This week’s update includes guidance for on-campus testing and testing before Fall Break, as well as information about living on campus in Spring 2021, extended withdrawal deadlines, reminders about Fall Break, and testing locations.
Visit the University’s Coronavirus website for the most up-to-date information and guidance. Questions can be emailed to coronavirus@ilstu.edu.
Guidance for On-Campus Testing (Students Only)
- On-campus COVID-19 testing is free to Illinois State students. Students must bring their Redbird ID to on-campus testing sites in order to be tested. On-campus COVID-19 testing is not available to faculty and staff at this time.
- There is not a medical reason to have a COVID-19 test more than twice per week and only after results from the most recent test are received unless you develop COVID-19 symptoms since the last test.
- Only one test per student per day will be processed by Reditus, the contract lab being used by Illinois State University and the Interstate Center.
- On-campus testing centers and the Interstate Center use the same method of COVID-19 testing, which is a PCR test. This type of test is very reliable. Having multiple tests over a short period (within the same day) will produce the same results and is a waste of valuable supplies.
- Students who develop symptoms after testing should call Student Health Services at 309-438-7676 to determine the best course of action until test results are received.
- On-campus test results are received on average in 3-5 days. Students will receive results in the Secure Student Health Services portal.
- If you test positive, regardless of where you test, you will be required to isolate for a period of 10 days or length of time determined by the McLean County Health Department or health professional. If you are deemed a close contact, you will be required to quarantine for 14 days. More information about quarantine and isolation requirements can be found by reading Coronavirus FAQ’s.
Find the answers to your questions about the University’s approach to coronavirus by visiting the Coronavirus Website.
Test Before Leaving for Fall Break/Thanksgiving
Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of on-campus testing prior to returning home for Fall Break and Thanksgiving. Results from on-campus testing are received on average in 3-5 days. Testing now and limiting activity as much as possible prior to returning home will help to keep you healthy and help to limit the spread of COVID-19 to family and friends.
Symptomatic COVID-19 testing will remain available at Student Health Services on Monday-Wednesday, November 23-25. On-campus testing sites for asymptomatic students will be closed the week of Fall Break, but testing will be available for students at the Interstate Center. The Interstate Center will be closed on Thanksgiving.
On-campus COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic and symptomatic students will remain available after the break. Students are strongly encouraged to be tested upon return to campus.
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase throughout the state, we must follow all health and safety guidelines such as wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distancing. Remaining diligent in our fight against COVID-19 will help to keep all Redbirds healthy and limit the spread on campus and in the Bloomington-Normal community.
Living On-Campus – Spring 2021
Do you want to live on-campus for the Spring 2021 term? New students admitted to the Spring 2021 term and current off-campus students can submit a Housing and Dining contract for the Spring 2021 term via the Housing and Dining Portal.
As part of the application-contract process, students complete a roommate profile, indicate room location preferences and interest in living in a Themed Living-Learning Community, and select a meal plan choice.
Students who complete the process will be assigned to a housing space and sent a notification confirming their room assignment in early January. If you have questions or need additional information, contact University Housing Services at housing@ilstu.edu or 309-438-8611 or Event Management, Dining, and Hospitality (EMDH) at EMDH@IllinoisState.edu or 309-438-8351.
Withdrawal Deadlines Extended
The University and full-semester course withdrawal dates for the fall 2020 term are extended. The new deadline is November 20. To withdraw from the University for the fall 2020 term or from individual fall courses, students should contact Registrar@ilstu.edu using their university e-mail address.
Fall Break
The University will move to online instruction after Fall Break beginning Monday, November 30. While face-to-face and hybrid instruction will end at noon on Saturday, November 21, instruction will continue online through the end of the semester. The fall 2020 semester will end Friday, December 11. This impacts one week of regular classroom instruction and finals week. Final examinations will be delivered online. Clinical and experiential activities will be addressed on a program-by-program basis.
Illinois State services will operate normally through the end of the semester. Residence halls and dining centers will remain open, as will the Student Fitness Center, the Bone Student Center, Student Health Services, academic support units, and other offices that provide university services to students, faculty, and staff, and facilitate university operations.
This decision was originally communicated on July 9 in an email from President Dietz to students, faculty, and staff and was made to provide students who can stay home with the opportunity to do so and to potentially de-densify campus immediately following Fall Break and the Thanksgiving holiday—when many students, faculty, and staff visit with friends and family as well as travel. Such activities increase exposure to risks associated with the spread of COVID-19 and coincide with the beginning of flu season.
Testing Locations
Asymptomatic COVID-19 testing for students will continue at the temporary building in the parking lot between Watterson Towers and Stevenson Hall and the fire station at 602 N. Adelaide St., Normal. Both locations are open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but will be closed the week of fall break. Only students being tested should enter a testing center.
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.
Testing is 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.
