A: Chicago State University is fully open for in-person instruction, classes, activities, and events aligned with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for the 2021-2022 academic year. Safety precautions during this period is include requiring masks and social distancing and conducting surveillance testing to rapidly detect cases among students, faculty, and staff.

To learn more about the safety measures, please review the policies and operating plan on the COVID-19 Cougar Wellness page.

A: CSU has taken a series of actions to ensure the health and safety of all, which includes:

1. Masks: All CSU students, faculty, staff and visitors must wear a face covering in University spaces indoors and in all public spaces, regardless of vaccination status.
2. Vaccines: Staff and faculty are required to provide proof of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Students who participate in in-person classes or on-campus activities are encouraged to voluntarily provide evidence of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. Students living in the residence hall and student-athletes are REQUIRED to provide proof of vaccination.
3. Surveillance Testing &Monitoring: CSU provides continuous free COVID-19 testing on campus. All non-vaccinated persons living on, working on, and/or attending in-person classes on the CSU campus are required to participate in mandatory surveillance testing twice a week.
4. Contact Tracing: CSU is running contact tracing, tracking on-campus cases and notifying individuals who had close contact with someone with COVID-19.
5. Social Distancing: CSU is enforcing social distancing guidelines across campus, including classrooms and other communal areas.
6. Personal Protective Equipment: CSU has made several upgrades to adhere to public health best practices, including updating the ventilation system, installing hand sanitizer stations, and installing protective partitions.

CSU will continue to review and evaluate all available information on a consistent basis in order to maintain safe operations that align to best practices.

A: All CSU students, faculty, staff and visitors must wear a face covering in University spaces indoor and in all public spaces, regardless of vaccination status. A face covering does not have to be worn when eating or drinking, or when alone in a private space.

Employees who cannot wear a face mask because of an underlying medical condition and/or due to ADA requirements should notify their supervisor immediately. Students who cannot wear a mask should notify their instructors.

A: Yes, campus events will take place on campus. Students, staff, and community partners must secure approval from the university by contacting ddeener@csu.edu. Please note that all events will adhere to the latest public health guidance.

A: Contact coronavirus@csu.edu.

1. Stay Home: Do not come to campus. Self-isolate for the minimum of days that the prevailing health protocols require.
   1. If you live in the Residence Hall, move to an isolation room by contacting the Residence Hall Director at rking31@csu.edu.  
2. Report the Case to CSU: Inform the CSU COVID-19 Task Force Director by filling out the COVID-19 Report Form (available on Cougar Connect and Covid19 Updates page).
   1. Students: Also alert all of your instructors and the Office of the Provost at provost@csu.edu
   2. Faculty & Staff: Also alert hyour direct supervisor and HR at amiles24@csu.edu
3. Take care of yourself: which should include consulting with your physician or health care provider and isolating as they recommend.
4. Before returning to campus, provide proof of a negative COVID-19. You can find a local COVID testing site here. Report your negative test result to:
   1. Students: Legal Affairs at asweis@csu.edu and the University Wellness Center at wellness@csu.edu.
   2. Faculty and Staff: Legal Affairs at asweis@csu.edu and HR at amiles24@csu.edu.

CSU Response: CSU will take immediate steps in accordance with city, state and federal health guidelines to protect the campus community. Legal Affairs will use the COVID-19 Reporting Form to help conduct contact tracing. The information you submit is confidential and is only used tor contact tracing purposes.

A: Yes, the University is offering free testing throughout the year for students, faculty, and staff. Testing is conducted through Shield Illinois and available at the cafe at the Library during the following days and hours 

• Mondays & Wednesdays: 9 am – 11 am 
• Thursdays: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
• Fridays:  9:00 am – 12:00 pm 

Testing is non-invasive, using saliva samples and takes 10 minutes or less. Results are received within 24- 48 hours.

Additional details on the COVID-19 testing are available on the Shield Illinois FAQ page.

First - Confirm if it was an exposure. According to the CDC, a COVID-19 exposure is being in close contact (within 6 feet) of someone who has tested positive for the virus for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period. 

Second - follow the CDC recommended actions, based on exposed individuals’ vaccination status:

Non-vaccinated individuals:

• Stay home for 14 days after your last close contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.

Vaccinated individuals: 

• If you are fully vaccinated, you do NOT need to quarantine after close contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless you have symptoms. 
• You should get tested 3-5 days after close contact exposure, even if you don’t have symptoms. 
• You must wear a mask indoors on campus property at all times and in public for 14 days following close contact exposure or until your test result is negative.

A: As with any illness, students and employees who are ill should stay home and, if warranted, seek medical attention. Students and employees should follow normal call-in procedures and protocols for their courses or their department and report time away from work in web time entry, in accordance with University policy. 

$50 Incentive for Proof of Vaccine: All students who show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination to the university will each receive a $50 payment incentive, which they may choose to receive in a refund or have applied directly to their account balance. To receive this credit, scan or take a picture of your COVID vaccination card and email it to the Wellness Center at wellness@csu.edu.

Students Living in the Residence Hall & Student-Athletes:These students are REQUIRED to provide proof of being fully vaccinated before the academic year starts or moving into the residence hall.

All Other Students On Campus for Classes, Work or Events: CSU encourages you to VOLUNTARILY provide proof of vaccination to the university.

Surveillance Testing: Students who do not provide proof of vaccination or receive an approved exemption must comply with all protocols for unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated individuals, including twice-weekly asymptomatic COVID-19 testing. CSU is providing this testing on campus for free to all students.

A: All students who show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination to the university will each receive a $50 payment incentive, which they may choose to receive in a refund or have applied directly to their account balance. To receive this credit, scan or take a picture of your COVID vaccination card and email it to the Wellness Center at wellness@csu.edu.

A: CSU is accepting the vaccines authorized by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO). As of August 13, 2021, those vaccines are:

• FDA approved: Pfizer (2-dose vaccine), Moderna (2-dose vaccine), and Janssen or Johnson and Johnson (1-dose vaccine)
• WHO approved: AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, and Sinovac-CoronaVac are approved by the WHO, as are the three vaccines approved by the U.S. FDA.

A: Get vaccinated: Vaccine appointments are readily available through personal physicians, neighborhood pharmacies, and other health care settings, You can find vaccine appointments here. As a service to our campus community, CSU is also offering on-campus vaccine clinics in August and September (schedule available here). Receive the vaccine for FREE and quickly by stopping by during the vaccine clinics!

Participate in surveillance testing and other safety guidelines: Students who are not fully vaccinated must do the following until they provide campus proof of vaccination.

1. Get tested twice a week in CSU’s on-campus surveillance testing.
2. Follow CSU’s other safety measures including wearing a mask on campus if around others or in public spaces.

A: CSU offers the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based COVID-19 test. Tests are quick (10 minutes or less) and free.  Testing is currently offered Mon & Wed 9 - 11 am; Thurs: 12 - 3pm ; and Fri 9 am - 12 pm.  You can find the additional details on SHIELD Illinois testing here.

A: CSU is requiring students living in the residence hall and student athletes to be fully vaccinated before the Fall 2021 Semester begins on August 23. The CDC considers individuals fully vaccinated two-weeks after the second dose of two-dose vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) and two weeks after one dose of the Johnson and Johnson shot.

Students who choose to not provide proof of vaccination will not receive a $50 payment incentive and are required to participate in twice-weekly COVID-19 surveillance testing, wear a mask, and follow other public health guidelines.

A: Only students participating in activities on campus are strongly encouraged to provide proof of receiving the vaccine. Anyone participating in activities on campus (e.g. working, studying, or joining events) at any point in the semester must participate in twice-weekly surveillance testing if they do not provide proof of receiving a vaccine.

A: Get vaccinated: International students of institutions of higher education are eligible to receive vaccines through U.S. health care settings.  You can find vaccine appointments here. CSU is also offering vaccine clinics in August and September (schedule available here). Receive the vaccine for FREE and quickly by stopping by during the vaccine clinics!

Participate in surveillance testing and other safety guidelines: Students who are not fully vaccinated must do the following until they provide campus proof of vaccination.

1. Get tested twice a week in CSU’s on-campus surveillance testing. CSU offers the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based COVID-19 test. Tests are quick (10 minutes or less) and free.  Testing is currently offered Mon & Wed 9 - 11 am; Thurs: 12 - 3pm ; and Fri 9 am - 12 pm.  You can find the additional details on SHIELD Illinois testing here.
2. Follow CSU’s other safety measures including wearing a mask on campus if around others or in public spaces, participating in daily symptom monitoring offered through Kuvvr, and practicing social distancing.

A: CSU is issuing this health guidance based on the following factors:

1. CDC Guidance: The latest CDC guidance emphasizes that vaccination is the leading prevention strategy to protect individuals from COVID-19 disease and to end the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. Wide Vaccine Eligibility and Availability: All individuals ages 12 and up are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, and the COVID-19 vaccine is now widely available nationally, including throughout Illinois and the City of Chicago.

A: For the fall 2021 semester beginning Aug. 23, 2021, CSU is fully open for in-person instruction and classes aligned with the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) for the 2021-2022 academic year. Most classes will take place  in-person. Please review the course scheduling page determine whether the course is in-person, e-learning or hybrid.

To learn more about the safety measures, please review the policies and operating plan on the COVID-19 Cougar Wellness page.

A: Enrollment services, advising, and placement exams are open and available to assist you with the application process and registration for the fall semester. Don’t forget to make an appointment!

• Advisors can assist with selecting courses or registering for classes (contact information here).
• Financial aid can assist with your financial aid plan. Make an appointment by emailing csu-finaid@csu.edu. 
• The Bursar can help you with textbook vouchers. Make an appointment by emailing bursar@csu.edu.
• Bookstore is now virtual.  
• IDs are available in the library by appointment (email idservices@csu.edu). 

A: The university library and all library resources are available virtually, and Gwendolyn Brooks Library is open for students. Students can contact the IT Help Desk at helpdesk@csu.edu for assistance accessing equipment, the internet, and/or using e-learning methods. Additionally, below are internet resources you can use for connectivity assistance.

• Internet Service Resources
• Comcast Tool Kit
• Drive-up WIFI Map tool

A: We are accepting applications in alignment with federal guidelines. Please email at khaan@csu.edu if you are a current or prospective international student.

A: The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is an option for full-time civil service and administrative employees. Employees can call (773)995-2040 for questions or email hr@csu.edu.

A: No.

A: Please understand that Human Resources will be available to all CSU employees as a resource during this period. However, HR is not accepting walk-in or face-to-face appointments. We are ready to help, and we ask that you email or call for support. Please email hr@csu.edu. or call (773)995-2040.

A: Yes. Effective August 23, 2021, all employees are required to be vaccinated or demonstrate progress towards full vaccination by receiving the first vaccine no later than the first day of class on August 23, 2021.

A: Get vaccinated: You can find vaccine appointments here (https://www.zocdoc.com/vaccine). CSU is also offering vaccine clinics in August and September (schedule available here). Receive the vaccine for FREE and quickly by stopping by during the vaccine clinics!

Participate in surveillance testing and other safety guidelines: Students who are not fully vaccinated must do the following until they provide campus proof of vaccination.

1. Get tested twice a week in CSU’s on-campus surveillance testing. CSU offers the SHIELD Illinois saliva-based COVID-19 test. Tests are quick (10 minutes or less) and free.  Testing is currently offered Mon & Wed 9 - 11 am; Thurs: 12 - 3pm ; and Fri 9 am - 12 pm.  You can find the additional details on SHIELD Illinois testing here.
2. Follow CSU’s other safety measures including wearing a mask on campus if around others or in public spaces, participating in daily symptom monitoring offered through Kuvvr, and practicing social distancing.

A: Employees can verify their vaccination status with the Office of Human Resources. Several dates have been announced; however, if you have not had an opportunity to participate in this process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@csu.edu to schedule a time to verify your vaccine status.

A: According to the CDC, individuals are considered fully vaccinated (i) 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or (ii) 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson's.

A: Individuals who have been infected with COVID-19 and have recovered should still get the COVID-19 vaccine after the appropriate period of time.

A: New employees must show proof of vaccine as a condition of employment and at the request of the Office of Human Resources during the on-boarding process. This is done by the completing the standard attestation forms provided by HR.  

A: The paid leave related to quarantine, created by the federal government, expired on June 30, 2021.  Any employee who needs to quarantine must use available accrued and unused time off.

A: Yes, testing is required until you are fully vaccinated. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine.

A: You do not have to test for 90 days past a positive diagnosis. (Following the CDC advice for those who test positive to refrain from retesting for 90  days to avoid false-positive tests.)  After 90 days, you will have to test until fully vaccinated.

A: A positive case within the department does not necessarily mean that all employees in the department should stay home. CSU will follow contact tracing protocol and notify employees who had close contact (as defined by the CDC) with someone who tested positive and direct to quarantine if appropriate. Based on each specific situation, building services will determine the extent of additional cleaning necessary in the area, in accordance with CDC guidelines, to ensure employee safety.

A: You can remind other employees or students that masks are required on campus and provide a mask to the individual, as most offices should have a supply of masks available. If this does not resolve your concern, please contact the Office of Human Resources at hr@csu.edu.