Faculty and Staff COVID-19 Update

As another week of Illinois’ stay-at-home order goes by, we wanted to update you with some recent changes at Bradley as a result of the COVID-19 crisis:

2020 Summer Orientation

We will host 16 one-day sessions throughout the month of July and two sessions in August. The orientations will be organized by college and while the schedule is still being developed, we expect each orientation will run approximately from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. We plan to host two concurrent sessions each day at different locations on campus, limited to 25 students per session and only one family member per student.

If we are not able to host in-person orientations, everything will move online but will stay consistent with whatever day a student is scheduled. For example, if a student is signed up to come July 7 and we are online, they will still meet virtually with their advisor and register for classes that day.

The schedule for orientation will be:

• July 7, 8, 9, 10 (Tues through Friday) BUS, EHS, LAS
• July 13, 14, 16, 17 (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) BUS, EHS, LAS
• July 20, 21, 23, 24 (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) CFA, EGT, AEP
• July 27, 28, 30, 31 (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri) CFA, EGT, AEP
• Aug 19 and 20 will be open to students from more than 250 miles away and will include all majors/colleges

Additionally, some components that were previously part of orientations, will either be moved online or into Welcome Week events.

Admission Date Change

As previously decided, for students who need more time deciding on their college path, we have extended our enrollment commitment deadline until June 1.

Pass/Fail

The student engagement team has created a video to walk you through key points in the Pass/Fail policy and its implications on student progress, degree attainment and financial aid. This video is accessible to anyone with a BU Net ID here. In addition to this video, the GPA calculator has been modified to consider Pass/Fail options and help students and advisors see the potential impact on hours earned and grade point average. To access this calculator, click here, then click "Make a Copy."

Redeployment

University vice presidents were asked last week to identify areas and projects requiring extra assistance. After identifying the areas in need, we will ask supervisors to identify employees who might be redeployed to help with projects outside of their current duties. This would only be a temporary reassignment to help during this crisis.

Cleaning Routines

During the past several weeks Bradley's Custodial Department has implemented several new processes that support the changing environment here on our campus. You may notice signs on room doors stating that the room is locked. In these instances, the identified room has been thoroughly disinfected and locked. This is a proactive and precautionary measure that will assist with the effective use of our cleaning supply inventories and the effective deployment of our custodial staff. Other changes include:

• Utilization of specific disinfectants to kill the Coronavirus
• Adjusting our cleaning processes to focus on commonly used surfaces such as door handles, railings, water fountains, countertops, etc.
• Procurement of equipment (fogger/misters) that, if needed, can be utilized for rapid deployment of disinfectants.

Student Information, Just in Case You are Asked:

CARES Act: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund

Bradley University has applied for grant funding from the Department of Education. The money from the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund grant will allow the university to provide emergency grants directly to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. The university is currently evaluating how best to distribute the funding under the limited guidance provided by the Department of Education. More details will be forthcoming.

Housing and Meal Plan Refunds

The credits for housing and meal plans due to the COVID-19 pandemic have been applied to student accounts and will be used to offset any unpaid, outstanding tuition and fee charges. Any credit balances will result in a check being issued on May 5 to be sent to their home address on file in Webster. Questions should be directed to the Bursar's Office at stufees@fsmail.bradley.eduor (309) 677-3120.

Move Out

Students who lived in residence halls, St. James or SAC, and still have personal items there, will receive details next week outlining the move out process.

Book Return

Students who rented books will receive emails from the bookstore with a link where they can print a UPS label to return their rentals. They can also find details on the bookstore’s website. Students will have until August 26 to return any checked out items to the library. Up until this date, there will be no fines for any late items. They can use the library drop box or mail them to Cullom-Davis Library.

Scholarship, Grant and Financial Aid Eligibility

In addition to the Pass/Fail grading option for the spring 2020 semester, renewal GPA requirements for university-funded scholarships for 2020-21 will be more flexible. Bradley will accept passing grades (either letter grades above a D or a P in the case of Pass/Fail) as satisfying the renewal requirements for academic scholarships, need-based grants and all other forms of institutional aid unless specifically indicated by a scholarship contract.

Face Covering Do's and Don'ts

Fewer than a dozen states have made it a requirement for residents to cover their faces when they go out in public, while the rest only recommend it. Illinois is one of the recommendation states. Attached you will find a list of dos and don'ts when it comes to wearing masks. Remember a mask or facial covering is not a substitute for physical distancing or staying home.

We are here for You

While life goes on and we are all trying to adjust, it’s just not the same without our students on campus. Here’s another video from some of your colleagues who wanted students to know how much they miss them.

–Sent to Faculty and Staff on 04/22/2020