COVID-19 Information

Dear Friends,  

As the challenges associated with COVID-19 continue to evolve, our concerns for members of our community are heightened. While we currently have no cases of COVID-19 on our campus, there is a confirmed case in St. Louis County, as well as confirmed cases in the state of Illinois. Given the concern for spread through contact and the need for greater social distance, we have been developing plans for continued operations and instruction.

I know many of you have expressed concern about face-to-face meetings and campus operations after the break. Ensuring the safety and well-being of students, staff and faculty is paramount. At this time, SIUE is extending spring break for on-ground students by one week through Sunday, March 22 (please see details below). We will use this period to monitor the situation and plan for additional contingencies.   

In response, the University’s senior leadership team is immediately implementing the following:  

Students: 

The guidance below is for students in traditional classroom settings. Students in programs with required clinical, practica, student teaching or other field experiences should consult with their program director or department chair for guidance. This is particularly important for students in Pharmacy, Nursing, Social Work, Teacher Education, etc. Students in the School of Dental Medicine will receive guidance directly from Dean Rotter. 

• Until March 23, all in-person instruction and on-campus learning is suspended. This is not an extension of spring break. Students are encouraged to remain engaged in learning activities and should consult class syllabi for guidance on readings and other assignments. Additionally, look for any communication via email or Blackboard from your faculty members. 
• We recognize that students may not have all of the course materials or books for their courses. Faculty will be aware of these challenges and will work to support students in these extraordinary circumstances. 
• Students are not expected to return to campus from March 16 through March 22, but will not be forbidden from doing so if in their judgment a return to campus affords the safest option. Students may be assured that campus services (dining, residence halls, etc.), to the extent possible, will continue to operate normally. Please use your best judgment, taking into account any preexisting health conditions and alternative housing options. 
• We know that many of you have appointments scheduled next week, such as advising or with your faculty. We strongly encourage you to conduct those via Zoom, phone, email or other available technologies when possible.  
• Should you have any further questions, please contact the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at 618-650-2020. 

Faculty:  

• During this week, we will work closely with faculty to help transition their face-to-face courses to online or other alternative formats when possible. A decision regarding continuity of instruction beyond next week will be made soon and based on the latest information available at the time.   
• To the greatest extent possible, faculty should continue communicating with students and working through challenges. The deans will begin the process of working with department chairs to assess the viability of each course moving online or an alternative format and the support needed to ensure that the course can move online quickly. In the case of labs, studios and other experiences, we will develop additional protocols to assess what can be simulated and what must be addressed. Details regarding the process are forthcoming.  
• Instruction Design and Learning Technologies, and the Center for Faculty Development and Innovation have developed resource pages to assist faculty. They are prepared to help you meet the accessibility needs of our students. These resources are available http://siue.edu/its/idlt/ teaching-learning-continuity/ and  http://siue.edu/its/idlt/ toolkit.shtml.  
• We are hiring additional temporary Instructional Designers and supporting faculty peers who can help support the work of transitioning courses to online for the remainder of the semester (in case we need to make that call). For now, we strongly encourage that faculty members ready themselves to move fully online should circumstances warrant such a change. Regardless of our path, we are responsible to work on students’ behalf to ensure that they complete their courses. 
• Any program that requires internship, clinical placement, practicum, teaching practice, etc. should develop plans to ensure students are able to complete the requisite hours through alternative placements, simulations or other means.  Please work closely with licensure boards to ensure that students fulfill the requirements. Plans should be put on file with the Dean’s Office and Office of the Provost outlining how these external relations and placements will be handled. 
• For faculty with underlying documented health conditions, we would encourage you to work with your department chair and dean, and partner with IDLT to move the remainder of your traditional course online, if appropriate. If your course includes a laboratory, studio, field experience or similar feature, please make sure you work closely with IDLT, your program director, department chair and dean to meet the requirements of the course. 
• Please be reminded that every course already has a Blackboard shell, even if you are not using it. Please upload any course materials possible, and make as much information available for the remainder of the semester. Please make sure you utilize the digital gradebook feature of Blackboard, so that student records can be available remotely and to enable successful grade submission upon course completion. We also suggest that the instructor of record consider delegating access to their gradebooks and Blackboard shells to their department chairs and/or other colleagues teaching the same course.  
• Be prepared to offer online assessments such as tests, quizzes, digital paper submissions, etc. to ensure continuity of instruction and successful completion of the semester. Instructors will continue to implement assessments and exams that align with the Americans With Disabilities Act or ADA.  

If you have any questions, please reach out to the Office of the Provost for assistance at 650-3772.  

Staff:  

• During this time period in which students are being asked to participate in social distancing, the University will remain open and will continue normal business operations.  
• Staff members who are unable to report to work – for example, due to health concerns, lack of childcare, etc. – should work with their supervisors to determine next steps and to accurately reflect the alternative work schedule or the appropriate leave/absence on their time sheets. 
• Staff members with questions or concerns should contact their supervisor or Human Resources at 650-2190. 

Travel:  

• International Travel: Effective immediately, the  University administration is prohibiting all University-related international travel until May 9, 2020.
• Domestic Travel:  All upcoming University-related domestic travel will now require approval by the appropriate Vice Chancellor. We also strongly advise that travelers delay any non-refundable travel purchases at this time.  
• Personal Travel: Students, staff and faculty planning personal travel should be mindful of the spread of COVID-19 and continually monitor the list of locations with an elevated risk of exposure:  https://www.cdc. gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ travelers/index.html 
• For All Travel: Regardless of the reason for travel or the location, we strongly encourage members of our community to exercise caution and be aware that upon return individuals may be subject to screening and quarantine. As COVID-19 continues to evolve, please be advised that there may be additional implications upon return. All faculty, staff and students with travel plans are encouraged to consider alternatives, assess  risks and develop detailed contingency plans in case of meeting or travel cancellation. 
• Summer Travel: Information about summer University-related business travel, travel study and study abroad will be evaluated as we approach the summer session. In some instances, travel programs have already been canceled by providers.  

Events:  

• We are suspending all University-sponsored events (including those hosted by registered student organizations) with 50 or more attendees effective March 16-April 10.  
• All intercollegiate athletics competitions are expected to continue without fans in attendance. We will alert fans if anything changes.  

Thank you for your patience as we work through these complex issues.  We will continue to monitor the situation and provide timely updates.     
 

Randall G. Pembrook, Chancellor
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Campus Box 1151
Edwardsville, IL 62026
618-650-2477