Frequently Asked Questions

Find out inforamtion from the Illinois Department of Public Health for guidance at   https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/confirmed-or-possible-covid-19.html

You can find the latest guidance on the Laboratory Schools website under Policies and Procedures. Guidance is listed under School Exclusion Guidance - Guidance for symptomatic individuals and close contacts.

As always, if you are sick, regardless of the cause, you should not report to work or classes.

If you have any Housing questions about COVID-19 or our related policies, processes, or procedures, please contact (309) 438-8611. 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.

Any facility where you are tested will share the results with you. If you test positive, off-campus students are asked to quarantine or isolate at their student apartment or return to their permanent address.

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

Students who tested outside of Illinois State, should upload results to the secure patient health portal.

Students in need of support managing the various impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic are encouraged to contact Student Counseling Services where there are resources available regarding social, emotional, physical and financial wellness.

A negative test does not release you from quarantine. Your length of quarantine does not change with a negative test.

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 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.
• 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 .

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.

Yes.

• COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective and are readily available throughout Illinois and the nation. The current vaccines protect against COVID-19 variants. 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. 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.

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

See the CDC recommendations on boosters.

Find the latest face covering requirements on the Face Covering page.

Students who live off-campus, faculty and staff can pick an extra mask from one of these on-campus sites:

• Bone Student Center (Welcome Desk, Printing Services Office, Student Involvement Center)
• Milner Library Circulation Desk
• The Multicultural Center

Students who live within the residence halls may pick up an additional mask at their front desks.

Departments can place orders for additional masks via the COVID-19 Supplies Request Form on the Working on Campus section of the Coronavirus website.

Before using the KN95 mask, please review the KN95 Fact Sheet, which can be located on the Environmental Health and Safety website. 

Yes, before using the KN95 mask, please review the KN95 Fact Sheet, available on the Environmental Health and Safety website.

It is up to the discretion of the wearer which approved face coverings to choose. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer insights on masks and respirators.

KN95 masks are shown to provide wearers with a heightened degree of protection. Data has emerged in recent weeks that cloth face coverings offer less protection against the Omicron variant than against previous COVID-19 strains.

Before using the KN95 mask, please review the KN95 Fact Sheet, which can be located on the Environmental Health and Safety website. 

Anyone working or operating in an open space can request an individual to wear a face covering. As a reminder, face coverings are only required in the areas listed on the Face Coverings page.

Face coverings are recommended, but not required, within all University facilities except for clincal settings, University events when requested by the speaker, and public transportation. During this transitional time in the COVID-19 pandemic, it is especially important that we support one another, regardless of individual choices that are made regarding face coverings. Individuals should feel comfortable wearing face coverings in university spaces as we move forward together as a Redbird community.

The University asks that, as a courtesy, people wear a face covering in a private office or residence hall room upon the occupant’s request. Please also wear a face covering in classrooms if requested by the instructor.  There is no change to the University’s COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements at this time.

Departments can place orders for additional masks via the COVID-19 Supplies Request Form.

To have instructors notified of an excused absence due to isolation, download the isolation letter from your   Patient Health Portal  and email it to the  Dean of Students Office . The isolation letter will be issued by Student Health Services after a detailed photo of a positive test is uploaded to the Patient Health Portal and verified. Photos must include the self-administered, COVID-19 at-home test with name or initials, date of birth, and date of the test written on the test kit.

Students should also contact their instructors to discuss reasonable modifications/extensions for completing missed exams, quizzes, and other required work.  Learn more about student absences due to communicable disease   .     

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should follow these steps:  

Students:    

• For self-administered COVID-19 at-home tests, write your name or initials, date of birth, and date of the test on the test kit. Take a picture of that result and upload it to the  Patient Health Portal . It is important to note that positive test results received from any testing site will need to be uploaded to the Patient Health Portal , including results from SHIELD Illinois tests kits provided by Illinois State University (see below). Student Health Services staff will verify the upload and issue a letter inclusive of any isolation dates back to your  Patient Health Portal .    
• To have instructors notified of an excused absence due to isolation, download the isolation letter from your  Patient Health Portal  and email it to the  Dean of Students Office .   
• Students should also contact their instructors to discuss reasonable modifications/extensions for completing missed exams, quizzes, and other required work.  Learn more about student absences due to communicable disease .   

Faculty and staff:    

1. Follow the steps outlined at  Guidance for Managing Covid in the Workplace .      

• COVID-19 Testing Sites near campus
• COVID-19 Testing Sites throughout Illinois

No. In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 2021-22, testing is no longer required in the healthcare setting. Student teachers and students in clinical settings should follow the testing procedures provided by your assigned school or location. Those who are not on ISU's campus for the semester do not need to submit results to the Patient Health Portal. 

Last Updated: (April 7, 2022)

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

Important highlights for the Fall 2022 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 2022; 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: April 7, 2022)

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 International Pathways Academic Advisor, Paisley Hartman (pdadams3@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: (April 7, 2022)

The most current information and guidance can be found at the following links:

• SEVP COVID Guidance and FAQs (for F-1 students)
• EVP COVID Information (for J-1 students)

Last Updated: (April 7, 2022)

If your SEVIS record was terminated: You should submit a Returning from Leave Request as soon as you are certain of your plans to return. Once your request has been processed, a new I-20 with a new SEVIS ID number will be generated and attached to your request. You will need to pay the SEVIS fee for this new I-20 at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html. If your F-1 visa is expired, you will also need to apply for a new visa using your new I-20 document. You will be permitted to enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start date of your new I-20. You must check-in with ISSS upon your arrival to campus by submitting a New Student ISSS Check-In Request.

If your SEVIS record is still active: You should submit a Travel Signature Request as soon as you are certain of your plans to return. If you have renewed or updated any of your immigration documents since you left the U.S., you should also submit an Immigration Documents Update. Once your request has been processed, a new I-20 with a new travel signature will be generated and attached to your request. Print, sign, and date your new I-20.

Last Updated: (April 7, 2022)

Students who need a travel signature should submit a Travel Signature Request.

A new I-20 will be printed within ten (10) business days and you will be notified via email when it is ready. You can retrieve your I-20 by logging into the ISSS Portal and navigating to My Records. Your new I-20 document will appear in the Attachments section of your Travel Signature Request. Always print and physically sign and date your document as soon as you retrieve it. This new guidance does not allow students to sign electronically; it only allows DSOs to sign electronically. You will need a printed copy of your I-20 for any visa interviews and when entering the U.S. at the port of entry.

Last Updated: (April 7, 2022)

1. Proof of COVID vaccination and negative test – In order to board your flight, you will need to provide proof that you are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and proof of a negative COVID test one day before departure. Complete the Vaccine Travel Assessment to confirm you have what you need. See the State Department FAQ for further details.
2. Valid Travel Signature - Visit the ISSS travel signature webpage for full details, including tips on determining whether your current travel signature is still valid and a link to the Travel Signature request form.
3. Valid F-1/J-1 visa - You must have a valid visa on the date of your re-entry to the U.S. If your visa has expired, you will need to renew before returning to the U.S. In order to renew your visa, you must apply at a U.S. embassy/consulate. Find the nearest U.S. embassy at https://www.usembassy.gov/ and contact them for details. Visa procedures and processing times can vary by consulate and may be impacted by holidays.
4. Valid Passport - valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of the re-entry to the U.S.
5. Other Recommended Documents
   • SEVIS Fee Receipt
   • Contact information for ISSS
   • ISU Transcript
   • Redbird Card

(Last Updated: April 7, 2022)

General Questions: If you have a general question, please take a look at the F-1/J-1 Student FAQ. If you can't find your answer there, please use the main email or phone number to contact ISSS.

ISSS Main Email: internationalstudents@ilstu.edu
ISSS Main Phone: 309-438-1931

Specific Questions: If you have a case-specific question, please contact your ISSS Advisor. Sarah Van Alebeek, Senior International Student Advisor, is now the primary ISSS Advisor for all international students. Sarah can be reached via email or phone. You can also schedule an appointment with Sarah using our online booking system or visit her during walk-in hours. Sarah’s contact information can be found on her ISSS Portal staff listing page.

Questions About an ISSS Request/Application: You can check the status of your ISSS applications by logging into the ISSS Portal and navigating to My Records. Please allow 10 business days for processing.

If you have a specific question about a request that you are currently working on or a pending request that you have already submitted to ISSS, please contact Kera Storrs, International Data Specialist. Kera’s contact information can be found on her ISSS Portal staff listing page.

(Last Updated: April 7, 2022)

I-20 Documents: In October 2021, SEVP issued policy guidance allowing DSOs to electronically sign and transmit I-20 documents to F-1 students. All I-20 documents issued by ISSS will be digitally signed and uploaded to your ISSS Portal account. You will receive an email notification when a new I-20 has been uploaded so you can login to the ISSS Portal and retrieve your document.

Always print and physically sign and date your document as soon as you retrieve it. This new guidance does not allow students to sign electronically; it only allows DSOs to sign electronically. You will need a printed copy of your I-20 for any future visa interviews and when entering the U.S. at the port of entry.

DS-2019 Documents: All DS-2019s must be physically printed and signed. J-1 students who have been issued an updated DS-2019 by ISSS will be notified via email when their document is ready. Students can visit the front desk on the second floor of Fell Hall to retrieve their document or have the document shipped to them.

(Last Updated: February 12, 2021)

Students arriving from international travel are required to follow CDC guidelines in regard to quarantine and testing.

• 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.