Spring 2021 Return to SIUE Town Hall & FAQs
Town Hall Video (Dec. 15)
"Dec. 15 Town Hall"
Campus-wide town hall for students, faculty, staff and families regarding Spring 2021 Return to SIUE information including: Mandatory Testing, Surveillance Testing, Campus Events, Modes of Operation
Spring COVID Testing
Why is SIUE expanding COVID testing for Spring?
SIUE is implementing a Spring 2021 COVID-19 screening program to provide fast, ongoing, and free COVID-19 testing to members of the SIUE community. This strategy is in alignment with the campus commitment to health and safety and new guidance from the CDC.
Can I bring my beverage into the testing site?
Refrain from eating, drinking, tooth brushing, mouth washing, gum chewing and using tobacco for 30 minutes before submitting your sample.
Are campus guests like vendors, presenters, etc. required to complete COVID testing to come to campus?
No. Campus guests are not required to participate in the testing program for students and employees.
Why are individuals asked to provide insurance information during testing?
Providing insurance information will help SIUE reduce the overall cost of testing.
What happens if an individual does not have insurance?
If your insurance does not cover the test, or if you do not have health insurance, be assured that the cost of the screening test process will be covered by SIUE. We do not want the cost of tests or an individual’s insurance situation to deter them from seeking screening testing as needed.
When and how will I get my results?
Results are expected within 72 hours. A email and a App push will notify you when results are ready.
Is the re-entry COVID testing a one-time thing, or will faculty/staff/students need to test each time they are coming to campus?
One re-entry test is required within 48 hours of engaging with campus the first time within the January 4 – January 21 testing window.
Student COVID Testing
If a student needs a negative COVID test for student teaching requirements, will the school district accept the SIUE re-entry test?
Students should contact the appropriate school district or other agency requiring a negative COVID test to determine if SIUE’s salvia test will fulfill their requirement.
If a student needs to come to campus to pick up textbooks and a Cougar Card, but all courses are online, does the student need to be tested prior to the one-time contact?
Students are expected to test within 48 hours following their arrival to campus.
How do we sign up for the voluntary surveillance testing?
Using the AURA app or website, you will be able to schedule appointments beginning on January 25.
How many negative tests does a student living off-campus need to have to return to campus?
Students not living on campus are required to submit one re-entry test.
If a student tests positive for COVID but is determined to be positive due to having antibodies from a prior COVID infection, how will this be handled?
The student should schedule an appointment with Health Service to determine next steps.
Employee COVID Testing
Are employees permitted to complete a COVID-19 test off-campus and submit results as part of the mandatory re-entry testing program?
No.
Should employees wait to return to campus until they have received their COVID-19 test results after completing COVID-19 mandatory re-entry testing?
No. Employees must test within 48 hours following their arrival to campus. Employees who have traveled must comply with the COVID-19 travel policy and follow the guidance regarding return to campus after travel.
If an employee is returning to work on January 4, how will they complete a test as part of the re-entry testing program in time to report to work?
Employees must test within 48 hours following their arrival to campus.
If an employee has tested positive in the previous 90 days, will they still be required to complete a re-entry test?
For employees working from home, but needing to come to campus sporadically after the initial mandatory testing phase, will they need to complete a COVID test first?
After January 21, 2021 employees will not need to complete a test to come to campus.
If an employee will not be returning to campus until after January 21, will they need to complete a COVID-19 test before coming to campus?
No. After January 21, 2021 employees will not need to complete a test to come to campus.
Can any employees complete the re-entry testing at any of the 3 campuses?
Yes.
If there is only one date established for testing on the ESTL campus?
If there is only one date established for testing on the ESTL campus, but an employee will be returning after that date, but in the pre-entry mandatory testing period, how should that employee complete their test?
The employee may take their test on the scheduled date or visit the Edwardsville campus to complete their test.
What is the role and responsibility of the supervisor in the mandatory pre-entry COVID testing program?
Supervisors will need to determine which employees are required to complete mandatory testing, monitor the provided list for employee compliance, and work with employees to achieve compliance or refer to Human Resources if needed.
Are employees required to complete the mandatory pre-entry COVID test BEFORE reporting to work?
No. Employees may test before reporting to work if they choose. Employees must test within 48 hours following their arrival to campus.
If an employee travels and get tested within the 3-5 day test window (with a negative result), do I also need a mandatory test upon returning to work?
Employees electing to take a PCR test using the SIUE saliva test (3-5 days after travel) may ONLY visit the testing site at their scheduled test time. Employees must then leave campus, receive negative test results, and complete the remainder of their "7 days away" before returning for on-ground work.
University Housing Students COVID Testing
Will students in University Housing be provided a PCR test to complete and submit during the pre-entry COVID testing phase?
Residents are required to obtain a screening test in their local community. The pre-arrival test will not be provided by University Housing. Testing resources are available on the campus website.
What should a student do if they cannot gain access to testing to comply with the pre-entry testing for University Housing students?
Testing resources are available on the campus website. If a student needs additional assistance navigating their options, they can contact cougarcare@siue.edu.
How will University Housing students be expected to submit documentation of a negative test result?
Residents will receive an email with a link to upload their test results beginning Monday, January 4.
Can an individual provide an antibody test to be exempted from the pre-arrival testing for University Housing students?
No. The only exception to the pre-arrival testing policy is residents who have tested positive within the last 90 days and have submitted the campus self-disclosure form.
How should University Housing residents who receive a phone call of COVID status after testing at an off-campus location provide documentation of negative results.
Residents can upload an audio file when they submit their test results to SIUE for review. Information on how to do this can be found on the housing website. The form to upload results will be available Monday, January 4.
How many negative tests does a University Housing student need to have to return to campus?
University Housing residents are required to submit a negative COVID test prior to returning to their space. They are also expected to participate in the campus provided mandatory re-entry testing between January 4 – January 21.
If a student is remaining in University Housing over winter break, do they need to complete pre-arrival COVID testing?
No. Residents who are remaining on campus during winter break do not have to submit a pre-arrival Covid-19 test. They are expected to participate in the campus provided mandatory re-entry testing between January 4 – January 21.
COVID Vaccine
What is the campus’ view on the COVID-19 vaccine?
The University continues to review information available on the CDC and IDPH website about vaccine administration. Adding the vaccine to wearing a mask, washing your hands and watching your distance increases the defenses against COVID-19.
Will the COVID-19 vaccine be mandatory?
The University highly recommends getting the vaccine but, it is not mandated.
If the vaccine is made mandatory, will there be exemptions for those with previous severe allergic reactions to vaccines?
The vaccine is not currently being mandated.
Will the vaccine be required during later semesters?
The University will continue to get guidance from the CDC and IDPH regarding appropriate mitigations against COVID-19.
Where does SIUE rank in vaccination priority in the state?
Madison County is ranked 39 in the list of counties in Illinois to receive vaccine.
How will SIUE address the history of medical racism in America that causes many Black students, faculty and staff to mistrust COVID testing or vaccinations?
Vaccine hesitancy (the delay in acceptance or refusal of vaccination) in the Black community is undoubtedly and clearly due to the historical, inhumane experimentations and racist treatment of Blacks in this country. This critical topic will be addressed during our upcoming SIU Conversation of Understanding on January 26, 2021, from 5-7pm. We will discuss the history and current manifestations leading to medical mistrust to ensure all are well informed. Dr. Lakesha Butler in the School of Pharmacy will update the SIUE community about processes the FDA and vaccine manufacturers have implemented to facilitate efficacy and safety in all clinical trial participants (including Blacks), and details about the approved vaccines from her work on the National Medical Association COVID-19 task force led by Black doctors.
Academic/Course Instruction
Why are so few Spring 2021 classes being delivered on-ground if SIUE is implementing this new testing program?
The course schedule building process is a lengthy process that began early in the fall semester before the new testing program was fully operationalized. The new testing program is another tool (along with mask wearing and social distancing) to help our community be as safe as possible. As such, the University prioritized experiential and lab-based courses for on-ground delivery, while keeping many of the lecture-based classes online to aid in de-densifying campus as part of an overarching campus health strategy.
Will SIUE be offering all classes in an online format for those who do not want to participate in the mandatory COVID-19 re-entry testing.
Yes, there is a wide-range of online courses available for students who would prefer to not participate in the mandatory COVID-19 re-entry testing and pursue their educational goals for spring 2021 remotely. SIUE cannot guarantee that all courses are offered in different modalities, but there will be many opportunities for remote learning
Many students have struggled with online learning and especially asynchronous instruction. What is SIUE doing to help?
Beginning in Spring 2021, students who are experiencing challenges with online learning, including in asynchronous classes, will have the opportunity to work with the new SIUE student success coaches (both in-person and online), who will be available to help students develop and improve specific study skills related to the online learning environment. Additionally, the University will continue to offer tutoring and supplemental instruction assistance virtually to help student succeed in their classes regardless of format. Asynchronous online courses will be examined and evaluated to ensure quality, regardless of modality.
If a student does not complete the mandatory pre-entry testing and misses the first week of face-to-face course instruction, should faculty proceed with dropping the student from the course?
Dropping a student for non-attendance in the first week is an option that faculty may exercise. If a student’s re-entry to campus is likely to be delayed, please reach out to the faculty member of record in advance to see if there is an option not to be dropped.
For those who prefer online courses, will SIUE continue to offer that option in future semesters?
SIUE offers a wide range of online courses, as well as a number of high quality, fully online degree programs. These offerings existed prior to the pandemic and will continue after it is over.
Why was the calendar adjusted to start later and eliminate Spring Break?
The calendar was adjusted to begin one week later to provide additional time for individuals to limit their exposure and activity from winter break before returning to campus. The later start also allows time for testing. Travel usually expands a person’s “bubble” and subsequently expands (or increases) a person’s risk of exposure to COVID-19. For the same reason, the decision was made to eliminate Spring Break. The University recognizes that the elimination of Spring Break will pose challenges for students, and we will do our best to support students through a successful semester.
Campus Operations
When do Spring classes begin?
Students enrolled in the Schools of Pharmacy and Dental Medicine begin Monday, January 4, 2021.
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 engaged in internships, practicums, field placements, clinical rotation, and student teaching should contact their respective program to confirm specific start dates for these activities.
What campus operation mode will SIUE be in during January?
SIUE will follow the Restore Illinois mitigations set forth by the State of Illinois. At this time, some operations will begin in Limited Mode, while others will operate in Expanded Mode and be on-ground supporting the spring transition of new and returning students. We anticipate beginning the semester on Jan. 19 in Expanded Mode.
Will campus facilities remain open in spring?
SIUE will follow the Restore Illinois mitigations set forth by the State of Illinois, and our Campus Operations and Mitigation Framework.
Will students need to complete the mandatory pre-entry COVID testing to utilize campus facilities?
Yes, a pre-entry test is required if one engages on campus.
Will the climbing wall open in the spring?
Based upon current mitigation guidelines, it is unlikely.
Recently, face masks have been required by individuals exercising in the Student Fitness Center. Will that continue?
Face masks are required under Tier 3 mitigations set by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Has a decision been made regarding in person commencement in spring 2021?
No decision has been made at this time.
Will Counseling Services be available in-person or in a virtual format?
For students seeking Counseling Services, please note that teletherapy is in use for all services except for crises, which are managed in person. During spring 2021, faculty and staff may access no-cost, University-sponsored individual counseling offered by a contracted private practitioner.
Will children and families at the Early Childhood Center be required to test before returning in January?
Children are not required to be tested. However, University students and employees using the Early Childhood Center are engaging on campus and will be required to participate in re-entry testing.
Will the cost of parking permits be reduced for those individuals who only come to campus sporadically?
An individual can choose to purchase a hang tag or use the Pay-by-Space Machines in Lots A, B, C, E, F and VC Front. The rates are $1.50 per hour. Lot C (behind Rendleman Hall) has a two-(2) hour daily time limit.
Employee Travel
Why do employees need to quarantine after travel?
Employees are asked to not return to campus after travel to red zones. Travel usually expands a person’s “bubble” and subsequently expands (or increases) a person’s risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Why do employees need to quarantine after travel when our county and region have high positivity rates?
Hopefully, employees are adhering to the mitigations in our county and minimizing their exposure locally. Expanding the bubble during travel increases a person’s risk of exposure.
If I live in Missouri, is travel to and from work at SIUE considered to be travel?
The CDC link helps identify services that are considered essential. Driving to and from work is not considered travel.
