End Of Semester Message To Students
Dear Students,
Can you believe the end of the semester is quickly approaching? Thank you for all you have done to make it another successful semester. Your commitment to our community and everything you’ve done to support each other is what makes Bradley special.
This message has some end of the semester items, vaccination information and a look forward to the fall semester.
Get Tested Before You go Home
- Just as in the fall, we are offering asymptomatic testing for students before you leave campus. If you would like to take a COVID-19 test before heading home, you may do so at Bradley Health Services. Asymptomatic testing will be open to any student during the week of May 3-14. You must schedule your test in advance here.
- Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis and are of no cost to you. Results should be returned within 24 - 48 hours. There are other testing sites in the area as well.
- As a reminder, testing reflects only one point in time. A negative test should not be a replacement for preventative measures or other efforts to minimize exposure as you head home or finish your time on campus.
- If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms call Bradley Health Services at 309-677-2700 to schedule an appointment.
Vaccination
- J&J VACCINE CLINIC ANNOUNCED: Bradley Health services will have a limited vaccine clinic Friday, April 30th from 1-5PM, utilizing the Johnson and Johnson vaccine. This vaccination requires a single shot. Johnson and Johnson vaccines were paused for briefly due to concern of an unusual blood clot and low platelet count in 15 patients out of 8 million vaccines administered. All of these cases occurred in women who were 18-45 years old. The FDA determined that this very small risk did not outweigh the benefit of the vaccine. You can book an appointment here. Appointments should take 30 minutes.
- MODERNA VACCINE CLINIC: If you received your first Moderna vaccination shot on campus, be sure to prepare for your second dose. In fact, you are eligible to receive the second Moderna vaccine on campus during the vaccination clinic, even if you received your first shot elsewhere. (You must be 4-6 weeks post first dose.) It is vital that you BRING YOUR VACCINATION CARD WITH YOU. Additionally, if you would like to receive a first dose of the Moderna vaccine you may do so and then get your second dose elsewhere.
In an effort to alleviate some stress and to make it as easy as possible, no appointment will be necessary. Moderna vaccination clinics will take place in the Performance Court of the Markin Center:
- Saturday May 8th 12pm-2pm
- Monday, May 10th 2pm-6pm
- Tuesday, May 11th 2pm-6pm
- Wednesday May 12th 12pm-5pm
- Thursday May 13th 9am-2pm
- Please consider your final exam schedule when scheduling your second dose; we strongly encourage you to wait until your finals are complete. While important, a vaccination is not an excuse for missing or rescheduling a class or final exam.
- Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines by visiting the CDC website. Specifically, you can learn more about the Moderna vaccine here and Johnson and Johnson vaccine here. You may have some side effects, which are normal signs your body is building protection.
- We are curious about your thoughts on vaccinations. You should have received this vaccination survey via email recently. Please take a few minutes to fill it out. Your participation is greatly appreciated.
- While several schools have announced they are going to require vaccination to be on campus, we have not made a decision about mandating vaccinations for our students and employees. We are following the science and watching what the higher education governing organizations, the state and the health organizations are suggesting. We will continue to communicate to you as we know more.
Engagement Survey
We also sent you an engagement survey to gain insight on your experiences as Bradley University adapted to the pandemic during the past academic year. Your participation in this survey is also greatly appreciated.
Symptom Tracker
The last day for the campus symptom tracker will be Study Day, May 5. We will not be sending this tracker during the summer. Thank you for your participation.
Residence Hall Move Out
- Residence halls will close at 10:00 am on May 13th. Graduating seniors have until May 16th at 2:00 pm to move out. You can read more about moving out here.
- Move out assistance - We ask that no more than three (3) people, including you, enter a building or room to help with your move out. No move-out appointment is necessary and there WILL< be dollies available for move-out. As you move out, please remember everyone on campus is required to wear face coverings.
- Storage - Bradley does not offer on campus storage of items and all items are expected to be moved out of a room.
- Mail delivery - Mail and package delivery to the residence halls STOPS May 12th. Outgoing mail service will not be available in the residence halls from May 5th - 17th. Please use other locations on campus for outgoing mail.
- If you are living in the off campus area this summer and need to set up water service on your own please follow these directions: Illinois American Water is encouraging students who live off campus and need to sign up for water service to manage their account online. Customers can create an online account at www.amwater.com/mywater. You will be able to request water service to be turned on/off, track water usage and pay your bill. You may also call customer service at 800-422-2782 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday – Friday for assistance or 24/7 for emergencies.
General Fall Plans
- Fall planning is well underway. We are eager for classes to return to primarily face to face instruction in the fall. 95% of our classes are scheduled for face to face delivery in the fall. As a comparison, 97% of our classes in fall of 2019 were face to face. This is exciting.
- There are still many unknowns for the fall semester and we will continue to follow the science and state and local guidelines regarding masks, physical distancing, vaccination, testing and other guidelines.
- Due to constant changes and emerging information, it is likely things will change based on CDC and other organizational guidance so we will update you throughout the summer.
Summer Communications
- Summer COVID-19 communications or updates in fall planning will likely come from univcommunications@bradley.edu, so be sure to check your inbox regularly.
- You are also encouraged to visit our coronavirus site to stay in the know this summer.
- Check the Important News section of our Coronavirus website for the end of semester message we sent to employees today.
Thank you again for all of your hard work and dedication to your education. Enjoy the summer and we can’t wait to see you again soon. As always if you have any questions you can email covid19concerns@bradley.edu.