EIU Phase 5 Guidelines
Jun-16-2021
An email from Dr. Glassman to students, faculty, and staff:
As a response to entering Phase 5, and guided by the most current IDPH and CDC recommendations, EIU is implementing changes to its campus face masking and social distancing policies for fully vaccinated students, faculty and staff beginning Wednesday, June 16.
The administration continues to strongly encourage all students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated. Eastern was recently named a Vaccine Champion College as part of the White House COVID-19 College Vaccine Challenge and a vaccinated campus ensures we can confidently return to the traditional college experience our students, faculty and staff deserve and expect. Vaccines are free and widely available for people age 12 and older. Updated information for on-campus vaccine clinics and local vaccine availability is accessible at
go.eiu.edu/vaccine.
Face Masks and Social Distancing for Fully Vaccinated Individuals on Campus
Face masks and six-foot social distancing will no longer be required anywhere outdoors or indoors except for a few specific locations where face masking and six-foot social distancing will remain in force, which includes all classrooms, the Student Health Center, the Shield Covid-testing site on Court 5 of the Student Recreation Center, and on the Panther Shuttle.
Face Masks and Social Distancing for Individuals NOT Fully Vaccinated on Campus
Face masks are not required when outside if six-foot social distancing can be maintained. Indoors, facial masking and six-foot social distancing are required at all times in all areas inside university buildings and structures. The only exceptions to this policy where masks can be removed are in personal offices when no one else is present or when eating/drinking.
Non-vaccinated students and employees should always have face masks readily available in case someone enters their personal office space or six-foot social distancing cannot be maintained with others.
It is each individual’s responsibility to completely follow the facial masking and social distancing policies for fully vaccinated individuals and those who are not. The honor system will be used at this time and we trust that all of our employees, students, and community guests will be truthful in compliance for the safety and health of us all. Supervisors may inquire as to the vaccination status of their staff, but no other personal health questions may be asked.
While the widespread easing of facemask requirements is a further indication that the pandemic is nearing its end, we insist our university community remain empathetic toward anyone wishing to continue wearing a mask:
- Those who are fully vaccinated who wish to continue wearing their masks through the last phase of the pandemic.
- Some individuals cannot receive the COVID-19 vaccine due to health reasons or other factors.
- Widespread mask-wearing over the past year led to a remarkable drop in cases of the seasonal flu (influenza) as evidenced by data collected by our science and medical communities.
We appreciate all you’ve done so far to get EIU, Coles County, and Illinois towards the pandemic finish line. If you have questions about any of these new changes, you can always email covid19info@eiu.edu.
