Frequently Asked Questions

As COVID-19 infection rates and deaths continue to increase across numerous states, we share the concerns of our faculty, staff, and broader community. Therefore, we have decided that the best plan for the upcoming fall semester is to shift most of our class offerings online. In addition, we have decided to limit in-person courses to those requiring face-to-face interaction. These courses may include labs, experiential learning classes, and research.

We will also provide necessary in-person, on-campus instruction and research opportunities to both domestic and international students. These opportunities will enable them to meet the requirements of their respective degree programs. Our faculty, advisors, and staff will work directly with students to address their academic needs and course schedules.

Loyola has decided that the best plan for the upcoming fall semester is to shift most of our class offerings online. In addition, we have decided to limit in-person courses to those requiring face-to-face interaction. These courses may include labs, experiential learning classes, and research.

In the coming days we will provide detail on the specifics of the fall schedule. In particular, deans and chairs will be working this week to complete the schedule of courses.

The CARES Act and the U.S. Department of Education established that the HEERF Student Share grants are to aid students for “expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.” In addition, the U.S. Department of Education encouraged institutions to prioritize students with the greatest need while establishing thresholds to ensure that the funds are distributed as widely as possible.

As students submitted their HEERF Student Share applications, we became informed of the types and amount of expenses generally incurred related to the disruption of campus operations. Amounts you requested in certain expense categories may have been reduced to reflect a more equitable distribution of available funds, as well as compliance with the government’s guidelines on eligible expenses.

We truly empathize with the hardships our students and families are experiencing as a result of this pandemic. While the HEERF Student Share Grant funds you received were less than the amount you requested, we want you to know that Loyola has a variety of programs to support you during this time. These programs include the Center for Student Assistance and Advocacy, the Loyola Commitment, and other financial aid assistance. We encourage you to learn more about this valuable assistance at LUC.edu/coronavirus/valuableassistance.

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Share Grant was established by the CARES Act and guided by the U.S. Department of Education. According to the government’s regulations, the HEERF Student Share grants are to aid students for “expenses incurred related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.” This is different than a change in a student's financial need due to COVID-19, which could be a result of a loss of income, rather than new expenses. Please refer to the HEERF Student Share Grant Policy for more information concerning expenses eligible for the HEERF Student Share Grant funds. If you wish to submit another application, please consider providing a description of how the expense incurred is related to the disruption of campus operations.

We truly empathize with the hardships our students and families are experiencing as a result of this pandemic. While your HEERF application did not meet the grant requirements, we want you to know that Loyola has a variety of programs to support you during this time. These programs include the Center for Student Assistance and Advocacy, the Loyola Commitment, and other financial aid assistance. We encourage you to learn more about this valuable assistance at LUC.edu/coronavirus/valuableassistance.

Yes. We expect that many students will join us in the residence halls, using the single-occupancy plan announced previously. We also have begun planning for additional robust, low-density, socially distant programs for our students. These programs will support a different but rich campus experience. We have been planning for this scenario as one option and remain committed to providing a first-class Jesuit, Catholic education and experience to all our students.

Loyola will implement a wide range of precautions to protect our community that include the following:

We will conduct frequent testing for COVID-19 and use extensive contact tracing.

Faculty and staff will always maintain a minimum of six feet social distancing, and will wear masks covering mouth and nose.

Use of gathering spaces such as conference rooms, kitchens, and eating areas will be restricted, and employees are encouraged to use personal coolers.

We will implement staggered work schedules, including different shifts within workdays, to maintain healthy work practices.

Class sizes will be reduced to ensure that students, who must also wear masks, maintain social distancing at all times in the classroom, with markers being placed on the floor to indicate the location of assigned seats.

We have extended the times between classes to 30 minutes to allow for reduced crowding when entering and leaving classrooms and buildings.

There will be frequent cleaning of high-touch and common areas. Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes will be widely available.

Return-to-work training will also be made available.

On March 27, 2020 the federal government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The CARES Act includes several sources of funds for institutions of higher education, including a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) that provides more than $14 billion in emergency funding to higher education. Of those funds, more than $6 billion must go directly to students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis (“HEERF Student Share Grant Funds”).

On April 9, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) published a list of individual institutional allocations, a certification form that must be signed and returned in order to access the funds, and a letter from the ED Secretary outlining ED's implementation of the CARES Act program.

Loyola University of Chicago (the “University”) is included in the list of higher education institutions eligible to apply for the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds. The University submitted the certification form on April 17, 2020.

On April 21, 2020, ED released additional clarification on student eligibility and allowable uses of HEERF Student Share Grant Funds including:

Students must meet Title IV eligibility requirements in order to receive HEERF Student Share Grant Funds. These awards are not limited to undergraduate students.

HEERF Student Share Grant Funds are to aid students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the coronavirus.

Institutions must pay HEERF Student Share Grant Funds directly to students and may not apply the grants toward outstanding institutional charges.

The University’s HEERF Student Share Grant Funds policy outlines eligibility requirements as well as the process by which students will be able to apply for the grants.

The University has decided to prioritize students with the greatest need, but at the same time establish a maximum funding threshold for each student to ensure that these funds are distributed as widely as possible.

The University’s HEERF Student Share Grant Funds policy outlines the process by which students will be able to apply for the grants and how they will be awarded and paid.

We recognize the importance of these emergency grants to our students and are working diligently to keep you updated regarding the application process and disbursement of funds. Additional information will be posted to LUC.edu/heerf as soon as it is available.

Yes, graduate and professional students are eligible as long as they meet the Title IV requirements and certain other criteria for HEERF Student Share Grant Funds as outlined by ED. More information about eligibility criteria is included in the University’s HEERF Student Share Grant Funds policy.

The University’s Priority Application Period ended on June 10, 2020, and the University expects to begin distributing funds during the week of June 29, 2020. Students who have not already completed an application may still do so at forms.LUC.edu/heerf.

The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Student Share Grant online application is now available at forms.LUC.edu/heerf.

To log onto the online application, you will need your student UVID and password. Once logged in, you will be asked to provide receipts or documentation supporting your expenses. If you do not have supporting documentation, you will need to provide a statement regarding the expense.

As of the date of this report, students must have completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2019-2020 Aid Year in order to be eligible for the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds.

The University provides paid sick leave for regular full-time and part-time staff who are scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week (FTE .50). The University also provides paid sick leave for part-time, hourly staff who work less than 20 hours per week, including temporary, seasonal, active casual hourly staff, and hourly paid student workers.

Please note: To ensure the greatest degree of flexibility, staff may now use any of their paid time off accruals, including personal/family friendly days, sick, and vacation time during the coronavirus period for pay continuity with manger/supervisor approval.

Loyola University Chicago staff employees will be temporarily eligible to access COVID-19 Days once all Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals are exhausted. This includes personal/family friendly days, sick, and vacation accruals with your manger/supervisor approval. COVID-19 pay is a temporary emergency measure granted to assist employees during the pandemic period.

Eligible employees should complete the COVID-19 Emergency Pay Request Form and return the completed form to Human Resources at benefits@LUC.edu.

Loyola University Chicago staff employees will be temporarily eligible to access COVID-19 days once all Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals are exhausted. This includes personal/family friendly days, sick, and vacation accruals with your manger/supervisor approval. Contact Human Resources via 312.915.6175 or benefits@luc.edu to learn more about absence planning for coronavirus-related emergency support and/or if you have an inquiry about your individual situation.

The CDC guidelines encourage teleworking where feasible and when possible to ensure the ability of the department to meet the business needs of the unit. Telework supports the goal of reducing the density of our campuses. Not all positions are viable for teleworking, please see your manager/supervisor for assessment. Your supervisor/manager will consider a number of factors including:

The nature of the work being performed (duties & responsibilities);

The ability to meet the business needs of the unit;

Departmental staffing needs;

Employees should work remotely if required to self-isolate and where working remotely is possible. All other employees should see their manager/supervisor.

Employees are expected to self-quarantine at home, away from Loyola, including the University’s residence halls and workplace for at least 14 days if you have traveled to/from/through, come into contact with, or live with someone who has recently traveled to a Level 3 or above country. This includes if you have been exposed to another person who has been exposed to the coronavirus. If you suspect that you meet these criteria, please contact your manager and Human Resources immediately for assistance via benefits@LUC.edu or 312.915.6175.

Remote work arrangements may also be used, as feasible, to support employees who fall into high-risk health categories as outlined by the CDC, and employees who may need to attend to child/senior care needs.

Please note: To ensure the greatest degree of flexibility, Loyola University Chicago staff employees will be temporarily eligible to access COVID-19 days once all Paid Time Off (PTO) accruals are exhausted. This includes personal/family friendly days, sick, and vacation accruals with your manger/supervisor approval. COVID-19 pay is a temporary emergency measure granted to assist employees during the pandemic period.

Board plan rates for the 2020-2021 academic year will be adjusted lower in light of new safety measures on campus. The previously offered five- and seven-day "all access” plans will change to five- and seven-day “board plans.” The board plans will allow students to access the dining facilities for three meals per day, but will be limited to one visit per meal. Meals will be grab and go; students will be able to carry out either a hot or cold meal option, along with snacks, during each visit. This new protocol will assist with social distancing objectives in dining halls.

Fall board plan rates have also been adjusted lower to reflect the residential community move off-campus at Thanksgiving for the remainder of the semester. Board plan rates for the coming year are:

	Fall	Spring	Total
15 meals/week / 5 day board plan + $250 dining dollars	$2,240	$2,530	$4,770
15 meals/week / 5 day board plan + $350 dining dollars	$2,340	$2,630	$4,970
21/meals/week / 7 day board plan + $100 dining dollars	$2,260	$2,570	$4,830
21/meals/week / 7 day board plan + $200 dining dollars	$2,360	$2,670	$5,030

Tuition for the 2020-2021 academic year remains at the rate publicly announced in January 2020. Regardless of the mode of instruction, Loyola is committed to providing a first-class education and will continue to provide students with access to the same accomplished faculty, rigorous coursework, and thoughtful curriculum that are the hallmark of the Loyola experience.

As a matter of practice, we regularly survey our students on course effectiveness. During the unprecedented global health crisis this past spring, our dedicated faculty made extraordinary efforts to ensure that the educational experience remained as rigorous online as it would have been in-person. The data we received from our students showed that our faculty’s efforts were successful, and students found their courses and instruction equally effective as in semesters prior despite the transition to online learning.

We remain appreciative and very proud of how hard our faculty worked to ensure and maintain course integrity and quality.

Loyola understands the significant toll the COVID-19 pandemic has had on many families. In order to increase support to those students whose families have experienced financial hardship, Loyola has developed “The Loyola Commitment” program. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply for assistance through “The Loyola Commitment.” Eligibility and priority will be given to those who have utilized all existing financial aid options including loans. To apply, visit LUC.edu/loyolacommitment.

In order to provide a safer living environment for our students next academic year, Loyola will move to an all single occupancy model. Since there will be less overall space available for on-campus living as a result of this change, Loyola is in the process of securing near-campus hotel space in order to accommodate as many students as possible who desire to live on campus. In order to ensure that students do not incur additional expenses as a result of this change, traditional single room rates will be reduced. Additionally, Loyola will absorb the added costs for the hotel space. The following chart details the on-campus room rates for academic year 2020-2021:

	Fall [Prorated for shortened on campus semester]	Spring
Traditional Single	$3,820	$4,700
Apartment style single	$3,920	$4,830
Near campus hotel	$3,860	$4,750

Additional details on accommodations can be directed to: res-life@LUC.edu or FAQs for fall 2020 housing.

Loyola has decided to suspend the student development fee for the upcoming year in an effort to help students and families financially affected by the pandemic. The student development division nevertheless remains committed to providing as many on-campus events and programs as possible next year, provided it can do so safely.

The Virtual Commencement will be held Saturday, August 8. The University ceremony begins at 3:00 p.m. Central, and school ceremonies begin immediately following. Please see LUC.edu/Commencement for additional details.

The University ceremony will include remarks by Jo Ann Rooney, JD, LLM, EdD, president; Norberto Grzywacz, PhD, provost; Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, BVM; and keynote speaker Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ (MA ’95), executive director for Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, as well as a degree acknowledgment. We also invite all graduates to open their Celebration Package together with us during the ceremony. The school ceremonies, which will be available immediately after the University ceremony, will feature remarks by the dean and student speaker, as well as a recognition of all graduates individually by name. Please see LUC.edu/Commencement for additional details.

The package includes several keepsakes from Loyola University Chicago, including a fragile item. It will be mailed to your permanent address on file with the University. Please update your address in LOCUS by July 1. Please don’t open the package until the Virtual Ceremony when we will open the packages. International shipments will take longer. Please contact commencement@LUC.edu if you do not receive a package by early August. International shipments will take longer.

All the ceremonies will be available online afterward, so you can watch – or re-watch – the ceremonies at your convenience. The videos will be posted to LUC.edu/Commencement.

Pre Order or Rental through Jostens

If you preordered a cap and gown, you should receive them in late July or early August. Regalia ordered through Jostens will be shipped to the permanent address on file with the University. Any address changes for Jostens needed to have been submitted by the deadline of May 29.

Bookstore

Regalia ordered through the bookstore will be delivered to homes by July 29 if orders are placed between July 6 and July 17. If you’d like to order regalia, please see the separate FAQ named “Can I still order a cap and gown for the Virtual Ceremony?”

Caps and gowns will not be available for pick up.

If you are eligible for individual school honor cords, those will be mailed to the address on file with the University.

Purchased Regalia (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Specialists, and non-Law Certificate programs)

Graduating students in Bachelor’s, Master’s, Specialist’s, and Non-Law Certificate programs who did not pre-order their regalia can order through the Loyola Bookstore to have their cap and gown shipped.

To order and ship your regalia, please visit loyolachishop.com or call 773.508.7350 between July 6 and 17. Students will be charged based on the shipping speed they select: Ground (7-10 business days): $7.50; 2nd Day Air: $13.50; Next Day Air: $18.00. International students will be charged for international rates and all applicable taxes and fees.

Rental Regalia (Doctoral Students – EdD, PhD, DNP, DBe, and School of Law Students)

Graduating students in other programs have been contacted by their specific schools and will receive regalia to the address provided in late July and early August. Regalia will need to be returned in the pre-labeled return device to Jostens by August 14.

Unfortunately, Jostens cannot ship internationally. If you pre-ordered your regalia and did not provide an address within the United States before the May 29 deadline, your regalia will be sent directly to the Loyola Bookstore. The Loyola University Bookstore can ship internationally; you will be responsible for all international rates and all applicable taxes and fees. Please call the Loyola Bookstore at 773.508.7350 between July 6 and 17 to coordinate your regalia shipment.

If you’d like to order regalia, please see the separate FAQ named “Can I still order a cap and gown for the Virtual Ceremony?”

If we did not receive a refund request before the deadline of May 29, your regalia will be mailed to the permanent address on file with the University. If you still wish to receive a refund, you will need to send the regalia back to the address provided by Jostens with the regalia in the unopened package.

If you submitted a refund request before May 29 and received a confirmation email, your refund is currently being processed. You do not need to submit an additional request. Refunds will take approximately six weeks.

Please look for an email from GradImage the week of June 22. This email will include a link and more information about submitting a photo for your school ceremony. Photos must be submitted by Tuesday, June 30. If you don’t receive the GradImage email by Friday, June 26, please contact commencement@LUC.edu. Submitted photos will be shown during the ceremony when we recognize all graduates individually by name.

Yes! We are holding a Virtual Commencement on August 8, 2020. We are planning to hold an in-person celebration in late spring 2021 if conditions allow. We will share more details in the coming months as they become available.

All degrees have been conferred in May or June as previously scheduled, and diplomas will be mailed. In other words, graduating students are officially Loyola alumni in May or June.

The one-time graduation fee assessed to students covers the cost of the diploma and cover, mailing fees, and other expenses associated with graduation. All graduates must pay the fee, regardless of attendance at the ceremony.

Classes will begin as originally scheduled on August 24. This will be the starting date whether we have to be all online or if on-campus classes are legally allowed and medically advisable (L.A.M.A.).

Registration is currently temporarily closed for the fall semester; summer registration is still open. LOCUS will re-open for the fall semester on June 22.

If the course is exclusively online, there is of course no need to do this. If the course is being taught on campus and you will be taking the course online, your instructor will contact the class later in the summer asking which students will be taking the class “live” and which will be taking the class online.

Every lecture or seminar class will have an online component. Some courses like labs, internships, and field work do not always lend themselves well to an online experience. In these cases, we ask you to check with the instructor of the course or the department to find out how they will work with online students.

We are sure you will notice quite a few differences on campus this fall. You will need to wear masks inside all buildings and during class. Your instructors will also be wearing masks or other protective equipment in class. In order to maintain social distancing in classes, seats will be placed in assigned locations that cannot be moved. Common surfaces such as computer keyboards and doorknobs will be wiped down frequently. All of these steps and more will be taken to provide as safe an environment for all Loyolans as possible.

We are confident that you will find all your faculty and staff will be as committed as ever to providing you with the Loyola education and experience that you have come to expect from us.

The fall 2020 schedule will be modified if it is legally allowed and medically advisable (L.A.M.A.) for us to reopen campus this fall. These changes seek to minimize the chance of infection from students returning to campus after traveling during breaks.

Key fall 2020 dates:

Classes will begin on August 24 as scheduled.

Mid-Semester Break, which is scheduled for October 5-6, will be eliminated. These will be instruction days.

On-campus instruction will end on Sunday, November 22. Students will return home before Thanksgiving Break and remain at home for the remainder of the semester.

Classes will resume ONLINE on Monday, November 30, following the Thanksgiving Break.

As currently scheduled, December 5 will be the final day of classes.

Final exams will be administered online, December 7-12.

Please note that schedules in the School of Law, SCPS, and the Quinlan School of Business Graduate Programs may differ. Faculty and students in these schools/programs should confirm the fall schedule with their deans and program directors.

One of the most important consequences of maintaining social distancing during the current public health crisis is that classrooms will be able to hold only about 1/3 of their normal capacity. Thus, a section with 30 students that could fit comfortably into many classrooms on campus must now be scheduled in a classroom that has a normal capacity of about 90 students. Loyola does not have many classroom spaces this large since our average class size is much smaller than 90.

In the last several weeks, the Loyola planning team has scoured our campuses to identify new spaces that can be used for on-campus instruction this year. Thus, many classes this fall will be held in spaces that have never been used as classrooms, including the Sister Jean Multipurpose Room, Norville Center rooms, and the Damen Den, among others. But even with these additional new spaces for classrooms, our total usable classroom capacity will be approximately 1/3 of normal. Because of this, it is simply not possible to hold every one of our 3,600 scheduled sections in a classroom this semester, and students may have to take some of their classes online.

For fall 2020, Loyola has developed a new class grid to support social distancing between classes and on campus. Some specialized courses may be scheduled off grid. Please check LOCUS to confirm your schedule.

The new class grid is as follows:

MWF Day – 7 slots

8:10-9:00 a.m.

9:30-10:20 a.m.

10:50-11:40 a.m.

12:10-1:00 p.m.

1:30-2:20 p.m.

2:50-3:40 p.m.

4:10-5:00 p.m.

TTh Day – 5 slots

8:00-9:15 a.m.

9:45-11:00 a.m.

11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

1:15-2:30 p.m.

3:00-4:15 p.m.

MTWThF Evenings – 1 slot

5:30-8:00 p.m.

The Loyola Commitment provides help with direct educational costs for students whose personal and/or family contribution to their education has been severely compromised. Discretionary scholarship funds and endowed funds will be targeted to those students who have the greatest financial need. This commitment is funded by the University and fortified by the generosity of Loyola alumni and donors.

For more information on the Loyola Commitment, please visit LUC.edu/LoyolaCommitment.

Graduate, professional, and undergraduate students, including those within Arrupe College, who have experienced a significant reduction in household income causing financial hardship may apply for assistance through the Loyola Commitment. Eligibility and priority will be given to those who have utilized all existing financial aid options, including loans.

To apply for the Loyola Commitment, we ask that students begin the process by filling out the 2020-2021 Special Circumstances form on our Financial Aid site.

Funding provided by the Loyola Commitment will assist students with amounts owed to Loyola University Chicago, including tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans.

No. The Loyola Commitment is a University-funded effort established by Loyola to serve the financial needs of our students. The University will assess eligibility based on financial need and award direct assistance to eligible students to cover expenses owed to Loyola.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted by the U.S. government and includes a Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF). Under the CARES Act, a portion of HEERF funds must go directly to eligible students in the form of emergency financial aid grants for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Students enrolled in associate's, bachelor's, graduate, professional, and certificate programs during the spring 2020 semester may apply for the HEERF Student Share Grant Funds.

The Department of Education has outlined a number of eligibility criteria for the HEERF Student Share Grants, including the requirement that students must be Title IV eligible. Completing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) provides information to evaluate this eligibility requirement. If you did not file a FAFSA for the 2019-2020 Aid Year, you can do so at www.studentaid.gov. Once Financial Aid certifies you have a valid FAFSA, you can submit your HEERF Grant application.

To view Loyola’s HEERF policy, which includes additional information on eligibility, please visit LUC.edu/heerf.

According to the federal government, expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, including food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care are considered eligible expenses. Expenses must have been incurred on or after March 13, 2020. Lost wages are not considered an eligible expense.

Loyola is prioritizing students with the greatest need, but we are establishing a maximum fund threshold to ensure these funds are distributed as widely as possible.

We anticipate that payments will be made later in June.

In addition to the financial commitments to support students, Loyola has made additional adjustments to help students and their families achieve the goal of completing a Loyola degree.

In some cases, a student who is not on track to graduate on time and is facing financial difficulties may need to make the difficult decision to step out of Loyola University Chicago and attend another college or university. Students in this situation are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to discuss what courses can be taken elsewhere that will transfer back to Loyola Chicago. Upon returning to Loyola, approved students will have their merit award reinstated and be eligible to apply for institutional support. Students must work with their academic advisor in these specific cases.

In some circumstances, we understand it is not possible to continue pursuing an education full-time. If circumstances require a student to drop below full-time status to reduce your expenses, your merit award and Loyola Grant will be prorated to the part-time rate and will be honored for an additional year (nineth and tenth semesters of enrollment). These students will also be allowed to remain in their Loyola residence hall if that is where they currently reside.

We understand that some students may face financial or other hardships that are not directly covered by the parameters of the CARES Act or The Loyola Commitment. For such situations, Loyola’s Center for Student Assistance and Advocacy (CSAA) is designed to address student needs and help students find additional resources and support.

Under the Office of the Dean of Students, the CSAA provides support, coordination, case management, and resource referrals for student concerns across the University. Students can visit the CSAA website for existing resources on financial wellness and food/housing security, or contact the CSAA directly with specific student concerns.

Please click here for a presentation on the special coding procedures during the COVID-19 period.

The option to take a course Pass/No Pass (P/NP) has existed for many years. This past spring semester, several changes were made because of the extraordinary nature of this past term. We extended the deadline for opting for a P/NP grade, and many schools lifted the restrictions on the P/NP option in recognition of the disruption to students' lives. These conditions will not apply for the summer, so we will revert to the deadlines and policies that were in place prior to the spring semester. You can see the deadlines for requesting P/NP at the summer sessions calendar and review the policies surrounding this option in our online university catalog.

Our strong fiscal stewardship and discipline implemented in recent years have served us well. We were fortunate to be better positioned than some other institutions going into this unprecedented pandemic and the economic turmoil it has created. This pre-COVID-19 financial position enabled Loyola to take a more measured and methodical approach to cost containment unlike peer institutions that were forced to immediately undertake dramatic cuts in personnel and programming. However, Loyola is not immune to the upcoming financial challenges that our students and their families are already facing.

A number of reductions in administration costs are being implemented at this time, including:

A reduction in compensation for all University officers, deans, and senior administrators ranging from 15 percent for the president, 10 percent for the vice presidents, 5 percent for the deans, and between 2.5 and 3 percent for other senior administrators across the University

The elimination of nearly all open and funded staff positions across the University and a freeze on hiring for any staff positions that become vacant unless they are essential to sustain campus operations for the fall

A slowing of any new faculty hires for the fall to be done at the discretion of the Provost and Deans

Suspension of salary increases for all Loyola employees beginning January 2021

The partial elimination of the provost’s funded faculty reserve funds and unfilled faculty lines across the University

The elimination of 50 percent of the salary control pools across all divisions. These funds would typically be available for mid-year equity adjustments or for other salary increases.

At the suggestion of the Provost and with the support of the deans, a 50 percent reduction in PhD admits over the next two years

A reduction in discretionary spending across all areas of the University including but not limited to travel, purchasing, and consulting services

The timing of this crisis has provided several valuable learnings for us. It highlighted our preparedness and collective ability to rise to the occasion and shift to an academic delivery method that was not largely a part of our toolkit, and to adopt a teleworking employment structure which was not previously widespread. We learned that our faculty, staff, and our students are extremely flexible, adaptable, cooperative, and supportive through this crisis. We came together in solidarity and validated the readiness of every aspect of our Loyola community.

Before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education analysts predicted a significant decline in overall university attendance across the country. This pandemic has simply accelerated this decline and contributed to financial hardship for families around the world, not only for Loyola, but for just about every institution of higher learning. Universities across the country are struggling because tuition is our primary source of revenue along with revenue from residence halls and some advancement/ donor endowment support.

As you can imagine, lower student enrollment will have a direct impact on our overall budget and our ability to sustain certain operations and activities. We are fortunate to have had strong fiscal stewardship going into the crisis; however, a reduction in revenue will require adjustments to be made to enable our ability to continue to fulfill our commitment to our students and their academic development and to provide for our faculty and staff.

Like all other sectors ranging from small, mid and large businesses to governments and municipalities, higher education institutions are not immune to the economic realities facing our country. Like others, Loyola Chicago will be faced with the same challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. This crisis has placed many families in a situation where they may no longer have the financial ability to support post-secondary learning experience for their child, at all, not to mention in an on-campus environment. In addition, the awakening to the world of “online learning” for many as a real and doable thing while maintaining high quality instruction will impact decision-making around whether to pursue learning online or on campus. This will be “new reality” for us.

As part of the Emergency Management Response effort stood up in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, we have about 230 employees who are actively assessing the current public health environment against academic, operational, and financial metrics, and projecting our future state as an institution based on forecasted assumptions. The primary decision-making factors will be the timing of the return to campus and our student enrollment.

As we continue to monitor daily the external climate, we have made every effort to provide employment continuity for our faculty and staff during this period. While we have done well so far, there are tough times ahead for our country and our institution. For Loyola, this might mean that we may not be able to sustain indefinitely the kind of across the board continuity we started with at the beginning of this pandemic. However, we’re doing everything in our power to reduce costs and find ways to increase enrollment and retention and to generate revenue.

Decisions that directly impact the livelihood of our faculty and staff are not taken lightly. Our teams are exploring a variety of cost containment options and are doing so with the goal of minimizing impact on our staff and faculty. Be assured that our Jesuit identity and values remains at the forefront of all decision-making. Should these types of actions be required, they will be communicated is a respectful, sensitive, and dignified manner as is consistent with our mission and values. Similar to other HR matters have been communicated in the past, first with a general message to the community, followed by individual communication.

This unprecedented pandemic has created much hardship on a broad spectrum of society all across the globe. Its impact is felt by individuals, communities, government, institutions, and businesses. Like other universities who had to repatriate students and refund housing and meal plans, Loyola is no different. We’ve experienced significant revenue declines and unforeseen expenditures.

It is hard to place a dollar value on the enormous benefit a Jesuit, Catholic education delivers to society. The type of education we deliver is more relevant than ever when you look at this unfolding crisis. Our University community seeks God in all things and works to expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice, and faith. We keep all of those impacted by COVID-19 in our thoughts and prayers. We feel for our students and believe that all of the actions we have taken will help us emerge from this current crisis and continue forward as strong as possible.

Managers have been encouraged to work very closely with their employees and ITS to provide technology support, including dedicated resources to assist staff through the transition to working remotely. Since mid-March, the ITS team has been working with staff, faculty, and students to help them secure the technology resources needed to keep the university operational in this pandemic situation. In cases where people are supporting mission critical services, ITS loaned out laptops, webcams, wi-fi hotspots, and other equipment as necessary. To date, over 330 laptops and other equipment were provided to the Loyola community. If anyone finds they are still in need of the technology to support critical University operations, they should contact the ITS Service Desk.

For those scenarios where working remotely wasn’t an option or personal obligations prevented you from carrying out your job duties, every effort has been made for pay continuation through use of paid-time-off paid and the COVID-19 emergency pay which has been provided. We will continue to assess the COVID-19 pay each pay period to identify those employees in need of additional support.

Loyola provides a very comprehensive and competitive health and welfare benefit program. We are proud to be able to provide medical, dental, and vision care to all benefit eligible employees, especially during this challenging health care crisis. Our medical insurance providers, Aetna and CVS/Caremark, have both been very good partners toward supporting the needs of our faculty and staff. The recent communication from HR outlined additional benefit coverages available under the CARES Act, and I strongly encourage you to revisit that communication and also to visit the HR website for additional employee benefits related information.

This pandemic has required everyone to begin thinking much more creatively about the way in which work is performed. We have a team engaged to focus on strengthening staff engagement and we’ll look to that group to explore this option along with others in the coming weeks. When we are not in an emergency management response mode, decisions about working remotely should be made at the discretion of the manager and based on the business needs of the unit with consideration of the employee’s personal needs. Allowing employees to work remotely on an intermittent basis, when possible, is generally an available option, provided there is no adverse impact on others.

There is always a balance to be struck between work productivity and more personal life commitments. Prior to COVID-19, a flexible work schedule policy was in place and had been administered successfully by many departments. If you currently experiencing a personal situation where you may need more work flexibility or reduced work hours, you are encouraged to discuss this directly with your manager and/or Human Resources. The use of paid-time-off currently provided by the University is a benefit designed for these types of situations and continues to be an option available.

Our efforts should be to ensure availability and serviceability. Reduced work schedules resulting from limited work requires an analysis around the number of positions truly needed to perform various roles. This crisis might create an opportunity for that analysis to take place. The reality is that in an effort to maintain our viability and competitiveness, we will most likely be looking at doing more with fewer employees versus reducing productivity at this time. Loyola is committed to exploring and providing competitive benefits to support the needs of our faculty and staff.

We currently have a very generous paid-time off program for staff to use toward illness, disability, bridging holidays, addressing family commitments, as well as for simple rest and relaxation. Under the leadership of Human Resources, the Benefits Advisory Committee will play a role in identifying additional innovative benefit options for our employees on go forward basis.

The voluntary transition incentive programs offered over two years for faculty and staff were very specific programs designed to provide a pathway for employees who might have an interest in retiring and transitioning in a meaningful and dignified manner, thereby meeting their needs and supporting financial structure of the University. The COVID-19 crisis isn’t related to retirement, so there is no connection between the two, nor plans for any future voluntary transition programs.

Certain student worker positions do not lend themselves to working remotely from campus. Certain other student worker positions may not have sufficient work to fill their work schedule. Therefore, in an effort to maximize pay continuity for student workers, those who worked during the spring semester, but are not working during this time, were allowed to use their sick accruals.

The University is making every effort to keep as many students working remotely as possible, if they are able to perform their duties remotely. Those student worker positions that were able to work remotely continue to be paid.

In addition students may be eligible to receive emergency grants under the Higher Education Emergency Relief (HEERF) funds under the CARES Act to offset expenses related to disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 crisis

In preparation for receipt of the HEERF-student share grant funds, Loyola is carefully considering how to distribute these limited funds to undergraduate and graduate students in an equitable and efficient manner. Additional information will be posted to LUC.edu/coronavirus as soon as it is available. We recognize the importance of these emergency grants to our students and are working diligently to keep you updated regarding their availability.

No, all libraries, including the Information Commons, will be closed at the Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences campuses.

Even though all library buildings at the Lake Shore, Water Tower, and Health Sciences campuses are physically closed, the library services continue to be available online at libraries.luc.edu/continuity. For additional help, contact our librarians at libraries.luc.edu/ask.

Given the evolving nature of this global health concern, please stay current on updates to the University travel policy by regularly checking LUC.edu/coronavirus.

Current University-wide travel restrictions include non-essential University-sponsored travel, both international and domestic, for faculty and staff members is prohibited until further notice.

Exceptions to this updated travel policy will only be made by the Provost or the Sr. Vice President for Administrative Services.

Please click here to read the letter sent by Wayne Magdziarz, Sr. Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to Unite Here, Local 1, regarding Aramark employees.

The University has updated the Travel and Business Expense Policy with an Expanded Applicability During COVID-19 Pandemic. Please review this on our Finance website to see if this is applicable to your work circumstances.

Student workers should not report to on-campus jobs. If they are able to perform their duties remotely, and at the direction of their manager, they may continue to do so. Those student workers requiring remote access through Loyola Secure Access (LSA) to perform their job functions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and access decisions will be jointly approved by their dean or vice president and University Information Security Office (UISO). Please route requests through the ITS services desk to generate a work ticket for the UISO. Emergencies can be sent directly to datasecurity@luc.edu.

Loyola's commitment to education will ensure that the same quality will be available in an online teaching environment during these uncertain times. Faculty at Loyola have extensive academic experience, familiarity with online teaching, and with delivering high quality instruction via online platforms to our students. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous University faculty completed a rigorous online training to prepare them to excel at online teaching. Now that social distancing and school closures are government mandates, Loyola is well-prepared to continue to deliver an excellent education that will prepare students for the future, earn them the credits and degrees they’ve been working toward, and maintain academic continuity even amidst a global pandemic. The University’s Office of Online Learning has continued to work closely with all faculty, including those who have transitioned their classes to online platforms in the wake of this global health crisis, so that online teaching and learning is as seamless as possible for our students.

Our thoughts continue to be with those impacted by the spread of COVID-19, including those who have experienced a reduction in hours or layoffs from their jobs. We appreciate the dedication of the Aramark employees who have worked on our campus. As those individuals are employed and paid by Aramark, and not Loyola University Chicago, compensation questions should be directed to Aramark.

This unprecedented pandemic has created much hardship on a broad spectrum of society all across the globe. Its impact is felt by individuals, communities, government, institutions, and businesses. Like other institutions of higher education who have had to repatriate students and refund housing and meal plans, Loyola University Chicago is no different in experiencing diminished revenue and continued expenditures. The impact on Loyola, our students, faculty, staff, campus partners, and the surrounding neighborhood businesses and people during this pandemic is significant.

It is at a time like this that we focus our limited resources to support employees–both faculty and staff–until we are able to resume routine campus operations. We must also anticipate the financial needs of returning students whose families are impacted. These areas are of highest concern and priority for Loyola. These are tough times requiring tough decisions on many issues. Loyola will be guided by our mission and values as we continue to make decisions that are in the best interests of our students, faculty, and staff so that we can emerge from this current crisis and continue forward as strong as possible.

Loyola University Chicago is pro-social justice and recognizes Catholic Social Teaching, which respects and promotes the rights of individuals to organize. Unions are one such way they may organize. Loyola has a longstanding relationship with maintenance employee unions and respects our employees and their decision to be represented by them. Separately, the University has positive relationships with unionized part-time and full-time non-tenure track faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences and the English Language Learning Program.

Yes! Loyola is offering two summer sessions as originally scheduled. All summer courses will be delivered online, given the current public health crisis. See the Academic Calendar for the summer session dates and the Summer 2020 Registration Access Schedule for when students can register for summer sessions.

Registration for many classes have already begun; please see the Summer 2020 Registration Access Schedule.

The tuition at Loyola is already competitively priced. In addition, the tuition supports the excellent education at Loyola, including its top faculty and many support services. The Office of Online Learning at the university has continued to work closely with faculty to craft effective learning experiences for all Loyola students. Because our summer courses will be online, students can continue or begin earning credits towards their degrees even during the current public health crisis.

The Wellness Centers at LSC and HSC are closed, but are currently working to make telehealth services available. Students also have access to virtual health and counseling services via the Wellness Center website.

The facilities department has implemented the following practices at all our Chicagoland campuses during COVID-19 campus closure.

Ongoing monitoring of the Facilities work order system and call center requests for students, essential staff/faculty, residence directors, and Jesuits on campus.

Daily rounds of grounds, visual audits of leak prone areas, and humidity monitoring of basements with elevated humidity issues.

Weather monitoring and weather driven preventative care for grounds and buildings.

Monitoring of building automation systems to ensure stability of buildings in hibernation mode.

Ongoing preventative maintenance for building critical systems.

Deep cleaning and disinfection of high touch points throughout all campus buildings as recommended by CDC and by the Millard Group.

Yes, the following sustainable measures are being implemented during the campus closure:

Wherever possible, lighting control systems were set to unoccupied mode and buildings are defaulting to occupancy sensors for general lighting

All buildings with centralized building automation controls will be set to unoccupied mode to maintain minimum temperatures

Wherever possible, boiler set points were raised to reduce natural gas usage

We have coordinated with Aramark to turn off all empty/unused coolers and freezers in dining halls and cafes

You generally need to be in close contact with a sick person to get infected. Close contact includes:

Living in the same household as a sick person with COVID-19,

Caring for a sick person with COVID-19,

Being within six feet of a sick person with COVID-19 for about 10 minutes, OR

Being in direct contact with secretions from a sick person with COVID-19 (e.g., being coughed on, kissing, sharing utensils, etc.).

With such an unprecedented situation, all higher education institutions need to approach this transition period based on their individual academic calendars and circumstances. The University has taken many factors under consideration and decided to reconcile all students’ housing and meal plan costs, as well as student activity fees. All prorated amounts will appear on student LOCUS accounts no later than the end of March 2020. These adjustments will be reflected on student’s April 15 e-bills and any resulting refunds will be issued in April 2020. Tuition, technology, and course fees are the exception; these fees will not be prorated because students will have the opportunity to continue their education through online learning this semester.

While the University remains open and will continue to offer online instruction and essential services, we have closed nearly all University buildings as of 5 p.m. Friday, March 20. All current ID card access to buildings will be revoked during the duration of the COVID-19 Emergency Response. ONLY essential personnel—such as life, safety, plant, and animal care personnel, among select others—will be able to access buildings.

Employees who feel ill or are sick should stay home, alert their manager/supervisor, seek medical attention from their provider, if needed, and follow the normal sick leave process. Paid time off is available for staff members to use during these circumstances. Please notify your manager as soon as possible if you are ill and need to use paid time off. Please contact Human Resources via 312.915.6175 or benefits@luc.edu to address specific situations or for additional questions.

Beginning March 19 at 7 p.m., intercampus shuttle service between LSC and WTC will cease operations. Chicago Transit Authority service continues to operate.

For those few students staying in residence halls or near Lake Shore Campus, 8-RIDE will continue limited service through Friday, April 3. Two vans will run from noon to 6 p.m., limiting the number of students per van according to social distancing guidelines. Visit the campus transportation website for additional details.

The following guidelines will assist in advising students currently participating in clinicals, internships, and other placement-based courses, such as service-learning, research, and fieldwork.If placement-based sites are open and running, and students will still be in the Chicago-area, placements can proceed as usual. Academic units may also make decisions regarding students’ participation in these learning activities.

If placement sites are open but students are being sent home from campus, faculty are encouraged to move to alternative activities/assessments as posted on the Academic Continuity/Engaged Learning webpage. Alternatively, faculty can make the decision that work already completed by students satisfies the requirements for credit. Faculty should be flexible in their expectations and give high priority to seniors completing their degree requirements in the Spring 2020 semester.

If placement sites have been closed, faculty are encouraged to move to alternative activities/assessments as posted on the Academic Continuity/Engaged Learning webpage. Alternatively, faculty can make the decision that work already completed by students satisfies the requirements for credit. Faculty should be flexible in their expectations and give high priority to seniors completing their degree requirements in the Spring 2020 semester.

For the safety of our visitors and community, the Undergraduate Admission Office will be working remotely until further notice. Campus visits have been cancelled but we are offering virtual opportunities to connect with our office. If you have any questions, please email us at admission@LUC.edu or call us at 800-262-2373.

Please visit our resource at the Wellness Center online for information on getting started finding help.

Every effort has been made to ensure a smooth transition to online learning, and our faculty are being supported with training, resources, and tools to conduct their lessons online.

Senior Leadership reviews coronavirus health and wellness related information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH). Based on recommendations provided by the agencies, policies and procedures are drafted and implemented for the safety and wellness of both the University and broader communities.

The University follows the protocol prescribed by the National Emergency Management System (NEMS) under the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Using this protocol and under the direction of an incident commander, teams of individuals are pre-identified to perform specific tasks to manage emergency situations that might face the University.

All key functions are represented on the Emergency Management Team and are responsible for ensuring the safety of our community members and guests, in addition to maintaining academic delivery for our students, and sustaining University operations. This process ensures basic response capability for emergency situations impacting an organization and advances the level of preparedness for such events should they occur.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the latest information about the coronavirus. Alternatively, you may check the World Health Organization (WHO) website for information about COVID-19. To learn more about preventative and responsive steps taken in the City of Chicago, we invite you to visit the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) website.

In addition to the formation and work of the Coronavirus Response and Prevention Task Force, the University has created a dedicated COVID-19 (Coronavirus) website on LUC.edu/coronavirus. The website will evolve with relevant updates about our University’s response team, decisions regarding students and operations, Office of International Programs, and other meaningful internal and external resources to utilize and share with the broader community. We recommend frequently reviewing the website to stay informed and prepared.

Timely information is critical and we will continue to provide updates as the situation develops. Please visit LUC.edu/coronavirus for the latest University updates regarding Loyola’s response about the disease.

Faculty and staff members should contact your primary care provider for coronavirus-related information. Please Note: Loyola Medical Plan members are encouraged to use Telemedicine as their first line of defense in order to limit potential exposure in physician offices. Aetna, Loyola’s medical insurance carrier, usually provides the Telemedicine service for a $40 co-pay. However, for a 90-day period, Aetna is offering Telemedicine visits at a zero co-pay for any reason. Teladoc is available at 855.TELADOC (835.2362), via the smartphone app, or online.

Loyola Medical Plan members may also use the Aetna 24-Hour Nurse Line to speak with a registered nurse at no additional charge. The Aetna 24-Hour Nurse Line is available by phone (800.556.1555) or online via the 24-Hour Nurse Line page available on the Aetna member website.

Given the complexities surrounding the virus outbreak, faculty and staff should contact their personal medical provider for information, assistance, and testing as needed.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Wear a mask or cloth face covering that covers the nose and mouth.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty. IMPORTANT: Practice handwashing and other preventative measures as outlined on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.

Anyone presenting symptoms compatible with COVID-19 should contact their health care provider immediately. For all Loyola Medical plan participants, Aetna is waiving the traditional co-pay for diagnostic testing related to COVID-19. This policy will cover the test kit for patients who meet CDC guidelines for testing, which can be done in any approved laboratory location.

According to the CDC, COVID-19 virus symptoms have the potential to develop from two days to 14 days after exposure. Symptoms include:

Fever

Cough

Shortness of Breath (Difficulty Breathing) Faculty and staff members should seek immediate medical attention if any symptoms are noticed. For an updated list of symptoms, and other COVID-19 related information, please refer to the CDC website.

Populations that may be at a higher risk for contacting the coronavirus include older adults and individuals with a serious chronic medical condition (i.e. heart disease, lung disease, diabetes).

Staff can login to Kronos or Employee Self-Service to view leave balances. You must be connected to Loyola’s network, either on campus or via Loyola Secure Access, to access Employee Self Service (ESS). Please contact Information Technology Services at 773.508.4487 for assistance with remotely accessing ESS.

Faculty and staff members should immediately contact your manager. For absences that extend beyond three days, please follow the Matrix Absence Management process, which includes calling Matrix at 1.877.202.0055. In addition, please contact your health care provider immediately.

Employees should first contact their manager. Upon caring for a family member that has the virus, or appears asymptomatic, the employee should self-isolate for 14 days following the care. If appropriate, seek medical care for immediate attention. Working remote may be available for some positions. Please contact your manager for additional details about remote employment.

Not all positions can be performed away from campus. Department managers will make this assessment and coordinate with Human Resources. Technology requirements such as access to computers, internet connectivity and speed, and phone capability, etc. will also need to be assessed to determine if an employee’s job can be performed remotely.

Managers/Supervisors are encouraged to:

Begin immediately assessing working remote capabilities for your staff, as feasible, while maintaining the business needs of the unit. This process should be performed in a fair and consistent manner while reviewing the positions whose duties and responsibilities can be successfully performed remotely. Those employees in HIGH-RISK CATEGORIES should be given first consideration, while keeping social distancing a priority for all.

Limit employee social interactions (e.g., discourage face-to-face meetings; utilize Zoom meetings when possible; distance work space; gatherings of 70 or more are prohibited at any LUC campus location).

Alter work schedules to reduce mixing and allow for social distancing (e.g., stagger start/end times).

Seek out advice and technology solutions through the ITS Service Desk at ITSSERVICEDESK@LUC.EDU or 773.508.4487; also visit the HOW TO KEEP WORKING technology site for guidance and resources for working remote.

Additional information regarding any changes in practices or pay policies will be distributed as it becomes available.

Managers/supervisors should assess and communicate with employees regarding remote work arrangements. Although not all positions are viable, social distancing if a priority and your supervisor/manager will consider a number of factors including:

The nature of the work being performed (duties & responsibilities);

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff;

The ability to meet the business needs of the unit;

The exempt or non-exempt classification (non-exempt receive over pay for hours worked over 40 hours per week); and,

The feasibility of the home environment for work.

The resources available to the employee will also determine the capability to work remotely, including:

Laptop/desktop/tablet, phone, internet;

Access as needed to: the LUC network via Loyola Secure Access, Loyola Secure Transfer, and/or Remote Desk Top Connection as needed;

Able to set up and/or connect to Zoom conference calls;

Must be available throughout the work day.

ITS Service Desk should be contacted with any technology questions. In addition, a technology site called “Keep Working” has been set up as a resource for you.

Discuss work expectations during this period. Designating “office space” which allows a quiet work place to concentrate and in which work-related material can be stored, organized, and secured. If possible, adhering to the same work schedule that is followed on campus. Plan to be available during this time to meet work related needs of your department. Communicate early, often, and on a schedule. Set scheduled time to connect with your supervisor/manager and/or colleagues to discuss daily updates, projects, check-ins, or just to get updates. Use technology to provide face-to-face interactions (e.g., Zoom calls) so that frequent communication occurs.

Faculty, staff, and your family members can contact Perspectives Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for support. To schedule an appointment with a licensed professional, call 800.456.6327.

Employees are strongly encouraged not to travel to a Level 3 country.

Faculty or staff members returning from or passing through CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice countries may not return to campus for 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread, ongoing community spread and practice social distancing.

For those who have traveled to or passed through Level 3 countries, follow instructions during this time and take steps to monitor your health and keep a safe distance from those who might be sick.

If you have returned from a location with a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice more than 14 days ago and are asymptomatic (i.e., no fever, cough, fatigue, and/or difficulty breathing), then no further action is needed.

For those that have traveled to or pass through these Level 3 countries, please follow these instructions during this time and take these necessary steps to monitor your health and keep a safe distance (six feet is recommended) from those who might be sick:

Stay home and do not go to school or work. This includes not visiting any of Loyola’s Chicago campuses or off-campus programs and events.

Take your temperature with a thermometer twice a day and watch your health.

If you develop a fever (100.4°F/38°C) or cough, seek medical care immediately.

Call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room and advise them of your symptoms and that you were in an affected area.

In Chicago, you may also call the CDPH at 312-746-7425 during business hours. After hours, call 311 and request to speak to the Medical Director on-call. If calling from outside of Chicago, please dial 312-744-5000. If symptoms develop and you call the CDPH, please notify them that you are a Loyola student, staff, or faculty member.

The CDC also provides guidance to families on how to care for a family member and resources for the home.

Both the CDC and CDPH recommend that faculty and staff members returning from or passing through CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice countries should stay home and not return to campus or campus events for 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread, ongoing community spread and practice social distancing.

Faculty and staff members traveling to any Level 2 international location are expected to use caution and take necessary steps to ensure proper health protocols to minimize any exposure to the virus. Please see CDC recommendation for Level 2 countries:

Older adults and those with chronic medical conditions should consider postponing non-essential travel.

Travelers should avoid contact with sick people and clean their hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60 to 95 percent alcohol.

Travelers should watch their health during travel and for 14 days after returning to the United States.

Travel to level 3 countries is strongly discouraged. Faculty or staff members who must travel for personal reasons to a Level 3 country must follow instructions on a mandatory 14-day at-home isolation upon their entry back in the United States. Therefore, these travelers cannot return to work or classes until the end of that period. They are expected to contact the Wellness Center at 773.508.2530 and the CDC at (773) 617-9889. Please wait for additional instructions.

Faculty and staff members can contact their supervisor/manager and/or Human Resources at 312-915-6175 or via email at benefits@LUC.edu should you have questions or concerns about your individual situation.

The CDC encourages implementing social distancing measures as a preventive practice. We again follow the public health guidelines in assisting us to determine best practices for the current situation. These measures include:

Increase the space between you and others;

Refrain from gathering in breakrooms;

Utilize Zoom, conference call, and related technologies for meetings.

Federal Work Study (FWS) is an optional component of a financial aid award given to students, on an annual basis, per completion of the FAFSA, earned through part-time employment on campus or in the Community-Based Federal Work Study Program.

Federal Work Study is a program of the federal government allocating funds to colleges and universities. For Loyola University Chicago, federal funds generally subsidize 60 percent of students' wages and Loyola funds the remaining portion. The FWS payroll is paid to the students by Loyola and then the federal portion is reimbursed to Loyola by the federal government twice a month.

All summer international and study-abroad programs have been cancelled. Applications are being accepted for the JFRC fall session, which is scheduled to proceed unless circumstances change.