The University of Illinois System announced that all faculty and staff will be required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine by the beginning of the fall semester if they are able to do so.

We fully support this requirement, which is consistent with recommendations provided by the Illinois Board of Higher Education and similar decisions made by other universities and health care systems in Chicago and across the country. Our goal is to provide the maximum protection for our community as we transition to normal operations in the fall.

This vaccination requirement also includes the employees of UI Health. However, some aspects of the implementation will be different in this case because of the unique conditions associated with clinical operations. Separate guidance will be provided later today from the leadership of UI Health.

NEW: Booster Requirements

All students, faculty and staff are required to receive a COVID-19 booster shot once they are eligible. This guidance will be implemented consistent with the legal rights of unionized employees. Already strongly recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the booster shot requirement adds to our multi-layered approach to maximize the safety of our UIC community while continuing to realize our mission of learning, teaching and innovating.

Vaccines are available on campus or at a location near you.

Please upload your proof of booster to Healthcheck. If you have already submitted initial vaccination verification, you will be prompted to submit the location, date and type of booster. After submitting and upon receiving a follow-up email, please continue to follow the steps to upload your updated vaccination card.

There are a few exceptions to the booster requirement:

• If you have previously received a vaccine exemption, it will be extended for the booster and no further action is necessary.
• If you have had COVID-19 in the last 90 days, you are not required to receive a booster shot until after 90 days from your infection.
• University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics will provide separate guidance for hospital employees.

As we communicated on July 12, all faculty and staff should disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status through UIC Healthcheck by August 1 and use the same web link for future updates if your status changes.

Upon disclosing that you are fully vaccinated (at least 14 days since your final dose of a COVID-19 vaccine), you will not be required to participate in on-campus saliva testing, to submit the daily UIC Healthcheck COVID-19 Self Monitoring Survey, to quarantine if you are a close contact of someone with a positive COVID-19 test or if you have returned from international or domestic travel, unless otherwise required by applicable public health regulations. Your UIC Daily Pass will remain green.

Following your vaccination disclosure, you will receive an email with instructions on how to submit proof of vaccination.

If you are partially vaccinated at the beginning of the fall semester, you may participate in on-campus activities if you have a scheduled final vaccine dose and vaccination completion is imminent; however, you must continue to participate in on-campus COVID-19 saliva testing at least weekly, complete the daily UIC Healthcheck COVID-19 Self Monitoring Survey, and wear a face mask indoors. Employees may update their vaccination status through UIC after their final vaccine dose.

In the interest of the health and safety of our entire UIC community, COVID-19 vaccination exemptions are limited to specific medical conditions with physician documentation and religious exemptions. You may request an exemption online.

Faculty and staff who obtain a COVID-19 vaccination exemption will be required to participate in on-campus COVID-19 saliva testing at least once weekly, daily symptom monitoring via UIC Healthcheck, and quarantine if exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or return from international or domestic travel, and wear a face mask when indoors on UIC property.

The best form of defense against COVID-19 transmission is masks. Masking will continue to be required indoors on campus, including in classrooms, except when alone in a private office or personal residence hall room, or when an individual has a medical condition, disability or other reason that prevents them from safely wearing a face mask.

The university recommends using two-layer cloth (utilize the filter insert, if applicable), KN95 or procedural masks to cover your mouth and nose at all times. Also, consider double masking to provide a snugger fit. Single-ply masks, neck gaiters, and masks with exhaust valves are not acceptable masks on campus.

If you have not been vaccinated, you can take advantage of free, convenient vaccination appointments that are available on campus. For more information about COVID-19 vaccination at UIC/UI Health or to make an appointment, visit vaccine.uihealth.care. If you have any questions about making a vaccine appointment, please email covidvaccine@uic.edu.

You can find COVID-19 vaccination appointments or walk-in hours at a location near you by visiting vaccines.gov

Faculty and staff who are not vaccinated, or choose not to disclose their vaccination status, will be required to participate in at least weekly COVID-19 saliva testing, UIC Healthcheck, and must continue to wear a face-covering on campus.

We encourage all members of the UIC community to get vaccinated. It provides the maximum protection for our community as we strive for the continued easing of health and safety restrictions.

What to expect before the test:

• Testing is free to all UIC students, faculty and staff.
• Be aware of the symptoms of COVID-19. If you are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 please contact your medical provider to seek care and determine if diagnostic testing is recommended (individuals with COVID-19 symptoms are not eligible for saliva testing).
• Bring a valid i-card to the testing site. It will need to be shown to be tested.
• Refrain from eating, drinking, tooth brushing, mouth washing, gum chewing, and tobacco use for 30 minutes before submitting a saliva sample.
• While lining up outside the testing location, please wear a face covering and practice social distancing of six feet while in line.
• Wellness screening and temperature monitoring will be conducted at the entrance.
• If you are under the age of 18, you must provide a signed consent form from your parent/guardian before testing.
• No food or drink allowed in the testing site.
• Should a student be unable to independently conduct the saliva testing due to mobility, ambulatory, or other disability, it is advised that the student contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@uic.edu or 312-996-8332 at least two days prior to the testing date.
• Should an employee be unable to independently conduct the saliva testing due to mobility, ambulatory, or other disability, it is advised that the employee contact the Office for Access and Equity at oaeada@uic.eduor 312-996-0512 at least two days prior to the testing date.
• Everyone entering the testing station is asked to update their university contact information should we need to alert you of important information about further testing or contact tracing:

1. My UI Info, select “My Profile”
2. Log in using NetID and Password
3. Select “My Profile”
4. Select “Address/Contact Information”

Taking the test

• Individuals will be asked to provide a saliva sample. The sample collection process only takes 3-5 minutes and is painless.
• You will receive your test results via MyChart within 24-48 hours.
• If you test positive, you will be provided with follow-up isolation instructions and will be contacted by UIC contact tracing. Participating in contact tracing is part of UIC’s strategy to keep the campus safe.

Do NOT take the saliva test:

• If you have symptoms of COVID-19.
• If you have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 90 days. (Testing positive another time within 90 days of a prior positive test does not mean that you are infectious to others.)
• If you have had a saliva test in the previous 48 hours.
• You may take the saliva test for COVID-19 after being exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 on day 7 or later from last exposure.

Testing locations:

Main campus saliva-based COVID-19 testing sites are located at:

• Student Center West, 828 S. Wolcott Ave., Thompson Room.
• Student Center East, 750 S Halsted St., Illinois Room.

Effective May 10, saliva testing hours at Student Center East and Student Center West will be open:
Monday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Tuesday 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday 12 p.m.-4 p.m.
Thursday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Re-entry testing is required for all members of the UIC community, including those who are fully vaccinated and boosted, if you are coming to campus or engaging in academic or clinical activities or field placements off-campus.

Given the limited availability of testing in the Chicago area and across the country at this time, we have adjusted our approach and now strongly recommend that you take advantage of on-campus saliva testing within 72 hours of your first visit to campus for work or study to fulfill your re-entry testing requirement. If you test outside of UIC, information on how to upload testing results will be shared next week. Those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days do not have to test to return to campus if you reported your results through the UIC COVID-19 Reporting Tool.

What if your re-entry test is positive?

On-campus positive testing results are automatically reported. If you test positive for COVID-19 at a non-UIC testing location, please report your result via the UIC COVID-19 Reporting Tool. The UIC contact tracing team will reach out to those who test positive using on-campus saliva testing as well as those who self-report off-campus test results. UIC contact tracing counsels individuals on isolation, identifies and notifies their close contacts on campus, monitors both groups for COVID-19 symptoms, and connects individuals with campus and external resources to successfully complete isolation and quarantine.

Vaccination status is part of an individual’s medical history.  As such, it is not appropriate to inquire as to someone’s vaccination status.  Asking someone to provide information that they may not be comfortable sharing may result in that person feeling pressured to respond, undue anxiety and stress and a sense of harassment.

I’ll only be on campus a few days a week, what should I do about parking?

Parking Services will now offer a discounted daily parking program for those who occasionally need to park on campus.

Beginning July 1, anyone continuing to telework full-time or wishing to instead pay for daily parking can participate in the Value Card Program which enables you to pay for parking on a per-use basis instead of having to retain monthly parking assignments. Parkers will pay $7.00 each time they access a designated parking facility within a 24 hour period. Students will pay a discounted rate of $3.50. This represents a significant cost savings compared to the daily rate of $15.00.

For employees, there are two options for participating in the Value Card Parking Program.
If you are currently paying for a parking assignment through payroll deductions. You can continue to use your i-card but can select to pay for a specific number of uses. The fees will continue to be paid via payroll deductions. You will have to select one of the following amounts:

• $28 for 4 days of parking
• $56 for 8 days of parking
• $77 for 11 days of parking

If you are currently not enrolled in parking deductions, you will have to visit one of the Parking Offices. A barcode ticket, which functions as your value card, will be issued to you.

Buildings with clinic space or that service patients have open main entrances and will require a health screening to enter. This includes, but is not limited to, the Clinical Sciences Building, NPI, WROB, the hospital and outpatient care center. Upon passing the health check, security will give you a sticker which you should attach to your iCard for the remainder of that day. This will also give you access to other patient care buildings for that day.

Other buildings on campus, including the MCA, are key-card access only. Buildings that serve through-traffic, like the College of Medicine Research Building, also require key-card access. If you are not able to access a building that is critical to your position, please contact Catherine Vivado at vivado1@uic.edu.

College of Medicine IT and CCTS administration are currently on campus on a part time basis. If you are experiencing problems with your computer, printer or connectivity (WiFi or ethernet), please email helpccts@helpdesk.uic.edu or call 312-996-3636.

CCTS employees that have a CCTS issued laptop will be required to bring their laptop to campus if they need a camera for their meetings. Employees will be responsible to ensure care of their laptop while in travel status.

CCTS administration is currently on campus on a part time basis. For immediate assistance with a building or office lock-out, please contact Catherine Vivado at vivado1@uic.edu.

If you are experiencing an on-campus emergency, please call 312-355-5555 (x55555) to summon Police or Fire.

CCTS employees are allowed to use the kitchen area on the 3rd floor of the MCA as well as in NPI Suite 235.

If you are working from another campus building, please check with the current facility policies for that space.

Most UIC dining facilities are open, including the Student Center West cafeteria and Wood Street Station, though there may be limited seating capacity.

Please note that the MCA building does not have the electrical capability for each employee to have their own fridge and/or microwave in their office. Employees will not be allowed to bring their own into the building.

Masking indoors is still required, including in classrooms, except when alone in a private office or personal residence hall room, or when an individual has a medical condition, disability or other reason that prevents them from safely wearing a face mask.

Office doors do not need to be closed if the employee is masked.  If you wish to remove your mask indoors, the office door must be closed.  Masks must be worn when opening an office door for any reason.

Scarves, bandanas and gaiters are not to be worn on the UIC campus when a mask is required, as they do not provide the same level of protection as a face mask.

As of January 2022, the university recommends using two-layer cloth (utilize the filter insert, if applicable), KN95 or procedural masks to cover your mouth and nose at all times. Also, consider double masking to provide a snugger fit.

All UIC events must follow detailed guidelines and registration procedures.

CCTS is strongly encouraging groups to meet virtually via Webex or Zoom until further notice.

We understand that logistics around COVID testing, isolation and quarantine requirements can be complicated. Employees seeking flexible scheduling to accommodate pandemic conflicts should work with their core/program supervisor to arrive at an agreement and submit appropriate documentation if applicable.

For all employees, the expectation is that they will report to work on campus.  In certain circumstances, with prior approval, employees may be permitted to work from home for a period of time.  Agreements for remote work will depend on the nature of employee’s position, individual circumstances, and Core operations.  Agreements are between the employee and CCTS, requiring approval from CCTS leadership as well as the employee’s supervisor.

UIC Housekeeping responsibilities vary from building to building. In the MCA, staff are responsible for cleaning their own office spaces as well as a shared responsibility for cleaning the 3rd floor kitchen. CCTS Administration maintains a supply of cleaning wipes  as well as facial tissue and hand sanitizer. To request supplies, please contact Catherine Vivado at vivado1@uic.edu.

General Campus Contact Tracing

The UIC contact tracing team is responsible for contacting students, faculty and staff who test positive using the COVID-19 saliva test, as well as those testing positive at University Health Services and Student Health Services, and those who self-report any other tests. UIC contact tracing counsels individuals on isolation, identifies and notifies their close contacts on campus, monitors both groups for COVID-19 symptoms, and connects individuals in need with campus and external resources to successfully complete isolation and quarantine.

If you are a student or employee, please report COVID-19 symptoms and exposures to a COVID-positive individual using the online reporting tool.

UIC contact tracing will be in touch with anyone who receives a positive saliva test or submits a positive test result within 24-48 hours of their result or submission of their results online, respectively. They will then provide regular follow-up during a person’s isolation period. UIC contact tracing will inform these individuals when it is acceptable for them to leave isolation.

A key component of contact tracing is to obtain a list of persons who may have been exposed to infected individuals. If an individual receives a positive test result it will be important to begin compiling a list of persons with whom they have been in direct physical or close contact, particularly if that involved close contact (within 6 feet for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, and is regardless of mask-wearing). After assembling a list of contacts, UIC contact tracing will reach out by phone to any UIC employee or student who may have been exposed to an individual diagnosed with COVID-19 in order to provide support and guidance.  Every effort will be made to keep the name of the infected individual confidential. Persons with significant exposures to the infected individual will be asked to quarantine based on current UIC quarantine policy.

Please see the links below for additional guidance on exposure within a household.

Contact Tracing within CCTS

• If someone in your household has recently tested positive for COVID-19
• If someone in your household has been exposed to a person who tested positive for COVID-19