Some Colleges Cancel Commencement, Extend E-Learning Through June

ILLINOIS — Illinois is closed — for the most part. Events are canceled, schools have shifted to e-learning, bars and restaurants are closed to dine-in customers and even the casinos are closed.

College students across the nation and here in Illinois are also affected, as schools send students home from on-campus dorms, extend spring break and move classes online.

While most of the state is shut down through March 30, some colleges are taking even more drastic steps, calling off in-person classes until June and canceling commencements.

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Here's what's happening at Illinois colleges and universities:

Benedictine University in Lisle is having classes online only through May 31, and commencement ceremonies are canceled.

North Central College in Naperville is sending all on-campus students home by Wednesday, with few exceptions, as residence halls close. Remote instruction is in place through the end of the spring semester. All remaining winter and spring athletics and activities are canceled.

University of Illinois has canceled May commencement ceremonies. "Diplomas will be mailed to graduates, and the university is exploring possible alternatives such as rescheduling and/or hosting virtual events to honor the Class of 2020." Face-to-face instruction is canceled for the rest of the spring semester and all students who live on campus were asked to move home.

Illinois State University is extending spring break and moving away from face-to-face instruction starting March 23. Students who live on campus must leave for the remainder of the semester, but "students who must remain on campus due to extenuating circumstances should contact University Housing Services." Campus dining remains open but will provide to-go meals only.

Northern Illinois University has discontinued all face-to-face classes for the remainder of the semester and replaced with virtual instruction. "Students can expect to receive an email soon about the process for indicating whether they would like to stay on campus or check out," NIU told students on Tuesday.

Northwestern University will extend spring break "by one week, and when classes resume on April 4, they will be conducted remotely for at least three weeks ... University leaders will reassess the situation by April 17 and decide then whether to continue remote teaching or to return to in-person instruction by April 27." All employees who can work remotely must do so after two cases of coronavirus were confirmed on campus.

Southern Illinois University is extending spring break through March 22 and "moving to alternate instruction" through the end of the semester. The Student Recreation Center has closed and many employees will be working from home, but "most SIU residence halls are single rooms and will be open for students who choose to stay on campus. Students will be encouraged to practice social distancing, or limiting direct contact with others."

DePaul University is not holding any final exams for winter classes on campus: "Students will hear from their faculty about any changes to their final assignment." Students are being asked to move out of the residence halls in Lincoln Park and University Center Chicago by March 22. Facilities are also being closed for cleaning: "DePaul received notification from a faculty member who works in 1150 W. Fullerton Ave. that they tested positive for COVID-19. The faculty member was last in the building briefly on Sunday, March 15 with a non-DePaul person who also has been confirmed to have COVID-19. For precautions and the safety of the community, the building at 1150 W. Fullerton Ave., including the Chicago Public Library branch and AMITA Sage Medical, will close (March 18) to allow for cleaning."

University of Chicago will transition to "distance learning" for the rest of the spring quarter — through June — and students who live on campus must leave by March 22. "Students who cannot travel to their permanent addresses due to travel restrictions (all CDC level 3 countries) must register with Housing & Residence Life to receive permission to remain in Housing for the Spring Quarter," an email to students said. The spring quarter will start a week late on April 4. A student at the university's Booth School of Business has tested positive for coronavirus.

Loyola University is postponing commencement, saying in a message to students, "While our 2020 Commencement will be held later than usual and may very well take a different form than in years past, know that we are still looking forward to celebrating with you. Details will be forthcoming as we move forward in this new landscape." Face-to-face classes are suspended through the end of the semester, and residence halls will close by March 19. "All residential students are expected to leave campus as soon as possible and go home for the semester."

Wheaton College is extending spring break by one week and moving classes online as of March 23. Undergraduates are asked to return or remain at home for the rest of the semester. On-campus room and board will be provided to those who have no other option, including those from countries with travel restrictions and those with other extenuating circumstances.

Chicago State University has canceled all university-sponsored travel and spring break programs. Spring break is extended through March 29. E-learning begins March 30. Residence and dining halls will remain open to accommodate students who want to stay on campus or are not in a position to return to their permanent home.

University of St. Francis is resuming school after spring break March 16 but is moving all classes online. In-person classes are scheduled to resume April 13 for now. Residence halls reopened March 15 for those who must stay on campus. On-campus gatherings are limited to 25 people until further notice. "

College of DuPage is offering "alternative instruction" with no face to face meetings or classes through April 19. "Students should not come to the main campus or any COD regional center." All events on campus are canceled for the remainder of the 2020 schedule, although commencement is still expected to be held as scheduled on May 15. Effective for the remainder of the term, the college will cease drop for non-payment.

Joliet Junior College has closed all campuses through March 28 and extended spring break. All spring classes will be completed online through the remainder of the semester. On Wednesday, JJC said staff learned a student who had been released from a Cook County hospital had tested positive for coronavirus, and employees were not to report to work.

Lewis University campuses remain open, but classes have moved online. Residence halls will be closed March 22 through April 13, and students are expected to leave by 5 p.m. March 22. All courses originally scheduled to be face-to-face will be delayed by one week, resuming in a fully online format on Monday, March 23. University officials will provide an update by Monday, April 6 on the status of resuming face-to-face classes.

Elmhurst College is moving classes online through at least April 13.

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