I am very pleased to hear the news that under pressure from U.S. higher education institutions, including Illinois State University, the federal government has rescinded the July 6 rule blocking international students from staying in the U.S. while taking online-only courses.
On July 13, the State of Illinois and Illinois Attorney General’s office filed a lawsuit on behalf of Illinois State University and other universities in the state seeking an injunction to stop the implementation of the entire new federal rule.
In the face of unprecedented events, the University’s recognition ceremonies forged ahead and found new ways to celebrate 2020 graduates.
Updates include more detailed plans for the Fall 2020 semester with purposeful steps to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the entire campus community.
University offices will re-open on Monday, June 15, with limited staffing in place to assist campus visitors.
In the fall 2020 semester, classes will be presented in face-to-face, hybrid, and online formats. University housing and dining facilities will be open to serve students.
We are all experiencing a time in our nation in which the fight against a health pandemic has been supplanted by a crisis of human behavior, with racist acts of violence so vile and so systematic as to test our limits of comprehension.
Our careful planning in the coming weeks will ensure that we are prepared for a healthy and safe return to our new normal.
It is very likely that our return in the months ahead will call for additional precautions to protect your health, safety, and sense of well-being. As always, these are our top priorities, in partnership with providing you a life-changing educational experience.
We have all been coping with coronavirus for several weeks, we are all weary of business as unusual; and, we are still more than a bit anxious about what the future holds.
