November 16, 2020
Dear North Central College Campus Community,
As we approach the end of the fall semester, we are writing to provide an update on the College’s COVID-19 testing, isolation and quarantine plans in advance of the Thanksgiving holiday and winter break.
COVID-19 Testing
The final date of the College’s fall semester surveillance testing will be Tuesday, November 17, and the final date of the College’s ongoing testing of student-athletes and athletics staff will be Wednesday, November 18. While the College does not ultimately control how quickly we receive test results, we will make every effort to notify individuals of their test results in advance of the holiday break.
For anyone else who wishes to get tested for COVID-19 prior to returning home, you can go to DuPage County’s free drive-through community testing site, one of the State of Illinois’ community-based testing sites, or contact your healthcare provider.]
We will share more information about the College’s testing plans for spring semester before the December holidays. During break, please continue to fill out the College’s COVID-19 Form if you test positive for COVID-19, are exposed to a positive or probable case, or are experiencing symptoms. This information will enable us to continue monitoring the health of our campus community and will help in our planning for spring semester operations.
Isolation & Quarantine
For individuals in isolation or quarantine in campus housing, and who cannot or should not return home until it is deemed safe for them to do so, the College will continue to provide designated housing and services, including modified meal services, during the holiday break as needed. Anyone remaining on campus to isolate or quarantine must continue to follow all College health and safety guidelines. Campus contact tracers/case managers will be in touch with these individuals to assess their upcoming housing needs.
Anyone planning to travel during the holiday break should be aware of current travel guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health, as well as relevant guidance at their destination of travel—whether local or state health department—which may include a requirement to quarantine upon arrival.
Spring Semester
The College’s Institutional Response Team (IRT) will review our operations from the fall semester as we continue planning for spring semester, which begins for graduate students on Monday, January 11, and undergraduate students on Monday, January 25. We will share more information with the campus community prior to the start of the spring semester.
Continued Health & Safety
We recognize that the holidays present yet another unique challenge in protecting your own health and safety, and that of your family, friends and fellow community members. The same health and safety measures that we have practiced and reinforced throughout the fall semester here at North Central—and that have enabled us to learn, live and work together in-person—will continue to serve you well during the break. Thank you for the care and vigilance you have shown while on campus, and we urge you to remain vigilant while at home.
Wishing you a safe and healthy Thanksgiving and winter break!
Dr. Peter Barger
Assistant Provost, Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Institutional Response Team
Michael Hudson
Vice President for Operations
Co-Chair, COVID-19 Institutional Response Team
