PEORIA, Ill. — Thanks to good work over the last couple of weeks to help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, Bradley University says they are comfortable with altering some of the campus restrictions, a news release said.
As of 5 p.m. Friday, students (excluding those in isolation or quarantine), will be allowed to dine-in at on-campus dining facilities while physically distanced.
Students can reserve up to three, two-hour time slots per day in the library (beginning Saturday, Oct. 3), and socialize one-on-one in residence hall rooms, apartments or houses with students other than their roommates while masked and physically distanced.
The full statement from Bradley University President Stephen Standifird is attached below:
Dear Bradley Community,
Thank you for the good work you all have done over the last couple of weeks to help us mitigate the spread of the coronavirus. As a result of your diligence, I am pleased to share some good news with you today. Your actions over the past few weeks have helped us reduce the number of COVID-19 positive tests from 102 on Sept. 11 down to 8 for the week of 9/25/2020 – 10/01/2020.
This is good news because fewer students are impacted by COVID-19. It’s also good news because it shows how Bradley can unite to reach our goal of being together for the entire semester. While this is good news, we must remain focused on engaging in behaviors we know mitigate the spread of the virus. You have demonstrated we can do so.
With that, I am comfortable with altering some of our campus restrictions.
Our decisions regarding how to ease restrictions are based on science first and on feedback from students about what is most important to you at this time.
We hear you and understand how important interactions are with each other. We must remain vigilant in our approach and we continue to need your support in reaching these expectations.
Effective Friday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m., students (excluding those in isolation or quarantine) will be allowed to: (full details are provided in the table at the end of this message) dine-in at on-campus dining facilities while physically distanced, reserve up to three, two-hour time slots per day in the library (beginning Saturday), socialize one-on-one in residence hall rooms, apartments or houses with students other than their roommates while masked and physically distanced, and socialize in groups of 4 or fewer in indoor common areas on campus while masked and physically distanced. Student organizations may be approved for outdoor events while masked and physically distanced
We are not yet ready to ease restrictions related to dining-in or drinking-in at off-campus establishments (i.e. restaurants, cafes,
bars). We know this is important to you, but we need to sustain low COVID-19 positivity rates in the Bradley community before we can, in good conscience, allow you to take that risk for yourselves, the Bradley community or the local community.
We have learned students who gathered in small groups and/or visited others one-on-one without taking proper precautions were a significant contributor to spike in positive cases on campus. We are easing restrictions related to in-person social interaction with a great degree of caution, and we ask even with your small/intimate social group, please remain ever-vigilant about mask-wearing, physical distancing, good hand hygiene and proper cough/sneeze etiquette. There is much evidence taking these precautions work. We will continue to enforce these expectations.
There is no room for violations and our processes will not change. If you see concerning activity, report it to COVID19concerns@bradley.edu or fill out the noncompliance form online. For an immediate response, contact
309-677-2000.
I am delighted we are able to increase opportunities for limited social interaction. We will continue to monitor the progression of the virus on campus and in our community closely and we are prepared to reinstate restrictions should we see an increased presence of the virus on campus.
My hope and expectation is if we remain vigilant in our activities, we will not need to do so.
Thank you for continuing to adapt as we learn how to co-exist with the threat of COVID-19 and for your willingness to keep yourself, the Bradley community and the Peoria community safe and healthy.
We didn’t cause this virus, but together we can stop its spread on our campus.
Don’t forget to review the table below for detailed updates regarding the campus guidelines for non-classroom
activities.
Sincerely,
Stephen Standifird
President – Bradley University
