Dear Students, Faculty and Staff —

Today, the University of Illinois System announced it will require that all students receive a COVID-19 vaccination if they plan to be on campus for the Fall 2021 semester.

UIS enthusiastically supports the University of Illinois System’s expectations for Fall 2021. Specific guidance pertaining to UIS will be released next week following consultation with our various campus stakeholders. All UIS students who are able to take the vaccine yet have not done so should make plans to begin the vaccination process. Students should be fully vaccinated (14 days after completion of a vaccination series) prior to the beginning of the fall semester. UIS will accept vaccines authorized by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

As you are well aware, UIS has led higher education in our commitment to the health and safety of our students throughout the pandemic. We firmly believe that being United in Safety now means that those of us who can become vaccinated should. Our guidelines will continue to embrace and support each student to be academically successful, and we will continue to be flexible, innovative and compassionate.

United in Safety,

Karen

Karen M. Whitney, PhD

Interim Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield