12.21.21

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff –

As we learn more about the trajectory of COVID-19 over the coming weeks, I want to urge each of you to take every step necessary to have a safe and healthy winter break. The UIS COVID-19 Rapid Response Team and the Chancellor’s Cabinet will continue to monitor conditions and meet early in the new year to assess whether any additional mitigations should be implemented for Spring semester.

At this time, no decision has been made to change the existing plan for Spring 2022. We do not anticipate beginning the spring semester remotely. Should that change, we will communicate promptly and by every means possible.

In the meantime, please consider the following steps to prioritize our collective goal to have a safe and healthy start to the Spring semester:

• I strongly encourage you to get your COVID-19 booster shot over the winter break if you are eligible.
• Get tested before and after any mid- to large-scale gatherings, and wear a mask when visiting any indoor public spaces or crowded outdoor spaces.
• Start your required saliva testing protocol on your first day back to the UIS campus.

Please remember to watch your UIS email, social media channels and the United in Safety website for any late-breaking announcements regarding COVID-19 protocols for Spring semester.

You’ve each worked so hard to stay United in Safety this past semester and deserve a restful break filled with peace and good health.

United in Safety,

Karen

Karen M. Whitney, PhD

Interim Chancellor

University of Illinois Springfield Questions: Covid19@uis.edu