Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The University of Illinois System is closely monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus. A system COVID-19 Planning and Response Team has been established to help coordinate the system’s response to and communication about the virus, and our three universities are monitoring their campuses and working with their local community agencies.

Our universities have created websites to keep their communities apprised of the latest communications and developments, along with answers to frequently asked questions, and contact information for additional concerns:

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois at Chicago

University of Illinois at Springfield

U I Health

U of I System updates

The following policies have been implemented by the University of Illinois System in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and will guide operations at its universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield.

Updated 3/20/2020, 4:00 p.m.
Statewide stay-at-home order

Gowing forward, in compliance with the new stay-at-home order from Gov. J.B. Pritzker:

Employees will work remotely other than those in essential jobs defined in the order, such as police, healthcare workers, power plant operators, and housing and dining personnel. Employees who have specific questions about whether this announcement changes their current working arrangement should ask their supervisor.
Unless in essential jobs, faculty and staff should stay at home except when pursuing essential activities related to healthcare, pharmacy and grocery shopping, gas stations, banking, drive-through and carry-out restaurants, and home-based care for children and seniors.
Students, we are here for you and we are so proud of you! Please help us prevent transmission by staying in your residence halls, apartments, and permanent homes as much as possible while we clamp down on this virus. And use the technologies that you are so good at to stay connected to our universities.

Updated 3/17/2020, 3:00 p.m.
Commencement

Commencement ceremonies will not take place as scheduled in May at our universities in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Degrees will be mailed, and possible alternatives are being explored, such as rescheduling and/or hosting virtual events to honor the Class of 2020.
Each university will communicate more in the days and weeks to come about ways to celebrate our graduates.

Updated 3/17/2020, 1:45 p.m.
Instruction

Effective March 16, face-to-face instruction has been suspended for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester to limit transmission of the virus.
Courses at each of our three universities will be delivered via online or alternative delivery mechanisms beginning March 23.
All students who can safely do so are required to return to their permanent home address to take their classes for the rest of the semester.
Accommodations will be made for students who cannot return to their permanent address, including residence and dining halls.
Students with university-related housing contracts who move back to their permanent addresses will receive refunds, and specific information about the process will be shared by their universities.
Each university will provide specific guidance for their students regarding both academic and housing arrangements.

Faculty and staff

We are implementing protocols to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines on social distancing, and this involves having a portion of our workforce conducting business remotely. Please refer to individual university guidelines. Human resources offices are providing guidance for employees who have questions.

Events

Based on early CDC guidance, events with more than 50 attendees that are university-sponsored or hosted by registered student organizations are suspended indefinitely, effective March 13.
Larger events may occur via livestream or other telecommunications, or be postponed to a future date.
Social gatherings with more than 10 attendees are also prohibited, based on guidance by the White House Coronavirus Task Force.
Please check with each university for specific guidance.

Travel

All university-sponsored international travel is prohibited, along with non-essential domestic travel until further notice.
Personal international travel is strongly discouraged, and we urge caution and the exercise of good judgment for personal domestic travel

Leaders of our three universities are sharing continuous and specific information for how these policies will be implemented to address the particular educational and safety needs of their campus communities. UI Hospital and clinics will provide additional protocols to address the unique needs in providing care for their patients.