On-Campus Building Access Policies During Winter Break and Prior to the Spring 2021 Term

Dear Physics Grad Students:

You may have received last week a somewhat confusing message from the Grad College regarding Spring 2021 building access. Somewhat clearer instructions are provided on the campus COVID-19 website about Spring 2021 Return to Campus for Students.

Below, I summarize the key information regarding on-campus building access during winter break and prior to the Spring 2021 semester (Monday, January 25, 2021), both for students remaining on campus and for students returning to campus after traveling over winter break:

Access to Loomis, MRL, ESB, and other campus buildings between January 15 and 24: Between January 15 and January 24, the Safer Illinois App and Boarding Pass will be reset for the Spring term, and building access will be shown as Denied on the Safer Illinois App. Students with keys to Loomis, MRL, and/or ESB will be able to access these buildings without requiring a Building Access Form. However, students accessing Loomis, MRL, or ESB during this period must still make sure to have two negative on-campus COVID-19 test results. 

Note that if you don't have a key to a campus building to which you need access during the period Jan. 15 - 24, you may not be able to show Building Access Granted on your Safer Illinois App, even if you have had a recent negative COVID-19 test. In this case, you will need to complete a Building Access Form to gain access to the building. You should be able to use the Safer Illinois App to show your testing status again on January 25, 2021.

Students remaining on campus during winter break (Dec. 19, 2020 - January 24, 2021): Currently, graduate students, faculty, and staff are required to get a COVID-19 test twice weekly for access to campus buildings, including Loomis, MRL, and ESB. Graduate students are asked to get tested on either a Wednesday/Saturday or a Wednesday/Sunday schedule.

To participate in on-campus activities beginning Jan. 24, it is required that all students, faculty, staff and scholars receive two negative on-campus COVID-19 test results, no sooner than three days apart between Jan.15 - 24. During this time period, it is recommended that graduate students get their two tests on January 15 and 19.

Students travelling off-campus and returning for the Spring 2021 semester: Before students who have left campus and return for the Spring 2021 semester can participate in on-campus activities beginning Jan. 24, it is required that they receive two negative on-campus test results, no sooner than three days apart between Jan.15 - 24. If you cannot arrive on campus in time to do this, you must instead begin testing as soon as possible, and you will not be able to participate in on-campus activities until you receive two negative on-campus COVID-19 test results, no sooner than three days apart.

Please let me know if you have any questions about building access policies during winter break or prior to the Spring 2021 semester.

Best wishes,

Lance