Frequently Asked Questions

• Students who feel ill, whether related to COVID-19 or an unrelated illness, should stay home and contact Student Health Services (SHS) (309) 438-8655 for assistance. If necessary, students should contact the Dean of Students Office to facilitate the student absence notification
• Employees who feel ill, whether related to COVID-19 or an unrelated illness, should stay home and seek medical attention if appropriate.

The University continues to follow the guidance from the Governor of Illinois for meetings, social events and gatherings as stipulated in Restore Illinois: A Public Approach to Safely Reopening Our State. The limits on setting capacity and types of events comply with the current phase and tier within Restore Illinois.

Most Illinois State University buildings have stations at the main entrances for use. The sanitizer is 70% alcohol-based, which is the recommendation by the CDC.

• Enhanced cleaning will continue in public spaces and restrooms although the risk of transmission from contaminated surfaces or objects is generally low, according to the CDC.
• Cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer will continue to be readily available across campus, including classrooms.
• HVAC systems for all campus buildings have been adjusted to increase the amount of fresh air from a 10% minimum to 40% outside air minimum. Where possible, the filters in campus HVAC systems were upgraded to provide filtered air equivalent to hospital rooms. Air purifiers will be considered for specific spaces that do not meet the above criteria only.

Yes. Student organizations and clubs are allowed to meet. If meeting indoors on campus, all participants must wear face coverings.

The University is not installing additional Plexiglas at this time.

Fall 2021 classes will reflect a more traditional campus experience including considerably more in-person instruction. The percentage of in-person course offerings for fall 2021 is expected to be close to that of fall 2019. Following the guidance in Phase 5 of Restore Illinois, physical distancing requirements will not be required by fall. Therefore, course enrollments should be at pre-COVID course enrollment maximums.

Synchronous classes occur on set schedules where students and instructors are online at the same time during all lectures, discussions, etc. The class meets online at the scheduled day and time that is listed on your class schedule. Students must be online at the designated time in order to participate in the class.

Asynchronous classes do not occur on a set schedule. Instructors will provide materials, lectures, assignments, etc. that can be accessed within the time frame specified by the instructor. While asynchronous classes do not meet during a specific day/time, students are still expected to meet deadlines set by the instructor for assignments, exams, readings, etc.

When registration is open you may alter your schedule as you would like based on course availability. If you have questions about course options for your schedule, please talk to your assigned academic advisor.

Yes. Please contact your assigned academic advisor for more information on advising appointments.

According to the CDC, individuals are considered fully vaccinated (i) 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Moderna or Pfizer's Comirnaty vaccines, or (ii) 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's.

Comirnaty is the new name for Pfizer vaccine, which remains the same vaccine, but took on a new name as it moved from solely emergency-use authorization. Read more in this FDA release.

Students, faculty, and staff who are taking courses or working on campus, are required to provide evidence of receiving an approved COVID-19 vaccination to Student Health Services (SHS). The University is accepting proof of vaccines currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or are authorized for emergency use by the FDA and World Health Organization (WHO).. Learn more about where to find a vaccine near you.

Individuals who do not provide Student Health Services (SHS) with evidence of vaccination are required to participate in weekly, on-campus saliva-based COVID-19 testing. If you are a student who needs an accommodation from this requirement, please contact Student Access and Accommodation Services . If you are an employee that needs an accommodation, contact the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access.

• Students and employees should submit their vaccination records as soon as possible to the secure Patient Health Portal by uploading an image of your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or a COVID-19 immunization record provided by a healthcare provider.  Student Health Services is required to follow all confidentiality rules and regulations regarding medical information.
• Students who were vaccinated at an on-campus clinic already have a COVID-19 vaccination record on file with SHS and do not need to upload a COVID-19 vaccine record. However, employees who were vaccinated at an on-campus vaccination clinic are encouraged to login to the secure Patient Health Portal to ensure that their record is on file. If the record is not on file, employees should upload a copy of their record. If the employee is unable to upload the document, the employee can bring the record to Human Resources for assistance in uploading.
• Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.
• Student Health Services verifies immunization records as they are received using information provided in governmental immunization databases.

Employees should contact Human Resources for assistance with uploading their vaccination card. Students can contact Student Health Services.

When on-campus vaccines are available, they will be posted on the vaccination section of the Coronavirus webpage. Illinois provides a search for vaccines by area code at Vaccines.gov. Because every location handles appointments differently, you will need to schedule your appointment directly with the location you choose.

Students who are enrolled in fall courses, are fully vaccinated, and who upload their COVID-19 vaccination information prior to the first day of class will be entered to win one of the following incentives.

• $1,000 scholarship (Awarded to 100 students)
• $100 in Flex Dollars added to the Redbird ID Card (Awarded to 75 students)

Winners will be notified at their Illinois State University email address the week of August 23.

Learn more about the vaccination incentive program.

Yes. Beginning August 9, 2021, students, faculty, and staff who are on campus and who have not provided Student Health Services (SHS) with evidence of vaccination are required to participate in weekly on-campus saliva-based COVID-19 testing provided by SHIELD Illinois.

Yes. Beginning Thursday, July 29, face coverings are required (regardless of vaccination status) in all indoor common area spaces on campus to align with updated CDC masking recommendations released Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Until further notice, face coverings are required for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus and in Laboratory Schools.

If you are alone, a face covering is not required. If two or more people are in a University vehicle, then all occupants are required to wear a face covering.

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are readily available throughout Illinois and the nation. The current vaccines protect against COVID-19 variants, including the Delta variant. Learn more about COVID-19 vaccines .
• Even if you have had COVID-19, vaccines provide added protection against future COVID exposures. Read the CDC guidance for those who are fully vaccinated .
• Getting vaccinated protects against the spread of this disease and protects you and others from getting COVID, including the Delta variant. Vaccinated individuals are less likely to become seriously ill or become hospitalized in the unlikely event they get COVID-19.
• See the latest information from the CDC.

Students and employees are required to participate in the on-campus saliva-based COVID-19 testing program until they are fully vaccinated and vaccination records are on file with Student Health Services.

Non-compliant students and employees are subject to the appropriate disciplinary process. Questions regarding this process should be directed to Human Resources for employees and the Dean of Students Office for students.

No. You cannot ask for anyone's vaccination status (it is protected health information).

Yes, testing is required until you are fully vaccinated. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

Beginning Thursday, July 29, face coverings are required in all common indoor spaces(regardless of vaccination status) to align with updated CDC masking recommendations released Tuesday, July 27, 2021.

The IDPH is also in full support of the CDC recommendations, which state that "everyone, including fully vaccinated individuals, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas with substantial and high transmission." McLean County is currently designated as having “ high ”   transmission by the CDC.

Until further notice, face coverings are required for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus, including Laboratory Schools, in all common indoor spaces (classrooms, conference rooms, hallways, restrooms, breakrooms, dining facilities, elevators, public spaces within on-campus residential living environments, etc.).

Beginning Thursday, July 29, face coverings are required (regardless of vaccination status) in all indoor common area spaces on campus to align with updated CDC masking recommendations released Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Until further notice, face coverings are required for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus and in Laboratory Schools.

Face coverings are required for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus, including Laboratory schools, in all common indoor spaces (classrooms, conference rooms, hallways, restrooms, breakrooms, dining facilities, retail establishments, elevators, etc.). Exceptions include residence hall rooms, private workspace, and private cubicles with walls at least 5 feet tall. You can remind those unmasked to use their face covering.

For employees, the supervisor should contact Human Resources. For students, a report should be made to the Dean of Students Office. Reports may also be made to coronavirus@IllinoisState.edu.

No. The updated CDC guidance does not require that additional physical distancing or capacity limits be put in place at this time.

Departments can order supplies, at no charge through the COVID-19 Supplies Request Form on the coronavirus website.

If you work in a private cubicle alone with at least 5-foot walls, you do not have to wear a face covering. Learn more about where face coverings are required on-campus.

No, the CDC indicates that face shields are not suitable substitutes for face coverings. However, a clear face covering (available from Facilities Management) may be worn in place of a traditional cloth or medical face covering, if required as an accommodation or approved for operational needs.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated (2 weeks past the last dose of the vaccine) should not undergo testing unless they are symptomatic , or have known exposure. The CDC recommended on July 27, 2021 “that fully vaccinated people with no COVID-19-like symptoms and no known exposure should be exempted from routine screening testing programs.” Find out more about the CDC guidelines for fully vaccinated people .

If fully vaccinated and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, students should call Student Health Services , and employees should contact their health care provider for guidance.

Yes, testing is required until you are fully vaccinated. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

You do not have to test for 90 days past a positive diagnosis. (Following the CDC advice for those who test positive to refrain from retesting for  90  days to avoid false-positive tests.)  

After 90 days, you will have to test until fully vaccinated. Students and employees should submit positive COVID-19 test results to the Student Health Services Secure Patient Health Portal.

Asymptomatic Illinois State University students, faculty and staff and their dependents, ISU retirees, and campus volunteers can find the most current testing locations and hours on the testing website. SHIELD testing is only for those who are asymptomatic. Students experiencing symptoms should Student Health Services for a screening call. Employees and retirees should contact their promary healthcare provider.

All COVID-19 testing must be completed at an on-campus testing center.

However, COVID-19 testing conducted as part of the Housing Move-In process can be done off-campus. Students living in on-campus housing should upload proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test taken within no more than 72 hours before your Move-In appointment time to your student health portal. Failure to follow these steps will delay your Move-In experience until you fulfill these requirements.

An email was sent to all on-campus students on Friday, July 30, 2021 explaining COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements.

Students and employees are required to participate in the on-campus saliva-based COVID-19 testing program until they are fully vaccinated and vaccination records are on file with Student Health Services.

Non-compliant students and employees are subject to the appropriate disciplinary process. Questions regarding this process should be directed to Human Resources for employees and the Dean of Students Office for students.

It is the responsibility of students and employees to remain compliant with weekly university COVID-19 testing requirements upon returning to campus starting August 9th. Individuals will be notified via ISU email when they are out of compliance with COVID-19 testing requirements.

Testing is required when students and employees will be on University-owned or controlled property. Students and employees who are off-property for an extended period of time do not need to visit campus for COVID-19 testing during their time away.

You will be in a non-compliant status until you test, which should be done upon return to campus.

Students and employees who are on campus and who have not provided Student Health Services (SHS) with evidence of vaccination are required to participate in weekly, on-campus saliva-based COVID-19 testing provided by SHIELD Illinois.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated (2 weeks past the final dose of the vaccine) should not undergo testing unless they are symptomatic. If fully vaccinated and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, employees, retirees, and their dependents should contact their health care provider for guidance.

ISU community members are not permitted to come to campus if they test positive for COVID-19. A positive test means you must self-isolate for the entire amount of time indicated by the health department or a medical professional in order to prevent infecting others.

• Students who live in on-campus housing who test positive or who are deemed a close contact should stay at or return to their permanent residence. Contact University Housing at (309) 438-5967 for more information about quarantine and isolation procedures.
• Off-campus students should isolate at their off-campus apartment or return to their permanent residence. The University does not have space to house off-campus students in our limited on-campus quarantine and isolation spaces.
• Employees, including student employees and graduate assistants, regardless of where they are living, should follow the steps outlined in Managing Covid-19 in the Workplace.

McLean County Health Department (MCHD) is responsible for contact tracing and notification in McLean County. ISU will continue to partner with MCHD to assist with contact tracing that involves any ISU community member.

CDC guidance indicates that if a vaccinated person has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 they do not need to quarantine unless they are experiencing COVID symptoms.

Students who have been notified that they are a close contact of a positive individual by a local health department should self-isolate or self-quarantine as directed and contact the Dean of Students Office at DeanOfStudents@IllinoisState.edu or (309) 438-2008 to report the absence and/or discuss how to manage any extended absence.

Employees who have been notified that they are a close contact of a positive individual should contact Human Resources at (309) 438-8311 and request to speak with a Benefits Counselor to discuss a leave of absence. Employees are required to self-isolate or self-quarantine as directed and will be allowed to return to work in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated do not need to quarantine unless they are experiencing symptoms of COVID. Learn more about the CDC's quarantine guidance regarding fully vaccinated individuals.

Individuals who are not fully vaccinated or fully vaccinated and experiencing symptoms: If you were near someone (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) who tested positive for COVID-19 but have not been contacted by the local health department, you should call the local health department where the positive COVID-19 case is located and tell them your circumstances. The local health department will review your level of contact and advise the appropriate protective measures.

Faculty and staff should test during working hours. Non-exempt (hourly) employees will be given release time, at a time approved by the department, to cover this testing. Exempt employees, including faculty, should test during working hours at a time that does not interrupt departmental operations. Employees should work with their supervisor to identify time(s) for testing that will not interfere with the needs of the department. Separate release time codes (RTP for nonexempt and XRTP for exempt) will be available beginning 8/9/21 to record this time. Non-exempt employees are required, and exempt employees are encouraged, to use this code when reporting their time

Testing hours have been established to cover most of the shifts on campus. Employees who normally only access campus outside of testing hours or days when testing is being administered (e.g., faculty who teach only at night, weekend-only positions, substitute teachers (K-12), athletic event support staff, etc.) and have not submitted proof of vaccination to Student Health Services should arrange to visit campus each week during testing hours to remain compliant with the testing protocol. Non-exempt (hourly) employees will be compensated for this additional time (and should still record this with the specific testing release time reporting code (RTP). Departments with hourly employees who are not scheduled to work during testing hours/days are responsible for implementing procedures to ensure the time spent at the testing center by these employees is tracked and recorded as testing release time on their timesheets.

If you are going to be working on campus and are subject to the testing protocol, you must be compliant with that protocol prior to working on campus.

All ISU employees who work on property owned or controlled by ISU are required to either submit their vaccination records, submit proof of a positive COVID-19 test taken between 90 and 10 days prior to returning to campus, or participate in weekly testing. Additional information will be provided to those employees who are located an extended distance (greater than 2 hours) from the campus and who do not access the main campus on a regular basis.

Your testing requirement is based upon your status as a student, not an employee. You should participate in the testing protocol as directed by the Dean of Students office.

Vaccinations cards are uploaded to Student Health Service’s (SHS’s) Point and Click system. Individual department supervisors will not have access to the vaccination card. Only those employees who are HIPAA trained and authorized to use the Point and Click system will be able to access the records.

The list provided to supervisors indicates only those employees who are subject to the testing protocol. It is not an indication of vaccination status, as an individual may be included in the testing protocol for a variety of reasons.

A weekly email will be sent to all faculty/staff who are subject to the testing protocol for that week. An email will also be sent to the supervisor (as indicated in iPeople) which indicates those employees who are subject to the protocol. This is to assist with departmental scheduling.

If an employee does not comply with testing requirements, a daily email will be sent until the employee completes the required test. A message will also appear on their My.IllinoisState.edu page indicating they are out of compliance with the testing protocol. Additionally, supervisors will receive an email list of those employees who are non-compliant. Continued non-compliance by individuals required to participate in the employee testing protocol may result in discipline up to and including discharge. Not complying with testing protocol is a violation of current health and safety standards implemented by the University and based on public health guidance from the IDPH, IBHE, and the CDC. 

Testing sites have been identified on both the main campus and west campus. Employees should test at the location closest to their worksite.

Symptomatic testing is not available on campus for faculty and staff. Employees who feel ill, whether related to COVID-19 or an unrelated illness, should stay home and seek medical attention if appropriate, and follow the Guidance for Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace.

The McLean County Health Department coordinates contact tracing efforts with a dedicated team handling on-campus contact tracing. This team can be reached at (309) 438-5202.

Illinois State University students, faculty and staff and their dependents, ISU retirees, and campus volunteers. Dependents must identify themselves. Dependents who are minors must be accompanied by an adult.

You can find testing location and hours on the SHIELD page.

ISU Faculty, Staff, and Students can schedule a SHIELD COVID-19 test by visiting the Patient Health Portal.

Dependents of employees, retirees and volunteers MUST register onsite at the BBC Activity room for a test.

The FDA EUA approved Shield COVID test was developed by researchers at the University of Illinois. It is a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test detecting RNA from the SAR-CoV-2 virus in saliva. It is also considered a nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT).

The test is self-administered and non-invasive. After checking in with a collection site staff member, a patient receives a small vial and must deposit a small amount of saliva into that vial using a funnel. The patient then caps the vial, places it in a collection rack, and exits the collection site.

About 2 mL (a little more than one-half fluid ounce) of saliva (with no bubbles) needs to be provided for the sample to be processed correctly. Vials will have a mark noting how much saliva is needed.

You are not able to eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth one hour prior to taking the saliva-based test. This includes the use of tobacco or smokeless tobacco, drinking water, mouth wash, etc.  

The collection process is usually completed within a few minutes.

The current notification time for the SHIELD saliva-based test is 24 hours or less from the time a sample is received in our lab. SHIELD Illinois also supports a secure information management system for tracking and reporting results, which are sent via email.

Samples are processed by CLIA-certified SHIELD Illinois labs, meaning they meet federal standards for lab accuracy and reliability. Illinois State has a CLIA-certified SHIELD Illinois lab on campus. 

The notifications of the tests results are as follows:

• Negative – The virus was not detected
• Positive – The virus was detected
• Invalid – The sample provided was non-optimal and could not produce the appropriate data during processing at the lab (This is likely due to a poor-quality sample, not adhering to the fasting requirements, or interfering material in the sample. It is recommended to have the participant retest and adhere to the 1 hour fasting requirements, focusing on producing the specimen from saliva, not sputum).
• Inconclusive – The sample was able to be processed in the lab, but it was not able to definitively provide a detected/not detected results, (It is recommended to have the participant retest.)
• Rejected – The sample was not able to be processed at the lab (This is likely due to low sample volume, the cap coming off the tube in transport or other damage to the tube, and/or extremely poor sample quality. It is recommended to have the participant retest and adhere to the 1 hour fasting requirements, focusing on producing the specimen from saliva, not sputum).

The FDA emergency-use authorization approved Shield saliva test has a specificity of 98.9% and sensitivity of 96.8%. The SHIELD saliva-based test targets three highly conserved regions of the viral genome for detection. High specificity offered by 3 target detection, combined with frequent testing, makes the SHIELD saliva-based test extremely accurate.

Yes, the SHIELD COVID test can catch active infection before infectiousness. The test typically is able to pick up the virus as early as 2-3 days post exposure.

No, DNA is not analyzed by the test. Positive samples are retained, with the possibility of variant testing by the Illinois Department of Public Health using RNA analysis. All other samples are destroyed after testing.

No, the test is specifically designed to detect viral genomic material (i.e. RNA) present in viral particles or in free form.

No.

SHIELD does not provide any other information except negative/positive to the patient. The patient needs to get in touch with the patient’s doctor or check the CDC guidelines for further guidance. Students who test positive should contact Student Health Services. Employees who test positive should contact their primary care physician as well as review the information provided in Guidance for Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace found on the coronavirus website.

The testing lab and the ordering physician will be able to see the results, as well as the patient. Both positive and negative test results are shared with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Address, phone number, and demographic information are also shared with IDPH.

No. While our test can detect the presence of COVID-19 in a patient’s sample even if the person is infected with the variant, this test does not confirm which variant is present. Because of this, SHIELD cannot inform the patient on whether the positive is for a variant.

This test looks for three different SARS-CoV-2 genes. That way, even if a mutation changes one gene, the test will be able to detect an infection. The SHIELD test can detect all currently known variants. That ability is monitored rigorously by Thermo-Fisher, which produces the part of the test used to identify SARS-CoV-2.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated should not undergo testing unless they are symptomatic or have been exposed to COVID-19. If fully vaccinated and experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, individuals should contact their health care provider for guidance.

Yes. Student Health Services is required to follow all confidentiality rules and regulations regarding medical information.  

For more information contact coronavirus@illinoisstate.edu or the SHIELD Illinois patient support line at 217-265-6059 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

If you have any Housing questions about COVID-19 or our related policies, processes, or procedures, please contact (309) 438-5967. Calling this direct number will ensure the Housing team is able to help you as quickly as possible.

For more information about length of quarantine and/or isolation, please review IDPH quarantine guidance.

University Housing Services is notified by Student Health Services when a student tests positive for COVID-19 or deemed a close contact. Upon notification, Housing staff will contact the impacted student and explain isolation and quarantine procedures. The McLean County Health Department is working closely with the University to complete contact tracing for Illinois State students.

For more information about length of quarantine and/or isolation, please review IDPH quarantine guidance.

Limited isolation and quarantine spaces are available in all residential areas of campus for on-campus students.

There are a limited number of spaces for on-campus students who must isolate or quarantine. Students are encouraged to return home during their isolation/quarantine period so that there is adequate space for students who have extenuating circumstances (e.g., housing and food insecurity, etc.) that prevent them from returning home or to their permanent residence. The CDC has provided information about safely quarantining with roommates or family members.

Students in on-campus isolation or quarantine spaces are provided with linens, cleaning supplies, and a weekly treat bag, and are delivered a continental breakfast and two hot meals each day. Staff contact students each day to check on their well-being. Care for students in these spaces involves staff from Housing, Student Health Services, Facilities Management, and Event Management, Dining and Hospitality.

If you test positive, you will be required to isolate for a period of 10 days or length of time determined by the McLean County Health Department or health professional.

For those who have been deemed a close contact, CDC guidance indicates that if a vaccinated person has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 they do not need to quarantine unless they are experiencing COVID symptoms. Unvaccinated students and employees need to follow IDPH and CDC guidance on duration of quarantine which may last 7-14 days.

For more information about length of quarantine and/or isolation, please review IDPH quarantine guidance.

If you are tested anywhere at Illinois State, Student Health Services will receive the results. If you are tested anywhere else, upload results to the secure patient health portal. The McLean County Health Department is working closely with the University to complete contact tracing for Illinois State students.

If you test positive, you will be required to isolate for a period of 10 days or length of time determined by the McLean County Health Department or health professional. For those who have been deemed a close contact, CDC guidance indicates that if a vaccinated person has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 they do not need to quarantine unless they are experiencing COVID symptoms. Unvaccinated students and employees need to follow IDPH and CDC guidance on duration of quarantine which may last 7-14 days. For more information about length of quarantine and/or isolation, please review IDPH quarantine guidance.

Off-campus students who are in isolation or quarantine and need additional resources should contact the Dean on Duty at (309) 438-2008.

Off-campus students are asked to quarantine or isolate at their student apartment or return to their permanent address.

Students should contact the Dean of Students Office to facilitate the student absence notification process.

If you test positive, you will be required to isolate for a period of 10 days or length of time determined by the McLean County Health Department or health professional. If you are deemed a close contact, you will be required to quarantine for 14 days.

Students in need of support managing the various impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic are encouraged to contact Student Counseling Services or visit Redbirds Keep Thriving—Students on the Coronavirus website where there are resources available regarding social, emotional, physical and financial wellness.

Employees should follow the steps outlined in Managing Covid-19 in the Workplace.

As with any illness, employees who are ill should stay home and, if warranted, seek medical attention. Employees should follow normal call-in procedures and protocols for their department and report time away from work in accordance with University policy. If you believe you have been exposed to coronavirus, you should follow the steps outlined in Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace.

Individuals who become ill may be eligible for FMLA in accordance with Policy 3.1.12. Individuals with questions or who need assistance should contact Human Resources at (309) 438-8311 and request to speak with their Benefits Counselor.

If you test positive or presumptive positive for COVID-19, you should follow the steps outlined in Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace. CDC guidance indicates that if a vaccinated person has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 they do not need to quarantine unless they are experiencing COVID symptoms. Unvaccinated student and employees need to follow IDPH and CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation.

If you have been contacted and advised that you are a non-household close contact, you should follow the direction of the contacting entity (generally a physician or the applicable County Health Department) and the steps outlined in Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace. CDC guidance indicates that if a vaccinated person has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 they do not need to quarantine unless they are experiencing COVID symptoms. Unvaccinated student and employees need to follow IDPH and CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation.

To protect the health and safety of faculty, staff and students, individuals who have been directed to self-quarantine will not be permitted to return to campus until the directed period of self-quarantine has passed. Employees who have been directed to self-quarantine should review the steps outlined in Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace for further information.

A positive case in within the department does not necessarily mean that all employees in the department should stay home. You will be notified if you are a close contact and direct to quarantine if appropriate. The Guidance for Managing COVID-19 in the Workplace page has additional information for this and other employee related COVID-19 scenarios.

Campus Services staff will determine the extent of additional cleaning necessary in the area in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Employees who seek to delay their return to campus based upon an underlying health condition should submit a Request for Reasonable Accommodation to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access in accordance with Policy 1.3. Employees may also contact Human Resources at 309-438-8331 and ask to speak with their Benefits Counselor regarding a leave of absence.

• Students, faculty, and staff who are taking courses or working on campus, are required to provide evidence of receiving an approved COVID-19 vaccination to Student Health Services (SHS). This includes students living in on-campus housing.
• The University is accepting vaccines currently authorized for emergency use by either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the World Health Organization. Learn more about where to find a vaccine near you.
• Students living in on-campus housing should submit vaccination records prior to Move-In or submit proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test conducted within 72 hours of their Move-In appointment through the health services portal. You may also upload proof of a positive COVID-19 test taken between 90 and 10 days before your Move-In appointment time to the secure Health Services Portal. (Following the CDC advice for those who test positive to refrain from retesting for  90  days to avoid false-positive tests.)  
• It is a good idea to bring a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination card or copy of your recent COVID-19 PCR test results to Move-In in case it is needed for additional validation.

Students should contact Student Health Services with questions regarding uploading negative COVID-19 test results or vaccination records.

• If you are not fully vaccinated, physical distancing is required in all public and common spaces.
• Face coverings are required for non-vaccinated students in all spaces except in a student's own residence hall room.
• Enhanced cleaning of restrooms and high-touch surfaces.
• There are no triple or quad room types available this year.
• Health education signage is posted throughout all housing facilities to remind students, staff, and visitors of public health guidance.
• Students who test positive for COVID-19 or are deemed a close contact are required to quarantine and isolate per the guidance of local and government officials.

Beginning Thursday, July 29, face coverings are required in all common areas to align with updated CDC masking recommendations released Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Until further notice, face coverings are required for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus, including Laboratory Schools, in all common indoor spaces (classrooms, conference rooms, hallways, restrooms, breakrooms, dining facilities, elevators, public spaces within on-campus residential living environments, etc.).

Beginning Thursday, July 29, face coverings are required (regardless of vaccination status) in all indoor common area spaces on campus to align with updated CDC masking recommendations released Tuesday, July 27, 2021. Until further notice, face coverings are required for students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus, including Laboratory Schools, in all common indoor spaces (classrooms, conference rooms, hallways, restrooms, breakrooms, dining facilities, elevators, public spaces within on-campus residential living environments, etc.).

If someone is not wearing a face covering:

For employees: The supervisor should contact Human Resources.

For students: A report should be made to the Dean of Students Office.

The most recent CDC guidance does not require that additional physical distancing or capacity limits be put in place at this time.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be required to isolate for a period of 10 days or length of time determined by the McLean County Health Department or health professional. If you are deemed a close contact of someone who has tested positive and are not fully vaccinated, you will be required to quarantine for 10 days, though 14 days is still recommended. More information can be found at the Illinois Department of Public Health website.

CDC guidance indicates that if a vaccinated person has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 they do not need to quarantine unless they are experiencing COVID symptoms. Unvaccinated student and employees need to follow IDPH and CDC guidance on quarantine and isolation.

There are a limited number of on-campus spaces for students who must remain in university housing to isolate or quarantine.

If you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, contact Student Health Services at 309-438-7676 for an assessment and to make an appointment. Students without symptoms can be tested at either on-campus testing site. More information about on-campus testing sites can be found on the Student Health Services website.

University Housing Services is notified by Student Health Services when a student tests positive for COVID-19 or is deemed a close contact. Upon notification, Housing staff will contact the impacted student and explain isolation and quarantine procedures (see Quarantine and Isolation FAQ's on this page). The McLean County Health Department is working closely with the University to complete contact tracing for Illinois State students.

If you have roommates, the timeline for each student leave and return from isolation/quarantine may differ based on directives from Student Health Services.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

The most current SEVP Guidance can be found at: https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus.

Important highlights for the Fall 2021 semester include the following:

• For new students outside the United States who cannot travel to the United States, the current guidance suggests that these students have the option to defer their academic program to a future term. In order to defer your program, please contact InternationalAdmissions@ilstu.edu .
• For new students in the United States or who can travel to the US in time to start a program of study for Fall 2021; the student can maintain F-1 status by enrolling in a program of study that is completely in person or includes both in-person and online components (to the extent online courses are available). New students must take at least one in person or hybrid course. A student will not be permitted to enter the US to pursue a full course of study that is 100 percent online.

If you have a VISA appointment, please contact InternationalAdmissions@ilstu.edu as soon as possible. It may be helpful to have documentation demonstrating that you are enrolled in a program that is not 100 percent online.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

If you notify International Admissions of your deferral within 60 days after the program start date, you will be able to keep your same SEVIS record and defer your start date. After that date, International Admissions will need to create a new SEVIS record for you.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

You can find information about your specific academic advisor through the My.IllinoisState.edu portal. Please enter your ULID and password, and then follow the links to the "Academics" section and the "Academic Advisors" button.

Graduate students should contact their Graduate Coordinator located on the Graduate School website.

Undergraduates will be advised by a University College Advisor until they have declared a major and earned at least 24 credits. After that point, you will transition to a Department/School advisor.

"NOTE: All undergraduate Academic English and International Pathway students will be advised by the INTO ISU Academic Advisor, Veronique Parmenter (vlparme@ilstu.edu), until they progress from the Pathway."

If you have additional questions or concerns about this, please contact your Academic Department for assistance.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

The most current SEVP Guidance can be found at: https://www.ice.gov/coronavirus.

Important highlights for the Fall 2021 semester include the following:

• Continuing F-1 students can remain in status provided the student is making normal progress in their degree programs, maintaining a full course load to the extent this is possible, and meeting all other university requirements.
• Continuing F-1 students can enroll in a combination of in-person, hybrid, and online courses (to the extent online courses are available) (while inside the U.S.) or enroll in 100% online courses (from inside or outside the U.S.) and maintain their status provided they have maintained all other requirements of their nonimmigrant status since March 9, 2020.

If you are unable to maintain a full course load due to COVID-related issues for the Fall 2021 semester, contact your ISSS Advisor .

You must notify ISSS of your location outside of the U.S. by logging in to the ISSS Portal and editing your user profile information. Specific questions have been added to your user profile pertaining to your current location and plans for Fall 2021. Make sure to answer all questions and update the information if it changes.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

No, there is currently no special paperwork that must be filed with ISSS.

All continuing F-1 students should keep their ISSS Portal user profile up-to-date and also update the contact information in their My account. Any time you move within the U.S., you need to update the LOCAL address type in your My account to reflect your most current U.S. address.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

Under the standard SEVP regulations, the five-month rule permits F-1 students to re-enter the U.S. using their current I-20 for an absence of less than five months. The "five-month rule" has been suspended due to COVID-19.

Continuing F-1 students who left the U.S. and continued their studies online from abroad were able to maintain their F-1 status and keep their SEVIS records active. The five-month rule will not apply to students in the above situation.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

SEVP recognizes that some students may find it difficult to return home during the COVID-19 emergency because of diminished travel options. Students in this situation are encouraged to communicate with ISSS for guidance. ISSS will document in the student’s record any material information related to the student’s inability to leave the country due to COVID-19. If you are unable to leave the U.S. after finishing your program of study, you may be able to remain in the U.S. if you are approved for OPT work authorization, begin a new academic objective, or possibly change to a different visa status. More details regarding your options can be found on the Completing Your Program page of the ISSS website.

Students encountering such travel restrictions should contact their home country's embassy or consulate located in the U.S. for assistance. You can also check the Department of State COVID-19 Country Specific website for updates on the status of flights and possible entry requirements for your home country.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

Continuing international students who do not physically return for the Fall 2021 semester can:

• Enroll in all online courses if they are available, provided that they are making normal progress in their degree program, maintaining a full course load to the extent this is possible, and meeting all other university requirements. Please note that online course offerings for your program may be limited for the 2021-2022 school year. Even if you are registered for online courses for the Fall 2021 semester, you may not be able to fully complete your program unless you can attend in-person courses at the ISU campus in future terms. Students should communicate with their Academic Advisor/Graduate Coordinator about options.
• Defer to a future semester.
  Note: For continuing students, to maintain their student visa status, an F-1 student must continue to be enrolled. International students who do not register for the Fall 2021 semester should update their user profile in the ISSS Portal and contact their ISSS Advisor for further details. Students should consult with their Academic Advisor/Graduate Coordinator for confirmation of the steps needed to resume their studies after a semester of non-enrollment.

International students must communicate their travel and enrollment plans with ISSS by updating their user profile in the ISSS Portal and contacting their ISSS Advisor. New required fields have been added to the information tab of your user profile. Please log in and complete all required fields. If the information you submit changes at any point in the future, please log in and update these fields accordingly.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

Students who need a travel signature should submit a Travel Signature Request through the ISSS Portal.

A new I-20 will be printed within ten (10) business days and you will be notified via email when it is ready. The email will provide you details about your shipping options. Students should take processing and shipping times into consideration when submitting requests.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

ISU students who are enrolled full-time for the Fall 2021 term will automatically be charged for ISU health insurance coverage.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

ISU health insurance provides coverage outside of the U.S. However, if you are outside of the U.S. and do not want ISU health insurance there will be a separate opt-out process for the charge/coverage to be removed. Contact the Student Health Insurance Office for additional information.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

Students within the U.S. must go through the normal waiver process and present proof of alternative insurance, if they want to have the health insurance charge/coverage removed.

Last Updated: (May 26, 2021)

International students with additional questions regarding ISU health insurance should contact the Student Health Insurance Office.

(Last Updated: July 24,2020)

Course type definitions can be found on the Office of the Registrar website. Online courses are 100% online. The online content may be synchronous, asynchronous, or a combination of both. Hybrid courses consist of a combination of both online and in-person content.

You can view the current format for a specific course in the University's Course Finder. Please understand that the format is still being assessed and may change as circumstances evolve.

(Last Updated: July 24,2020)

You can reach your ISSS Advisor by sending an email to internationalstudents@illinoisstate.edu or calling (309) 438-1931. In addition, you can chat live with your ISSS Advisor during specified hours. We also encourage you to visit the International Student and Scholar Services website for more information regarding immigration, employment, travel, and more.

Currently all ISSS appointments are being conducted via Zoom Meeting or telephone. If you would like to speak with your ISSS advisor, please submit an Appointment Request.

More information about zoom meetings are below:

• How to Join a Zoom Meeting
• Overview of Zoom

(Last Updated: July 24,2020)

Currently, documents are being mailed. Please submit a request for a document(s) to ISSS and it will be mailed to you. ISSS will send you an email informing you that the request was processed.

(Last Updated: February 12, 2021)

Students arriving from international travel are required to follow CDC guidelines in regard to quarantine and testing. International students entering the U.S. from international travel should contact Student Health Services by emailing Bobbie Stevens at bjsteve@ilstu.edu.

• On-campus students with Housing contracts should contact University Housing prior to arrival on campus for more information about quarantine and isolation procedures.
• Off-campus students should follow CDC guidelines and isolate at their off-campus apartments. The University does not have space to house off-campus students in our limited on-campus quarantine and isolation spaces.
• Students who are also employees should follow the steps outlined in Managing Covid-19 in the Workplace
• Information about the Student Absence Policy can be found on the Dean of Students Office website.

If you have questions or concerns about your needs during quarantine, please e-mail Matt Schwab at mlschwa@ilstu.edu or Wouter Van Alebeek at wvanale@ilstu.edu.

(Last Updated: July 24,2020)

There are varying factors involved depending on each student's unique situation. It is highly recommended that students expecting a delayed arrival to campus stay in close contact with their Academic Advisor/Graduate Coordinator regarding their expected arrival date.

International students must also communicate their travel plans with ISSS by updating their user profile in the ISSS Portal and contacting their ISSS Advisor. New required fields have been added to the information tab of your user profile. Please login and complete all required fields. If the information you submit changes at any point in the future, please login and update these fields accordingly.

(Last Updated: July 24,2020)

Students with medical conditions that may require an accommodation should request this accommodation by contacting Student Access and Accommodation Services.

(Last Updated: July 24,2020)

International students should visit the Financial Assistance page of the ISSS website for more information regarding funding opportunities.

You can visit campus by selecting from a variety of different options , both virtually and on campus.

Transfer Registration and Orientation Days for students will take place virtually. When available, students can register for their orientation at My.IllinoisState.edu.

You may schedule a virtual admissions counselor appointment online. Or, you can visit campus by selecting from a variety of different options , both virtually and on campus.

The Illinois State University campus remains open to the public. Visitors are welcome to visit outdoor areas such as the University Quad at any time while following state guidelines. Most University buildings are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For students applying for summer, fall, or spring of 2021, 2022, and 2023, Illinois State University will not require a SAT or ACT score to apply.

Your application for admission is valid for three consecutive terms, but your admission status does not carry over. For example, if you applied for the Fall 2021 term, you can update your application to Spring 2022 or Summer 2022, and you would not need to reapply. However, you would still need to submit any new documentation for review and evaluation. Contact the Office of Admissions to start this process.

If you wanted to delay entry for anything more than two consecutive semesters, you would need to submit a new application for admission along with any new documentation. A student originally admitted for Fall 2021, if hoping to delay to Fall 2022, would need to submit a new application for admission and be reevaluated for admission for Fall 2022.

Be sure to discuss deferring your application with an admissions counselor as doing so may affect admission to your academic program and scholarship opportunities.

Yes, Illinois State University will continue to award academic credit for Advanced Placement Programs as determined in the University Catalog.

For pass/no pass grades, Illinois State University will accept "pass" for credit. If a transcript shows P/S/CR (depending on the transcript key), Illinois State will award transfer credit as being a course that has a C or better. A course that has been passed is eligible for meeting general education, major, and prerequisite requirements.

Contact the Office of the Registrar at Registrar@IllinoisState.edu for additional questions.

No. Due to recent public health circumstances, some or all Illinois State University undergraduate and graduate instruction for all or part of the 2020-2021 academic year may be delivered by traditional in person instruction, online instruction, and/or in a hybrid format (including both in-person and online components). The mode of instruction may be adjusted based on public health and safety considerations. View billing information concerning Illinois State University tuition and fees for the 2020-21 academic year . Tuition and mandatory fees have been set regardless of the mode of instruction and cover a variety of short and long term expenses which continue regardless of the instructional mode or access to campus facilities. Illinois State University will continue to follow published withdrawal and refund policies concerning tuition and fees. Tuition and fees will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the 2020-2021 academic year.