March 12, 2020
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:
We have continued to monitor reports related to the COVID-19, including its rapid
spread across Illinois and the United States. On March 11, 2020, the World Health
Organization declared this disease epidemic as a pandemic. Today, I am announcing
a series of actions that are designed with the health and welfare of our students,
staff, faculty, and campus in mind. These decisions have not been made lightly, but
only after careful consideration of all available information released by the U.S.
Center for Disease Control and the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Public Health,
and with considerable input from our campus leaders. These are unprecedented times
and your careful understanding is essential.
With each action outlined below, due consideration has been accorded to a number of
factors and circumstances. The Chicago State University Emergency Preparedness Taskforce
has also been working diligently over the past two weeks to develop plans that preserve
our mission, values, and goals, while providing the least disruption to the education
of our students. These meetings have led to the preparation of a plan and process
to continue academic coursework, while also prioritizing the health and well-being
of the entire campus community. The actions are as follows:
- Campus will remain open and all staff will continue their regular work schedules.
Faculty will continue their regular work schedule on Monday, March 23 during the Extended
Spring Break (discussed below). Providing continuity of services for our students, faculty, staff, community, and
partners is important.
- Extending Spring Break for CSU students until Sunday, March 29. Spring Break is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 16 and will now extend through
to Sunday, March 29. During the extended Spring Break period, CSU faculty are expected
to return on Monday, March 23 in order to allow additional time to develop alternate
modes for course delivery, as appropriate, to replace face-to-face instruction. We
understand that this may vary for different programs, including those at the graduate
level and/or those that require specific instructional methods such as clinicals,
lab work, etc. We are prepared to accommodate all students if possible in order to
provide effective and appropriate alternatives.
Through the extended Spring Break period, the CSU Center for Teaching and Research
Excellence will continue to provide online instructional training and alternative
learning tutorials for faculty to ensure all courses are fully loaded and accessible
online. There will be required training for faculty during the week of March 23-27. Please monitor your CSU email for information regarding the training schedule.
- E-Learning begins March 30 – April 11; in-person class instruction will be suspended
during this period. After the conclusion of the extended Spring Break period, courses will resume Monday,
March 30 through Moodle in a modified format, and run for a period in the modified
format for two weeks through Saturday, April 11. Students will not report to campus during the e-learning period. Students are required
to attend classes through the modified format during their scheduled class times during
the e-learning period. Again, classes will continue to be held at the scheduled times, but with alternative
delivery methods. Students are asked to be mindful to maintain their commitment to
academic excellence through their coursework and class expectations.
Our goal is to resume in-person class instruction Monday, April 13. However, CSU will
continue to review and evaluate all available information at that time in order to
make a decision on whether an extension of e-learning will be necessary; the campus
community would then be notified in a timely manner.
- Although the situation remains fluid and is subject to change, there are no plans
at this time to extend the Spring 2020 semester. Therefore, at this time, the Spring 2020 semester is scheduled to conclude Friday,
May 15, 2020.
- Effective March 12, all nonessential university-sponsored domestic travel will be cancelled. Last week, the decision was made to restrict all travel for university-sponsored student
and faculty study abroad, as well as university-sponsored international travel. At
this time, all nonessential university-sponsored domestic travel will also be cancelled.
This is subject to change based on recommendations set forth by the CDC, IDPH, and
CDPH.
- Residence and dining halls will remain open to accommodate students who want to stay
on campus or are not in a position to return to their permanent home. We understand that many of our students were not planning to travel during Spring
Break. Library and dining services will continue to be available to students with
the following modified hours:
Dining Hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am-2pm and 4-6pm
- Federal Work-Study Students. Work-study students are not required to report to work from March 16 – April 11. All students should be mindful that e-learning begins March 30. We understand that many students rely on financial assistance to fund their college
education. Therefore, Spring 2020 work-study students will continue to receive the
prior approved funding. More information regarding federal work-study will be sent
directly to affected students in the days to come. All non-work-study student employees should be contacted by their supervisor.
- Effective March 12, all campus events with 50 or more anticipated attendees will be
postponed through April 11. All other gatherings need to be reported to the appropriate supervisor or college
dean, and should practice CDC social distancing guidelines. Additional information
will be provided regarding the status of scheduled events.
While this situation is rare, we remain grounded in our mission to educate and focused
on our values of academic excellence and responsibility. Campus leaders are in constant
communication with state agencies, public health authorities and accreditors. In addition
to providing the campus community with regular updates via direct communication, we
will continue to update the CSU COVID-19 website (accessible from the link at https://www.csu.edu)
with frequently asked questions and key University contact information.
In the coming days, students, faculty, and staff will be contacted by their professors,
department chairs, and supervisors, respectively, to respond to specific issues. CSU
has also set-up an email address at coronavirus@csu.edu where you may address your additional questions; we ask for your patience as we attempt
to address individual concerns in a timely manner.
Thank you for your patience as we work to address this evolving situation. You have
my greatest gratitude as we continue to overcome this challenge together.
Sincerely,

Zaldwaynaka Scott, Esq.
President