Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) - April 30 Update

In the last seven weeks, our university community has been united in our commitment to continue our academic mission. Our success in finishing this semester with online instruction and remote work is something we can all take a moment to celebrate during this last week of the spring semester.

As this semester draws to a close and our summer terms commence, we have begun the process of planning for the fall semester.  We intend to make a formal announcement with specific details about the fall semester by Friday, May 15.  Our intention for the fall semester is to have academic programming, research, residential life, student life, athletics and community programming in ways that are guided by best public health practices.  Our Campus Emergency Preparedness Team has formed working groups focused in many of these areas, and there are faculty and staff experts thinking through the nuances of each area.

That said, we do know now that:

• Our regular fall semester and 8-week terms will start as planned.
• Most courses typically taught in person will have in-person meetings but will likely have a more robust online element.
• Most importantly, our plan will be flexible, allowing us to make adjustments to ensure the health and safety of our students; and, we recognize that different members of our community may have unique circumstances that we will accommodate.

These plans for the fall do not change our current status of classes or our virtual campus. In accordance with the State of Illinois Stay at Home Order, all spring and summer courses are online, most university employees are working remotely, and university offices are open in a virtual way. Visit Lewis University COVID-19 for the latest information about changes at our university due to COVID-19.

As a reminder, our Romeoville campus remains closed to visitors at this time. Students, faculty and staff should only be coming to campus to conduct essential business. We encourage you to follow the guidance of CDC and IDPH in wearing a face covering when social distancing is not possible while you are on campus. This includes public areas, such as the areas surrounding the mailroom and C-store.

Thanks sincerely for your patience, flexibility, creativity, and resilience.