University of Illinois to resume in-person classes in fall

Students at the University of Illinois System will return to campuses this fall, officials announced last week.

The leaders of the system and its campuses in Urbana-Champaign, Chicago and Springfield said in a joint statement they will combine in-person education with online classes to ensure students can receive an education while remaining safe.

“The result is a thoughtful, science-based approach that will bring our universities back to life, with a campus experience that will look somewhat different,” the statement said. “But the life-changing benefits will be the same – academic programs that lift students to the careers of their dreams, research that drives discovery and progress and a healthcare enterprise that provides both patient care and innovation.”

In-person courses and classrooms will be scheduled with the goal to keep physical distance between students and safer traffic flow. Students and faculty in vulnerable and at-risk groups will be given accommodations, as will students unable to come to campus due to travel restrictions or other considerations.

The proposal includes policies focused on public health, personal protective equipment and modifying facilities – such as a mandate that face coverings are worn during classes and in research labs. Reusable, washable masks will be provided to all students.

Other recommendations include how employees will return to work, visitor policies and creating quarantine capabilities for students and staff who test positive for the virus.

Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announced last week they have created a saliva-based COVID-19 test, with the capacity to test up to 10,000 people per day.