COVID-19 Resources

NOTE:  Starting November 21, 2020 the university will be transitioning to remote only teaching.  At this point the Psychology Department will be locked and only accessible to individuals with building access via either their iCard or a key.

INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN ON-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

All students, faculty and staff participating in on-campus activities are required to have completed an on-campus COVID-19 test and received a negative result to access university facilities. Wellness Support Associates will be checking people status upon entry to activity. Status must say Access Granted in order to participate.  See Building Access Process for more details.

BUILDING POLICES

You must wear a mask any time you are not alone in your office.

Bathrooms should only have one occupant at a time.

Please use the stairs if possible.  If you do use the elevator, try to minimize occupancy in the car to one or a maximum of two.

Please do not congregate in common spaces and endeavor to maintain 6ft between yourself and other individuals at all times.

All classrooms MUST be scheduled, so as to ensure room cleaning and proper spacing among users. The classrooms are not available for unscheduled use. With social distancing constraints, the maximum number of occupants we can currently accommodate is 23. For more on scheduling a room click here.

If you encounter difficulties (e.g., situation where you yourself could not follow guidelines) or witness breaches of policy during your visit (e.g. fellow personnel failing to follow guidelines), please consider reporting that information here.  These reports can be completely anonymous and will be useful in modifying our policy as needs dictate.

During the COVID remote work period, the Business Office will offer some in-person office hours. Drop-in's are welcome, but appointments are highly encouraged to help maintain distancing and to reduce wait times. Please check the Business Office webpage for more specifics on available in-person office hours. Please schedule your appointments via email.

For a summary of current campus Requirements and Protocols read the Mass Mail Announcement released on August 3, 2020.

• Campus Information on COVID-19 -- This is intended to be a central starting point for information and updates about regarding COVID-19 and the campus.
• Illinois Remote --Everything you need to enable a successful transition to remote teaching, learning, working, and researching at Illinois.
• Safer Illinois App -- The University of Illinois app providing pandemic resources to support community health and safety.
• College of LAS COVID-19 website
• COVID-19 Campus Safety Information
• COVID-19 In-Person Human Subjects Research Guidance
• COVID-19 related MASSMAIL announcements
• COVID-19 Briefing Series

If you have been instructed to quarantine, are wondering when you should self-quarantine, or are seeking guidance on quarantine procedures please read the University of Illinois Quarantine and Isolation guidance.

CDC guidelines on how to properly clean and disinfect facilities

• Request Tech Support
• Getting Started with Zoom -- Zoom is the preferred way to host online meetings and course activities at the University. Zoom can either run in your browser or on the Zoom desktop app. Visit this site to get started.
  • Please be aware that if you plan to host a meeting discussing information classified as protected health information (PHI), either for research or for service provision, you must use the Zoom PHI-compliant portal. Instructions for how to access the PHI-compliant portal can be found here.
• Technology loan programs for laptops, cellular devices and webcams
  • Students should first reach out to the Student Assistant Center
  • Faculty and staff needing a smartphone for the Safer Illinois app fill out the form at https://go.illinois.edu/SaferIllinoisLoan
  • ATLAS Share has been expanded to students, faculty and staff in the College of LAS

ALL STUDENTS ENROLLED FOR FALL SEMESTER

All enrolled students, whether you are returning to the campus or not, should visit the What all students need to do right now page.

As many labs have had to suspend or limited research activities in response to changing safety needs, undergraduate research opportunities have also shifted. If you are looking to get involved with research, there are still many opportunities available and we encourage you to explore the resources here to connect with research projects and mentors.

• Illinois Office of Undergraduate Research -- This office is a central hub for connecting undergraduate students with research opportunities. This is a good place to start if you're not sure where to start.

• Explore Types of Undergraduate Research -- There are many ways to engage in research. Whether as a volunteer or working on a thesis project or somewhere in between, check out the Undergraduate Research page to learn more about some of the ways to get involved. 

• Contact Labs Directly -- Check out the labs on our Research Labs page! Some labs have moved research to online formats and may still require additional help.

• Fall 2020 Instruction FAQ
• Illinois Remote--Everything you need to enable a successful transition to remote teaching, learning, working, and researching at Illinois.
• Disability Resources & Educational Services (DRES) --  DRES works with individuals with disabilities to ensure equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from activities at the University. If you feel you may have a disability that is making it difficult to engage with the current learning formats, you can contact DRES for more information about evaluations and accommodations.
• LAS COVID-19 resources

International Students & Scholars Services (ISSS) has compiled a list of common questions concerning how the current local and national responses to the pandemic may impact international students. You can read their responses on their COVID-19 page here.

Please read the University Housing Coronavirus FAQ for answers to common questions about changes to campus housing. This information can be found on their website here.

Who to reach out to for help during the pandemic?

If you feel like you are experiencing difficulties that are affecting your work, please remember that you can always reach out to the Assistant Head for Graduate Studies Nicole Allen or the Assistant Head for Diversity and Inclusion Alejandro Lleras. They are always available to help you and might be able to facilitate discussions with your faculty advisor (if you want them to).

If you would rather talk with your advisor, but don’t know how to start that conversation (or feel uncomfortable starting the conversation yourself), please submit your name on this form. We will pass on the information to your mentor, along with guidelines on how to start these conversations, how to adjust expectations during the crisis and other helpful mentoring information.

Before returning to the laboratory, Faculty must submit a Laboratory Safety Plan (template) to Jane Jukes (j-jukes@illinois.edu).  All lab personnel must read the most current Laboratory Safety Plan.  You will acknowledge having read the Laboratory Safety Plan on the Psychology Department check-in survey.

The Laboratory Ramp-Up checklist can be useful in planning your Laboratory Safety Plan.

The university will allow resumed in-person subject testing on July 1. Before resuming Human Subjects Research please read Human Subjects Research Return to Campus Operations (updated 6/24/20). You will submit your Laboratory Safety Plan (this addresses your overall safety plan) to IRB along with your COVID-19 Human Subjects Research Safety Plan Form (this addresses protocol specific plans, including health screening).  The IRB will route your Laboratory Safety Plan to DRS for approval.  Do not start in-person human research until the IRB approves your plan. 

• Fall 2020 Instruction FAQ
• Illinois Remote--Everything you need to enable a successful transition to remote teaching, learning, working, and researching at Illinois.
• Disability Resources & Educational Services (DRES) --  DRES works with individuals with disabilities to ensure equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from activities at the University.
• ATLAS Teaching Resources
• Illinois CITL instructor resources
• University Online Teaching Academy -- held August 3 through August 21.
• DRES Online Learning Guidebook
• Equity Access and Inclusivity Suggestions
• Zoom backgrounds featuring familiar Lincoln Hall classrooms
• LAS COVID-19 resources

The Department is following State and University-wide recommendations regarding how to safely return to work. It is important for you to realize that, at this point, if you can perform your work remotely (i.e., without being physically present in the department), the expectation is that you will. The Department is trying to track and minimize traffic inside the building. Also remember that, as a graduate student, it is your right to decline any requests to enter the building for any periods of time. You do not have to justify your decision. Many in our community are either directly at risk (due to age or other health complications) or care for people who are at risk in their own homes. 

If, on the other hand, you decide that you want to go to the department, please remember to abide by all State, University, and Departmental policies in place to maintain the health and safety of our campus community.

Below are some resources that may aide in coping with changes in work, routines, and productivity.

• Blog post on work strategies for graduate students
• Graduate Writing Support Center
• Thesis Writing Strategies
• Graduate College Student Success Unit -- Offers individualized assistance with sensitive issues, questions, and problems affecting a graduate students' academic career. Email gradsuccess@illinois.edu or call (217) 333-4610 to schedule a meeting.
• Student Assistance Center -- Helps students understand university policies and procedures, educate them about and connect them to campus resources, and support students in crisis. A place to go when you need help and just aren’t sure where to go!

Psychology Department faculty and staff are aware that the pandemic may result in many possible impediments to graduate student progress. Although there have been no formal changes in milestone guidelines, faculty have been instructed to be supportive of graduate student needs and provide flexibility to accommodate changes in graduate student responsibilities and availability, and consider other additional stressors. We encourage graduate students to raise any concerns regarding their academic progress with their advisor, their Program Area coordinator, or the Director of Graduate Studies, Nicole Allen (allenne@illinois.edu).

International Students & Scholars Services (ISSS) has compiled a list of common questions concerning how the current local and national responses to the pandemic may impact international students. You can read their responses on their COVID-19 page here.

If you are uncomfortable with any procedures or policies and would like to talk to someone other than your direct supervisor, below is a list of people you can contact.

Wendy Heller, Head (w-heller@illinois.edu)

Nicole Allen, Director of Graduate Studies (allenne@illinois.edu)

Mark Aber, Director of Undergraduate Studies (maber@illinois.edu)

Maya Marder, Clinical-Community Graduate Student (mmarder2@illinois.edu)

Ashley Ramm, Graduate Studies Office (aramm@illinois.edu)

Jane Jukes, Assistant to the Head (j-jukes@illinois.edu)

Victoria Huart, Associate Director of Finance and Business Operations (vhuart@illinois.edu)

Aaron Benjamin, Head of Building Safety (asbenjam@illinois.edu)

Before returning to the laboratory, Faculty must submit a Laboratory Safety Plan (template) to Jane Jukes (j-jukes@illinois.edu).  All lab personnel must read the most current Laboratory Safety Plan.  You will acknowledge having read the Laboratory Safety Plan on the Psychology Department check-in survey.

The Laboratory Ramp-Up checklist can be useful in planning your Laboratory Safety Plan.

The university will allow resumed in-person subject testing on July 1. Before resuming Human Subjects Research please read Human Subjects Research Return to Campus Operations (updated 6/24/20). You will submit your Laboratory Safety Plan (this addresses your overall safety plan) to IRB along with your COVID-19 Human Subjects Research Safety Plan Form (this addresses protocol specific plans, including health screening).  The IRB will route your Laboratory Safety Plan to DRS for approval.  Do not start in-person human research until the IRB approves your plan. 

• Illinois Remote--Everything you need to enable a successful transition to remote teaching, learning, working, and researching at Illinois.
• Fall 2020 Instruction FAQ
• LAS teaching resources
• Illinois CITL instructor resources
• University Online Teaching Academy -- held August 3 through August 21.
• DRES Online Learning Guidebook
• Equity Access and Inclusivity Suggestions
• Zoom backgrounds featuring familiar Lincoln Hall classrooms

LAS has developed four Implementation Teams for the upcoming Fall 2020 semester to face the challenges the fall semester brings.  They include:

• Advising and Student Support Team 
• Communications Team 
• Instructional Delivery Team 
• Research and Professional Development Team 

Dan Hyde (dchyde@illinois.edu) will serve as the liaison between the psychology department and the Implementation Teams to help facilitate communication.  If you have questions about or input on any of these topics, feel free to let him know. He will have a direct line of communication with the committees.

LAS COVID-19 information and resources

If you are uncomfortable with any procedures or policies and would like to talk to someone other than your direct supervisor, below is a list of people you can contact.

Wendy Heller, Head (w-heller@illinois.edu)

Nicole Allen, Director of Graduate Studies (allenne@illinois.edu)

Mark Aber, Director of Undergraduate Studies (maber@illinois.edu)

Maya Marder, Clinical-Community Graduate Student (mmarder2@illinois.edu)

Ashley Ramm, Graduate Studies Office (aramm@illinois.edu)

Jane Jukes, Assistant to the Head (j-jukes@illinois.edu)

Victoria Huart, Associate Director of Finance and Business Operations (vhuart@illinois.edu)

Aaron Benjamin, Head of Building Safety (asbenjam@illinois.edu)

If you are uncomfortable with any procedures or policies and would like to talk to someone other than your direct supervisor, below is a list of people you can contact.

Wendy Heller, Head (w-heller@illinois.edu)

Nicole Allen, Director of Graduate Studies (allenne@illinois.edu)

Mark Aber, Director of Undergraduate Studies (maber@illinois.edu)

Maya Marder, Clinical-Community Graduate Student (mmarder2@illinois.edu)

Ashley Ramm, Graduate Studies Office (aramm@illinois.edu)

Jane Jukes, Assistant to the Head (j-jukes@illinois.edu)

Victoria Huart, Associate Director of Finance and Business Operations (vhuart@illinois.edu)

Aaron Benjamin, Head of Building Safety (asbenjam@illinois.edu)

• COVID-19 Mental Health Resources is a list compiled by volunteers in the Clinical-Community graduate program. This list contains information for both local and national resources for seeking further support for mental and physical well-being.
• Student Support Services is a list maintained by Student Affairs containing general information focused on student needs, with a special focus on mental health services.

On-campus testing is required for all faculty, staff or students who have a need to be on-campus for any reason for any length of time.

• Mandatory twice weekly testing will be required for all faculty, staff or students who participate in any on-campus activities.
• Faculty, staff or students visiting the campus only occasionally (for example, picking up something from their office) will be required to go to a testing center, get tested and have test results dated no more than four days prior to entering any university facility.

Please see more information about testing (including a list of the current on-campus testing sites) here.

If you haven't visited a campus testing center before, the following interview with two student testing center volunteers may be helpful to knowing what to expect. You can read the interview here.

For more information on COVID-related policies see the campus MASSMAIL page.