This week’s update includes guidance for Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigations. There will not be a COVID Weekly Update the week of Fall Break. The next weekly update will be on Thursday, December 3.
As a reminder, Friday, November 20, is the last day for on-campus asymptomatic testing prior to Fall Break and Thanksgiving.
Results from on-campus testing are received on average in 3-5 days in the Secure Student Health Services portal. 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. More information about testing can be found on the Student Health Services website.
Visit the University’s Coronavirus website for the most up-to-date information and guidance. Questions can be emailed to coronavirus@ilstu.edu.
Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigations
On Tuesday, Governor Pritzker announced statewide Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigations effective Friday, November 20, 2020, at 12:01 a.m. Significant COVID-19 health and safety protocols implemented by Illinois State University at the beginning of the fall term in combination with steps implemented by Human Resources in compliance with the Illinois Department of Public Health guidance issued last week have resulted in limited changes to university operations under the Tier 3 Resurgence Mitigations.
The University’s decision to move to online instruction after Fall Break beginning Monday, November 30 also impacted the need for further restrictions. 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. Final examinations will be delivered online. Clinical and experiential activities will be addressed on a program-by-program basis.
Campus operations will continue through the end of the semester. Residence halls and dining centers will remain open for students who choose to return after the fall break.
The following are among the proactive steps taken in support of the state’s mitigation strategy:
Campus Recreation
- Student Fitness Center will operate at no more than 25% capacity
- There will be no indoor group classes, but virtual offerings continue
- Face coverings must be worn at all times, including while engaged in individual exercise regardless of person or machine spacing
- Reservations will continue to be required
- Locker room areas will be closed, as will the pool and the climbing wall
- As an indoor recreation facility, the Bowling and Billiards Center will be closed
Bone Student Center
- Study space for individuals will be available in Prairie Rooms I, II, and III through December 11
- Select retail dining venues will remain open in the Bone Student Center
- Barnes & Noble College Bookstore will remain open at 25% capacity and with reduced hours
- TechZone will remain open and provide services online or via appointment from November 23-25 and will be open at 25% capacity and with reduced hours beginning November 30
- For the most up-to-date store/venue hours, visit the Bone Student Center website
Meetings and Events
- No public meetings or events will be held on campus during this period in compliance with the resurgence mitigations
University departments and units
- Departments and units will remain open and continue to provide services to students, faculty, and staff through December 23, the start of the winter break.
- Individuals who have job duties that can be performed from a remote location should work from home if they are not already doing so. Staff who cannot perform their duties from a remote location, or whose presence on campus is necessary to ensure offices and units remain open, should continue to report to campus.
- Modifications of work from home agreements already in place do not need to be sent to Human Resources. New work at home agreements, regardless of duration, should be forwarded to Human Resources via the Covid19_HRquestions@ilstu.edu email.
Athletics
- Men’s and women’s basketball teams will begin their seasons later this month without fans in the stands.
As the number of coronavirus cases continues to increase, it is imperative that all students, faculty, and staff follow all public health and safety guidelines such as wearing face coverings, maintaining physical distancing, and handwashing. Remaining diligent in our fight against coronavirus will help to keep Redbirds healthy and limit the spread on campus and in the Bloomington-Normal community.
