COVID-19 Information

November 12, 2020

Students and Colleagues,

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, the Illinois Department of Public Health released the following recommendations to help decrease the positivity rate in Illinois: 

• Work from home if possible
• Participate in essential activities only
• Limit travel and gatherings  

While the current guidance from IDPH is not an executive order, we believe it is important to rely on the advice of our public health officials. We do so to address our priority of promoting the safety of our students, staff and faculty. Furthermore, we are committed to doing our part to serve our region, and demonstrate that we are good partners in contributing to the well-being of our communities, the region and beyond. 

• The IDPH guidelines are framed to help keep schools and businesses open. Our classroom planning safety protocols have been helpful in mitigating transmission. As such, to the extent possible, we will continue to maintain the current course delivery as planned through Friday, Nov. 20. We hope to minimize disruption to students and faculty by maintaining course delivery expectations until the break.  
• Students are asked to limit their activities for the next three weeks. Stay vigilant and keep your bubble small, so you can protect yourself and those you care about.   
• All University events and meetings, whether hosted on campus or off, must be held virtually from Saturday, Nov. 14-Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. This includes events and meetings approved through the Event Safety Plan process. Please work directly with your facility coordinator regarding cancellation of reserved spaces. We will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any additional modifications if necessary.   
• Offices and operations will remain open to assist students, but there may be some shift in hours of operation and the shift of some service delivery to a virtual format. University Housing, Dining Services, Lovejoy Library, MUC, SSC, Student Fitness Center and key services will continue with scheduled hours of operation. Our goal is to de-densify campus, while preserving our effective support and service of students and University operations. 
• Please remember the ACTF’s recommendation for practicing grace If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your Dean’s Office or the Office of the Provost (eibrosc@siue.edu), and we will work with you. 
• All University events and meetings, whether hosted on campus or off, must be held virtually beginning Saturday, Nov. 14-Friday, Dec. 4, 2020. This includes events and meetings approved through the Event Safety Plan process. Please work directly with your facility coordinator regarding cancellation of reserved spaces. We will continue to monitor the situation and communicate any additional modifications, if necessary.   
• University offices and operations will expand the opportunity for more employees who are able to work from home the opportunity to do so. Offices and operations will remain open to assist students, but there may be some shift in hours of operation and the shift of some service delivery to a virtual format. We encourage each director and dean to work with their respective vice chancellor to develop an operations plan that relies on fewer people on-campus. Our goal is to de-densify campus, while preserving our effective support and service of students and University operations. 

We remain grateful for your resilience and efforts to support the health and safety of our community. We will keep you informed of any additional changes that may need to occur.    

Be 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