NIU Faculty Could Teach Remote At 8 Percent COVID Positivity Rate

DEKALB, IL — Students at Northern Illinois University could see remote instruction if the university community's COVID-19 case rate goes above 8 percent when school returns, union officials at NIU told faculty and staff Tuesday.

Administrative officials told Patch the case rate would be measured by those participating in the university's surveillance testing program. The program consists of all unvaccinated students, faculty and staff who will be regularly tested for COVID-19. Any other students and staff who wish to participate can do so, a spokesman said.

According to the DeKalb County Health Department, the COVID-19 positivity rate for the entirety of the county is at 5.2 percent as of this week. That's about the same as the statewide seven-day case positivity rate, which was at 5.1 percent as of Friday. Campus officials will not be measuring their case rate based on the county; only students, faculty and staff.

NIU staff and administration came to the agreement after a rally last week at which employees demanded more comprehensive plans on how to protect themselves and students from COVID-19. If the case rate were to reach 8 percent, teachers would have the option to take their classes remote until the positivity rate decreases. The agreement will also allow faculty members a remote option if they or a family member are immunocompromised, according to a statement from the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Once students return to campus in late August, all students and faculty will be required to wear a mask when inside university buildings, such as the library, classrooms and dining halls.

According to NIU's website, students are required to be vaccinated unless they can provide a religious, medical or personal exemption. Personal exemptions are no longer valid once any COVID-19 vaccine becomes FDA approved. The university also offers all students who submit proof of their vaccination a $100 reward that can be applied to their student account for meals or bookstore items.

Officials from NIU did not announce how long faculty could teach under remote instruction if the case rate spikes, but said faculty would work with their department chair to determine how to proceed once the case rate decreases.

The university community is currently at 1 percent positivity, according to a campus official.