Coronavirus Update, January 3, 2022

The following updates are important to our safe return to the campus community. As President Terri Kinzy stated in her December 21 email to campus, “Although this is not how any of us expected to begin the spring term, we must continue to make decisions that are in the best interest of the health and safety of our campus community.” The University will continue to make decisions based on the most recent scientific data available from public health and government officials in an effort to avoid last-minute disruptions to the academic environment.

The following message provides information about updated FAQs regarding the Spring 2022 semester, updated quarantine and isolation procedures, and actions related to the start of the Spring 2022 semester, and information about general Illinois State University health and safety standards applicable to the University community for students, faculty, and staff.

Health and safety standards are subject to change and are adopted as a part of the University’s COVID-19 prevention and mitigation strategies as recommended by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE), Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

For the most up-to-date information about the University’s approach to COVID-19, email Coronavirus@IllinoisState.edu or visit the Coronavirus website.

Updated FAQs on the Coronavirus Website
Read the Spring 2022 FAQs on the Coronavirus website for answers to commonly asked questions regarding the start of spring semester including, but not limited to, COVID-19 testing.

Updated Quarantine and Isolation Procedures
The University received IDPH’s announcement on December 30 stating that they endorse the CDC’s recent updated quarantine and isolation procedures. University departments are reviewing the updates and are making arrangements to implement these procedures. More information will be shared soon.
Learn more about quarantine and isolation procedures at the CDC website.

Actions to start the Spring 2022 semester (Updated as of 12-31-21):

• All courses will be delivered online between January 10-January 21.  Some exceptions will be made on a case-by-case basis for a small number of specific courses. After January 3, students should regularly monitor their University email address and ReggieNet course pages for additional information.

• All Illinois State University offices and facilities will reopen as scheduled on January 3, 2022.

• In-person teaching and learning will resume on Monday, January 24.

• No member of the University community should return to campus if they have tested positive for COVID-19 until the appropriate isolation period has concluded. Faculty and staff who test positive should contact Human Resources at 309-438-8311 (309-438-5507 after hours) to discuss quarantine/isolation timelines, benefit usage and leave of absence options.

• Regularly scheduled events will continue with additional mitigation measures implemented where appropriate and feasible. If necessary, events will be subject to cancellation due to updated guidance or mitigation requirements.

• Students:   

• • COVID-19 Entry Testing:  
    • All students, regardless of vaccination status, are required to upload a negative COVID-19 test performed at any licensed testing facility (e.g., pharmacy, state-run testing site, healthcare facility, laboratory).  An over-the-counter at home test does not meet requirements. Entry testing must be conducted no more than 3 days prior to returning to campus facilities. Submit results to the secure Patient Health Portal. 
      • Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days must upload proof of a positive  COVID-19 test to the Patient Health Portal and do not need to participate in entry testing. (Those who test positive can give false positives for up to 90 days.)
    • If a student is unable to obtain a test just prior to returning to campus, there are a limited number of appointments at on-campus SHIELD testing sites. For students that test upon returning to campus facilities, that test must be scheduled for the first day of return.  

• • Students who are on campus and who have not provided Student Health Services (SHS) with evidence of being fully vaccinated are required to participate in weekly on-campus, saliva-based, COVID-19 testing.  The required COVID-19 entry test does not qualify as the weekly testing requirement.
  • Students are also strongly encouraged to obtain and upload proof of a booster vaccine, when they become eligible. Submit booster records as soon as possible to the secure Patient Health Portal.
  • Students living in on-campus housing may return to their residence hall or apartment as previously scheduled. However, students are not required to return to campus during the two-week online instruction period, if all their classes are online.  More information about spring move-in will be provided to on-campus students by University Housing Services prior to their arrival. 
  • Students working on campus should consult with their supervisor regarding their return date, as needed, and should follow the student protocol outlined in this section prior to their return.   

• Faculty and Staff:   
  • All faculty and staff, regardless of vaccination status, are required to schedule and take an on-campus SHIELD COVID-19 test as soon as possible upon returning to campus, but no more than one week (seven calendar days) after returning.  
    • Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days must upload proof of a positive  COVID-19 test to the Patient Health Portal and do not need to participate in entry testing. (Those who test positive can give false positives for up to 90 days.)
  • Faculty and staff who are on campus and who have not provided Student Health Services (SHS) with evidence of being fully vaccinated are required to participate in weekly (every seven days) on-campus, saliva-based, COVID-19 testing.
    
  • All faculty and staff are also strongly encouraged to obtain and upload proof of a booster vaccine when they become eligible.  Submit booster records as soon as possible to the secure Patient Health Portal.