COVID-19 Information

November 18, 2020

Colleagues,

On Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced that as of Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 at 12:01 a.m., additional mitigations have been implemented for Region 4 under Restore Illinois. The mitigation guidance currently outlines a 14-day monitoring period that would extend through Friday, Dec. 4.   

We appreciate the continued commitment of the SIUE community to help stop the spread of COVID-19. We want our students, employees, community and region to remain healthy. We know that these last 8 months have been exhausting, isolating and frustrating. Given recent spikes in COVID-19 cases, your commitment to protecting yourself, your bubble, and your community is critical. 

In response to the announcement, SIUE will again pivot its operations. Some of the key changes based upon this shift to Tier 3 mitigations are outlined below. We will provide additional guidance to campus the week of Nov. 30. 

Campus Operations 

Campus will shift its Campus Mode of Operation from Expanded to Limited.  Serving students will continue to be a top priority during the final weeks of the semester. Before Friday, November 20, department leaders should develop plans and coordinate with their respective vice chancellor on the following: 

• Whether their function is a key service that needs to remain available on-ground to support students or if the service can be delivered effectively remotely (approximately 1,000 residential students are anticipated to return to University Housing following Fall Break) 
• How they will communicate and publicize their hours of operation and established office operations 
• Which employees are in positions where they can work remotely 
  

We will be updating the SIUE COVID-19 website with information about campus operations during the next few days. Please be certain to answer phones and emails promptly.   

Course Instruction 

In order to minimize disruption, course instruction will continue as planned for the remainder of this week.  It is critical that we continue to employ all of the mitigation strategies that have, thus far, helped keep our campus community safe.  Students should watch for email or Blackboard announcements closely to ensure that they remain up to date on the plans and all communications.   

Following the Thanksgiving break and beginning November 30, the vast majority of courses will move to remote instruction and continue in that modality until the end of the semester (including final exams). Faculty should remind their students about this transition to remote learning and clarify with them the instructional plans for the remainder of the Fall semester. 

Students engaged in off-campus experiential learning (clinical rotation, internship, practicum, field placement, student teaching) should contact their faculty or program for details about post-Thanksgiving plans. Students enrolled with the School of Dental Medicine and Pharmacy should consult with their faculty about instructional modality to the end of term. 

A very limited number of pre-approved courses will continue on-ground activities after November 30.  These courses will be reviewed to ensure that appropriate safety protocols are in place and determine whether on-ground activities are still required. 

Scholarly Activities  

Dean Weinberg will be reaching out to each academic unit to ensure that we have required safety protocols in place that allow necessary on-ground research and creative activities to continue. 

Housing and Dining 

University Housing will shift to Fall Break operations from Friday, Nov. 20 at 5 p.m. to Sunday, Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. Residents should follow the instructions previously provided regarding fall break. University Housing will return to regular operations on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 10 a.m. For the most up-to-date information regarding University Housing operations through the remainder of the semester, please visit their website.     

Dining operations will switch to Fall Break operations beginning Friday, Nov. 20. Please refer to the Dining Services website for the most up-to-date information regarding hours of operation both during the break period and beginning Monday, Nov. 30.   

Meetings and Gatherings 

SIUE made the decision last week to shift all in-person meetings and gatherings to a virtual format from Nov.14-Dec. 4. With the additional mitigations in place, meetings and gatherings will only be permitted in a virtual format. These additional mitigations limit meetings, social events and gatherings. SIUE is suspending all in-person events until further notice.   

Workforce 

Employees who can effectively work remotely should be encouraged and permitted to do so. Employees and supervisors should follow the existing remote work guidelines, including completion or revision of the remote work agreement, if applicable. Also obtain approval of the appropriate director or dean and vice chancellor. 

Employees who are unable to work remotely should work with their supervisors regarding job duties, shifts in departmental operations, work schedules, or leave options, if applicable.  

Contingent employees (i.e. Extra Help, student employees, contracted help) who are unable to work remotely or on-ground should not be scheduled to work. 

Coronavirus Response Act 

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was signed into law on March 18 and is in effect April 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020. The FFCRA provides additional paid sick time and expands family and medical leave (FMLA) through the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act and the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act.

Student Fitness Center 

The Student Fitness Center will be open, but with a 25% capacity limit and advanced reservations required. Masks will be required at all times, including when exercising. All organized indoor and outdoor recreational activities (Intramurals, Club Sports, Group Fitness classes, etc.) will be temporarily suspended. All locker rooms will be closed. Please visit the Campus Recreation website for the most up-to-date information. 

We continue to need your help as we battle the COVID-19 pandemic. We must continue to wear masks, wash our hands and watch our distance. We must avoid places where others aren’t wearing masks or following Illinois Department of Public Health mitigation, be cautious with your “bubble” and limit your contacts to limit exposure - steer clear of gatherings and complete a COVID screening test to be aware of your status.    

Be safe and stay well.   

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