Marion Campus

Yes. IWU’s Marion campus has experienced a small number of individuals since spring of 2020 who have tested positive (or presumptive positive) for the COVID-19 virus. Infected individuals followed University policies and took immediate action to self-quarantine. The University conducted its enhanced cleaning and response protocol and communicated directly with anyone who may have been in close contact with the affected campus members (contact tracing). These individuals are not able to return to campus until their healthcare provider certifies that they do not pose a risk of spreading the virus. You can track historical and current data for the State of Indiana as well as Grant County at the following website: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/

IWU will continue to update IWU’s COVID-19 website: https://www.indwes.edu/covid19 and send emails to faculty, staff, and students on a regular basis as needed. Members of the IWU community are encouraged to forward their questions to their supervisors, department chairs, resident directors, or submit them to COVID19@indwes.edu.

Freshmen will move in August 16th and 17th for New Student Orientation week. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors will be allowed to move in Friday, August 21st and Sunday, August 23rd. Move-ins will not be allowed on Saturday, August 22nd as a result of summer graduation ceremonies occurring on campus throughout the entire day.

The fall semester will begin classes on August 24th with the semester completing before Thanksgiving. Classes will be held in-person following guidelines that limit the total number of individuals in a classroom and using physical spacing. For individuals who are not able to attend classes in person for a variety of reasons, course content (when possible) will be available in an online format that compliments the in-class experience.

IWU’s intention is to re-open campus and start the fall semester on August 24th with an experience for our students that is as close to “normal” as possible. This follows what was previously announced for on-campus face to face instruction with options for remote learning. However, the pandemic has created the need to constantly assess and make adjustments. IWU is monitoring the situation, working with medical experts, and seeking advice from local and state government agencies. Contingency plans will be in place and communication will be made should changes be necessary to the plan for the fall semester.

Beyond the typical things any student would need for life on campus, here are some specific items related to health and safety preparedness: Gaiters/ masks, Thermometer, Tylenol / Advil or generic equivalent, Tissues, Hand sanitizer, and Disinfectant wipes and / or sprays

As part of the return-to-campus plan, all persons (staff, faculty, students, vendors, and visitors) on campus will be required to practice the following health protocols: After August 1, a mask or cloth face covering that covers an individual’s nose and mouth is strongly encouraged at all times in all indoor campus spaces unless an individual is alone in a private office or a private space. Masks are recommended for outdoor activities when physical distancing isn’t possible. Prior to August 1, a mask or cloth face covering is required in all public / common spaces within campus buildings. Practice physical distancing by maintaining a separation of six feet at all times and in all indoor and outdoor campus spaces when practical. Individuals need to practice good hand hygiene by frequently washing their hands and/or using hand sanitizer. Monitor your health symptoms on a daily basis. Anyone who is exhibiting a high fever or other symptoms must refrain from being on campus.

IWU recommends each student, faculty member, and staff member provide their own appropriate gaiter / mask that best meets their needs. IWU will be providing one (1) gaiter to all students at move-in. The university will also be providing protective equipment to faculty for their personal use in the classrooms. Extra masks will be available in various places around campus in the event a mask is quickly needed as a result of one being lost or damaged. Hand sanitizer stations will be located around the campus in various places. Students are encouraged to carry with them at all times a small bottle of sanitizer for occasions when public sanitizer stations are not in proximity.

No. We will not require testing for students or employees unless a specific situation warrants testing. Certain athletic team members will be required to complete COVID19 testing based on requirements from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). IWU will be prepared to administer the COVID-19 test or provide contact information for other sites with capacity to administer testing.

IWU is reviewing a variety of ways to ensure the entire IWU community follows health guideline / protocols. We, as a community, will hold each other accountable to adhering to the guidelines, including physical distancing. We will no doubt experience challenges along the way with some who may not fully support our efforts. In those cases we will remind individuals of our commitment to a safe environment, our commitment to respecting others, and our commitment to reflecting Christ is all that we do. For those who intentionally put others at risk and do not respond to instructions to change behavior / practices, we will utilize IWU’s discipline process as called out in the employee and student handbooks to take appropriate action. University officials have spent the summer going through each building on campus to map spaces to ensure physical distancing is possible. Signage has been placed in buildings and on floors as reminders. Excess furniture has been removed and set remaining furniture in a layout that accommodates physical distancing guidelines. Under no circumstance should furniture be moved to accommodate larger capacity of a gathering.

Many precautions will be in place upon the return to campus. Classroom capacity has been reduced and the Student Center and overall dining experience is being revised to encourage physical distancing. We will hold each other accountable to guidelines out of respect for our neighbor. RDs and RAs will be important advocates for compliance within the residential spaces.

Yes. Spaces all across the campus will be thoroughly cleaned daily and in some cases multiple times per day using best-practices.

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, we will encourage the student to return home (off campus) if at all practical. If returning home isn’t possible or practical, the University has identified quarantine (for someone who has been exposed to someone who tested positive) and isolation (for someone who has tested positive) spaces on campus that can house students for the duration of the infection or exposure requirements. Students should proactively prepare a “go kit” that contains critical items they may need if at any point they are required to isolate or quarantine. This kit would be easily accessible and ready to go should it be necessary to move to an isolated location.

Students are asked to limit all nonessential travel throughout the fall semester. Labor Day and fall break have been eliminated to decrease the risk of leisure travel. Travel related to academic programming requirements within the states may still be possible but all international travel for official university purposes is restricted.

Students who require accommodations, including remote learning, due to underlying medical conditions that increase the risk of serious complications from COVID19 will be provided options for attending classes. Our intention is to provide face-toface instruction as our primary course delivery methodology but we will be prepared to offer most courses in an augmented format that includes distance learning when practical.

Yes. The University is committed to supporting students in making progress toward their degree.

We believe the Chapel experience is an essential part of the student’s journey at IWU. At this time we plan to offer the Chapel experience in person with several adjustments that will restrict attendance size and other components to ensure safety. Chapel attendance requirements have changed for the fall semester and new options will be available for student to select from as they seek to fulfill their Chapel obligations for the semester.

IWU has reviewed a variety of dining options for the fall that follow health and safety protocols. In general, changes will include physically distancing / reduced seating capacity for in-person dining and a robust set of to-go options. In all cases, meals will be staff-served with minimal student self-service options. Dining facility staff will be required to wear face masks and gloves at all times while working and interacting with the public. Waiting lines outside and inside the facility will be physically spaced with floor markers.

Student Activities is working on a comprehensive communication for all student organizations. The communication will include information on hosting meetings, events, advertisement, logistics, and many other facets of organization life. Details will be provided as the beginning of the semester draws closer.

Student organization leaders will be receiving specific guidance and training from Student Activities over the next several weeks with regard to planning activities on campus. Any in-person gathering will be required to follow all safety protocols, including physical distancing, reduced capacity of indoor spaces, and strong recommendation to wear masks by all attendees. No event will be approved unless its organizers can first demonstrate how they will successfully follow these protocols.

Residence Life will implement protocols to decrease risk of exposure to students while allowing for community-building benefits of the residential experience as much as possible. Details of specific adjustments planned will be provided closer to the start of school.

IWU will not restrict students from personally engaging in activities within the local Marion / Grant County community this fall. That being said, IWU will not officially participate in non-academic activities in off campus in an effort to minimize health risks to students and employees. Students may on their own elect to engage the local community in a variety of ways and we encourage safety protocols be utilized when and where possible, i.e. physical distancing, protective mask, gloves, etc.

IWU will not limit access to the campus by local community members but we will require all guests to follow the same guidelines we expect students and employees to follow. IWU will, however, limit community gatherings / meetings / conferences for non-IWU related activities on campus until further notice. To minimize risk, dining options will only be available to IWU constituents (students, faculty, staff, and official guests) during the fall semester.