September 10, 2020

Students, faculty and staff,

As we near the end the first four weeks of the semester, I again thank you for doing your part to protect the safety of our campus by wearing masks, social distancing and following other safety protocols.

I write to share some exciting news just announced today. Starting Monday, students, faculty and staff will be able to get COVID-19 tests on campus two days a week thanks to a grant-funded partnership between the Jackson County Health Department, Southern Illinois Healthcare and SIU Carbondale. We are deeply grateful for this collaboration with our community partners.

Testing will be by appointment at the Becker Pavilion near the boat dock on Campus Lake on Mondays and at the southwest corner of Rinella Field across from the Student Health Center near the Towers on Wednesdays. This new on-site testing is in addition to drive-through testing already offered to the SIU community not far from campus. A website with details and information about how to make appointments for both on-campus and drive-through testing will be live tomorrow.

Also on Monday, we will have our second Saluki Safety panel providing a monthly, live update on the semester and COVID-19 safety measures. We’ll talk about testing, reporting, student life, academic programs and more, and you’ll have the opportunity to submit questions. The online event takes place from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and will also be posted afterwards for those who can’t make it. A link to access the panel will be at chancellor.siu.edu just before 1:30 p.m. Monday.

Meanwhile, to stay up-to-day on accurate information, please visit the coronavirus website frequently and be sure to review all of our Saluki Safety information and protocols.

Email pandemicinfo@siu.edu with questions, concerns and ideas. All input is welcome.

Please continue to do your part to keep our community safe. We must remain vigilant. This is a team effort, and the team is very large. It includes every faculty, staff and student who is wearing a mask, social distancing, washing hands and following our safety plan and requirements. It also includes many, many people who have worked tirelessly since March to keep our campus safe.

Thanks to you all.

Sincerely,

Austin A. Lane
Chancellor