COVID-19 Information

Many academic units within the SIU System, such as the School of Medicine, School of Dental Medicine and School of Pharmacy, began classes as early as Monday, Jan. 3. Other academic units started the semester on Monday, Jan. 10. During this period, many classes have been offered remotely, while some courses have remained on-ground as originally scheduled.  

Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 18, on-ground classes at the SIU System campuses in Edwardsville and Carbondale will resume as originally scheduled for spring 2022. On-ground and hybrid courses that were temporarily shifted to online will return to their originally scheduled modality.

We recognize that there will be some necessary exceptions to returning to on-ground or hybrid modalities (e.g. faculty members who have tested positive for COVID-19 and are isolating or quarantining per public health guidance; etc.). In such cases, faculty members should seek exceptions through their Dean and communicate clearly with their students.

With this return to on-ground and hybrid instruction, SIUE will expand its multi-layered approach to safety. Specifically, we are encouraging individuals who are not fully vaccinated to do so, if possible, and to receive a booster. Additionally, regular testing of faculty, staff, and students will be an important feature of our plan. As such, weekly testing expectations are broadening to include all campus community members who engage on-ground. We are also strongly encouraging members of our community to wear more protective masks (e.g. level 3 surgical masks, KN95 masks, or double masks).  To this end, we have ordered level 3 surgical masks and KN95 masks that we will distribute to our campus community, once received. We will continue with the de-densification of office spaces.  While this practice continues to be encouraged, to the extent possible, we want to emphasize the importance of ensuring critical student support, particularly as we expand our on-ground student population.

ALL ON-GROUND STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF REQUIRED TO COVID TEST

• Beginning Jan. 18, SIUE will require all students, staff, and faculty to test each week, regardless of vaccination status, if they will be living, working, studying or engaging on-ground with campus during that week.  We anticipate that we will continue this practice until the Omicron surge has subsided.
• Testing expectations apply to all students, faculty, and staff who are learning, living, working or participating in on-ground activities. Testing will take place in the Morris University Center’s Meridian Ballroom. Please enter through the Madison Room.
• Individuals who have a university-verified proof of a positive COVID test within the last 90 days AND a COVID Self-Disclosure on file do not need to test. 
• Create a new account by clicking here.
• Tested before?  Schedule your next appointment through the SHIELD portal. Beginning Jan. 18, please select the location of SSC 0200. However, testing will be in the Meridian Ballroom.
• Individuals who are on-ground this week (Jan. 11-14) and have not tested, are strongly encouraged to participate in our SHIELD surveillance testing regardless of vaccination status.

CRITICAL HEALTH REMINDERS

• Do not come to campus if you are exhibiting symptoms.
• Any individual who tests positive or has been a COVID close contact should complete the University’s Self-Disclosure form, which can be accessed by clicking here.
• Proper mask wearing, handwashing and physical distancing, to the extent practicable, remain key actions to reduce transmission of COVID-19. We strongly encourage you to become vaccinated or receive a booster, if eligible, as soon as possible.
• Importantly, individuals should not return to campus if they have tested positive for COVID-19 until the IDPH-directed isolation period has concluded.

Remote Work Agreements

With supervisor approval, remote work agreements can be completed in keeping with our recommendation to de-densify offices to the extent possible. Supervisors are advised to communicate with staff regarding schedule modifications. Please be mindful of what services need to be available in person rather than remote in order to provide critical student support.

Masks

Our mask mandate remains in place as a critically important public health measure in reducing transmission. Please review our Face Mask and Distancing Policy by clicking this link. The University is working diligently to secure a supply of level-3 surgical and KN95 masks. In the meantime, public health experts have indicated that wearing a double layered mask will provide an enhanced level of protection.

Dashboard

The COVID Dashboard found at siue.edu/coronavirus is routinely updated. Please refer to that resource for data related to vaccination rates, campus and regional positivity rates and more. While certain data points are currently high, our indicators show the data will flatten compared to Week 1.

We recognize that the pandemic continues to present challenges and genuine concerns for our community. Returning to planned operations will require that we all continue to work together to ensure the well-being of our community and create an atmosphere that ensures student learning and quality programming. We appreciate your patience through these changes, and we remain committed to supporting your efforts. Please take care of yourself and one another.

Sincerely,