IMPORTANT: SEVP ICE Policy Guidance for Fall 2020

This week marks our first orientation session of the summer as we continue to prepare the campus for the fall semester. We want to give you an update on items from President Standifird’s communication sent a couple of weeks ago.

Course Delivery

Some of you may not be able to return to campus, while others may want to continue taking classes virtually. You should note, however, there may be exceptions to virtual classes like a practicum or lab experience. If you’d like to apply to take your classes solely in a virtual environment, you must send a request to vpsa@bradley.edu and include a brief description of why you’re making the request. All requests must be submitted by Monday, July 20. They will be reviewed and shared with several offices across campus.

If accepted, you will agree to the following: all tuition and fees will remain the same (minus housing fees); you will not be able to reside in the residence halls, SAC or St. James apartments; all grades received will be letter grades (unless the course is already delivered as a pass/fail course); this decision is for the entire fall 2020 semester only (you will not be able to switch between virtual and face-to-face learning during the semester); and virtual learning may change your financial aid.

For our international students, we’re closely following the rules released July 6 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If you were considering taking your classes in a solely virtual environment for the fall, please don’t submit a request. We will communicate directly with you in the coming weeks with specific information and recommendations related to coursework and what may be needed in order to maintain your visa status. If you have immediate questions please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at international@fsmail.bradley.edu.

Face Coverings

Everyone must wear a face-covering in classrooms, common areas, labs, etc. and outside when physical distancing cannot be maintained. Accommodation requests for those with health issues that do not allow them to wear a face-covering should be made to bradleyhealthservices@fsmail.bradley.edu by Monday, July 20 to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests should provide appropriate medical documentation or reference to previously submitted documentation. All requests will be reviewed in coordination with Student Access Services.

University Housing

Housing information for incoming and returning students regarding residence halls and St. James was sent last week. Please check your email for information and details regarding the upcoming Friday, July 17 deadlines. All other housing operations, including Main Street Commons, individual rental properties, fraternities and sororities are operated by outside agencies. All questions regarding these properties should be directed to the appropriate landlord.

Academic Calendar

There will be no fall break and you won’t return to campus after Thanksgiving. We will hold class Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 12-13. We will not, however, hold class Monday or Tuesday, Nov. 23-24, prior to Thanksgiving. While you won’t return to campus after Thanksgiving, you will be required to attend classes virtually through the end of the semester. Study Day will remain Wednesday, Dec. 9 and final exams will remain as scheduled, Dec. 10 through Dec. 16. Visit the academic calendar to learn more about course add/drop dates.

Classroom Set-Up

All classrooms will be set up and cleaned in a way that is CDC compliant. All classes will be required to follow proper physical distancing with no more than 50 people physically present per class, where space allows for physical distancing to be maintained. Teams are measuring the classrooms and determining the COVID-19 capacity of each. Some courses may be delivered in a hybrid or fully online mode due to these capacity guidelines. This information will be outlined in your syllabus and communicated to you prior to the start of class.

Testing

We will practice antigen surveillance COVID-19 testing of students, faculty and staff who’ll be physically on campus in the fall. Surveillance testing means we will randomly select 250-300 students, faculty and/or staff each week to be tested. Surveillance testing will be conducted at no expense through Bradley Health Services each week, from Aug. 24 – Nov. 20. Additionally, we’ll conduct testing within Health Services for students who exhibit symptoms associated with COVID-19 or who may have been exposed to it. The Peoria County Health Department has approved our testing plan.

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There have been many questions about the spring semester and those questions will begin to be answered once we get into the fall term. As of now, it’s our intent to be in a face-to-face learning environment for the spring semester as well. 

We continue to pay very close attention to the local, state and national landscape, regulations, and recommendations. We also continue to prepare for a high-quality educational experience in a safe and healthy environment for the fall. As a part of this, there are still many practices and procedures we’re developing including a social contract for all students, faculty and staff. These guidelines and expectations will help us care for each other and fully understand our responsibility as a Bradley family for a healthy and successful fall semester. In preparation for your return, we’re asking you to take the COVID-19: What You Need to Know training module.

–Sent to International Students on 07/08/2020