COVID-19 Information

October 9, 2020

Dear Campus Community,

I hope you all have had a productive and fulfilling week. Below is information to keep you in the loop regarding important campus updates:

• Madison County Health Department assisted with on-campus testing this week by holding two public pop-up testing sites on-campus. In total, 276 tests were performed for SIUE and the local community. Thank you to Health Service and SIUE Police for their support of this program. The Health Service staff performed 44 screening tests and had a positivity rate of 1.43% for the week. This week’s confirmed positive cases for those self-reporting or those identified through SIUE testing were 5 students and zero faculty/staff. The number of current 14-day new positive tests stands at 37 students and 1 faculty/staff.  For a more in-depth look at SIUE’s COVID numbers, you may connect to the COVID Dashboard by clicking here. Screening appointments can be scheduled here. 

• SIUE Health Service continues to host flu vaccine clinics for faculty, staff, students, and retirees. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting a flu vaccine as an essential part of protecting your health this season.  Employees who are the primary insured of the state insurance plan can receive their shot free. Students can receive their flu vaccine for $15. If you still need to get your flu shot.
• The Anti-Racism Task Force highly recommends the three-part documentary series “Race: The Power of Illusion.” It is a powerful, educational experience. View the story at https://siue.kanopy.com/video/race-power-illusion-0.
• Please plan to attend the Kickoff of Diversity Day on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 4:45–7 p.m., including the SIU System Conversation of Understanding: Strategies and Actions to Dismantle Systemic Racism. Join the Conversation at https://bit.ly/SIUConversation. Register for Diversity Day here.

• On Tuesday, Oct. 6 at the Biotechnology Laboratory Incubator in University Park, Congressional members, SIUE leaders, and representatives from Madison and St. Clair County workforce development departments joined state and local officials to announce a $1.47 million state grant. The project, awarded to Madison County Employment and Training Department (MCETD) by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) as part of the U.S. Dept. of Labor Employment Recovery funds, supports dislocated worker education and training in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• A friendly reminder to complete the annual, mandated state ethics training, which needs to be completed by Oct. 31 or penalties are imposed. You’ll need to schedule approximately 30-40 minutes to complete it.
• The annual Cougars Unleashed Homecoming Run, hosted by the SIUE Alumni Association, went virtual this year in response to COVID-19 and had more than 220 participants from around the world, including runners in Japan and Denmark. Runners participated in the 5K, 10K or 1 mile run on their own from home throughout the week. See it all on YouTube. 
• The Alumni Association also launched a peer-to-peer fundraising campaign with the race using social media. This year’s Homecoming Run raised more than $11,000, and all proceeds go directly to the SIUE Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. 

• Reminder to Practice Your ABCs: Along with practicing the 3 Ws - wear a face covering, watch your distance and wash your hands - students, faculty and staff should be mindful of the ABCs to lower risk of COVID exposure:

1. Avoid places where others aren’t wearing masks or following Illinois Department of Public Health mitigations 
2. Be cautious with your “bubble” - steer clear of large gatherings and limit your contacts to limit exposure 
3. Complete a COVID screening test to be aware of your status

• Also, remember if you are feeling ill, don’t come to campus. If you are under quarantine or isolation, do not leave it early!

Please continue to practice grace with one another and with yourselves. I’m proud to serve with you.

Randy Pembrook, Chancellor