Updated 10/22/2021
UNVACCINATED STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEESthose not fully vaccinated or without a vaccine record on file
STARTING NOVEMBER 1 FOR EMPLOYEES AND NOVEMBER 8 FOR STUDENTS, PARTICIPATE IN MANDATORY WEEKLY TESTING as required by the Governor’s Vaccine/Testing Mandate Executive Order.
No weekly testing is required if you have a confirmed recovery from COVID-19 within the past 90 days. Documentation of the positive test result and release from health care provider or health department must be submitted to and verified by Health Services.
SELF-SCREEN for symptoms on a daily basis and do not come to campus if you are feeling ill. Contact your medical provider or a local Health Department for guidance when feeling ill.
MASKS covering the NOSE AND MOUTH are required at all times while in campus buildings.
MASKS are required while outdoors when social distancing cannot be maintained.
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.Staff and students with a documented medical condition preventing mask usage will be provided a clear face shield by the college nurse.
VACCINATED STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES
SUBMIT DOCUMENTATION of vaccination in the Laker Hub.
VISITORS
SELF-SCREEN for symptoms on a daily basis and do not come to campus if you are feeling ill.
Visitors, including prospective students and parents, spectators, test takers and members of the community are not required to test or provide proof of vaccination.
MASKS covering your NOSE AND MOUTH are required.
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 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.
GENERAL OPERATIONS FAQs
In accordance with Executive Order 2021-20, all Illinois higher education employees and students who work or attend classes in person must demonstrate that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing with documentation of a negative test until they are fully vaccinated. Individuals who have medical conditions or religious beliefs that preclude vaccination must test weekly. There is no exemption from testing unless individuals are fully vaccinated. Compliance will be monitored and individuals who are not in compliance as described herein will be excluded from campus.
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. 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.
Social distancing should be maintained whenever feasible.
In addition to routine cleaning and sanitizing conducted by the College, students and staff should regularly wipe down work spaces using sanitizing wipes provided throughout campus.
All individuals should also observe proper hygiene including:
Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after public exposure, contact with “high touch” surfaces, after coughing or blowing your nose, and before and after preparing and eating food.
Coughing or sneezing into your elbow or tissue and immediately throwing the tissue into the trash.
Using available hand sanitizers.
Avoiding handshaking or any type of greeting involving touching.
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 Neal 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
Indoor Events:All events must ensure consistent mask wearing and provide for social distancing in accordance with room capacity limitations. No food may be served. Water in a sealable container is allowed. Outdoor Events:Limited to groups not exceeding 1,000 individuals.Any food or drink must be individually served or pre-packaged (no buffet service).
Indoor Events:
All events must ensure consistent mask wearing and provide for social distancing in accordance with room capacity limitations.
No food may be served. Water in a sealable container is allowed.
Outdoor Events:
Limited to groups not exceeding 1,000 individuals.
Any food or drink must be individually served or pre-packaged (no buffet service).
Masks are required when 2 or more people are traveling in one vehicle regardless of vaccination status unless all occupants are from the same household. Dining must follow IDPH recommendations with masking at all times except while actively eating.
Unvaccinated individuals must be up to date on weekly testing in order to participate in College travel.
International travel for College business is suspended.
Practice and competition is in accordance with Laker Athletics COVID Protocols posted on the Athletics Department website.
The Fitness Center is available to all students and employees in accordance with information posted on the Fitness Center Website. Masks are required at all times including while exercising.
Students participating in off-site experiential learning are required to comply with the vaccination/testing requirements of the host site, as well as the Lake Land College protocols.
CDC does not require domestic or international travelers to undergo a mandatory federal quarantine following travel; however, CDC recommends that unvaccinated travelers are tested 3-5 days after travel and self-quarantine for 7 days or self-quarantine for 10 days if they do not get tested. No additional travel restrictions are in place locally.
Rental or usage of College facilities by outside organizations is allowed per Board Policy 09.06 and the following:
Baseball and softball diamonds available to the public with the approval from the Director of Athletics.
COLLEGE UPDATES
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.
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.