IU South Bend looks forward to welcoming students, faculty, and staff safely back on campus this fall. We want to keep everyone healthy on campus and for students to receive exceptional educational experiences, be successful, and earn an IU degree. Learn about how we’re keeping you safe on campus this fall. Check back often, as updates will be made frequently.
Fall 2020 Campus Updates
Chancellor Susan Elrod has charged seven IU South Bend Restart Working Groups with developing a series of recommendations to guide the campus in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These groups are comprised of faculty, staff and students. You can learn more about the IU South Bend Restart Working Groups here.
All faculty, staff, students, contractors, suppliers, vendors, and visitors are required to wear cloth face masks in all hallways, elevators, public spaces, and common areas, and when entering all IU South Bend buildings. Cloth face coverings must also be worn in office spaces and outdoor spaces where physical distancing is difficult to maintain. Wearing a face covering is not required in private offices or when alone in a space.
IU will be providing two cloth face masks to all faculty, staff, and students before the fall 2020 semester begins.
IU will carefully monitor the global pandemic and is prepared to alter how courses are delivered should the need arise for the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.
Custodial staff will be cleaning common spaces daily. Cleaning supplies such as sanitizing wipes will be provided from a central supply to building occupants for frequent self-cleaning of individual work stations. Cleaning products will be available so students and faculty can wipe down desks, chairs, and other high-touch items upon entering or leaving a classroom. Hand sanitizer stations will be installed in high-traffic areas and safety signage will be placed across campus with reminders about handwashing, face masks, social distancing, and cleaning protocols.
Classroom and office furniture will be reconfigured as needed and as possible to accommodate physical distancing. Smaller classrooms can expect reductions to about one-third of seating, while larger classrooms can expect reductions to about one-sixth of seating. Plexiglas barriers may be used for high-volume point-of-contact spaces. We are also testing a virtual portal for contactless reception and help services.
Until otherwise noted, only essential travel will be permitted for those conducting IU South Bend business. Essential means necessary to perform core IU responsibilities or necessary for core functions of the university at this point in time. There must also be no effective alternative to travel. While travel to other IU campuses is permitted, other means of conducting IU business, such as teleconferencing, are strongly encouraged.
Essential travel must be approved by your supervisor using the Travel Approval Form. All travelers must follow local restrictions and CDC travel guidance and if approved, travel arrangements must be made through Travel Management Services designated agencies. You can read more about current travel policies here.
While we cannot publicly reveal information about positive cases to protect people’s privacy, persons that have been identified as close contacts of an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 will be contacted and advised of actions to take. If a location on campus is identified during the contact tracing that requires advanced cleaning, signage will be posted and relevant individuals notified. As a reminder, it is critical that you monitor your health. If you feel ill, it’s important that you stay home, contact your health care provider, and help stop the spread. As a reminder IU COVID Health Services provides access to screening and IU testing resources.
