April 21, 2021 - Newsletter Issue 004
Return to Campus Update: Wednesday, April 21
April 21, 2021
Dear Loyola Community,
Loyola University Chicago's weekly Return to Campus Update helps keep our community informed as we continue our phased reopening.
This week, learn about study abroad updates for the fall 2021 semester, important information about your COVID-19 vaccination cards, and more.
Study Abroad Update: Fall 2021
After careful deliberation and the input of Loyola leadership and study abroad task forces, the University has reached three decisions about study abroad. Our plans are to:
- Reopen the John Felice Rome Center for the fall 2021 semester.
- Continue to suspend study abroad at the Loyola Vietnam Center for the fall 2021 semester.
- Continue to suspend Loyola student participation in all other study abroad activities and programs administered by any other university or study abroad organization through the end of the fall 2021 semester.
We know that some students will be disappointed with the decision to continue the current suspension of the study abroad programs referenced above. These decisions were based on the most recent available data, the best forecasts for the fall, and what is legally allowed and medically advisable. For more information, please read the full email update or see the full rationale on the Study Abroad website.
Vaccine Information
Distribution: All Loyola students, faculty, and staff are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Chicago and Illinois. Read our latest email update about eligibility and visit our vaccine information page to learn more.
Appointments at Loyola University Medical Center: Vaccine appointments are now available at Loyola Medicine. If you are an existing LUHS patient, please view the MyLoyola Scheduling Covid Vaccine document for instructions on how to schedule your appointment. If you are a new LUHS patient, please view the Create MyLoyola account document to get started.
Additionally, the alderman representing Water Tower Campus is co-hosting a vaccine event on Thursday, April 22. Appointments can be booked here.
Vaccination cards: If you have not already, we encourage you to upload your COVID-19 vaccination cards to the Loyola Health function of the Loyola mobile application. Please do not email a copy of your vaccination card. A step-by-step guide on how to do so can be found on the vaccine information page.
After you upload your card, you will be contacted if your upload was approved or not approved. If it is not approved, you will receive an email asking you to check for the most common errors and to upload your vaccination card again. If you have questions from there, we encourage you to reach out to covid-19support@LUC.edu.
All Private Health Information at Loyola, including your vaccine records, is kept in strict confidence and protected by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant applications and storage. Learn more.
University Libraries Resources
As Loyolans return to campus, University Libraries continues to grow students' ability to safely use library resources. Here are University Libraries hours and resources as the spring semester winds down.
- Lake Shore Campus: During the last week of classes and during finals, the Information Commons (IC) is extending its weekday hours until midnight. You can now reserve study space on the IC's second and third floors, including individual study rooms, armchairs, individual study tables, and computer workstations. Limited, non-reservable seating is available on the first floor.
- Water Tower Campus: Lewis Library is open for socially distanced, individual quiet study Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are not currently required.
- Remote Access: The libraries offer many services for remote learning, including materials and resources, chatting with a librarian online, and scheduling a Zoom appointment for help with your research.
COVID-19 Compliance
Compliance with Loyola's surveillance testing program and the required personal safety practices is a key to keeping our community safe as we plan to return to campus. For those who continue to comply, we thank you! Shown below are the most up-to-date testing numbers as of Tuesday, April 20.
The positivity rate noted above reflects the University's seven-day rolling average. Please visit our COVID-19 Testing Dashboard to learn more and to access city, state, and national data.
Loyolans who have received a complete COVID-19 vaccine series and plan to spend time on our Chicagoland campuses are still required to participate in our surveillance testing program. If public health guidance changes and we adjust our policies, we'll be sure to let our community know. Data is still emerging regarding how COVID-19 variants may influence vaccine effectiveness, and we want to err on the side of caution. In the meantime, click here for more information about our testing sites and how the program works.
In The News
- Chicago Tribune: Almost half of Illinois residents ages 16 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but the “bridge phase” to reopening remains elusive because of rising case numbers and hospitalizations.
- The New York Times: Half of U.S. adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and all adults in every U.S. state are now eligible. At its current pace, the U.S. will vaccinate 70 percent of its population by mid-June. But vaccine hesitancy could slow progress toward herd immunity, which will also depend on vaccinating children.
- The Washington Post: The Biden administration announced that it is allocating $1.7 billion to detect and monitor COVID-19 mutations.
- CNN: Guidance on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could come in days with some restrictions, the U.S. surgeon general says.
Return to Campus Resources
- Return to Campus Website
- COVID-19 Website
- Return to Campus Checklist
- Vaccine Information
- COVID-19 Dashboard
All previous Return to Campus Updates can be found on our Return to Campus Communications page.
Return to Campus Update: Wednesday, April 21
April 21, 2021
Dear Loyola Community,
Loyola University Chicago's weekly Return to Campus Update helps keep our community informed as we continue our phased reopening.
This week, learn about study abroad updates for the fall 2021 semester, important information about your COVID-19 vaccination cards, and more.
Study Abroad Update: Fall 2021
After careful deliberation and the input of Loyola leadership and study abroad task forces, the University has reached three decisions about study abroad. Our plans are to:
- Reopen the John Felice Rome Center for the fall 2021 semester.
- Continue to suspend study abroad at the Loyola Vietnam Center for the fall 2021 semester.
- Continue to suspend Loyola student participation in all other study abroad activities and programs administered by any other university or study abroad organization through the end of the fall 2021 semester.
We know that some students will be disappointed with the decision to continue the current suspension of the study abroad programs referenced above. These decisions were based on the most recent available data, the best forecasts for the fall, and what is legally allowed and medically advisable. For more information, please read the full email update or see the full rationale on the Study Abroad website.
Vaccine Information
Distribution: All Loyola students, faculty, and staff are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Chicago and Illinois. Read our latest email update about eligibility and visit our vaccine information page to learn more.
Appointments at Loyola University Medical Center: Vaccine appointments are now available at Loyola Medicine. If you are an existing LUHS patient, please view the MyLoyola Scheduling Covid Vaccine document for instructions on how to schedule your appointment. If you are a new LUHS patient, please view the Create MyLoyola account document to get started.
Additionally, the alderman representing Water Tower Campus is co-hosting a vaccine event on Thursday, April 22. Appointments can be booked here.
Vaccination cards: If you have not already, we encourage you to upload your COVID-19 vaccination cards to the Loyola Health function of the Loyola mobile application. Please do not email a copy of your vaccination card. A step-by-step guide on how to do so can be found on the vaccine information page.
After you upload your card, you will be contacted if your upload was approved or not approved. If it is not approved, you will receive an email asking you to check for the most common errors and to upload your vaccination card again. If you have questions from there, we encourage you to reach out to covid-19support@LUC.edu.
All Private Health Information at Loyola, including your vaccine records, is kept in strict confidence and protected by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliant applications and storage. Learn more.
University Libraries Resources
As Loyolans return to campus, University Libraries continues to grow students' ability to safely use library resources. Here are University Libraries hours and resources as the spring semester winds down.
- Lake Shore Campus: During the last week of classes and during finals, the Information Commons (IC) is extending its weekday hours until midnight. You can now reserve study space on the IC's second and third floors, including individual study rooms, armchairs, individual study tables, and computer workstations. Limited, non-reservable seating is available on the first floor.
- Water Tower Campus: Lewis Library is open for socially distanced, individual quiet study Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are not currently required.
- Remote Access: The libraries offer many services for remote learning, including materials and resources, chatting with a librarian online, and scheduling a Zoom appointment for help with your research.
COVID-19 Compliance
Compliance with Loyola's surveillance testing program and the required personal safety practices is a key to keeping our community safe as we plan to return to campus. For those who continue to comply, we thank you! Shown below are the most up-to-date testing numbers as of Tuesday, April 20.
The positivity rate noted above reflects the University's seven-day rolling average. Please visit our COVID-19 Testing Dashboard to learn more and to access city, state, and national data.
Loyolans who have received a complete COVID-19 vaccine series and plan to spend time on our Chicagoland campuses are still required to participate in our surveillance testing program. If public health guidance changes and we adjust our policies, we'll be sure to let our community know. Data is still emerging regarding how COVID-19 variants may influence vaccine effectiveness, and we want to err on the side of caution. In the meantime, click here for more information about our testing sites and how the program works.
In The News
- Chicago Tribune: Almost half of Illinois residents ages 16 and older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, but the “bridge phase” to reopening remains elusive because of rising case numbers and hospitalizations.
- The New York Times: Half of U.S. adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose, and all adults in every U.S. state are now eligible. At its current pace, the U.S. will vaccinate 70 percent of its population by mid-June. But vaccine hesitancy could slow progress toward herd immunity, which will also depend on vaccinating children.
- The Washington Post: The Biden administration announced that it is allocating $1.7 billion to detect and monitor COVID-19 mutations.
- CNN: Guidance on the Johnson & Johnson vaccine could come in days with some restrictions, the U.S. surgeon general says.
Return to Campus Resources
- Return to Campus Website
- COVID-19 Website
- Return to Campus Checklist
- Vaccine Information
- COVID-19 Dashboard
All previous Return to Campus Updates can be found on our Return to Campus Communications page.