University News

Protect the 'Necks Plan II: Updated Policies, Procedures Set for Fall 2021

August 4, 2021

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL -- As Western Illinois University plans to resume the traditional in-person experience this fall, to help ensure the health and safety of the members of University community and beyond, WIU's Protect the 'Necks Plan II has been updated to include the latest policies and procedures set for Fall 2021.

Protect the 'Necks Plan II is in place to keep the University community safe by mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The original plan went into effect in Fall 2020. As procedures and guidelines are updated, the information will be shared with the University community and available at wiu.edu/coronavirus and wiu.edu/returntocampus/.

FAQs are also available under each section on the Coronavirus website. Members of the WIU community who have questions or concerns are asked, before emailing a member of the University staff, to first visit wiu.edu/coronavirus.

"Ensuring the safety, along with the physical and emotional health of our faculty, staff and students, are our highest priorities. In addition to following the protocols we have in place, we strongly encourage and expect the members of our community to get vaccinated before the start of school. A high vaccination rate allows us to return to normal, and we need your cooperation to get back to the full, traditional college experience," said WIU President Guiyou Huang. "Thank you for abiding by the Protect the 'Necks Plan and taking the steps necessary to protect yourself and others."

Protect the 'Necks Pledge

All members of the WIU community are asked to review and commit to the Protect the 'Necks Pledge.

Vaccines

Students, faculty and staff are expected to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine prior to the start of school (Monday, Aug 23). Vaccination clinics can be found by visiting bit.ly/FindVaxClinic. WIU will host on-campus vaccination clinics during move-in weekend and on select dates throughout the semester. On-campus clinic information will be finalized and posted under the vaccination section at wiu.edu/returntocampus.

COVID-19 Testing

Beginning Monday, August 23, all faculty, staff, and students will be required to participate in the University's COVID-19 testing program. Testing will be required each week for those individuals who do not want to, or cannot, receive the vaccination. Individuals may opt out of testing if proof of vaccination is provided.

Test locations include:
WIU Macomb: Student Recreation Center MAC Gym
WIU Quad Cities: Riverfront Hall front desk

Individuals who have been vaccinated can upload a copy of their vaccine card to WIU's internal secure site at wiu.edu/vaccinationportal/ (select "student" or "employee" category). For those do not wish to upload the information, the card can be physically shown to University staff at the following locations: WIU-Macomb students: Beu Health Center; WIU-Macomb Employees: Sherman Hall 321 (Vice President for Student Success Office); WIU-Quad Cities Students & Employees: Riverfront Hall.

The following COVID-19 policies are in place until further notice:

COVID-19 Health & Safety Policy

A key requirement for reducing the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission involves significantly reducing the number of close 'people-to-people' and 'people-to-infected-surface' encounters. These reductions are achieved through measures described in this policy including: social distancing and campus density reductions; the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and aggressive cleaning protocols; and personal hygiene discipline (click on the link above for the complete policy).

Face Coverings

To help ensure the health and safety of the WIU campus communities and the public, face coverings are required to be worn in select indoor settings at both the WIU-Macomb and WIU Quad-Cities campuses (click on the link above for the complete policy).

Face coverings do not have to be worn:
• when in a private office or workstation that has proper distance (6 feet) from others or alone in a space.
• in designated areas within the Student Recreation Center and athletic weight rooms.
• when a student is inside their residence hall room.
• when seated and eating/drinking in a University dining facility or the University Union.
• in outdoor spaces on campus for anyone who is fully vaccinated or for anyone who is not fully vaccinated but who can maintain the appropriate physical distancing.

Travel

The University travel policy provides temporary guidance related to official University travel for the reasons of business, academic and all other purposes, as well as provides consultation for personal travel, during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy does not supersede existing approval protocols related to University travel. Prior financial approval must be obtained through appropriate channels for any travel related to the business of Western Illinois University. (click on the link above for the complete policy).

Event/Meeting Scheduling and Guidelines

In an effort to keep students, faculty and staff safe, guidelines for meetings and events, including a centralized scheduling process. Please click here for information pertaining to the events and scheduling guidelines.

Facilities and Environment protocols

Western Illinois University has implemented a variety of safeguards and procedures for University facilities and environments. (click on the link above for all protocols).

Social Distancing

Social distancing protocols of six-feet will continue to remain in place in most settings within University facilities, etc.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing