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COVID-19 Campus Plan for Spring 2021

Important

The spring 2021 semester will begin on Tuesday, January 19 --one week later than originally scheduled-- and there will be no spring break period. View our Academic Calendar page for updated spring 2021 dates.

 

The Saint Xavier University campus will reopen in a phased approach in accordance with local, state and national public health guidelines. Our Return to Campus Implementation Team has developed a five-phased plan for reopening that aligns with Governor Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan.

Saint Xavier is currently in Phase 4 as we open campus with limited access and social distancing and face mask wearing recommendations.

Resources

COVID-19 Reporting Form

 Submit Form

COVID-19 Positive Cases

 Learn more

Campus Clear App

 Download App

Phased Campus Plan

  • Access to campus is restricted.
  • There are no face-to-face meetings or gatherings.
  • Classes are remote in Phase 1.
  • In Phase 2, classes are remote, unless in-person instruction is critical for students preparing to work as essential personnel, including: medical professionals, first responders, transportation workers and trade professionals, as determined by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
  • Social distancing is practiced.
  • Mask usage is required.
  • Student facilities are closed.
  • Student activities are done remotely.
  • Housing facilities and dining are closed.
  • Counseling and Health Center appointments are done virtually via telehealth.
  • Essential employees work on campus.
  • Non-essential employees work remotely.

  • Access to campus is limited.
  • All classes, meetings and gatherings are limited to 10 people.
  • Classes are remote, unless in-person instruction is critical for students preparing to work as essential personnel, including: medical professionals, first responders, transportation workers and trade professionals. In-person instruction is also available for lab science courses and other courses that require in-person instruction to complete that course of study, as determined by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
  • Social distancing is practiced.
  • Mask usage is required.
  • Student facilities are closed.
  • Student activities are done remotely.
  • Housing facilities are limited.
  • Dining is closed.
  • Counseling services are provided via telehealth.
  • Health Center visits are provided via telehealth and well-check visits are limited.
  • Essential employees work on campus.
  • Non-essential employees work remotely.

  • Campus is open, but access to campus is limited.
  • All classes, meetings and gatherings are limited to 50 people.
  • Social distancing is practiced.
  • Mask usage is required.
  • Student facilities are open and limited to 50 people with social distancing precautions.
  • Face-to-face student activities are limited to 50 people with social distancing precautions.
  • Housing facilities are open at capacity.
  • Dining offers limited venue opening with social distancing precautions.
  • Counseling services are provided via telehealth with limited face-to-face visits.
  • Health Center visits are provided via telehealth with limited face-to-face visits.
  • Shuttle buses will run to the Visual Arts Center (VAC) with social distancing precautions.
  • Advising services are provided online with limited face-to-face visits.
  • Tutoring is provided online or in small groups.
  • Essential employees work on campus.
  • Non-essential employees work remotely and on campus by area.

  • Campus is open.
  • All classes, meetings and gatherings are not limited to any size.
  • Social distancing is not required.
  • Mask usage is not required.
  • Student facilities and activities are open and available without restrictions.
  • Housing facilities are open at capacity.
  • Dining is open without restrictions with normal business operations.
  • Counseling services are open without restrictions with normal business operations.
  • Health Center visits are open without restrictions with normal business operations.
  • Essential employees work on campus.
  • Non-essential employees work on campus.
 

These plans are subject to change as COVID-19 progresses throughout Chicago and the state of Illinois, with guidance by local, state and national public health regulations, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), among others.

The Saint Xavier community has a shared responsibility as we navigate this changing situation, and it is important for each person to use caution while on campus to protect oneself and others as we all play a part in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

Please read our Return to Campus Plan below, our University Guidelines for Returning to Campus(PDF) and robust list of FAQs with questions specific to various audiences. The list will be updated as new questions arise, so please continue to check back often. If you have further questions, please email healthinfo@sxu.edu.

SXU Peldge

Guidelines and Forms

Informed Consent Form for Employees

(all faculty and staff)I Pledge

Incident Reporting Form

 Submit Form

Informed Consent Form for Students

 I Pledge

University Guidelines for Returning to Campus

 View

Informed Consent Form for Visitors

 I Pledge

Return to Campus Plan

  • Mutual Support: Students, faculty and staff make up our community united by our Mercy mission and heritage. As a community, we have a shared responsibility in contributing to a safe and healthy campus environment for all.
  • Personal Accountability: To confirm this commitment, all SXU students, faculty, staff and visitors are asked to sign a consent form to uphold our community standards as outlined in the Return to Campus Plan and University Guidelines for Returning to Campus. Student-athletes and resident students will also be asked to sign an additional consent form. Campus visitors are asked to sign and submit 24 hours prior to their scheduled visit. If 24 hours is not possible, visitors may sign and submit the form upon their arrival. Every student, staff and faculty member and any visitor should monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms every day prior to coming to campus. If you are sick, please stay home.
  • COVID-19 Reporting Form: If you have tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please stay home and self-isolate. We are also asking you to fill out our HIPAA-secure COVID-19 Reporting Form. Responses will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing and for our state-mandated reporting duties. This form supports the health and safety of the campus community. Those who prefer not to use this form or are unable to can contact the SXU Health Center to provide the necessary information at 773-298-3712.

  • Signage: Signs on campus will direct staff, faculty and students to move safely through buildings as well as encourage social distancing, face mask wearing and proper hand-washing.
  • Adjusting Office Spaces and Classrooms: The Office of Human Resources as well as area supervisors have been coordinating with Facilities to adjust workspace, classroom, common area and study space setups to keep students and employees safe across campus and minimize the spread of COVID-19. View a map of dedicated study spaces in the Warde Academic Center. 
  • Sanitizing and Cleaning: Housekeeping has received training and equipment to properly disinfect areas around campus, especially high-traffic areas. Hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes will be stationed throughout campus to encourage individual sanitizing and cleaning. The various spaces throughout campus are scheduled for more frequent cleaning and disinfecting as these spaces require. View a map of hand-sanitizing stations located around the Warde Academic Center.
  • Social Distancing: Where needed, several campus locations, including common areas, classrooms and offices, are being adjusted for optimal distance between individuals and will adhere to strict social distancing guidelines, ensuring that seating and standing arrangements are at a distance of 6 feet or more. Plexiglass and other partitions are being added to the library and campus offices with high face-to-face contact.
  • Reducing Density: Courses as well as offices and departments have taken precautions to minimize the number of people within a space if social distancing is not possible.
  • Masks/Facial Coverings: Masks are worn while inside shared spaces to protect the health and safety of others. SXU has purchased reusable cloth face masks for staff, faculty and students. Each SXU community member will receive one mask. Please view the Mask Accountability Protocol (PDF).
  • Travel Precautions: The University will follow the directions of the CDPH Emergency Travel Order, which requires travelers entering or returning to Chicago from states experiencing a surge in cases to self-quarantine for a period of 14 days. Please also check the CDC Travel web page before embarking on any out-of-state or international trips as this is a constantly evolving situation.

  • Contact Tracing: With the HIPAA-secure COVID-19 Reporting Form, SXU will be able to contact trace students and employees who have tested positive for COVID-19, are having symptoms related to COVID-19 or have been exposed to COVID-19 through a care coordinator in the SXU Health Center to support the health and safety of the campus community. Responses to the form will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing and for our state-mandated reporting duties.

  • Course formats: Classes will be offered in both face-to-face and online formats with a combination of in-person learning, technology and media. Materials, lectures, videos and other course content may be added to Canvas course locations.
  • Preparedness to Pivot: With the ever-changing uncertainty of the course of COVID-19, the University is prepared to pivot to remote instruction should the state of Illinois return to previous phases. Through flexibility, understanding and support, we will work together to make the transition if necessary.
  • Advising and Student Support: High-quality student support services will continue to be offered to meet the needs of students remotely or through appropriately socially distanced spaces.
  • Technology: The University IT team will assist students and faculty with individual technology problems and work to meet the needs of learners for remote learning success.

  • Events: In accordance with Restore Illinois Phase 4, campus events will be limited to no more than 50 people with the encouragement of social distancing and face mask wearing.
  • Meetings: Meetings that occur in spaces where six feet of distance cannot be maintained will be conducted virtually.
  • Room and Board: All residential students will have a specific room and board plan that ensures responsibility, accountability and safety.
  • Dining: Masks and gloves will be worn by dining employees at all times, and temperature checks will occur daily. Dedicated entry and exit doorways will be marked. Self-serve options will no longer be available (including condiments) but will instead be packaged individually. Hand sanitizer and spray with paper towels will be available for self-sanitizing purposes.

Academics FAQs

There are four ways to attend classes at SXU in spring 2021: online with set meeting times (synchronous), online with flexible meeting times (asynchronous), a combination of some in-person and some online work, or in the classroom as usual. Classroom-based or in-person classes will likely meet in person about once per week to enable social distancing. In choosing the course method of instruction, we put priority on first-year students' in-person experience, understanding that they may learn better in a classroom.

When selecting the right courses for you, talk to your advisor to find out which courses you need to progress toward graduation and pay attention to the format in which courses are offered.

Synchronous online learning means that there are set days and times when all students and faculty members will be together in a virtual forum. The class meets just as it would normally, but students connect with each other and the faculty member electronically. One example is a live class discussion that is hosted via Zoom.

Asynchronous online learning, on the other hand, allows students to access materials, tests and assignments on their own time. Students are given time frames in which to submit assignments, but such engagement (e.g., discussions, activities and lectures) does not take place at the same time for each student in the class.

Contact your academic advisor to explore whether another section of the same course is available in a different format or to identify a different course that meets the same requirement.

The method of course delivery can be found in your course schedule on the mySXU portal. If you need further assistance, please contact the Office of Records and Registration at 773-298-3501 or registrar@sxu.edu.

Course schedules are updated and available on the mySXU portal. If you need further assistance, please contact the Office of Records and Registration at 773-298-3501 or registrar@sxu.edu.

No. Some classes that meet in person may transition to online learning after Thanksgiving but many will continue to meet the full term.

SXU will provide educational services this spring within a vibrant, challenging academic environment regardless of the mode of course delivery. As such, the University's tuition rate and fees for the spring semester will not change. SXU has and retains broad legal discretion to determine, in its pedagogic judgment, how to provide educational services to our students. SXU will have the same number of instructional days in the spring semester, despite the conclusion of on-campus instruction. We understand that COVID-19 may have caused a loss of income for some families. If this has happened, we encourage you to reach out to the Office of Financial Aid to request a review of your financial aid package based on your change in family economic circumstances.

SXU faculty have participated in intensive professional development training to learn new techniques and practices to engage students through online teaching. Many professors have moved to redesign their online classes after participating in this training as a commitment to providing a high-quality online education to students.

For convenience and comfort, advising and academic coaching sessions will be available face-to-face and online, depending on your preference. Tutoring sessions will be offered in person in small groups.

For accessibility questions, please contact Margaret McDonnell, director for the Center for Accessibility Resources, at 773-298-3308 or mcdonnell@sxu.edu.

To provide resources and support for learning and synchronous and asynchronous classes, the University's Stump Library will be open both in-person and online. The library will provide socially distanced study spaces and computer workstations, though fewer than in previous terms to ensure a safe space between patrons. Wipes will be available to sanitize your workspace, and hand sanitizers will be available.

The library will continue to offer online services with searchable databases and many full-text materials. The searchable knowledge base will be available and the "Ask the Librarian" live chat will be open during the library's posted hours.

For safety, the upstairs study rooms have been closed, but the library has provided a guide to virtual study room spaces, so you can gather remotely for group study.

Other study spaces or places to go on campus between classes will be listed on the mySXU portal by clicking "Room Reservations" (accessible via computer desktop or mobile device). Under "Public Location Searches," please click "Zoom Dedicated Student Spaces." From there, by clicking "Availability" above the table, you'll be able to see the dates and times the spaces are available. Be sure you have selected the appropriate date in your search. For the dedicated student spaces, please view the map.

The SXU Diner and Wiseman Student Lounge will also be open with signage for appropriate seating locations to encourage social distancing.

We strongly encourage students to take advantage of outdoor seating outside of the SXU Diner, the O'Malley Quad and the Schmitt Quad with social distancing, as weather permits.

If technology is needed, please fill out the Remote Learning Support Request Form so that IT may evaluate and provide as much support as possible to maintain a productive online instruction experience for you. Please note that requests for loaner laptops have increased and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. For technical support, visit The Hub.

  • As indicated by the FCC, providers will waive late fees, continue service regardless of late payment and provide open hot spots.
  • Drive-up Wi-Fi locations can be searched using the Illinois Map.
  • Comcast will offer free Wi-Fi for two months to low-income families. All Xfinity hotspots are free to the public during this time.
  • Charter will offer free access to spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi for 60 days for new college student households.
  • AT&T will offer open hotspots, unlimited data to existing customers and $10/month plans to low-income families.
  • Verizon will follow the FCC agreement.
  • Sprint will follow the FCC agreement and offer unlimited data to existing customers. They will also allow all handsets to enable hotspots for 60 days at no extra charge.
  • Pronto is offering free services and is a good resource for group communication.
  • Specific locations around campus have stronger Wi-Fi connections where you may access the SXU network. View the campus map (PDF) to see those locations.

Due to the unpredictability of travel locations and travel restrictions both internationally and domestically, the University will not be offering academic travel opportunities, including study abroad, in spring 2021 in consideration of the health and safety of its students.

University-sponsored international travel to any country is restricted until further notice. University-sponsored activities include all academic conferences, athletic travel, academic-sponsored trips and other activities arranged or funded by the University.

Due to a national state of emergency that was declared on March 13, 2020, as a result of COVID-19, University-sponsored domestic travel is prohibited unless prior written approval is provided by both the respective VP or AVP and University President.

General FAQs

In late December 2019, a novel (new coronavirus) was first detected in Wuhan City Hubei Province, China. The virus has now been named SARSCoV-2" and the disease it causes has been named coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated COVID-19"). Early on, many of the patients from the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China had a link to a large seafood and animal market.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people, some circulate among animals (such as camels, cats and bats). Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people, such as with Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERSCoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARSCoV) in years past.

On March 11, 2020 the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic.

Exposure to COVID-19 is defined by the CDPH as being in close contact (within 6 feet) of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes.

To learn more about COVID-19, including its symptoms and how it spreads, please visit our Coronavirus web page.

Saint Xavier University has taken extra precautions to support the health and safety of its SXU community, including:

  • Regularly cleaning and disinfecting high-traffic areas, including the SXU Diner, classrooms and bathrooms
  • Posting signage where necessary to encourage social distancing, proper hand-washing and face mask wearing
  • Providing a face mask to every student, faculty and staff member
  • Providing hand-sanitizing stations around campus (View a map of hand-sanitizing stations located in the Warde Academic Center.)
  • Putting up partitions in areas with high face-to-face contact
  • Setting appropriate capacities for classrooms, meetings and events to allow for social distancing (View a map of dedicated study spaces in the Warde Academic Center.)

Masks are worn while inside shared spaces on campus. Masks and face coverings are important and effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Learn more about using masks to slow the spread of COVID-19.

No. SXU will continue to offer testing for students and employees who are symptomatic or who have been exposed to COVID-19. If you need a COVID-19 test, please fill out a COVID-19 reporting form and someone from the SXU Health Center will contact you.

Yes, the SXU Health Center is offering COVID-19 testing for students, staff and faculty. Testing is by appointment only. If you need a COVID-19 test, please fill out a COVID-19 reporting form and someone from the SXU Health Center will contact you. If you have questions about testing, please call 773-298-3712.

If you are not near campus, or would prefer to be tested off-campus, there are now many locations for people to get tested for COVID-19, including CVS, most urgent cares, Family First, and some primary care offices. You can also refer to the Illinois Department of Public Health website for a list of testing locations throughout the state of Illinois.

Yes, most insurance plans cover testing if you are symptomatic (have symptoms) or were exposed to COVID-19.

Many testing sites in Illinois are free for those without insurance, including the CVS on the edge of campus. The Chicago Department of Public Health also offers free testing for those who meet certain criteria. Of course, students may also come to the SXU Health Center for testing.

Illinois entered Phase 1B of the Illinois COVID-19 Vaccination Plan (PDF) on January 25, 2021, which includes people 65 and up as well as certain frontline workers. Anyone who meets the criteria for vaccination in Phase 1A (healthcare workers) or Phase 1B is strongly encouraged to make an appointment where they are able. Some possibilities include:

The SXU Health Center has received a very limited supply of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. At this time we have very limited appointments available and can only schedule appointments for those meeting criteria in phase 1A and phase 1B. 

For students and employees who have received both doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, please upload a copy of your completed vaccine card to the Health Center's secure Patient Portal or email a copy to healthcenter@sxu.edu. If you received the COVID-19 vaccine at the Health Center, you do not need to upload a copy. This is for tracking and contact tracing purposes only. 

Learn more about COVID-19 Vaccines and the Illinois COVID-19 Vaccine Plan.

If you feel sick in any way, you should stay home and report your symptoms using the COVID-19 reporting form. This may include sore throat, fever, cough, shortness of breath gastrointestinal upset (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), chills, body aches or loss of sense of smell or taste. Although some COVID-19 infections are severe and require hospitalization, some are very mild and may feel like a slight cold. Staying home with mild symptoms can prevent the spread of COVID-19 to someone who may develop severe symptoms.

After you fill out the COVID-19 reporting form, you will receive a call from the Health Center to discuss what symptoms you are having and whether or not testing is recommended. The SXU Health Center is currently able to test students, staff and faculty for COVID-19. If you are not near campus, or would prefer to be tested off-campus, there are now many locations for people to get tested for COVID-19, including CVS, most urgent cares, Family First, and some primary care offices. IDPH has also compiled a list of COVID-19 testing sites throughout the state of Illinois.

If you are sick and need medical advice, the nurse practitioners at the SXU Health Center are available for telemedicine visits via phone or secure video line and can advise you. Emergency warning signs of COVID-19 include trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake and bluish lips or face. If you are experiencing any of these emergency warning signs, call 911 immediately.

Please check the CDC website for the most updated symptoms of COVID-19.

Learn more about what to do if you are sick.

All students, faculty and staff can download the #CampusClear app on their smartphone. CampusClear is a user-friendly program and tool to self-monitor your health prior to coming on campus each day. The app allows you to indicate whether you have tested positive for COVID-19, have been exposed or are experiencing symptoms and gives you simple instructions about what to do next. Not experiencing any symptoms? Great! Press the "No Symptoms" button and you'll be cleared to come to campus!

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, are experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please stay home and self-isolate. We are also asking you to please fill out out HIPAA secure COVID-19 Reporting Form. Responses will only be used for the purposes of contact tracing and for our state-mandated reporting duties. This form is available to support the health and safety of the campus community.

Only in circumstances where the person cannot report themselves should another person use this form to report on behalf of an employee or student. The person should be aware you are making this report. Only direct supervisors reporting on behalf of their employees, faculty reporting on behalf of their students or parent/guardians reporting on behalf of their child should use this form.

SUBMIT FORM

After you fill out the COVID-19 reporting form, you will receive a call from the Health Center to discuss the circumstances of the report and whether or not testing is recommended. The SXU Health Center is currently able to test students, staff and faculty for COVID-19 and this can also be scheduled once the report is received.

A close contact is someone who has had contact with a case (someone who has tested positive) during their infectious period. Refers to someone who has been within six feet of a case for a period of 15 minutes or longer in a 24 hour period.

  • Beginning November 16, 2020, the City of Chicago issued a Stay-at-Home Advisory(PDF) that recommends limiting travel, except to work, school, and for essentials such as groceries and medical supplies. Starting November 20, 2020, the State of Illinois issued Tier 3 mitigation measures (PDF) to reinforce these recommendations.
  • City of Chicago Considerations: Effective January 12, 2021 the City of Chicago modified their Emergency Travel Order so that states will be placed into two categories--orange and yellow--based on the number of cases per 100,000 people in each state. If you must travel please follow these instructions:                 *Orange States: Avoid travel. 10-day quarantine required upon arrival in Chicago OR pre-arrival negative test result with strict masking, social distancing and avoidance of in-person gatherings.
    *Yellow States: Avoid non-essential travel. No quarantine or pre-arrival test required. Maintain strict masking and social distancing. The travel order is updated every other Tuesday and is subject to limited exemptions.                            **Starting February 22, 2021, vaccinated persons who have traveled domestically are not requred to quarantine if they are 1) Asymptomatic (have no symptoms of COVID-19) and are 2) fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (i.e. are >2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or >2 weeks following receipt of 1 dose of a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine). 
  • The CDC currently recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to all global locations, including cruise ship travel. For the most up-to-date information, please see the CDC Coronavirus Information for Travel web page.
  • If you do need to travel internationally, see the Testing and International Air Travel web page for current recommendations and be sure to verify any testing and quarantine requirements for your destination.
  • Before you consider Domestic Travel During the COVID-19 Pandemic, remember that any travel can increase your chance of spreading and getting COVID-19. Postponing travel and staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
  • Students who recently traveled internationally or to states in the emergency travel order who were planning to attend in-person instruction should notify their instructor to make alternate arrangements for completing the coursework. Direct any questions to deanofstudents@sxu.edu.
  • Faculty and staff who recently traveled to states noted in the order and who were intending to work on site should reach out to their dean or supervisor to let them know they will be working remotely during the self-quarantine period. Direct any questions to humanresources@sxu.edu.
  • University-sponsored international travel to any country is restricted until further notice. University-sponsored activities include all academic conferences, athletic travel, academic-sponsored trips and other activities arranged or funded by the University.
  • Due to a national state of emergency that was declared on March 13, 2020 as a result of COVID-19, University-sponsored domestic travel is prohibited unless prior written approval is provided by both the respective VP or AVP and University President.

 
  • Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms.
    • Vaccinated persons who are a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case are not required to quarantine if they meet all of the following criteria:
      • Are fully vaccinated (i.e. are >2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose COVID-19 vaccine series or >2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single dose COVID-19 vaccine)
      • Have remained asymptomatic (no symptoms of COVID-19) since their last contact with the infected person; and
      • Are not inpatients or residents in a health care setting
  • Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected. You should stay home except to get medical care.

If you have been told by a health care provider or health department that you need to quarantine or isolate, please fill out out our HIPAA-secure COVID-19 Reporting Form.

Learn more about how to properly quarantine and how to follow the CDPH Emergency Travel Order.

Learn more about how to properly isolate.

The health and safety of all SXU students, faculty and staff is our top priority. SXU follows the city and state protocols in place in conjunction with guidance from the CDC if there is a suspected and/or positive case on our campus.


SXU has hired a Care Coordinator, working out of the SXU Health Center, who will be performing contact tracing on the SXU campus. The Care Coordinator will interview anyone who has tested positive or is suspected to be positive in order to determine the last time they were on campus and if there are any close contacts that need to be notified. The identity of the person who has tested positive/presumed positive will never be revealed to the close contacts.

Students concerned that they may have been exposed to the virus that caused COVID-19 should use the HIPAA-secure reporting form and will be contacted by the SXU Health Center.

In accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines and to keep the broader campus community informed, SXU will report weekly on any positive COVID-19 cases within the SXU community (students, faculty, and staff). Any close contacts will have already been notified before any cases are published on the COVID-19 tracking page.

We remind everyone to practice social distancing and proper hand-washing as well as to wear a face mask or covering every day while on campus to protect oneself and others.

For students who live off-campus, we recommend developing a sickness emergency plan to determine how they will secure medical supplies, groceries and other household items if they have to self-isolate due to a positive COVID-19 test or they have been directly exposed to an individual who has tested positive and have to self-quarantine. Students may consider waiving their FERPA rights to allow parents to receive academic information on their behalf. Students who live off campus who wish to have telemedicine visits with the SXU Health Center over HIPAA-secure video link can call 773-298-3712 to make an appointment.

All your instructors are ready to work with you to continue learning if you are unable to come to campus, whether that's because you are sick yourself, quarantining because of exposure to another person who has COVID-19 or another situation. It's very important to let your instructors know promptly that you will need to study remotely, or that you're ill and will need more time to complete assignments as you recover.

According to the CDC, individuals with certain conditions may have a higher risk for developing severe illness from COVID-19 infection. Those conditions may include:

  • Older adults (aged 65 years and older)
  • People with HIV
  • Asthma (moderate to severe)
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Diabetes
  • Serious heart conditions
  • Chronic kidney disease being treated with dialysis
  • Severe obesity
  • Being immunocompromised

If you are a student and are in a high-risk group for COVID-19 and believe you cannot attend classes in person, you should contact your advisor about arranging a completely remote schedule. This could include a combination of online courses that would have virtual class meetings in real time or a course that might have both.

You can also contact Margaret McDonnell, director for the Center for Accessibility Resources, at 773-298-3308 or mcdonnell@sxu.edu, for assistance.

While most campus locations will be open with usual business hours, it's possible hours or staffing may need to change with the situation. Please call to confirm a department's availability.

The SXU Diner and Wiseman Student Lounge will be open with signage for appropriate seating locations to encourage social distancing.

We strongly encourage students to take advantage of outdoor seating outside of the SXU Diner, the O'Malley Quad and the Schmitt Quad with social distancing, as weather permits.

For the health and safety of the SXU community, Starbucks and Cougar Fuel will not be available for service at this time.

Shuttle buses will run for spring 2021 to the Visual Arts Center (VAC) and will include weekend service. Trips to the VAC will be more frequent, with three shuttle vehicles set to operate each day to serve the route to the VAC during peak hours.

Shuttle buses will not be filled to capacity and will have identified seating to account for safe social distancing. High-touch areas will be sanitized frequently throughout the day, and partitions have been installed. Riders are expected to adhere to safe social distancing protocols, and face masks are to be worn inside shared spaces.

Please note that shuttle service to the Driehaus Center will be inactive for spring 2021.

Similar to other colleges and universities, many on-campus, large events are being reformatted in consideration of the health and safety of students. The Registered Student Organization Center will be open for use with limited capacity and social distancing. Registered student organization events will follow the same event protocols as University events and will be encouraged to host regular meetings online when possible. All in-person events will follow social distancing guidelines and have strict attendance caps, and future event confirmation status is subject to change as required to maintain the campus community's health and safety. Events and activities will be communicated on the SXU Calendar, The Den via SXU's social media channels.

No adjustments will be made to financial aid, and tuition and fees are not impacted.

Our Saint Xavier University community is always available to support your academic goals and health and well-being.

The Saint Xavier University Health Center is available by appointment only for flu shots and COVID-19 testing for students, staff and faculty. Please call 773-298-3712 with any questions.

Those who are not near campus can refer to the Illinois Department of Public Health website for a list of testing locations throughout the state of Illinois IDPH has compiled a list of COVID-19 testing sites throughout the state of Illinois for those who meet certain criteria.

Our Counseling Center team is available to support students' personal counseling needs both virtually and in person by scheduling an appointment at 773-298-4045.

For students and alumni who may have lost their job due to the pandemic, the Center for SUCCESS can help with finding part-time and full-time employment as well as provide a resume review.

The Office of the Bursar is available to discuss your finances to support your education. Please contact 773-298-3046 or bursar@sxu.edu for assistance.

Supporting the health and well-being of Chicago residents, a Citywide COVID-19 Resource Guide (PDF) is available with resources for flu shot and food pantry locations and rental and mortgage assistance.

You can protect yourself and others by taking these actions:

  • Wear a mask over your nose and mouth in public settings and when around people who don't live in your household.
  • Stay 6 feet away from others.
  • Avoid crowds and poorly ventilated spaces.
  • Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. This CDC video provides advice for proper hand-washing.
  • Avoiding touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
  • Staying home when you are sick
  • Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throwing that tissue in the trash
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces
Two COVID-19 vaccines were approved in December 2020 for use in the United States. The CDC recommends giving COVID-19 vaccine in phases, which may overlap:
  • 1a: Healthcare personnel and Long-term care facility residents
  • 1b: Frontline essential workers and People age 75 years and older
  • 1c: People aged 65 through 74 years and People aged 16 through 64 years with underlying medical conditions and Other essential workers
  • 2: The general public (over age 16)
Vaccines will be essential to stopping the spread of COVID-19.

Learn more about COVID-19 prevention and COVID-19 Vaccines.

Current Students

Athletes

As of July 29, 2020, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) has announced its decision to postpone most fall championships to spring 2021. In alignment with the NAIA's decision, SXU Athletics will postpone competition in all fall sports. Football, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Women's Volleyball, Cheer and Dance will compete in spring 2021. Schedules will be determined based on guidelines provided by the NAIA and the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC). We will await further instruction from the NAIA regarding scheduling.

These decisions are made keeping the health and safety of our student-athletes at the forefront. SXU Athletics will schedule meetings with fall sport team members to discuss these decisions and will pursue every available opportunity for athletes to engage and continue to train this fall.

Commuters

The University's Stump Library will be open both in-person and online. The library will provide socially distanced study spaces and computer workstations, though fewer than in previous terms to ensure a safe space between patrons. Wipes will be available to sanitize your workspace, and hand sanitizers will be available.

The library will continue to offer online services with searchable databases and many full-text materials. The searchable knowledge base will be available and the "Ask the Librarian" live chat will be open during the library's posted hours.

For safety, the upstairs study rooms have been closed, but the library has provided a guide to virtual study room spaces so you can gather remotely for group study.

Other study spaces or places to go on campus between classes will be listed on the mySXU portal by clicking "Room Reservations" (accessible via computer desktop mobile device). Under "Public Location Searches," please click "Zoom Dedicated Student Spaces." From there, by clicking "Availability" above the table, you'll be able to see the dates and times the spaces are available. Be sure you have selected the appropriate date in your search.

We strongly encourage students to take advantage of outdoor seating outside of the SXU Diner, the O'Malley Quad and Schmitt Quad with social distancing, as weather permits.

First-Years

As a first-year student, Via, our new student orientation, connected you with an orientation leader as well as other incoming first-year students. You are invited to use your orientation leader as your guide throughout your first semester at SXU, especially in the first few weeks of classes. Campus Life will be offering events for Welcome Week -- an SXU tradition to welcome everyone to campus -- both in person following all public health guidelines as well as virtually. Continue to check your SXU email for details. You can also check out The Den for information on upcoming events or browse the Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) web page and join any organizations that might be of interest to you. Join RSOs is one of the main ways that students can connect with and meet new people outside of the classroom.

International

Program coordinators are in contact with international students to work with them individually on their educational options and how to maintain their F-1 student visa status. If you have not been contacted, please call Kelly Reidy with the Center for International Education (CIE) at 773-298-3780 or reidy@sxu.edu.

Residents

Move in will be managed through an advance sign-up schedule with dates between January 14-16. Arrival times will be assigned and staggered on the scheduled dates. Residents will receive detailed instructions no later than three days in advance of their move in. To maintain social distancing and limit interaction at our entrances and elevators, residents are asked to adhere to their assigned arrival time and limit additional move-in assistants to two individuals.

Residents are encouraged to pack "light and lean," bringing only those items that are essential to campus should the semester be interrupted in any way and we have to move to close the halls at any time. We also ask residents to pack their items in containers that can assist in easy transport should the need arise to move to an isolation space on or off campus. Consider preparing a "go bag" with a change of clothes, water bottles, hygiene products, phone charger, etc. to keep on hand should you not feel well and need to relocate. Please pack for easy transport into the building as we are unable to provide move-in crew assistants or wheeled crates.

Consider the following essential items to add to your packing list: digital thermometer, hand sanitizer, hand soap, sanitizing wipes, disposable or cloth masks, acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen.

Residence Life, Facilities and Public Safety work collaboratively to provide a reasonably safe on-campus living experience. Enhanced cleaning protocols are in place in common areas. Hand sanitizing stations are available in all buildings. Residence hall staff are being trained on updated policy and procedures to ensure consistency when enforcing social distancing and wearing face coverings as directed. Guests will not be permitted to visit in the residence halls. Residents will be encouraged to regularly clean and sanitize their personal living spaces. We are committed to continual monitoring of national, state and local laws, rules and guidelines, including CDC guidance, as well as the potential spread of the virus, and adjusting University practices, expectations, workplace operations and communications accordingly.

Limited single room occupancy is being considered for documented requests. Requests received after January 1 and approved for single accommodation will be managed through waitlists given our demand exceeds our capacity.

Students will first be asked to self-quarantine or isolate at their primary residence. If that is not possible, Residence Life has identified a small number of isolation rooms where a student will be relocated to. Students who need to self-quarantine will be asked to do so in their assigned space and will require that their roommate follow those same quarantine protocols.

Students will be supported through their stay in on-campus isolation/quarantine by the SXU Health Center, the Dean of Students office and Residence Life by having meals delivered and regular contact with the Care Coordinator and a nurse practitioner from the SXU Health Center. However, students in isolation or quarantine must be able to fully care for themselves at all times. If at any time it is determined that it is unsafe for a student to be alone in an unmonitored setting, the student will be transferred to a higher level facility, such as a hospital emergency room.

Roommates needing to quarantine will be contacted by the SXU Health Center. If you believe your roommate is not seeking needed care, you can contact the Director of Residence Life, who will assist in coordinating the appropriate follow-up based on the situation. We ask that all residents take personal safety precautions any time their roommate(s) are ill.

Student Workers

Under Phase 4 of Governor Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan, Saint Xavier University employees, including student employees, are permitted to work on campus. Student employees must take precautions to protect themselves and others from COVID-19, including wearing a mask when scheduled to work and staying home if not feeling well. Student employees must inform their supervisors as soon as possible if they are not feeling well or if they intend to travel. The CDC recommends self-isolation for a minimum of 14 days for any individual traveling internationally or to a domestic location with travel restrictions. Student employees who are required to self-isolate as a result of travel will not be permitted back to work for 14 days. Students cannot exceed their awarded Federal Work Study amount and cannot work more than 10 hours per week.

Should the state of Illinois revert to an earlier phase of Governor Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan, University positions, including student employees, may transition to remote work. Saint Xavier University reserves the right to reduce student employee hours and/or discontinue employment if departmental/office needs change or responsibilities cannot be carried out remotely. In the event that a student employment position is discontinued, the Center for SUCCESS staff will be available by appointment to help students explore other pre-professional experiences.

If you have any questions, please email studentemployment@sxu.edu.

Traditionally, all student employment positions at Saint Xavier University conclude at the end of the spring semester and students reapply for positions before the start of the spring semester. Reemployment from semester to semester is at the discretion of the department and is not guaranteed. The acceptance of Federal Work Study award does not guarantee or secure employment at Saint Xavier University. Please note that the need for student employees within departments may have changed as a result of COVID-19. Departments that previously had student employees may not have available positions or may not offer as many hours in the spring semester. Departments with an identified need for student employees, and subject to prior approval, will move forward with hiring. Please visit Handshake to review and apply for available positions closer to the start of the spring semester.

Transfers

Transfer students are welcome for the spring 2021 semester. Students' transfer status nor ability to transfer to SXU have been/will be impacted by COVID-19.

Faculty and Staff

Human Resources has gathered informational materials available to employee's ThinkHR COVID-19 training program for which instructions and login information was sent to staff via email June 19. Among the information is a short COVID-19 online training video. This training is not mandatory but is highly recommended. If you did not receive the email to login, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@sxu.edu. Please continue to remain in close contact with your supervisor, so we may continue to build upon successful first steps on our campus return.

Supervisors can request modifications to the work environment through Facilities. For supply requests, please fill out the COVID-19 Supply Request Form, and Facilities will work to distribute stock on hand or place orders if needed.

If social distancing cannot be maintained in locations that will require interaction between faculty, staff and students, requests for partitions can be made to Facilities, who will work with departments and offices to determine the best solution per request.

If you are sick, the most important thing to do is to stay home and report your symptoms using the COVID-19 reporting form. You may also contact your primary care provider or the SXU Health Center for advice. SXU employees should also notify their direct supervisor to make them aware of their absence.

If you have had a known or suspected exposure to COVID-19, make sure to stay home and report the known or suspected exposure to the SXU Health Center using the HIPAA-secure reporting form. If it is determined that you should quarantine for 14 days, the providers at the SXU Health Center can assist in notifying Human Resources of an extended absence.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19, stay home and self-isolate. Be sure to follow all instructions from IDPH and any health care provider you may have seen. Report your positive test to the SXU Health Center using the HIPAA-secure reporting form, and if needed, the provider at the SXU Health Center can assist in notifying Human Resources of an extended absence.

Faculty and staff who have been exposed to COVID-19 but are not experiencing symptoms should follow CDC guidelines and self-quarantine for 14 days. Please report your exposure to the SXU Health Center using the HIPAA-secure reporting form. During the period of self-quarantine, employees continue to telework unless they are otherwise on leave. Employees should notify and work with their supervisors if they believe they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive or is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. Should any employee start to experience symptoms, he or she should notify his or her supervisor, seek medical treatment and stay home in a non-work status in order to support full recovery.

Your well-being is extremely important to SXU during these uncertain times. Employees may call the Guidance Resources hotline at 1-888-628-4824, and you also have access to ComPsych, an employee assistance program that provides expert guidance. At this time, employees can use the program to access:

  • Counseling services
  • Live webinars for coping with anxiety and other issues related to COVID-19
  • Work-life resources, including finding child care and financial/legal guidance
  • Digital self-care tools
  • Tips for adjusting to working from home
  • Communication consultation

Your health plan covers mental health services, including counseling. BCBSIL health plans include 24/7 phone access to licensed mental health care specialists as part of the mental health coverage. The number may be listed on your member ID card, or you can call Customer Service to find out if you have this benefit.

If you experience COVID-19 symptoms, you should call your doctor to discuss whether you meet the criteria for being tested. If you do not have a doctor, you may use your member ID card to call BCBSIL Customer Service Department, who will help you find one. Employees may also utilize the SXU Health Center, who is offering testing for students and employees. You may also find an in-network doctor or testing site by accessing Blue Access for Members. With your BCBSIL health plan, you have easy access to care for COVID-19 related health issues, including:

  • Testing: Lab tests to diagnose COVID-19 are covered at no cost.
  • Testing-related visits: Visits for the COVID-19 testing are covered at no cost to you at in-network clinics and facilities. You may find COVID-19 test centers on the Evive Health web page.
  • Most BCBSIL members won't pay for COVID-19 treatment at a network facility or emergency care at any emergency facility.
  • Waivers: Cost-sharing waiver for COVID-19 treatment are offered for members of all fully insured group, individual, Medicare (excluding Part D), Medicare Supplement and Medicaid plans from April 1 through August 31, 2020.

Depending on your health plan, you may be able to see a provider in your health plan's network by phone or video. BCBSIL's telehealth benefits give you access to care while reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19, and you won't pay copays, deductibles or coinsurance on covered services when you use a provider in your health plan's network. You should call your doctor's office to learn more about their telehealth offerings.

You may also call the bilingual Nurseline, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and staffed with registered nurses to discuss any health concerns. Nurses can guide you if you think you've been exposed to COVID-19 or have symptoms.

Employees who suspect an employee is ill should encourage the employee to go home as soon as possible and ask them to notify their supervisor. Employees should not assume a diagnosis of any sort but merely inform one another of safe practices in "staying home" when not feeling well. Any concerns should be reported directly to your supervisor even if the employee is not in your department. Your supervisor should contact HR if the employee reports outside of their department or if within the same department, request the employee to go home until confirmation from a medical provider is obtained that a return to work is possible.

Faculty and staff should show compassion to the student, asking if they need help, and encourage the student to self-report by filling out the HIPAA-secure COVID-19 Reporting Form. Only in circumstances where the person cannot report themselves should another person use the form to report on behalf of a student. The person should be aware you are making the report. If the student prefers not to use the form, please encourage the student to call the SXU Health Center at 773-298-3712. It is important to keep the student's disclosure confidential to support HIPAA laws.

University-sponsored international travel to any country is restricted until further notice. University-sponsored activities include all academic conferences, athletic travel, academic-sponsored trips and other activities arranged or funded by the University.

Due to a national state of emergency that was declared on March 13, 2020, as a result of COVID-19, University-sponsored domestic travel is prohibited unless prior written approval is provided by both the respective vice president or associate vice president and University President.

UPDATE! Beginning November 16, 2020, the City of Chicago issued a Stay-at-Home Advisory (PDF) that recommends limiting travel, except to work, school and for essentials such as groceries and medical supplies. Starting November 20, 2020, the State of Illinois issued Tier 3 mitigation measures (PDF) to reinforce these recommendations.

It is important to check the City of Chicago's Emergency Travel Order that provides information on which states have seen an increase or high amount of COVID-19 transmissions. Please continually review the travel order carefully and note that the states identified in the order are subjected to change based on trends in new cases. Saint Xavier University strongly recommends against any non-essential travel, recognizing that the status of COVID-19 infection in the United States continues to change.

Those who do plan to travel to any of these "hot spot" states or international travel must self-quarantine for a period of two weeks upon their return. Faculty and staff should reach out to their dean or supervisor to let them know they will be working remotely during the self-quarantine period. Direct any questions to humanresources@sxu.edu.

Like many universities that are bringing back more community members to their campuses, we want to reiterate to all that maintaining a safe and healthy community is a shared responsibility. This statement provides detailed information on the steps we will all follow as we seek to operate our campus safely. Your signature represents your understanding of the University guidelines and your pledge to exercise accountability in following the protocols. Your signature also reflects your understanding that no university can eliminate all risks of contracting any disease that is publicly circulating, nor predict all related adjustments that may be required to protect our students, faculty and staff.

Signing this informed consent represents your pledge to do your part to maintain a safe and healthy environment. If you are unwilling or unable to sign this pledge or have further questions, please discuss your potential options with Human Resources. Options will depend on your individual circumstances.

Prospective Students 

Yes. Prospective students and families can visit campus for an appointment with an admission counselor and campus tour. We request that prospective students schedule an appointment in advance. Due to social distancing guidelines and space constraints, we ask that prospective students bring no more than two guests to their appointment or tour. Masks will be required during all appointments and tours, and all visitors to campus will be asked to sign a consent form.

Testing for TEAS and CLEP will continue. Students can contact academictesting@sxu.edu to set up an exam date and time. One to two students will be tested at one time to allow for space and social distancing. Students should wear a mask and are asked to reschedule their exam if they feel sick by contacting academictesting@sxu.edu.

Visitors and Alumni

Decisions are still being made in accordance with local, state and national public health guidelines. Information will be shared on this web page; please check back soon.

At this time, we are currently not accepting conference or facility rentals on SXU campus.

We are asking all visitors to complete an Informed Consent for Visitors Form at least 24 hours prior to their scheduled visit on campus. If that is not possible, visitors can sign a physical form provided by the person/department/office they are visiting.

Until further notice, all media is prohibited from visiting campus during the spring 2021 semester as part of our plan to maintain a safe and healthy campus environment. Please continue to check back for updated information or email newsroom@sxu.edu with questions.