COVID-19 Information

Dear Students,

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. Please check Cougar Net to review class schedules and confirm 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, your faculty member will reach out to you directly to inform you of any changes or adjustments. Please monitor your SIUE email closely.

With this shift to on-ground and hybrid instruction, SIUE will expand its multi-layer approach to safety:

• Weekly testing expectations are broadening to include all campus community members who engage on-ground
• De-densification of office spaces continues to be encouraged, to the extent possible, while ensuring critical student support
• Students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to wear more protective masks.  SIUE has ordered an additional supply of masks with improved protection (level-3 surgical and KN95) that will be distributed to campus, once received
• SIUE community members are strongly encouraged to complete a primary series of the COVID vaccine and receive a booster. 

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 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 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.

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.

Mental Health Resources

During our recent Q&A, individuals inquired about mental health resources. We encourage students to seek support and utilize resources via SIUE Counseling Services. A list of on-campus and community resources can be accessed by clicking here.

Thank you for your flexibility and perseverance as we navigate changing circumstances. We remain committed to supporting your health and well-being while ensuring high quality and engaging learning experiences. Please take care of yourself and one another.