Risk Management and Emergency Preparedness

COVID-19/Coronavirus Information

The U.S. national emergency to the COVID-19 pandemic ended April 10, 2023, when President Biden signed a bipartisan congressional resolution, and a separate public health emergency expired on May 11, 2023. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared an end to the global health emergency on May 5, 2023.

The CDC, McDonough County Health Department, and the Rock Island County Health Department continue to be a sources of health information for COVID-19 for our campus communities.

Testing

There is no testing requirement for Western Illinois University students, staff, or faculty. 

WIU does have a limited supply of free COVID tests available at select campus locations. Test kits will be made available until supply runs out.

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
Health Resources
  • If you have a health emergency, please contact 911.
  • If you do test positive for COVID-19, follow the current guidance from the CDC.
  • If you are a student and have a non-emergency health question, please contact Beu Health Center.
  • If you are a faculty or staff member and have a non-emergency health question, please contact your primary care physician.

Health and Isolation

  • 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 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: 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: University Housing and Dining Services, will work with you, as well as your roommate(s) (if applicable) to remain in your assigned residence hall room for the duration of your isolation period. To obtain meals during isolation, you will be able to call your 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: 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: You should remain in your off-campus residence for the duration of your 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.
  • Step 2: Notify your supervisor. (Note: The COVID-19 Paid Leave Program that was offered to eligible employees in accordance with Illinois Public Act 102-0697 ended on May 11, 2023 along with the ending of the State's public health emergency. Starting May 12, 2023, employees will need to use their own accrued sick leave or other appropriate paid or unpaid leave for missed work time due to COVID-19 reasons.)
  • Step 3: You should remain in your off-campus residence for the duration of your isolation period.
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.

Vaccination

There is no COVID-19 vaccination requirement for Western Illinois University students, staff, or faculty. All members of our campus community are encouraged to get one of the COVID-19 vaccines and available boosters to maximize protection against the most serious effects of COVID-19.

Face Coverings

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.

Face Covering Distribution Locations:

Designated sites throughout campus will have extra face coverings available to individuals wishing to wear one. Supplies will be limited in these locations based on University supply.

Face Covering Distribution Site Locations

Campus Precautions

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.

Resources

Communication Resources
University Resources
Local and State Resources
Other Resources