438-7676 for direction regarding quarantine and/or to schedule an initial screening and make an appointment to be tested. Symptomatic employees should contact their healthcare provider for testing or to make an appointment.
PCR COVID-19 testing remains available for students, faculty, and staff at the Interstate Center testing site. Students testing at this site should share positive test results with Student Health Services by uploading them to the Secure Patient Health Portal. Sharing test results will ensure students have proper documentation for classes, housing, and/or employment.
