MASSMAIL - COVID-19 Update from UI System President Timothy Killeen

On March 13, 2020 University of Illinois System President Tim Killeen sent the following COVID-19 Update via Massmail:

Dear faculty, staff and students:

Today, Gov. J.B. Pritzker temporarily closed the state’s pre-kindergarten through 12th grade schools as part of ongoing efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Illinois.

As you know, the University of Illinois System also took a proactive approach by migrating courses to online or alternative delivery mechanisms and by reducing large gatherings to create the social distancing that our scientific experts say is key to slowing the outbreak.

Although primary and secondary schools will be closed, we want to remind you that our universities will remain open. Residence and dining halls will be open for students who chose to study from campus rather than home. In addition, many labs will be open for research, as will our hospital and clinics for patient care. 

Faculty and staff will continue their work at our universities. We know that child-care issues will arise with the closing of pre-K through 12th grade classrooms, and employees should work with their supervisors to identify alternative work arrangements where appropriate. You will hear more in the coming days from your university’s leadership with specific guidance on this matter. 

To date, we still have had no confirmed COVID-19 cases among our faculty, staff and students, and we will do everything in our power to limit the impact of the pandemic on our campuses going forward.

Thank you again for your understanding and flexibility. We recognize that this evolving situation is stressful and we encourage you all to take care of one another as we confront this public health crisis together.

Sincerely,

Tim

Tim Killeen, President, University of Illinois System

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