Pandemic Response Safety Guidelines

Vaccine Incentive Program for Students

Students who are fully vaccinated and share their vaccination records by October 15, 2021 with Health Services will receive a $50 gift card to either the Laker Nest Bookstore or Subway and will be entered into a weekly drawing for $500. Bookstore gift cards cannot be used at the Pepsi Micromart. 

How to Submit a Vaccine Record:

• Log in to the Laker Hub and look for the COVID-19 Vaccine Card Upload Button.
• Upload proof of your completed vaccination record.
• Formats accepted include a jpeg, pdf or png
• A screen capture of health record in a medical or retail provider portal saved as an image

Confidentiality

All information provided by students will be kept in the strictest confidence. Students need a user ID and password to log in to the Laker Hub and the information submitted will only be visible to the College Nurses, who are licensed medical professionals.

Vaccination status will NOT be shared with any other college personnel or faculty members.

A student who has a medical condition that prohibits vaccination can contact Health Services regarding participation in the incentive program.

Gift Cards and Weekly Drawing

1. Once your vaccine record is submitted and validated, you will receive an email confirmation.
2. Bring a copy of the confirmation – from your phone or print out – to Health Services, Luther Student Center.
3. Choose from a $50 gift card to the Laker Nest Bookstore or a $50 gift card to Subway.
4. You will automatically be entered into the weekly drawing for $500. 

For more information on the vaccine, visit the CDC website to learn the science behind the safe, effective and free vaccines. Visit this website to find a COVID-19 vaccine site near you.

Vaccine Incentive Program for Eligible Staff

Eligible staff who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and share their vaccination records with Human Resources by October 15, 2021 will receive a $400 Lakers Flock Together Vaccine Incentive. The incentive is considered non-pensionable earnings by SURS.

How to Submit a Vaccine Record to Human Resources:

• Log in to the Laker Hub and look for the COVID-19 Vaccine Card Upload Button.
• Upload proof of your completed vaccination record.
• Formats accepted include a jpeg, pdf or png
• A screen capture of health record in a medical or retail provider portal saved as an image

Confidentiality

Vaccination records will be kept in the strictest confidence, with only Human Resources viewing and maintaining the records and payroll processing the incentive payment.

A staff member who has a medical condition that prohibits vaccination may contact Human Resources regarding options for participating in the Vaccine Incentive Plan.

Eligible staff are defined as actively paid employees (this excludes dual credit, temporary employees, students, and unpaid volunteers). Employees at an IDOC or DJJ will not be eligible for this incentive at this time, with the exception of faculty who work at the Vandalia Corrections site.  Questions about eligibility can be directed to Human Resources.

For more information on the vaccine, visit the CDC website to learn the science behind the safe, effective and free vaccines. Visit this website to find a COVID-19 vaccine site near you.

Thank you for doing your part to keep all Lakers safe!

Throughout the pandemic, ensuring the safety of the college community, while providing the best possible learning experience for students, is our primary focus.

Update on the College’s Response to the Governor’s Executive Order

Pandemic Update

Summary of the September 1, 2021 Bullock Broadcast video

We know there are many questions about recent updates regarding the ongoing pandemic and how this will impact Lake Land College. This information provides an update on the College’s response. 

Why is the Governor taking action right now?

COVID-19 cases are rising rapidly across the state. As a result, Governor Pritzker has issued an Executive Order mandating that all higher education employees and students be vaccinated, or test weekly.

What will Lake Land College do?

As an Illinois, public higher education institution Lake Land College intends to fully comply with the Executive Order. Adapting to an Executive Order of this magnitude will require careful and detailed planning to ensure appropriate collection of vaccination status information and development of protocols for onsite testing.

When will this be implemented?

Lake Land College will not have procedures finalized, nor testing protocols established by September 5, 2021. The Administration is working closely with ICCB to communicate Lake Land’s progress and meet the spirit of the Executive Order as quickly as possible. 

When will more information be available?

President Bullock asks everyone to be patient as the Emergency Operations Center Team works to finalize and implement Lake Land’s operational plan to comply with the Executive Order. Additional information on Lake Land’s plan will be shared as quickly as is possible.

Vaccine Incentive Program

As the College works to address the Executive Order, President Bullock will soon share information about a new Lakers Flock Together Vaccine Incentive Program to immediately encourage vaccination for staff and students. Vaccination is free and is the single most important step that can be taken to protect the Laker community. Staff and students are encouraged to visit the CDC website to learn the science behind the safe, effective and free vaccines. Visit this website to find a COVID-19 vaccine site.

What is Lake Land College’s Goal?

It continues to be Lake Land College’s top priority to create a safe environment for students and staff so that campus can remain open, and students and staff have ongoing opportunities to engage and learn together in person.

Visit the College’s Pandemic Response Safety Guidelines Web Page

As always, the College will continue to monitor the ongoing pandemic, along with changes to guidance provided by IDPH, ICCB and the CDC. The College’s Pandemic Response Safety Guidelines web page is the best resource for the most up-to-date information.

Call to Grace

Dr. Bullock asks everyone to provide ongoing support and grace to one another as the College adapts to this rapidly changing situation. He thanks everyone once again for their perseverance and resiliency through these challenging times.

• Masks covering the nose and mouth will be required for all individuals at all times while inside campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
• Masks can only be removed when both alone in an enclosed office or room with four walls and a closed door. Individuals working with the door open must have a mask on.
• An enclosed area is defined as a space or room has a door that can be shut with four or more walls that go from floor to ceiling. Private cubicles and areas blocked by protective barriers do not qualify as an enclosed area where a mask may be removed.
• Masks can only be removed for eating in a designated eating area on campus.
• While outdoors, vaccinated individuals may remove their masks, while unvaccinated individuals should wear masks when social distancing cannot be maintained.
• Staff and students with a documented medical condition preventing mask usage will be provided a clear face shield by the college nurse.

Safety Protocols

• All plans for in-person services, classes, events and meetings will continue as planned, maintaining physical distancing whenever feasible while indoors.
• To support compliance with indoor mask requirements, food or drink will not be allowed at College events or gatherings held on campus or in college facilities.
• Food and drink will be allowed in personal, enclosed offices/workspaces and at designated eating areas identified at Laker Point, Second Story of the Virgil Judge Learning Resource Center/Library, West Building 060 and the commons area of the Workforce Development Center. Several picnic areas throughout campus are also available for outdoor eating.   
• Disposable masks will be placed near the entrances to buildings throughout campus.
• Bottled water will continue to be available at no cost.
• Physical Plant staff will continue to thoroughly clean campus and disinfect areas with major touch points.
• Employees and students should continue to wipe down work stations and common work areas before and after use.

SELF-SCREENING/STEPS TO TAKE WHEN FEELING ILL

• Continue to self-screen for illness on a daily basis.
• Consult the IDPH self-screening tool for COVID-19 symptoms prior to visiting campus. 
• If you are feeling ill, do not come to campus. Staff should contact their supervisor and students should contact their instructor when feeling ill.
• Contact your medical provider or a local Health Department for guidance when feeling ill.

COVID EXPOSURE GUIDANCE

• In alignment with guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), students and staff who are identified by a Health Department as someone who has had close contact for COVID-19 exposure and/or tested positive for COVID, should follow guidance issued by the county Health Department.

• Any individual who receives a positive test result for COVID-19 should report the case to Health Services.  The individual will provide Health Services with documentation from the local health department or health care provider that he or she is cleared before returning to campus.

• Staff who are placed on a quarantine order from a county Health Department will need to contact Human Resources (HR) and follow the guidance from the respective county Health Department regarding quarantine/isolation.

• Students who are placed on a quarantine order from a county Health Department will need to contact their instructors and follow the guidance from the respective county Health Department regarding quarantine/isolation.

COVID-19 Testing Community Resources

Schedule an appointment near you online:

CVS Pharmacy

Walgreens Pharmacy

Call ahead to register and schedule an appointment:

Carle Mattoon
200 South Lerna Road
Mattoon
217-258-3693

Sarah Bush Lincoln Mattoon Walk-In Clinic
200 Dettro Drive, Mattoon
217-258-7490

To locate other testing sites near you, visit COVID-19 Testing Sites in Illinois (IDPH)

AT-HOME COVID-19 TESTING KITS

• If you receive results from an at-home COVID-19 testing kit please work with your medical provider or local health department for guidance before returning to campus. The College will only accept official documentation from a healthcare provider or county health department.

DESIGNATED EATING AREAS

Masks can be removed while eating in socially distanced locations in the following areas:

• Laker Point in the Luther Student Center
• Second Story of the Virgil Judge Learning Resource Center/Library
• North Wing of Heal Hall
• Dining Area of the West Building, room 060
• Commons area of the Workforce Development Center
• Kluthe Center room 126, room 109 and room 209
• Several picnic areas throughout campus are also available for outdoor eating

August 3, 2021

In accordance with new guidance issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Lake Land College’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Team will be implementing new pandemic response safety protocols to protect the college community.

“Since announcing our return to a more traditional campus environment and in-person class offerings for the fall, the college has been closely monitoring the rapid spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant and guidelines issued by the CDC and IDPH. Knowing that a majority of the counties in our college district are at CDC’s “Substantial” or “High” risk levels for community transmission, we are taking these measures to ensure a safe and effective learning environment,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said.

Effective August 4, masks covering the nose and mouth will be required for all individuals at all times while inside campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Masks can be removed when alone in an enclosed room with the door shut or in a designated eating area on campus.

All plans for in-person services, classes, events and meetings will continue as planned, maintaining social distancing whenever feasible while indoors. For the fall semester, students can select from in-person, virtual and online courses to build a schedule that best suits their needs.

Employees, students and visitors coming to a college facility are encouraged to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to visiting campus and to refrain from visiting if feeling ill.

Pandemic safety protocols are subject to change with direction provided by the CDC, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and the Governor’s Office. Lake Land College will provide updates as relevant information becomes available.

June 9, 2021

Lake Land College announced Wednesday that it will be following the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines regarding mask requirements effective June 11 in accordance with the Governor’s plan to reopen the state under Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan.

“During the past 15 months, the Lake Land College community has been diligent in following the guidelines set forth in the Return to Campus Plan, creating a safe learning and working environment. With the state reopening this Friday, the College will be suspending the Return to Campus Plan mitigations and begin restoring campus to a pre-pandemic state,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said.

“It has been wonderful to see students back on campus for summer classes this past week, as well as many who are here for advising appointments and campus tours. We are looking forward to returning to a traditional environment this fall with in-person classes and student activities,” Bullock added. 

In accordance with guidelines provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control, effective June 11, those who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidelines will not be required to wear a mask indoors or outdoors while on the Lake Land campus or in college buildings.

For individuals who are unvaccinated, masks will be required at all times while indoors on campus or college grounds, except while alone in a room with the door closed. Masks will be required outdoors for unvaccinated individuals when social distancing cannot be maintained, and social distancing while indoors will be encouraged.

Vaccination is encouraged but not required by Lake Land College. With the updated guidelines, staff, students and guests who are not wearing a mask should be prepared to provide proof of vaccination when requested by a Health Services or Human Resources staff member.

Individuals coming to a college facility are encouraged to self-screen for COVID-19 symptoms prior to visiting campus and to refrain from visiting if feeling ill.

This summer, faculty and staff are assisting students in preparing for the Fall 2021 semester, which begins August 23. A majority of courses will be offered in person, with options for virtual and online courses to allow students to build a schedule that best fits their schedule and personal preference.

“We are excited to support our students’ learning with options based on traditional, in-person classes as well as formats that worked well in the virtual environment,” Bullock said. “Our students, faculty and staff have been incredibly resilient throughout this time, and we are grateful for their commitment to the values of the Lake Land College community.”

Class schedules are available on the college website at lakelandcollege.edu. Current and prospective students can connect with campus offices or faculty and staff in person or via phone and email.

Lake Land College’s plans are fluid and guidelines are subject to change with direction provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Governor’s Office. The college will provide updates should additional relevant information become available.

Vaccine Facts 

COVID-19 Vaccination Safety

How to Find a COVID-19 Vaccine Near You

COVID-19 Vaccines

Definition of Fully Vaccinated

COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Specific Groups of People