Faculty and Staff COVID-19 Update

It’s the end of the semester, which means finals time! Here are the latest updates regarding campus operations and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Campus Events

Due to continued restrictions regarding gatherings, Bradley has decided it will not provide space on campus for events this summer. We believe this is the best way to ensure the safety of our campus and the general public. The only exception is for orientation. We have made special arrangements for orientation programs, including limiting the number of attendees per session and incorporating social distancing safeguards. If we are not able to host in-person orientations for some reason, everything will move online./p>

CARES Act

Bradley will distribute funds from the CARES Act - Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds, based on criteria created by the U.S. Department of Education. These funds are for direct distribution to our students and will follow a two step approach.

1. A one-time $400 grant for incurred expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. Funds will be distributed to all eligible students. Eligibility details can be found here. Eligible students do not need to apply for the $400 grant.
2. Bradley will also make additional grant funds available for eligible students. This second distribution will require eligible students to complete an application that provides documentation of additional, extraordinary one-time expenses. These expenses must be directly related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19. These grants will be capped at $2,600 per student and are available until the funds have been exhausted.

All eligible students should have received an email earlier today with the pertinent details. Visit the website for more details.

Commencement

On May 15-16 we will celebrate our graduates. Unfortunately, it won’t be in person as we all hoped. We’ve created several videos, as well as an interactive toolkit complete with Instagram GIF stickers, Zoom backgrounds, printable signs, Facebook frames, Augmented Reality filters and a Spotify playlist that our graduates can use to share their Bradley experience proudly. Graduating seniors should have received an email yesterday with all of the details for the celebration. You can learn all about the plans at Bradley.edu/commencement.

For May and August graduates, we will also honor them with an in-person ceremony Saturday, Dec. 19 at the Renaissance Coliseum. Times and details will be forthcoming, and all plans are contingent upon government and health guidelines.

Social Distance Safeguards

As some of you return to campus for work or to assist with move-out or other activities, it is important you continue to practice all recommended safeguards, including wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. Given the Governor's order to wear masks while in public, most of you have probably obtained your own masks. As we work through these plans, further guidance will be coming on appropriate precautions within the workplace. We ask for patience as we fully develop this plan.

Final Exam and Move-Out

As students are signed-up to move out of their residence halls this coming week, they have been reminded these move-outs should not interfere with their final exam schedule. Students are able to reschedule their move-out day/time. Recognizing the difficult balance, some students may need to be reasonably accommodated given their own and/or family schedules during this time. We do not expect this to be the norm and appreciate the continued support you are providing to our students.

We will continue to communicate with you over the summer even if not on a weekly basis. Continue to check your email for important information over the summer. Thank you for all you have done to make these last few months work. It has been a monumental effort by our students, faculty, and staff. We will see you in the fall!

–Sent to Faculty and Staff on 05/07/2020