Free rapid COVID tests are available at select campus locations. Please note that these rapid tests are intended to be picked up by healthy individuals who would simply like to have a test in their residence. The number of tests provided will be limited. Tests should not be picked up at these locations by symptomatic individuals.

Free COVID tests are available for pick up at:

• University Union Service Center
  Monday-Friday: 8:00am - 8:00 pm
  Saturday: 9:30am – 8:00pm
  Sunday: 10:30am-6:00pm
• Beu Health Center
  Monday-Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm
• WIU-QC Riverfront Hall Reception Desk
  Monday-Thursday: 8:00am - 4:30pm

Symptomatic students should schedule an appointment with Beu Health Center (309) 298-1888 or their primary care physician. If you begin experiencing symptoms outside of the hours of the Health Center (M-F 8:00am – 4:30pm), please self-separate yourself until you are able to contact the Health Center or a health care provider.

Symptomatic employees are expected to test as soon as possible and follow the guidance of the CDC. Employees are encouraged to use at-home tests if available. Community COVID testing sites are available throughout numerous locations, such as pharmacies, health departments, and medical facilities. To mitigate the spread of COVID, employees experiencing COVID symptoms should stay home and isolate until the are able to be tested.

Testing positive

Individuals who test positive with COVID-19 should complete the WIU COVID-19 Self Reporting Form.

Free at home test kits

The U.S. government has implemented a testing program that allows every residence in the U.S the eligibility to receive four free at-home COVID-19 tests. University community members are encouraged to request their free at-home test kits at https://www.covid.gov/tests

• CDC Exposure Guidelines: If you have been exposed to COVID, follow the current CDC guidelines. Free rapid COVID tests are available at select campus locations. Please see the section above for more information regarding testing.
• CDC Isolation Guidelines: You should isolate yourself from others when you have COVID. You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID, but do not yet have test results. Visit this CDC page for the latest accepted guidelines on isolation.

Any member of the University community who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or exhibits symptoms must stay home and if necessary contact Beu Health Center (309) 298-1888 or their primary care physician. Any student, faculty, or staff member who is sick, or suspects they are getting sick, must stay home and should follow the necessary precautions outlined below:

Students Residing On-Campus:

• Step 1: Stay in your room and perform a home test kit (if available) or contact Beu Health Center (309) 298-1888 or your primary care physician for guidance regarding obtaining a COVID-19 test based on symptoms. If you are able to perform a home test kit and the result is positive, self-report by  going to the COVID-19 Self Report Form.
• Step 2: Students: If you need professors and instructors notified that your absences are COVID-19 related, please send an email to SDSC@wiu.edu and COPY ALL OF YOUR PROFESSORS asking the SDSC to confirm COVID-19 related absences. SDSC will reply all and confirm.
• Step 3: The University, along with University Housing and Dining Services, will work with the student, as well as the roommate(s) (if applicable) to remain in their assigned residence hall room for the duration of their isolation period. To obtain meals during isolation, students will be able to call their respective dining center and will be allowed to pick up meals at the cashier station in lieu of entering the dining facility.

Students Residing Off-Campus:

• Step 1: Stay in your room and perform a home test kit (if available) or contact Beu Health Center (309) 298-1888 or your primary care physician for guidance regarding obtaining a COVID-19 test based on symptoms. If you are able to perform a home test kit and the result is positive, self-report by going to the COVID-19 Self Report Form.
• Step 2: Students: If you need professors and instructors notified that your absence is COVID-19 related, please send an email to SDSC@wiu.edu and COPY ALL OF YOUR PROFESSORS asking the SDSC to confirm COVID-19 related absences. SDSC will reply all and confirm.
• Step 3: The student must remain in their off-campus residence for the duration of their isolation period.

Employees:

• Step 1: Stay home and perform a home test kit (if available) or contact your primary care physician for guidance regarding obtaining a COVID-19 test based on symptoms. If you are able to perform a home test kit and the result is positive, self-report by going to the COVID-19 Self Report Form.
• Step 2: Employees: For information related to work time off, visit the HR Office's “COVID-19 Information for Employees” and notify your supervisor.
• Step 3: The employee should remain in their off-campus residence for the duration of their isolation period.

WIU Self-Reporting

With access to COVID-19 home kits, individuals can test at home. The University encourages individuals to utilize home kits to help mitigate transmission. If you take an at-home test with a positive result, the University requests that you self-report by going to the COVID-19 Self Report Form.

Leatherneck Care Referral

Western Illinois University is committed to the emotional and physical well-being of all students, as well as their academic success. The Division of Student Services offers an easy-to-use tool to share nonemergency-related concerns about student behaviors and potential barriers to success. In conjunction with this system, if an individual learns that a person made need assistance due to illness related to COVID-19, they can submit a Leatherneck Care Referral. To learn more information or to submit a Leatherneck Care Referral, please reference the Retention Initiatives website.

Mental Health Resources

The University recognizes the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on mental health and encourages individuals needing assistance to seek aid from the University Counseling Center and other available mental health resources.

• WIU Counseling Center
• CDC COVID-19 Mental Health Information

To best protect yourself and our community, WIU continues to urge all members of campus to be up-to-date with their COVID vaccinations. This includes receiving booster vaccines as you are eligible. To learn which COVID vaccines are in stock near you, go to www.vaccines.gov.

Although students and employees are not required to report their vaccination status to the University, it is encouraged for students to report their vaccination status if they choose to do so.

Student COVID vaccination information may be submitted to the Beu Health Center in any of the following ways:

• Uploading to the student Patient Portal.
• Email as a pdf to beuhealthcenter@wiu.edu
• Drop off in person at the Beu Health Center (see campus map)
• Mail via USPS to WIU Beu Health Center, 1 University Circle, Macomb, IL 61455
• Fax to (309) 298-2188

Vaccination Clinics

The following COVID Clinic opportunities are available for individuals to participate in.

• McDonough County vaccination information: http://www.mchdept.com/
• Rock Island County vaccination information: https://richd.org/
• Vaccines.gov - Find COVID vaccine locations near you.
• Individuals are also encouraged to visit their local Hy-Vee, CVS, Wal-Mart, or pharmacy for information regarding COVID vaccinations.

Face coverings are optional in most campus settings. The CDC recommends that all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, wear a well-fitted mask indoors in public areas when COVID-19 community levels are high or, for those who are at higher risk for severe illness.

• A face covering must be worn when an individual has tested positive for COVID or has been exposed to COVID per CDC guidelines.
• Faculty and other employees may request and expect face coverings to be worn in their assigned personal office spaces, as well as labs, studios, or other learning environments. When appropriate, faculty and staff may also choose to meet in a conference room or other available space that is more physically distanced than an individual office. Employees should work with their supervisor, as needed.
• Individuals wishing to require face coverings in their personal work or living spaces, can download and print signage.
• Individuals should keep an approved face covering available to wear when requested.
• Face coverings may be required in other campus sites following guidance from governing regulatory agencies.

Please remember that members of our WIU community who prefer wearing a face covering are welcomed and encouraged to do so. As a campus community we should respect others choice to wear a face covering and make every effort to help others feel comfortable on campus.

Appropriate Face Coverings:

Western Illinois University endeavors to provide a safe, inclusive, and equitable environment for its employees and students. It is the expectation of the University that any and all content on a face covering be non-offensive, non-discriminatory, and does not display text or image(s) that will harm the reputation and integrity of Western Illinois University. Administrators, University officials, and supervisors reserve the right to determine appropriateness.

Face coverings do not replace required and issued job-specific PPE, such as medical/procedure masks, respirators, or face shields or any other type of mask needed to perform one’s job safely.

Face Covering Distribution Locations:

In a majority of campus buildings, there will be a designated site that will have extra face coverings to provide to those who forget theirs, the covering rips, etc. Supplies will be limited in these locations, so individuals should make every effort to have their face coverings with them.

Face Covering Distribution Site Locations

Western Illinois University continues to adjust protocols and procedures on campus to follow health and safety guidance from public health agencies.

Cleaning & Disinfecting

The University encourages all students, faculty, staff and guests to be active participants and aid in the disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces to help eliminate the virus that causes COVID-19.

In addition:

• Public area cleaning and disinfection is performed every normal business day.
• Cleaning wipes are placed in classrooms to allow students and faculty to disinfect their space. Wipes are also available for office locations by contacting the building’s respective building representative.
• Hand sanitizer stations are placed throughout both campuses in common area locations.
• Areas needing cleaning supplies or guidance on cleaning should contact Building Services at (309) 298-1834 or facilities@wiu.edu.

Ventilation Systems

• The University’s buildings are equipped with a variety of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Most recirculating air systems are equipped with MERV 8 filters, with some buildings accommodating higher efficiency filters. WIU Mechanical Maintenance continues to replace filters in building systems that accommodate MERV13 filter ratings.
• Facilities Maintenance continues to replace HEPA rated filters that according to space square footage have been placed in classroom settings where MERV13 filtration is not available. Facilities Management personnel will assess the need for such devices in campus locations.
• When possible, maintenance personnel will recalibrate and adjust systems to maximize outside air flow in all buildings, while at the same time continuing to control temperatures to ensure comfort. It is recommended that windows are not opened in classroom spaces, so that buildings can be properly and efficiently climate-controlled.

Other

• If desired, faculty can request a podium shield by sending a request to Facilities Management through their respective building representative.
• Instructors may determine if they require face coverings in their classrooms and must communicate accordingly. It is recommended that this expectation is included within their class syllabus.
• Events and activities on campus can request that attendees wear a face covering and must communicate accordingly. It is recommended that this expectation is included in any promotional material for the event/activity.
• In places where there is a reception or transaction location, a plastic shield is optional. To request a shield, offices should send a request to Facilities Management through their respective building representative.
• Carry out food options are available in each of the dining facilities on campus.

Communication Resources

• CDC Communication Resources
• Wash Your Hands the Leatherneck Way

University Resources

• WIU Beu Health Center
  (309) 298-1888
• WIU-Quad Cities Student Services
  (309) 762-9080
• WIU Student Development and Success Center
  (309) 298-1884

Local and State Resources

• Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH)
• McDonough County Health Department
• QC - Rock Island County Health Department
• State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response

Other Resources

• Center for Disease Control (CDC)
• World Health Organization
• Coping with Stress During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
• OSHA Guidance for COVID-19
• American College Health Association (ACHA)