Instructors

If a student discloses to you that they have tested positive for COVID-19, you should not share or distribute this information as this is the student’s private health information.

If a student in a class tests positive for COVID-19, the instructor will not be notified of the student’s test result.

Even if some students are absent from class due to COVID-19 reasons, it does not mean the instructor needs to cancel class. Further, some students may miss class for other reasons that arise in a typical academic year.

Please be as accommodating as possible for students who indicate that they must miss class for COVID-19 and other health-related reasons. We encourage instructors to handle student absences as they normally would to allow for students’ continued progress in the course (e.g., providing alternative assignments, access to recorded sessions, access to notes, etc.). 

Due to serious health reasons, some instructors may be unable to teach in-person. If you have a medical reason for teaching remotely, please seek a medical accommodation through the Office for Access and Equity.  

The university also recognizes the need for short-term flexibility around unexpected personal circumstances. If an instructor is unable to teach an in-person class session or two for health-related reasons, that instructor may make arrangements such as teaching remotely or providing alternative assignments, etc. The instructor should notify the unit of these short-term changes, to enable the unit to respond to student inquiries. 

If the alternative arrangements need to be extended beyond one week in duration, the instructor must notify their department executive officer and work with the unit on a plan for continuation of instruction. Any shift in the modality of the course for the remainder of the course requires the approval of the unit executive officer and the dean. Such shifts will be approved only in exceptional circumstances. 

Face coverings are strongly recommended in classrooms during in-person class time, but not required.

If you feel ill or are unable to come to class or complete class assignments due to issues related to COVID-19, including but not limited to testing positive yourself, feeling ill, caring for a family member with COVID-19, or having unexpected child-care obligations, you should contact your instructor immediately, and you are encouraged to copy your academic advisor. 

If a student discloses to you that they have tested positive for COVID-19, you should not share or distribute this information as this is the student’s private health information.

If a student in a class tests positive for COVID-19, the instructor will not be notified of the student’s test result.

We are asking all instructors to trust students if they say they are sick. We want to ensure anyone who is not feeling well (and potentially symptomatic) does not feel pressure to attend classes. Students should communicate with instructors if they feel ill.

Pursuant to the Student Code, the ultimate decision as to whether an absence is excused rests with the instructor. 

No. Faculty and staff members should not ask about a student’s vaccination status.

If an employee or graduate student believes that they have a medical condition or disability that may increase the need to take additional precautions while teaching in person, they are encouraged to reach out to the Office for Access and Equity to learn more about the reasonable accommodations process and the accommodations that may be available while teaching in a classroom. Employees (including faculty, staff, and undergraduate or graduate student employees) can seek reasonable accommodations guidance by completing the request form at go.illinois.edu/ADARequest. A case manager in the Accessibility and Accommodations Division will contact you to discuss your individual needs further. All accommodation requests are evaluated on an individual case-by-case basis. Employees or supervisors should direct any related questions or requests to accessandequity@illinois.edu.

Information and advice on assessments can be found here.

We understand that due to serious health reasons, some instructors may be unable to teach in-person. If you have a medical reason for teaching remotely, please seek a medical accommodation through the Office for Access and Equity.  

The university also recognizes the need for short-term flexibility around unexpected personal circumstances. If an instructor is unable to teach an in-person class session or two for health-related reasons, that instructor may make arrangements such as teaching remotely or providing alternative assignments, etc. The instructor should notify the unit of these short-term changes, to enable the unit to respond to student inquiries. 

If the alternative arrangements need to be extended beyond one week in duration, the instructor must notify their department executive officer and work with the unit on a plan for continuation of instruction. Any shift in the modality of the course for the remainder of the course requires the approval of the unit executive officer and the dean. Such shifts will be approved only in exceptional circumstances. 

As in any semester when an instructor is unable to perform duties for a time, the unit, in consultation with the instructor, will be responsible for determining how to handle the situation.

No, the instructor is not liable if a student becomes ill.