COVID-19 Information

Spring 2021 courses will be held in varied formats in order to maintain the health and safety of the SIUE community while ensuring excellent learning opportunities for students. 

• Some classes will occur on-ground. Because of space limitations, the number of courses on-ground will be reduced. 
  • Classroom spaces have been evaluated for new capacities. Seating will require social distancing. Entry and exit protocols will be in place. Campus community members will wear face coverings. No classroom space will include more than 50 people. 
  • Some classes will occur in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom and Fixins Restaurant, as well as Evergreen Hall and the Student Fitness Center to allow greater opportunities for classes to convene on-ground. 
  • Classes will require 6 feet of distancing between all students, and safe space between the instructor and the students. Students will wear face coverings. Faculty members will wear either masks or face shields in the classroom. In addition, classroom podiums have been fitted with plexiglass shields to ensure safety and inclusive accessibility. Exceptions for health reasons will be in accordance with ADA guidelines. 
  • Face coverings will be required in all classes and related academic activities. Accommodations are available for those unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition. Accommodations will need to occur with approval of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Access, and Title IX Coordination (employees) and ACCESS (students). 
  • If a student is unwilling to adhere to the face covering requirements and social distancing protocols, the student should register for online courses.
• On-ground opportunities have been prioritized for students’ capstone experiences that require deep engagement, courses with significant need for student engagement with specialized equipment or facilities, and laboratory/studio sessions. There are opportunities for courses at various levels, and opportunities will vary across majors. We have worked to ensure that freshmen will have opportunities for on-ground engagement whether in class, through supplemental instruction, tutoring, co-curricular learning or other student engagement activities.
• Graduate and undergraduate programs of study will begin the spring 2021 semester on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021 immediately following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Spring break will be eliminated to ensure that the appropriate contact hours and outcomes can be achieved safely. 
  • Students enrolled in the Schools of Pharmacy and Dental Medicine should follow the start dates for those programs.  
  • Students engaged in internships, practicums, field placements, clinical rotation, and student teaching should contact their respective program to confirm specific start dates for these activities.
• Faculty members are working to ensure that undergraduate research, creative activities, internships, clinicals, and practicum experiences can continue in safe ways that still allow for intensive learning and practical application. 
• As Research and Creative Activities (R&CA) are fundamental to our mission, the Office of Research and Projects has developed criteria for engaging in R&CA in facilities on-campus (such as labs, studios, project workspaces, etc.) and for research field work, in accordance with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan and the University’s plan for phasing in general operations. The priority is to protect the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students and research subjects. Common sense measures, such as thorough hand washing and staying home when feeling ill, are expected.
• University Housing will begin spring operations on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. University Housing will remain open during the spring semester, even during periods of virtual instruction. 

• SIUE will continue to provide training to all new students and employees to help better understand COVID-19 prevention strategies and SIUE’s safety expectations, as well as how to identify and refer students in distress to appropriate services.  
• All employees and students are strongly encouraged to have up-to-date immunizations as soon as possible. Influenza vaccines should also be obtained at the appropriate time.  
• All employees and students are expected to conduct a personal, self-safety screening each day before coming to campus. 
• Messaging will be provided to the campus community to help in following the appropriate IDPH and CDC safety practices.  
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  
• Practice social distancing of 6 feet between people. This is especially important for people who are at a higher risk.  
  • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread the virus.  
• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after being in a public place, coughing or sneezing. 
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. 
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.  

Travel & Events 

Please review current Travel Guidelines and Event Guidelines.  

Testing 

During the spring 2021 semester, SIUE will offer diagnostic, mandatory pre-entry and re-entry testing, and voluntary surveillance testing.   It is important to note that testing metrics are one piece of a broader picture SIUE monitors.  

• Employees experiencing COVID-related symptoms should contact their health care provider.  

• Students may contact SIUE Health Service for a medical assessment and to determine next steps.  Health Service offers diagnostic testing onsite.  
• Individuals experiencing COVID-related symptoms or who have been determined to be a close contact should not utilize surveillance testing. 

Surveillance Testing 

On Thursday, Dec. 3, the SIU Board of Trustees approved a contract with Genetworx, which allows SIUE to operationalize its plan to preserve the health and safety of our community while continuing to provide excellent service to students. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the CDC provided guidance to Institutions of Higher Education, which included entry screening and volunteer surveillance testing. SIUE has developed a four-phase testing approach for Spring 2021.  

University Housing pre-entry 

University Housing residents who leave for Winter Break will be required to provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test before checking back into their space for the spring term. New residents for spring will also be required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test before checking in for the first time.   

Mandatory Re-Entry Screening Test Period (January 4 through January 21, 2021)  

Students and employees who are learning or working remotely, and are not otherwise planning to be on campus, do not need to participate in this mandatory testing between January 4-January 21, 2021.  However, any student or employee who engages in on-ground campus activity during this period, (regardless of how brief or intermittent the campus contact) is expected to get a screening test within 48 hours of arrival to campus.   

SIUE is offering a saliva-based COVID-19 test through a partnership with Genetworx. The test is a saliva-based Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test. PCR tests are considered the gold standard. It can detect the virus in people who are asymptomatic and/or individuals early in the course of disease, which makes it an exceptional screening tool. This specific PCR test has less than a 0.3% false positive rate. 

Voluntary Random Sample Surveillance Test (beginning January 25, 2021) 

After the initial mandatory re-entry screening test period, the screening tests will be on a voluntary basis.  However, to encourage participation, employees and students will be selected through a random sample and invited to be tested.  Those invited will be provided with incentives to participate.  Per CDC guidelines, employees and students who tested positive within the last 90 days will be removed from the random sample.  

While the focus is on testing students and employees identified in the randomized sample, any student or employee who wants to be tested may participate in the screening tests as long as they have no apparent symptoms. However, only individuals specifically identified for testing through the weekly randomized sample will be eligible for the participation incentives.   

Each week, all dental students will be required to be tested. 

Testing will begin on Monday, January 25 and run through Friday, April 30 (14 weeks). 

Contact Tracing 

In the event of a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, SIUE will follow its contact tracing protocol. Contact tracing is the process of quickly identifying, assessing, and managing individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19, and is designed to prevent additional transmission. The specific goals of our contact tracing process include:  

• Provide comprehensive identification, isolation,and evaluation of student, faculty and staff who might be exposed toCOVID-19 
• Prevent transmission ofCOVID-19from a faculty, staff member or student to others  
• Track and report cases of occupationally or socially acquiredCOVID-19infection 
• Comply with recommendations from state and local Departments of Public Health (DPH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Mental Health 

Students, faculty and staff have all coped with the stress created by the COVID-19 pandemic.   

To share mental health concerns or concerning behavior about a student, staff, or faculty member, please submit a CARE Report.   

To report a sexual misconduct or relationship violence incident, submit a Sexual Assault, Sexual Misconduct, and Relationship Violence Incident Report.  

Counseling Services Sponsored SASS Events 

During the spring semester, Counseling Services, in cooperation with Retention and Student Success, will offer a Coping with COVID series. With the intention to meet students where they are psychologically, this series combines three Counseling Services programs (group counseling, life skills courses, outreach) to simplify student access to psychoeducational resources for the SP21 semester that may help them better navigate living, learning, and working during the pandemic. 

These to-be-schedule sessions, will be co-facilitated w/senior staff and interns (sample pairings provided below) and students will receive Health Education Requirement for general education, meeting the entire requirement by watching five (5) different sessions (no duplicates). Topics will include:  

• Coping in the Digital World  
• Stress Management  
• General Well-Being  
• Anxiety  
• Resilience  
• Grief  
• Sleep  

Student Counseling Services 

For students seeking Counseling Services, please note that teletherapy is in use for all services except for crises, which are managed in person. Please visit our website for more information about how to schedule an appointment, individual counseling, life skills session, crisis intervention and departmental operations. 

Other campus resources supportive of student well-being include the PEACE Center, Learning Support Services, ACCESS, and Art Hives. 

Employee Counseling 

During Spring 2021, faculty and staff may access no-cost, University-sponsored individual counseling offered by a contracted private practitioner.   

Face Coverings 

Everyone 

• Face coverings that cover the nose and mouth are required in indoor public spaces regardless of the ability to maintain social distance. Individuals are advised to consult current CDC guidance regarding effective face covering options. Indoor public spaces include common spaces or community settings that anyone can access, such as: 
  • Office reception areas with walk-in access 
  • Restrooms 
  • Hallways 
  • Classrooms, teaching and research laboratories (individuals utilizing face shields only should be prepared to utilize a face mask in classroom interactions or instances where 6 feet or more of physical distance cannot be maintained) 
  • Common spaces in residence halls 
  • Seating areas in Morris University Center, Student Success Center and Lovejoy Library 
  • Conference rooms 
  • Lobbies 
  • Break rooms 
• Face coverings are required in outdoor spaces where 6 feet or more of physical distancing is difficult to reliably maintain.  
• Departments are encouraged to watch the announce listserv for Facilities Management announcements pertaining to sanitation supply pickups that will periodically be made. 
• Face coverings can be purchased at the Health Service Pharmacy in the Student Success Center or the Cougar Store in the MUC. 
• Face coverings are not required in the following limited circumstances: 
  • When working alone in a single office workspace or a private laboratory when 6 feet distance can be maintained 
  • When University Housing residents are in their assigned individual living units 
  • When doing so poses a safety or security risk 
  • While operating outdoor equipment, if not appropriate from a safety standpoint 
  • When consuming food or drink; however, individuals are required to wear a mask during all interactions with others 
  • When engaging in personal hygiene activities 

Employees 

• Faculty and staff are required to wear face coverings that cover nose and mouth at all indoor locations, including offices, classrooms and laboratories or any place where multiple people are present and social distancing is not possible.  
• A face mask to cover nose and mouth will be provided by the University to each employee. Employees are welcome to use their own masks; however, all masks should be cleaned daily. 
• If an employee has a documented health condition which makes wearing a face covering medically intolerable, that employee should alert their supervisor and contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, Access & Title IX Coordination (EOA) to explore options for an alternative. Documentation of the medical condition will be required by EOA. 
• Face covering expectations will be posted on signs throughout campus. 
• Supervisors should remind employees to wear their face covering appropriately. Departments will be provided extra face masks in case someone forgets theirs.  
• Employees who refuse to wear a face covering properly indoors, and who can’t maintain a 6-foot social distance, will be sent home without pay for refusing to adhere to workplace safety rules. 
• Faculty or staff who refuse to wear a face covering or alternative accommodation will be referred to Human Resources for non-compliance with campus safety protocols. 

Students 

•  Face coverings are required in all classrooms, related academic areas, and common spaces such as restrooms, hallways and lobbies. 
• A face mask to cover nose and mouth will be provided by the University to each student. Students are welcome to use their own masks; however, all masks should be cleaned daily. 
• If a student has a documented health condition which makes wearing a face covering medically intolerable, that student should contact ACCESS to explore options with the understanding that ACCESS will not grant accommodations which excuse the need for a face covering on campus.  ACCESS will work with qualifying individuals to find reasonable alternatives, whenever such solutions are available.  
• Face covering expectations will be posted on signs throughout campus. 
• If a student arrives for class or in any location where a face covering is required and is without a face covering, they can obtain one from the instructor, a nearby department, a friend, the Cougar Store or Health Service.  
• Students who refuse to wear a face covering properly in class can be moved to an alternative way of learning that meets their preference for personal safety measures, such as an online course. 
  • Students who refuse to wear a face covering or alternative accommodation will be referred to the Dean of Students for non-compliance with community health and safety protocols. 
  • Sanctions for initial non-compliance will include education and additional training.   
  • Repeated non-compliance may result in being administratively dropped from an on-ground/face-to-face course or courses without refund if no alternative course format is available. 
  • All students with University Housing contracts have been notified of the requirement for face coverings. Repeated violations of this requirement will result in termination of residency without refund. 
  • Repeated non-compliance will result in disciplinary action, up to and including suspension. 

Campus Visitors, Tenants, and Contractors 

• Unless prohibited for health reasons as described above, campus visitors, tenants, and contractors are required to wear face coverings that cover nose and mouth at all interior locations, including offices and laboratories or any place where multiple people are present and social distancing is not possible. 
• Face covering expectations will be posted on signs throughout campus. 
• Employees should remind visitors, tenants and contractors to wear their face covering appropriately.  
  • Departments will be provided extra face masks in case someone forgets theirs.  
• Visitors, tenants, and contractors who refuse to wear a face covering properly indoors, and who can’t maintain a 6-foot social distance can be offered an alternative method to receive service such as a virtual meeting, or may be refused service and asked to return when they are able to wear a face covering. 
• As a last resort, visitors, tenants or contractors who continue to refuse to wear a face covering properly indoors will be asked to leave the campus.  
• If a visitor refuses to leave, employees should contact the SIUE Police Department at ext. 3324. 

Campus Life

• There will be co-curricular experiences on campus this spring, with the size of social gatherings and meetings determined by the Restore Illinois Meetings and Social Events Guidelines.  
• The Morris University Center, Student Success Center, and Student Fitness Center will all be operational with some service limitations and adjustments.   
• New students will have the opportunity to participate in Winter Welcome predominantly online.  Limited in-person activities will be available.   
• Many student service offices will have options for in-person or virtual appointments.  
• To avoid hand-to-hand contact, there should be no handing out of items from person-to-person.  
  • Items can be placed on the table for the public to pick up.  
  • Food or candy distribution, whether being handed out or in a bowl, is not permitted.  
• To reduce the risk of sanitation contamination, bake sales and similar student-organization food sales are prohibited. 

Housing  

• University Housing will continue to provide a high-quality residential experience for students including both virtual and in-person programming and support. 
• University Housing will begin spring operations on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021. University Housing will remain open during spring semester, even during periods of virtual instruction. 
• University Housing residents returning to campus after winter break will be required to submit a negative PCR COVID-19 test to Health Service prior to return. Additional move-in and testing information can be found at the housing website. 
• Living units will create a “household,” and will be treated as such. Therefore, face coverings and social distancing will not be expected in the living unit (bedroom, apartment), but will be expected in public spaces within housing facilities.  
• In suite-style bathrooms, signs will be posted to remind students of proper cleaning procedures.  
• Guests will not be permitted in any University Housing living area. Guests are individuals who do not reside in that residential community (residence hall and/or Cougar Village Apartments).  
• Isolation rooms will be created to accommodate residential students who test positive for COVID-19.  
• University Housing will remain open as outlined in the Housing Contract Terms and Conditions during periods of virtual course instruction. 
• University Housing will increase cleaning and sanitization of high touch surfaces and public spaces throughout the residential communities.  
• Additional information is available on the University Housing website.  

Dining  

• The following dining locations are expected to be open for spring 2021:  
  • Boss Burger 
  • Entrees 
  • Sammiches 
  • Chick-Fil-A 
  • Paavo’s Pizza 
  • Starbucks @ MUC  
  • Union Station 
  • Freshens @ Student Fitness Center  
  • Locations will utilize social distancing and line queues to minimize contact.    
  • Face coverings will be required in all dining locations. Customers may remove face coverings to consume food and beverages.    
  • A limited amount of indoor seating may be available at select locations. Indoor seating will adhere to the Restore Illinois Indoor and Outdoor Dining Guidelines. 
  • Additional safety measures will be in place at dining locations including regular hand washing timers in addition to normal handwashing, food served in to-go containers, additional sanitizer dispenser stations and plexiglass installed around all points of sale.    
  • Customers may experience wait times during peak hours of operation: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.    
  • Dining will provide pre-packaged, grab-and-go meal options for carryout. 
  • Cash is still accepted, but non-meal plan students, faculty and staff are encouraged to add Cougar Bucks using the GET app to reduce the exchange of cash or “hand-to-hand” contact.   
  • All food service operations will follow the Restore Illinois Restaurant Establishment Guidelines. 
  • Sanitizing wipes will be placed at each vending machine area, so individuals can sanitize their machine choices prior to each use.  
  • Catering policies will be adjusted to meet any Restore Illinois, CDC and Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) guidelines and implemented as required.    

Campus Recreation 

• The Student Fitness Center will be operational with reduced capacity limits and will follow the Restore Illinois Health and Fitness Center Guidelines. Please consider scheduling workouts during non-peak hours, typically opening through mid-afternoon.   
• Patrons are encouraged to bring their own equipment (basketball, volleyball, weight belts, etc.) as check out processes and available equipment will be limited.   
• Per the current Restore Illinois Health and Fitness Center Guidelines, face coverings are required when exercising.   
• Intramural Sports will follow the Restore Illinois Youth and Adult Sports Guidelines.   
• Club Sports will follow the guidance issued in the Restore Illinois All Sports Policy. 
• See Event Guidelines for additional information. 

Morris University Center/Student Success Center  

• Visitors to the building will be expected to wear face coverings in all public areas and follow social distancing guidelines. Visitors will find social distancing floor markers and altered traffic flows.    
• A limited amount of indoor seating may be available.  
• The number of occupants for events, retail, and office spaces are reduced per Restore Illinois guidance, CDC guidelines and University policies. Event space set-up options may be limited.  
• Hours of operation are reduced for dedicated cleaning and sanitation.   
• See Event Guidelines or additional information. 

Kimmel Student Involvement Center  

• Student organizations will continue to be a vibrant, critical part of the SIUE campus community.  Meetings and events will be held in virtual or socially distanced formats.    
• Traditional events and programs may be altered to adhere to IBHE guidance, CDC guidelines and University policies.  
• Student organization desk spaces will not be generally accessible to students, but a Kimmel staff member will assist students and organizations to retrieve items needed from those spaces. 

Textbook Service 

• Textbook Service will offer three different ways that students may access their rental textbooks for the Spring 2021 semester. 
• Traditional inside book rental pick-up will be available.  Wait times may be longer than usual.  Capacity will be limited to no more than 30 individuals and no guests will be permitted.  Due to social distancing requirements, only five checkout stations will be available.   
• Pre-order textbook orders will be accepted now through Dec. 23 and Jan. 4-10.  Students will need to complete the SIUE Textbook Rental Order Form.  An email will be generated once books are ready to be picked up.  Please, do not come to Textbook Service until you have received the confirmation email.  Anticipate one week between online order submission and notification for pick-up.  
• Mailed textbooks are the final method available to receive textbooks for Spring 2021.  Textbooks will be mailed by Textbook Service staff.  Textbooks will be mailed via UPS at a cost of $10 for the first book and $2 for each additional book.  The cost of mailing books will be applied to the student account.  Students will need to complete the SIUE Textbook Rental Order Form. 

Employees 

• One of the guiding concepts used to balance safety and quality of education is the concept of developing a low-density University. To that end, we are encouraging employees who can work remotely to do so during Phase 4. We recognize that we have some employees who cannot perform their work remotely and others who look prefer to be on campus. Therefore, many employees are already working on campus, while others will continue to work remotely.  All remote work conversations should occur between the employee and supervisor.   
• Directors should continue to restructure work schedules where possible to minimize the number of employees who need to be physically present at any one time.   
• Where practical, employees should continue to use technology to facilitate meetings and minimize in-person contact even when working on the same campus or in the same office (keep using ZOOM, TEAMS, conference calls, etc.)  
• If an employee has a documented health-related issue for which any additional or different alternative work arrangements may be necessary, they should contact the Office of Equal Opportunity, Access & Title IX Coordination (EOA) at jball@siue.edu. EOA will evaluate the need for additional accommodations and assist with developing accommodation strategies.    
• The University understands that parents/guardians may occasionally encounter difficulties in arranging care for their children and desires to support parents/guardians in their efforts to balance work responsibilities with family obligations. However, during Phase 4, employees should not bring children to their workplace. All University departments, when possible, will try to accommodate employee requests for flexibility to meet unexpected family needs.  
• Supervisors should remind employees of their various health benefits, and to stay home if they are sick with COVID-like symptoms or if they have been in close contact with anyone who has been sick from COVID-19.  
• An employee who has tested positive for COVID-19 is required to follow orders from county public health officials. If the employee has been in contact with other employees within that work unit, cleaning and decontamination protocols should be initiated by contacting facilities management for the identified work area. The name of an employee who has tested positive should be kept confidential and should only be disclosed as is necessary for contact tracing or other health and safety needs. In all cases, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should not return to campus until they have recovered.  
• Supervisors should be particularly flexible and sensitive to structuring alternative working arrangements where possible for those who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 as defined by the CDC.   
• To honor and respect the dignity of individuals, vulnerable employees should be encouraged to self-identify, and supervisors should avoid making unnecessary medical or age-related inquiries.  
• Employees should avoid using other employees’ phones, desk equipment or sharing items that are not easily cleaned, sanitized or disinfected and should remove or sanitize high-touch items such as magazines, common pens, touch screens, white-board markers, remote controls, etc.  
• If an employee is sick with COVID-like symptoms, or if they have been in close contact with anyone who has been sick from COVID-19, they must stay home.