COVID-19 Information

February 5, 2021

Campus Community,

In a campus message yesterday, we advised that the Illinois Department of Public Health moved Region 4 into Phase 4 under Restore Illinois . The implications for our campus are included in that link.

Directors and supervisors continue to implement student-centered staffing plans to meet our evolving operations. Please access the University’s updated COVID-19 website for up-to-date information. Please check individual department websites for the most current information. 

As Super Bowl weekend is upon us, many would normally gather to watch the big game. Attending large gatherings such as watch parties increases your risk of getting and spreading COVID-19. The safest way to watch the biggest game this year is at home with your immediate family circle. 

Surveillance Testing

 Surveillance testing is underway on all three campuses with 434 tested this week. With three positive tests, we had a positivity rate of 0.69%. More information can be found on the dashboard. The surveillance screening tests are on a voluntary basis. However, to encourage participation, employees and students are selected through a random sample and invited to be tested. Those invited will be provided with the following incentives to participate: 

• Students
  • $5 deposited in Cougar Bucks
  • Monthly raffle for parking hangtag FY22
  • One end-of-semester raffle for a Fall FY22 tuition waiver
• Faculty/Staff
  • $5 deposited in Cougar Bucks
  • Monthly raffle for parking hangtag FY22 

Individuals do not need to be invited to be tested. However, they will not be eligible for the incentives listed above.

Here are a few tips to get you in and out as efficiently as possible:

• Appointments should be obtained on the AURA app or at https://app.auratracker.org/
• Be sure that you are hydrated before your appointment by eating or drinking up to 30 minutes prior to your arrival at the testing site​. Do not eat or drink in the 30 minutes prior to testing.
• Arrive at your appointment time, so that we may maintain small groups in the testing area.

Per CDC/IDPH guidelines, if you are experiencing symptoms or believe you are a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, do not participate in this surveillance testing. Employees and students who tested positive within the last 90 days should not test.

Vaccination Information Update

The Madison County Health Department is currently in Phases 1A and 1B of the IDPH Vaccination Plan. These phases include the following prioritized populations: 

• Phase 1A: Healthcare Personnel and Long-Term Care Facilities 
• Phase 1B: Essential Frontline Workers and Adults 65 and Older 

If you live or work in Madison County and are eligible for Phase 1A or Phase 1B, you may want to access their scheduling portal. The link went live yesterday afternoon.

For information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including links to vaccine registration throughout the Metro East, please visit the SIUE Coronavirus vaccine webpage.   

SIUE continues to advocate with Madison County Health Department (MCHD) for on-campus vaccine access for members of the campus community eligible in Phases 1A and 1B, including our desire to host future on-ground vaccination clinics. 

February Town Hall

Please join us Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 8:30 a.m. for the February COVID Town Hall live webinar. Registration is required for the webinar.  The webinar will share COVID-related updates. Questions may be submitted in advance to chancellor@siue.edu.  

Once you’ve registered, you will receive a confirmation email with your unique webinar link. Please do not forward or share the link you receive. If you need assistance accessing the webinar, please contact the ITS Help Desk at 618-650-5500.

COVID Town Halls are made available on the SIUE COVID Campus Updates site about 2 business days after the session. 

Moneer Damra Campus Memorial and Scholarship

Mark your calendar to attend a virtual campus memorial event on Friday, March 12 to honor the life of School of Nursing student and ROTC cadet Moneer Damra, who passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Additional information and a registration link will be announced when available.

Consider making a gift to the Moneer Damra Memorial Nursing Scholarship to support students of nursing who share the same inspirational personal qualities and career goals that Moneer possessed. More information is available at siueconnect.org/pages/support-pages/moneer-damra-scholarship.

Moneer was honored at an ROTC ceremony yesterday by his fellow cadets. His family was able to participate in that ceremony. Thank you to Lt. Col. Tim Clark for arranging the event.

Innovation Grant Program Temporarily Suspended

Regarding Innovation Grants for 2021-2022, the acceptance and review of applications is suspended for now until we know more about the 2021-22 budget. More information about Innovation Grants for next year will be shared when the state and federal budget picture is more clear. Thank you for your interest in this initiative.

Finally, 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. We are proud to serve with you.

Best wishes for a festive football weekend,

Randy Pembrook, Chancellor   
Denise Cobb, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs   
Rachel Stack, Vice Chancellor for Advancement   
Morris Taylor, Vice Chancellor for Administration   
Jeffrey Waple, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs