COVID-19 Information and Resources

With the state vaccination and testing requirements recently rescinded, Aurora University is taking the following steps to create a safe and accessible environment for our students and employees.

The FAQs below respond to common questions about the 2022-2023 academic year. Please email shs@aurora.edu with any additional questions you have after reading.

Questions regarding VACCINATIONS

Are students and employees required to be vaccinated?

All students and employees are strongly encouraged to be vaccinated. Boosters for those who are eligible, are also recommended.

Where can I get a vaccination?

Vaccination clinics are held on campus throughout the academic year. The spring semester vaccination clinic will be held on Tuesday, January 24. All available COVID-19 vaccines will be brought to campus through our partnership with Jewel-Osco. Flu and other vaccines will be available at the clinic as well. If you miss the AU vaccination clinic, you can get the COVID-19 vaccine at most retail clinics and some primary care providers. Please contact your local clinic to determine vaccine availability.

How much does it cost to be vaccinated?

The U.S. government is providing the COVID-19 vaccine free of charge to all people living in the United States, regardless of their immigration or health insurance status. As a vaccine recipient, you cannot be charged for the COVID-19 vaccine.

Do I need to submit a record of my vaccination to AU?

Students are asked to submit copies of their COVID vaccination records to Health Services, if they have been vaccinated, via the SpartanHealth Portal in Okta. Records can also be sent via email to shs@aurora.edu or faxed to 630-844-5611.

Questions regarding MASKS

Are masks required to be worn on campus?

Masks are not required on campus with the exception of any facilities providing health services (i.e. AU Health Services and Athletic Training treatment rooms).

In addition, members of the AU community are expected to wear masks at the request of individuals when meeting in the personal work or living spaces of those individuals.

Any member of the AU community who prefers to continue to mask in places where masking is not required is welcome and encouraged to do so; furthermore, it is important that we continue to respect individual decisions regarding masking and other practices that may reduce transmission of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases

Where can I get a mask?

Masks will remain available at the kiosks located throughout campus and at Health Services.

In addition to wearing a mask in the locations listed above, what other practices help to reduce the spread of COVID-19?

All members of our campus communities should continue to practice health-promoting behaviors such as hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. As a reminder, the Illinois Department of Public Health recommends masking for 10 days following exposure to COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status.

Those with signs or symptoms of infectious illness should stay home and refer to the FAQs related to quarantine and isolation. (See “Questions regarding COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, including QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION PROTOCOLS” section below.)

Questions regarding COVID-19 TESTING

Where can I get a COVID-19 test?

Diagnostic testing will be available free of charge in Health Services. In addition, students who are asymptomatic with no known exposure can pick up a test for self-testing should they be interested in testing.

Do I have to conduct a COVID-19 test before arriving on campus for the start of the school year?

No testing will be required prior to arrival on campus in the fall.

How can I find an off-campus testing location?

Testing is often available at local pharmacies, clinics, and other locations and will typically require an appointment. Your local health department can help you locate testing sites or you could locate testing through the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Questions regarding COVID-19 SYMPTOMS, including QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION PROTOCOLS

What happens if I receive a positive test result?

Students and employees who test positive should immediately isolate at home and follow any isolation orders as directed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Employees and students should also notify Health Services at 630-844-5434 or TimelyCare (timelycare.com/au or timelycare.com/gwc) for further instruction. AU will continue to follow Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation.

Note, AU will not provide students with the option to observe classes via Zoom during any quarantine or isolation period. All cameras have been removed from our classrooms.

What are my options for isolation or quarantine?

Should a residential student be directed to isolate or quarantine, the following options for doing so are listed in order of preference:

• Student returns home for the duration of the quarantine/isolation period (required if you live within 90 minutes of campus).
• Student moves to a designated quarantine/isolation room on campus with a private bedroom and semi-private bathroom (bathroom shared with no more than two students). Meals to be delivered daily.
• Student quarantines/isolates in place in their assigned residence hall room.
  • Student wears mask at all times, including when using community bathroom.
  • Assuming the student’s roommate is not instructed to quarantine, roommate will be provided with alternative housing options, as available.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Common symptoms of COVID-19 include fever (100.4 °F or higher), cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

What should I do if I am experiencing COVID-like symptoms?

If you are sick, stay home. Contact your instructors and/or supervisors and notify them of your absence. This is the appropriate and responsible practice regardless of whether you may have contracted COVID, the flu, a common cold, or any other communicable disease. If you are running a fever, please do not return until you are fever-free for 24 hours. If you are experiencing other symptoms, please do not return until the symptoms begin to subside.

When should I seek emergency medical care?

Seek emergency medical care if you experience any severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, and or pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone.

Questions about ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

What has AU done to help combat the spread of COVID-19 on campus?

In response to the pandemic, the filters used in our air systems have been upgraded. We will also continue to run our circulation systems 24/7 to keep air moving. In addition, as the weather cools, we can increase our fresh air flow. Our campus housekeeping team will continue to clean and disinfect offices and workspaces regularly.