Dear Faculty and Staff,
I’m looking forward to the start of a new semester together and want to share with you timely information regarding COVID-19 and the recent rise in monkeypox cases across the country. As throughout the pandemic, NIU is in regular consultation with the DeKalb County Health Department and Northwestern Medicine to determine the best approaches for supporting the health and well-being of our community. Please review the information below and plan accordingly.
Masks
- Similar to the spring 2022 semester, NIU faculty and instructors will determine if masks are required while in their teaching spaces. Please note that all classrooms remain fitted with HEPA filters to help with air circulation.
- Masks are still required at all times in our Northwestern Medicine Student Health Center and other NIU health clinics.
- Huskies are also expected to wear masks at the request of individuals when meeting in the personal work or living spaces of those individuals.
- Masks will be optional in all other settings. Any member of the NIU community who prefers to continue to mask is welcome to do so.
- The university continues to make available free masks for any employee or student who needs them.
COVID-19 Compliance and Testing
- Students or employees who are sick and are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should not come to campus for class, work or other activities.
- If you are experiencing symptoms, please use a free at-home test, an over-the-counter test available at most drug stores, contact your primary care provider for a test or utilize one of the free drive-up options in the area.
- Employees and students can make an appointment for a nasal PCR test at the Northwestern Medicine Student Health Center (SHC). The test will be billed by the Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group to your health insurance. We recommend confirming with your health insurance that a test at the SHC will be covered prior to testing.
- If you have been exposed to or test positive for COVID-19, please refer to our guidance on quarantining and isolating.
COVID-19 Reporting
- An updated process for reporting to the university when someone tests positive is in development and will be communicated to the campus community in advance of classes starting Aug. 22, 2022.
COVID-19 Vaccination
- While the vaccine or boosters are not required, we strongly encourage all members of our community to get vaccinated to protect their health. Vaccines and boosters are free and widely available. Visit vaccines.gov to find a convenient location.
Monkeypox Virus
The U.S. is now in the early stages of grappling with the monkeypox virus. Unlike COVID-19 which is highly contagious, monkeypox is spread mostly through close, intimate contact with someone who has monkeypox. NIU is working closely with public health experts to monitor the situation and to develop the appropriate education campaign and protocols for our community. Currently, we encourage everyone to learn the facts about the monkeypox virus from reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
We continue to live in a challenging time, and it can be both mentally and physically tolling on all Huskies. It’s important that we take care of ourselves and utilize all resources available — including our Employee Assistance Program — so that we can continue to best support our students.
We are committed to keeping you informed with periodic updates, messages and our Monday Announcements. I deeply appreciate your continued respect for one another and our responsibility to keep ourselves and others healthy.
Sincerely,
Beth Ingram
Executive Vice President and Provost
Northern Illinois University
