The campus policies and resources during the pandemic are evolving. Please check back regularly for updates.
For the most current information on University-wide policies, visit https://covid19.illinois.edu/
Updated on 1/6/2022.
Requirements for Returning to Campus
All faculty, staff and students are now required to receive a university-accepted COVID-19 vaccine AND approved booster shot if they plan to continue to be on campus this semester.
In light of increases in positive COVID-19 cases and the emergence of the Omicron variant, all students, faculty, and staff are required to receive one negative COVID-19 test prior to returning to campus activities regardless of vaccination status.
- Undergraduate students MUST receive one negative on-campus COVID-19 test before Friday, January 21.
- Faculty, staff, and graduate students MUST receive one negative on-campus COVID-19 test between January 3 and January 15.
To allow students time to receive their negative tests, the first week of instruction will be held online. In-person instruction will resume on Monday, Jan 24.
Everyone without a verified vaccination must request an exemption. Students may request medical exemptions through the MyMcKinley Portal, or religious exemptions through the form provided by the Office of the Dean of Students. Faculty and staff may submit an exemption request through the Office of Access and Equity by filling out their Employee Accommodation Request. Everyone granted an exemption will be required to continue testing.
Everyone without a verified vaccination is asked to test every other day. For more information of the campus testing policy see the On-campus COVID-19 testing page. Graduate and undergraduate students who are not enrolled in classes are not required to test unless they plan to be on campus for any reason. Employees who are required to test are not required to test on their non-work days or on remote days.
Everyone is required to wear masks while inside campus facilities regardless of vaccination status. Those without verified vaccinations are also required to wear masks anywhere on campus including outdoor spaces.
Campus members who have a university-verified Vaccination Record Card are exempt from regular testing requirements. Those with vaccination cards will still be allowed to utilize the campus testing program at no cost. See the University vaccination page for more information on how to submit your vaccination information for verification.
The University strongly recommends that all faculty, staff and students download and use the Illinois App in order to maximize safety for ourselves and for one another as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Note that the University will transition away from using the previous Safer Illinois App.
General Information
Below you will find information and resources potentially relevant to all campus affiliated individuals
Information for Undergraduates
Our undergraduate student body has unique needs for effectively navigating campus activities during the pandemic. Here you will find resources that have been identified as specifically pertinent to undergraduate students. If you have any curriculum-related concerns that are not addressed in the information here or in the general information section, we encourage you to reach out to your academic advisor for further information.
Information for Graduate Students
Graduate students juggle many things throughout the their time at the University. Responding to the changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic adds another layer of complexity to that. To help our grad student adjust to these shifts, we have compiled a list of information of particular relevance to our graduate student body.
Resources for Faculty
Faculty may be facing their own set of challenges as they adjust their various responsibilities at work and at home. Here you will find resources for helping faculty respond to this shift in demands. We also encourage faculty who interact with or mentor undergraduate and graduate students to look at the resources gathered above to help their students navigate their campus responsibilities during the pandemic.
Resources for Staff
Our staff keep the campus running smoothly and form the backbone of University activities. We value the effort all of our campus staff have made to create a safe and productive work and learning environment as the campus adapts to the changing situation. We also recognize that our campus staff may have needs that are unique to their position within our community. Below you will find resources that have been gathered that may be particular relevant for staff activities.
Mental Health Resources
The current pandemic has resulted in drastic changes to how we interact with one another and has caused widespread and serious impacts on people's lives. This has implications for both physical and mental health. People vary in both their experiences of and responses to the current situation and increased feelings of distress are a normal reaction. Below are links to resources that can help support resilience during challenging times.
COVID Testing
As part of the campus effort to maintain the safety of our community with students convening for the fall semester, the University has instituted mandatory COVID-19 testing policies. Read below for more information about who must engage in regular testing, how often, and where free testing can be accessed.