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Considerations for Moving to 100% Virtual Learning at Bradley University

This document was approved by President Standifird and Bradley’s Senior Leadership Team on July 29, 2020. We will continue to consult with our healthcare partners and follow the science as we make decisions and policies regarding COVID-19. This document may be revised periodically.

Bradley University has identified considerations regarding our threshold for pivoting to online learning. Our decisions are guided by doing what is in the best interest and wellbeing of the Bradley University community based on the science and input from healthcare professionals.

Following public health practices, CDC and State of Illinois recommendations, including personal hygiene, physical distancing, frequent disinfection of common and high traffic areas, testing, contact tracing, symptom tracking, and face covering in public is our new normal. Information and updates to Bradley University’s COVID-19 response and plans can be found at bradley.edu/coronavirus/.

Tracking Trends

Bradley University will create a dashboard that will capture testing information.

On an ongoing basis, Bradley University will evaluate a variety of data points, trends and outcomes that will inform the university’s next steps. The following considerations of our community and campus will provide the information the university will consider in evaluating possible actions.

Campus Considerations

  • Data regarding the health of employees in critical areas that limit our ability to operate efficiently.
  • Significant increases in positivity rates through symptomatic and surveillance testing
    • Upward trajectory of ILI and COVID-19 syndromic surveillance within a 14-day period over baseline rates
    • Upward trajectory of influenza-like illness (ILI) – when compared to traditional rates – and COVID-19-like syndromic surveillance within a 14-day period
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages impacting ability to test and respond to COVID-19
  • Inability to adequately test for COVID-19 due to supply chain issues or inability to have lab(s) process test
  • Clusters of positive cases
    • If the activity from clusters overwhelms our ability to quarantine/isolate and contact trace
    • Number, location and types of cluster that may become more widespread
  • Positive tests in excess of surveillance testing models. Our surveillance sample pool number was created assuming 10% prevalence rate at a 90% confidence interval. These numbers must also be viewed in light of their fluctuating daily. Given the evolving nature of this pandemic that threshold could change.
  • Increasing cases of community transmission (no known source) within the student population

Community Considerations

  • Significant, applicable action by the governor or other public official
  • A regional return to stage 3 or other other escalation by the Peoria City/County Health Department or State of Illinois COVID-19 risk-based guidelines
  • Local hospital admission trends
  • Upward trajectory of influenza-like illness (ILI) – when compared to traditional rates – and COVID-19-like syndromic surveillance within a 14-day period
  • Upward trajectory of documented cases or percentage of positive tests (with flat or increasing volume of tests) in the Peoria area for 14 days
  • Decline in capacity within the community for screening and contact tracing for symptomatic individuals
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE) shortages impacting ability to test and respond to COVID-19

Possible Actions

  • Advanced or heightened physical distancing or other precautionary measures implemented
  • Building and facility closure in order to clean, disinfect, and/or contact trace
  • Reduce occupancy within facilities
  • Short term remote learning or class suspension
  • Transition to complete remote learning