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Updated Guidelines to Campus Restrictions

Dear Bradley Community,

Thank you for the good work you all have done over the last couple of weeks to help us mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. As a result of your diligence, I am pleased to share some good news with you today. Your actions over the past few weeks have helped us reduce the number of COVID-19 positive tests from 102 on Sept. 11 down to 8 for the week of 9/25/2020 - 10/01/2020. This is good news because fewer students are impacted by COVID-19. It’s also good news because it shows how Bradley can unite to reach our goal of being together for the entire semester.

While this is good news, we must remain focused on engaging in behaviors we know mitigate the spread of the virus. You have demonstrated we can do so. With that, I am comfortable with altering some of our campus restrictions. 

Our decisions regarding how to ease restrictions are based on science first and on feedback from students about what is most important to you at this time. We hear you and understand how important interactions are with each other. We must remain vigilant in our approach and we continue to need your support in reaching these expectations.

Effective Friday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m., students (excluding those in isolation or quarantine) will be allowed to: (full details are provided in the table at the end of this message)

  • dine-in at on-campus dining facilities while physically distanced 
  • reserve up to three, two-hour time slots per day in the library (beginning Saturday)
  • socialize one-on-one in residence hall rooms, apartments or houses with students other than their roommates while masked and physically distanced 
  • socialize in groups of 4 or fewer in indoor common areas on campus while masked and physically distanced
  • student organizations may be approved for outdoor events while masked and physically distanced

We are not yet ready to ease restrictions related to dining-in or drinking-in at off-campus establishments (i.e. restaurants, cafes, bars). We know this is important to you, but we need to sustain low COVID-19 positivity rates in the Bradley community before we can, in good conscience, allow you to take that risk for yourselves, the Bradley community or the local community.

We have learned students who gathered in small groups and/or visited others one-on-one without taking proper precautions were a significant contributor to spike in positive cases on campus. We are easing restrictions related to in-person social interaction with a great degree of caution, and we ask even with your small/intimate social group, please remain ever-vigilant about mask-wearing, physical distancing, good hand hygiene and proper cough/sneeze etiquette. There is much evidence taking these precautions work.

We will continue to enforce these expectations. There is no room for violations and our processes will not change. If you see concerning activity, report it to COVID19concerns@bradley.edu or fill out the noncompliance form online. For an immediate response, contact 309-677-2000.

I am delighted we are able to increase opportunities for limited social interaction. We will continue to monitor the progression of the virus on campus and in our community closely and we are prepared to reinstate restrictions should we see an increased presence of the virus on campus. My hope and expectation is if we remain vigilant in our activities, we will not need to do so.

Thank you for continuing to adapt as we learn how to co-exist with the threat of COVID-19 and for your willingness to keep yourself, the Bradley community and the Peoria community safe and healthy. We didn’t cause this virus, but together we can stop its spread on our campus.

Don’t forget to review the table below for detailed updates regarding the campus guidelines for non-classroom activities.

Sincerely,

Stephen Standifird
President - Bradley University

Updated Guidelines Regarding Non-Classroom Activities As of Oct. 2, 2020 5 p.m.

Bradley University is still restricting in-person social interaction to minimize the spread of COVID-19 with the goal of staying on campus together through Thanksgiving. This table summarizes what you may do, what you may not do and what you are encouraged to do outside of your residence. 

 

Activity Isolation
(see more guidelines here)		 Quarantine
(see more guidelines here)		 General Population
Leverage technology to stay in touch with your friends and family who you can’t see in person YES, absolutely! YES, absolutely! YES, absolutely!
Spend time outside NO, unfortunately. YES, with limitations. If you live in a residence hall, this must be coordinated with your RA. YES, absolutely! You may, while masked and physically distanced, sit on the Quad, go for a run/walk, visit a park, visit a recreation area, visit an open-air marketplace, play sports, or do any other outdoor activity as allowed by the State of Illinois COVID-19 Guidelines, as long as it doesn’t violate any of our other Bradley University COVID-19 guidelines.
Study or do remote learning outside of my residence NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, absolutely! The library, lower level of the student center, open collaboration spaces in academic buildings and other previously approved study locations are set up and ready for you. Additionally, the library is extending appointment times. Students may now reserve up to three, two hour time slots per day (beginning Saturday).
Pick up meals to-go from a Dining Hall or the Michel Student Center NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, absolutely!
Dine-in at on-campus facilities NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, you may dine-in by yourself or with one other friend in the following locations:
  • Geisert Dining Hall
  • Center Court
  • Michel Student Center
  • BECC and Jerry’s
  • Williams Dining Hall will remain carry out only

Hours of operation, capacity limits, usage limits, and cleaning instructions will be posted in each of these areas. It is your responsibility to adhere to all posted expectations and instructions.
Order food/groceries for delivery YES, with caution  NO, if you are living in a residence hall.
YES, with caution if you are living in an off-campus residence.		 YES, go for it.
Order food/groceries for carry-out NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, go for it.
Dine-in or drink-in at off-campus eating establishments or drinking establishments (i.e. restaurants, cafes, bars) NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. NO, in-person dining/drinking at an off-campus establishment is not permitted.
Visit Health Services for a scheduled medical or counseling appointment YES, as needed. YES, as needed. YES, as needed.
Run essential errands off-campus (e.g., medical provider visits, pharmacy, grocery store) NO, unfortunately. NO, if you are living in a residence hall.
YES, with caution, if you are living in an off-campus residence. 		 YES, with caution.
Attend work (on campus or off campus) after confirming with your employer NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, with caution.
Engage in off-campus learning experiences with the approval of your college dean NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, with caution.
Host an outdoor event for your student organization NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, with caution. You may host an outdoor event/activity for your student organization, but your plan must be reviewed/approved by the newly developed consultant program for Event Services. Your event must be registered in Presence, and you must track attendance using the CheckPoint app. For more information about how to safely plan and implement an outdoor event/activity for your student organization, please contact the Student Activities Office at studentactivities@bradley.edu or 309-677-3050..
Volunteer off campus for a non-profit organization NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, with caution. Ideally, you will take advantage of virtual volunteer opportunities at this time. If you choose to volunteer in person, you must be masked and maintain physical distancing. For more information regarding volunteer opportunities and COVID-19 volunteerism guidelines, please visit the Braves Volunteer COVID-19 page.
Attend church or another faith-based service NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, with caution. Ideally, you will take advantage of virtual church or other faith-based services at this time. If you choose to attend in person, you must be masked and maintain physical distancing. If you arrive at your church or other faith-based service, and others are not following safe COVID-19 precautions, you should leave immediately.  
Return to your permanent residence to visit family members YES, with caution. You may return to your permanent residence for the duration of your isolation, but you must consult with Bradley Health Services before you leave campus.  YES, with caution. You may return to your permanent residence for the duration of your quarantine, but you must let your RA and dining services know if you live in a residence hall.  Yes, with caution. Students should avoid all unnecessary personal travel. This is an important step to further protect our campus community, as each time students leave campus, the likelihood of bringing illness back to our campus increases. This was the primary reason we removed breaks for the fall semester.However, if you choose to travel to your permanent residence, we implore you to practice safe COVID-19 precautions and to be extremely diligent about safety precautions upon your return. Additionally, please disclose your travel using the Travel Disclosure Form. Ideally, you will limit trips to your permanent residence to the greatest extent possible (i.e. for emergencies). 
Have my immediate family members visit me in person NO, unfortunately.  NO, unfortunately.  Yes, with caution. Your parents or other immediate family members may visit you on campus, but they may not enter your residence hall. Parents or immediate family members must also be masked and physically distanced while they are on campus. If you live off campus, your parents or other immediate family members may visit your residence, but everyone in your residence (residents and guests) must be masked and physically distanced when in the same room with another person.
NOTE: The restrictions regarding off-campus dining/drinking still apply to you when your parents or other close relatives are visiting.
Host guest(s) in your room, apartment, or off-campus residence NO, unfortunately.  NO, unfortunately.  YES, with caution.
If you live in a residence hall, you may host 1 guest in your residence hall room (and your roommate may do the same at the same time)…
  • if that guest is a Bradley student.
  • if the total number of guests in the residence hall room does not exceed 2.
  • if all residents and guests are masked and physically distanced when in the residence hall room.
  • if the door to the residence hall room is propped open to maximize air flow.

If you live in an apartment or house with 1 - 4 residents, you may host 1 guest in your apartment or house (and your apartment/housemates may do the same)...
  • if that guest is a Bradley student.
  • if the total number of guests in the apartment or house does not exceed 4.
  • if all residents and guests are masked and physically distanced when in the same room.

If you live in an apartment or house (including fraternity and sorority houses) with 5 or more residents, you may host 1 guest in your apartment or house (and up to 3 of your apartment/housemates may do the same at the same time).
  • if that guest is a Bradley student.
  • if the total number of guests in the apartment or house does not exceed 4.
  • if all residents and guests are masked and physically distanced when in the same room.
Visit other students’ rooms, apartments or off-campus residences NO, unfortunately.  NO, unfortunately.                  YES, with caution
You may visit another Bradley student’s residence hall room...
  • if you are that student’s only guest.
  • if the total number of guests in the residence hall room does not exceed 2 (including you).
  • if all residents and guests are masked and physically distanced when in the residence hall room.
  • if the door to the residence hall room is propped open to maximize air flow..

You may visit another Bradley student’s apartment or house that has 1 - 4 residents...
  • if you are that student’s only guest.
  • if the total number of guests in the apartment or house does not exceed 4 (including you).
  • if all residents and guests are masked and physically distanced when in the same room. 

You may visit another Bradley student’s apartment or house (including fraternity and sorority houses) that has 5 or more residents...
  • if you are that student’s only guest.
  • if the total number of guests in the apartment or house does not exceed 4 (including you).
  • if all residents and guests are masked and physically distanced when in the same room. 
Visit with friends in indoor residence hall common areas NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES, you may visit in groups of 4 or fewer while masked and physically distanced. The space you use to gather must allow for capacity for 4.
Approved areas for gathering in the residence halls:
  • Geisert Hall floor lounges
  • Harper/Wyckoff game room and lobby
  • Heitz Hall Lower Level and commuter lounge
  • University Hall lobby
  • Williams Hall floor lounges and lobby
  • College Hall common areas
  • Lovelace Hall lounge

Capacity limits, usage limits, and hours of operation will be posted in each of these areas. It is your responsibility to adhere to all posted expectations, instructions and to cleaning surfaces after use.
Use Markin Center and athletic facilities NO, unfortunately. NO, unfortunately. YES. The Markin Center is open in a limited capacity. Review the Fall 2020 Markin Center Policies and Procedures carefully before visiting. Varsity athletic teams may practice following NCAA, conference, and university guidelines.

–Sent to the Bradley community on 10/02/2020