Chancellor Friday Campus Update
Posted November 13, 2020
November 13, 2020
Dear Campus Community,
It has been another challenging week, and I know that you are tired. But the SIUE community is nothing if not resilient, and we will see this semester through in the style that is this University’s hallmark. As we move into this next round of mitigations and modalities of operation, the work continues and so will the communications. Below is information to keep you up-to-date on campus activities:
- SIUE appreciates the service and sacrifice that veterans have selflessly given to the citizens of our state and nation. If you or someone close to you is a veteran, please know that we support, respect and are grateful for the contributions to safety and freedom that we enjoy thanks to those who have served. You, too, have shaped a changing world.
- SIUE Health Service continues to provide on-campus COVID screenings Monday – Thursday in the Health Service Annex 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Consider getting tested before you travel home. This is a gentle nasal swab as a screening test – so please consider testing well before you start home for the holidays (results may take 3 -4 days)! Walk-ins are welcomed or you can schedule an appointment by clicking here. Madison County Health Department will also host 2 COVID testing dates. On-campus testing is available:
- TODAY 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Korte Stadium parking lot
- Saturday, Nov. 14, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at Lot B parking lot.
Holiday safety tips have been published by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the CDC. Click the agency to review their tips.
Health Service staff performed 178 screening tests and had a positivity rate of 2.78% for the week. This week’s confirmed positive cases for those self-reporting or those identified through SIUE testing were 24 for students and 5 for faculty/staff. The number of current 14-day new positive tests stands at 35 students and 8 faculty/staff. For a more in-depth look at SIUE’s COVID numbers, you may connect to the COVID Dashboard by clicking here.
- Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, SIUE has focused on preserving the health and safety of our community, while serving our students with excellence. We have maintained a mode of University operation consistent with guidelines set forth by the Restore Illinois plan and developed a “Return to SIUE Plan” centered in a science-based approach. The Campus Operations and Mitigations Framework, developed with collective input from key University constituencies, provides SIUE the ability to rapidly respond to conditions by reducing or expanding in-person University activities as needed. School of Dental Medicine and East Saint Louis Center programs, services and instruction may be modified due to the unique nature of their operations. Modifications will be communicated directly to the School of Dental Medicine from the Dean’s Office, and to East Saint Louis Center programs and services by the Executive Director.
- The SIUE Day Faculty/Staff fundraising drive began Nov. 1st. The fundraising drive will run the entire month of November culminating on Dec. 1st,#GivingTuesday! Thanks to your support, employee gifts from July 1, 2020, thru Nov. 6, 2020 is $46,800 from 292 donors. We expect this number to grow as the campaign and fiscal year continues. Be sure to visit https://www.siueday.com/ to make your gift and check out our sock campaign, “Together, you and the “e” make a great pair!” Participants with gifts of $60 or more will receive a pair of “e” socks … every gift counts! Please note: SIUE Day Gifts are counted from July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021.
- 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. Your actions and commitment help make SIUE an exceptional institution. I’m proud to serve with you.
Best wishes for the weekend,
Randy Pembrook, Chancellor
