University Actions in Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Due to the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the worldwide Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the University is taking the following actions that will significantly impact the Illinois State University community. These difficult decisions were made with all current COVID-19 information available from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as well as state and local health officials. In addition, a large team of Illinois State staff members are working around the clock to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.

In all cases, the safety, health, and well-being of our University community is a top priority. These actions are also intended to limit, to the greatest extent possible, disruption to academic progress and financial hardship.

Updated Actions as of March 17

Illinois State University will move away from face-to-face instruction and to alternative delivery of classes beginning Monday, March 23. This will continue through the remainder of the spring semester and finals week. Though we had originally planned to do this for a period of several weeks and then reassess, the fast-moving circumstances of the pandemic have caused us to extend that timeline.
Students will need to leave their university-operated residence and return to their permanent residence for the remainder of the semester. We are taking these steps to ensure that we are making every effort to follow CDC social distancing guidance. More information about the process of moving out will be communicated to students at their university email address as soon as possible.
Students who must remain on campus due to extenuating circumstances should contact University Housing Services. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Illinois State will take steps to make appropriate adjustments to student accounts for prorated housing and dining costs. More information on this process will be provided to students via their Illinois State email address by Tuesday, March 31. We understand that this situation has a significant financial impact on our students and families, and we will make every effort to lessen that burden for our Redbird community.
Watterson Dining Commons remains open but will provide to-go meals only beginning March 18 in order to promote social distancing.
The following Illinois State facilities will be closed until further notice: Student Fitness Center; Eckelmann-Taylor Speech & Hearing Clinic; Child Care Center; University Galleries, located in Uptown Normal; and the Bowling and Billiards Center. Further updates will be available online.
The University is exploring options for spring semester Commencement ceremonies and will communicate more information as it is available.

Actions as of March 11

Illinois State University is extending its spring break for students until Monday, March 23.
All faculty, staff members, and graduate assistants will resume their normal work schedule the week of March 15. There will be no classes in any format that week to allow faculty, staff members, and graduate assistants involved in instruction to make the adjustment to alternative instruction.
When instructional activities resume March 23, the University will transition from face-to-face teaching to online instruction and/or other instructional modalities through at least April 12. That timeframe may be subject to change depending on evolving circumstances.
University Laboratory schools will mirror the University’s schedule of extending spring break. Tomorrow, parents, teachers, and staff members will receive a separate communication from Superintendent Dana Kinley.
University-operated housing is currently closed. ISU students should remain at their permanent home residences until further notice, and students now living in residence halls, Cardinal Court Apartments, or University-owned apartments should return to their permanent home residences. Accommodations for those who cannot return home will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Students will be informed regarding procedures for retrieving needed items from their University housing rooms.
Effective March 16, all University-sponsored, non-essential domestic travel and all international travel is suspended until further notice. All Summer 2020 study abroad programs and international internships are cancelled.
Throughout this pandemic, Illinois State is attempting to contain or limit any spread by recommending, whenever possible, following the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, which include not being within six feet of someone for longer than 10 minutes.
To limit exposure to Coronavirus, until further notice events with attendance of 50 or more will be cancelled or postponed. University officials are contacting those who have made reservations for events that fit these criteria and working with them to reschedule or cancel the events.

These actions will undoubtedly raise a myriad of questions for which answers are not yet available. In the coming hours and days, many students, faculty, and staff members who are impacted by today’s decisions will be contacted through messages that respond to more specific issues. Still, it is impossible to address every “what if” question and “but what about” scenario at this time. The University will continue to work diligently to address individual concerns and circumstances.