Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. IU students, faculty and staff now have the option to schedule a free voluntary asymptomatic COVID-19 test on the IUPUI or IU Bloomington campus. Each week during the intersession (Nov. 30 - Feb. 7), about 500 voluntary testing slots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis on both campuses. Appointments are required for these saliva-based tests, which are offered at the same on-campus sites where mitigation testing is conducted.

You should NOT schedule a voluntary test if you: 1) have symptoms of COVID-19, 2) have been selected for required mitigation testing for that week, 3) have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 90 days, or 4) are currently in quarantine as a close contact of someone with COVID-19.

Mitigation testing is how Indiana University will identify and isolate members of the IU community who have COVID-19, but are not showing any symptoms.

Each week, thousands of IU students, faculty, and staff will be selected to participate in mitigation testing.

Those selected will receive an email notification and be prompted to schedule an on-campus test by the end of the week.

Mitigation testing is essential to IU's ability to continue to safely offer in-person education this semester. It will allow IU to identify asymptomatic cases before they spread the virus to others.

That's why participation is so important. Those selected who fail to take their mitigation tests may be subject to disciplinary actions.

The mitigation testing selection process is not completely random. We oversample groups that appear to be at higher risk for exposure to COVID-19 because of past results. But most populations are sampled in proportion to their size. During mitigation testing, we expect many students will be tested often, even weekly.

Mitigation testing will continue during the intersession just as it did during the fall semester. Most populations are sampled in proportion to their size. With the majority of students now at their permanent residences and not coming to campus, this means faculty and staff will likely be selected more often. Students living off-campus may also notice that they are selected more often for mitigation testing during the intersession than during the in-person portion of the semester. Just as many student populations were tested often, even weekly, the populations still on and around campus can expect this frequency of testing during the intersession.

All students, faculty and staff coming for mitigation testing are asked at the door if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms. Anyone with symptoms is not allowed to enter the testing site and is directed to their health care provider. Inside the testing site, physical distancing is enforced with markers on the floor to ensure a minimum of six feet between each person. 

Masks are required at all times when not providing a saliva sample. The saliva test requires no aerosolization, so it’s safe to quickly remove your mask while providing the sample.

The process for mitigation testing is extremely efficient and the goal is to have everyone in and out in less than 15 minutes; many people are often through in much less time. To date, we have experienced no COVID-19 infections related to our mitigation testing sites.

Mitigation tests will be simple saliva tests with results back in a few days.

Those selected for mitigation testing will receive an email from IU with instructions for scheduling a 30-minute testing appointment.

You can find information on mitigation testing sites here, including location, hours, and directions.

Yes. All IU campuses offer testing locations on campus. If you wish to test on a campus other than what is displaying on your scheduling page, please send your info to c19admin@iu.edu and tell us your desired campus.

No. You must schedule and complete a test through IU's mitigation testing program to be compliant with university policy.

No. You do not need to isolate as long as you are not experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19.

Submit an exemption request form. If you are selected, you will receive a link to the exemption request form in the email sent to those selected for mitigation testing.

No. If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, including new fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, or loss of taste or smell, please visit IU Health's virtual screening clinic and schedule a symptomatic COVID-19 test through IU Health as soon as possible. If you get a symptomatic test, let us know, and we will exempt you from mitigation testing that week.

No. You are exempt from testing if you are currently in isolation due to a positive COVID-19 test or are currently in quarantine as a close contact. Please report this information immediately to comply with IU’s mitigation testing requirements. As a close contact, you should quarantine for 10 days from your last exposure. If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, including new fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, or loss of taste or smell, please visit IU Health's virtual screening clinic and schedule a symptomatic test through IU Health as soon as possible.

If you're having trouble producing enough saliva at the testing site, you can try chewing lightly on your tongue or the inside of your cheek to help increase saliva production. If you still are having trouble filling the tube during your mitigation test, please talk to a staff member at the testing site.

If you take a prescribed medication that limits your saliva production and know that you will not be able to produce enough saliva for the test, you may request an exemption from mitigation testing.

You will receive an email notification when results are ready to view. There will be a link to your results in that email.

Students, faculty, and staff can log in to their Vault account via app.vaulthealth.com to check their mitigation test results.

If you receive an inconclusive mitigation test result from Vault, you will need to get re-tested. If you are selected for mitigation testing again the week following your inconclusive result, completing that test will serve as your re-test. If you are not selected the following week, email c19admin@iu.edu to get re-tested.

To minimize the chance of receiving an inconclusive test result, please be sure that you do not eat, drink, smoke, vape, or chew gum for 30 minutes prior to your test.

No. Having COVID-19 antibodies or receiving a COVID-19 vaccine does not increase your likelihood of testing positive for the virus.

To be exempt from mitigation testing, you must submit an exemption request form. If you do not submit a form, you will not be exempt from testing and may be subject to disciplinary actions.

You can apply for three types of mitigation testing exemptions: 1) exemptions from a certain week of testing for which you are selected; 2) exemptions from all testing weeks from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3, when all classes are online; and 3) exemptions from all testing weeks for the rest of the academic year -- until the end of spring semester 2021.

(To qualify for an intersession testing exemption, you were required to certify that you would be away from campus from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3 by submitting this request form: https://iuforms-fireform.eas.iu.edu/online/form/authen/exemptwinter.)

A link to the weekly and academic year exemptions request form will be included in the emails sent to those selected for testing. 

To learn more about criteria for exemptions, visit the mitigation testing page: https://covid.iu.edu/health-and-safety/mitigation-testing.html#exemption. 

Yes. You are exempt from testing if you have documentation of a positive COVID-19 test result in the past 90 days. Please report your test results immediately to comply with IU’s mitigation testing requirements. If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you should isolate for at least 10 days from the time of your positive test.

No. Having a recent negative test does not qualify you for an exemption. During mitigation testing, we expect many students will be tested often, even weekly. Please schedule your test for the week you are selected for mitigation testing. If you received a negative COVID-19 test result in the past 48 hours, please try to schedule your test towards the end of the week to put more time between your tests.

If you’ve had a positive COVID-19 test result in the last three months (90 days) and have fully recovered, you can fill out the exemption form that you receive in the email requesting a mitigation test. If you were tested outside of IU, make sure you’ve reported your positive test result to the university to qualify for an exemption.

You do not qualify for an exemption from mitigation testing if you received a positive COVID-19 result more than three months (90 days) ago. Immunity from COVID-19 is known to last for about three months, after which it’s possible you could be infected again.

No. Antibody tests are not yet reliable so that type of test is not being used by IU. Instead, we follow guidelines about expected immunity, meaning that anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 will not be retested within the 90 days following their positive test as long as they are asymptomatic. Asymptomatic individuals will also not be required to quarantine if they are determined to be close contacts during those 90 days.

Anyone who is symptomatic is required to be retested.  

Regardless of individual testing status, we expect everyone to physically distance, wear a mask, etc. A recent positive COVID-19 test does NOT exempt you from physical distancing precautions.

If you are not coming to campus this semester, and you don't interact with any other IU students, faculty, or staff, you may qualify for an exemption from mitigation testing during the winter session and/or for the rest of the academic year.

However, if you come to campus to go to the library or buy food, for example, or if you meet up with other members of the IU community off campus, you will still need to participate in mitigation testing.

In order to be exempt from testing, you have to fill out the exemption request form, which is linked in the email you will receive if you are selected.

IU students, faculty, and staff who will not be on campus from Nov. 20 to Jan. 3 might qualify for an exemption from mitigation testing. To request an exemption during the intersession, submit this form: https://iuforms-fireform.eas.iu.edu/online/form/authen/exemptwinter. 

You may qualify for a testing exemption for the rest of the academic year. Make sure you fill out and submit the exemption request form included in the email sent to those selected for mitigation testing.

If your test is negative, you can continue with your normal routine. You should still wear a face mask, keep at least 6 feet from others, and avoid large gatherings to protect yourself and others.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you will need to isolate yourself for at least 10 days from the time of your positive test. If you live off campus, you should not come to campus for any reason, including work.

An IU contact tracer will contact you via phone, email, or text message with more guidance and important next steps. Make sure you answer their call.

If you missed your mitigation test and it is still the same week you were scheduled to have the test, then you should either schedule another appointment or go to the testing site during operating hours to complete your test.

You can set up a free test through one of the OptumServe testing sites -- located throughout Indiana -- or talk with your primary care provider. If you are displaying symptoms of COVID-19, including new fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, or loss of taste or smell, please visit IU Health's virtual screening clinic and schedule a symptomatic COVID-19 test through IU Health as soon as possible. You must report any positive test result to IU to comply with IU’s mitigation testing requirements.

Students are in quarantine because they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 -- also known as being a "close contact" -- and are therefore at risk for becoming infected themselves.

To identify and isolate positive cases on campus more quickly (especially those who are asymptomatic), students living in on-campus quarantine housing will be required to participate in COVID-19 testing. These will be saliva tests with results back in about 24 hours. 

Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be moved to isolation. 

Students who test negative CANNOT test out of quarantine; a negative test means you should continue to monitor your health and remain in quarantine until your 10 days are complete.

No; you cannot test out of quarantine. Even if you test negative for COVID-19, you must remain in quarantine for the full 10 days because this is how long people who have been exposed to the virus -- also known as "close contacts" -- are thought to be most at risk for becoming infected after their last exposure.

Through a partnership with IU Health, all IU students, faculty and staff will have access to a virtual symptom checker, virtual screening and local testing if needed.

Indiana University is covering the costs associated with these services.

Visit IU Health to access services.

The Student Health Center at IU Bloomington is a full-service medical clinic that offers a wide range of services in one convenient, on-campus location. You can schedule a same-day in-person or virtual appointment with a provider online or by calling 812-855-7688.

IU will conduct randomized testing of students, faculty, and staff. Find more information about IU's testing requirements here.

Out-of-state students should check https://www.hhs.gov/coronavirus/community-based-testing-sites/index.html to find a location nearby. They are encouraged to consult their primary-care physician or county/state health departments regarding testing options. 

In Indiana, find a testing site here.

The on-campus health centers are always available for student healthcare.

For IU to cover the cost of virtual screenings, testing and any follow up virtual care, students, faculty and staff will need to access these services through IU Health. If a student goes to the on-campus health center, the cost of any care provided will go through the student's health insurance as usual.

Students receiving a test at the Student Health Center at IU Bloomington will incur an office visit charge, but the cost of the COVID-19 test will be covered under the university's agreement with IU Health.

The Student Health Center at IU Bloomington is a full-service medical clinic that offers a wide range of services in one convenient, on-campus location. You can schedule a same-day in-person or virtual appointment with a provider online or by calling 812-855-7688.

The student should bring hard copy or digital verification of the test. The student will be re-tested on arrival. Students testing positive will return home.

Yes. IU is tracking its response to COVID-19 as part of a dashboard that is updated every Monday morning. While no single number or metric is robust enough to adequately describe the trajectory of the pandemic, the dashboard shares results from the COVID-19 testing IU has implemented to help keep our students, faculty, and staff safe by monitoring the spread of the virus on all IU campuses.

While positive cases are inevitable, it is this testing data, combined with analysis from our team of medical experts and taking appropriate actions to mitigate the spread, that will allow us to evaluate health and safety as a whole and adjust our strategy accordingly to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

It is very unlikely to have a false positive result on diagnostic tests for COVID-19 (Antigen testing and PCR). It is more likely that you received a false negative on your second test. Regardless of the results of any test following a positive test, you should follow the recommendations for isolation based on the positive test result.  Since the levels of the virus can fluctuate day by day, a negative test after a positive does not adequately predict lack of infectiousness.

The three most common types of tests for COVID-19 are a PCR test, an antigen test, and an antibody test. PCR and antigen are used to determine if a person has an active case of COVID-19.

PCR tests are what are being used for mitigation testing on all IU campuses. A saliva sample is collected and sent to a laboratory where it’s determined if there is genetic material from the virus in the sample. If genetic material is detected, the test is positive. PCR tests are very accurate- they are both very sensitive and very specific.  False positives are thought to be very rare.

Antigen tests may sometimes be called rapid tests since results are available in less than an hour. This type of test was used during on-arrival testing and looks for specific proteins on the surface of the virus. A positive test result from an antigen test also means it is very likely that you have COVID.

Antibody testing tell you about old infections with coronaviruses.  Unfortunately, there is still a lot that we don’t know about this test.  False positives may occur after exposure to other non-COVID coronaviruses.  False negative may occur early in a disease or a few months after true infection.  Because of this, we do not currently recommend this test.

In general, for PCR and Antigen, false negatives are much more common than false positives.

Students: Visit the IU Health portal. If you have a positive test result outside of IU Health, fill out the COVID-19 reporting form.

Faculty/Staff: Visit the IU Health portal. If you are determined to be positive, tell your immediate supervisor that you will not be returning to work. (Your supervisor is allowed to ask if your absence is related to COVID.)

You are free to disclose your own medical information, including test results and diagnoses, to anyone. However, it is important to know that a test result is personal medical information, protected from disclosure in most circumstances. Exceptions include:

• If you seek accommodations for illness
• Test results are reported to the health department as required
• IU contact tracers -- they will not disclose your identity

Unless you are a close contact, you will not be informed that a person in your class, residence, building, department, or organization has tested positive.  Close contacts* of someone who tests positive will receive a call or text from a contact tracer. You must follow their instructions. Contact tracers are prohibited by law from disclosing the identity of the person testing positive. If you know you are a close contact or are contacted by a contact tracer outside of IU, please report your close contact status.

Students: Unless you are a close contact, you will not be informed that a person in your class or residence has tested positive. The precautions you are required to take (masks, distancing, etc.), as well as extra cleaning of relevant spaces, result in a very low risk of transmission from such persons.

Instructors: If a student requires a COVID-related accommodation, he or she must inform you. If you are determined to be a close contact of a student, you will also be notified. The precautions you are required to take (masks, distancing, etc.), as well as extra cleaning of relevant spaces, result in a very low risk of transmission from such persons.

Faculty or staff member: Unless you are a close contact, you will not be informed that a person in your building or department has tested positive. The precautions you are required to take (masks, distancing, etc.), as well as extra cleaning of relevant spaces, result in a very low risk of transmission from such persons.

Supervisor: Employees are required to inform supervisor of absence, and the supervisor may ask whether it is COVID-related. Otherwise, unless you are a close contact, you will not be informed that an employee has tested positive.

*A close contact is defined as someone who was within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes or more cumulatively over 24 hours. Roommates will almost always be close contacts. If everyone follows the masking and distancing rules in classrooms, they are not close contacts.

It is primarily their responsibility to inform instructors, supervisors or others, so encourage the individual to do so. You should also feel free to assist someone in making such reports.

The samples you provide are for COVID-19 tests only and are destroyed after results are posted. The company processing COVID-19 mitigation testing for IU, Vault, does NOT share any personal DNA information.

The data collected from questions when scheduling a mitigation test are used for public health purposes to determine how the tests should be deployed. None of the responses will be used for research.

Each state determines when various groups are eligible to receive the vaccine. As of Jan. 13, the state of Indiana has said frontline health care workers, public-facing first responders and those age 70 and older are eligible to receive the vaccine. The next group eligible in Indiana will be those 60 years old and older. There is no timeline for when this next group will be able to schedule their vaccines.

The state maintains a list of eligible groups on ourshot.in.gov. As more groups are eligible, IU will communicate with you via email to let you know when you will be able to schedule your vaccine.

You will receive either the Pfizer or the Moderna vaccine. Both vaccines are similar in their effectiveness and how they protect you from contracting the novel coronavirus.

Both vaccines require two doses to be effective. The two doses must be 21 days apart for the Pfizer vaccine and 28 days apart for the Moderna vaccine. To receive the proper protection, both doses of the vaccine must be the same type (same manufacturer).

Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been shown to be more than 95% effective at preventing COVID-19. However, how long this protection lasts is not yet known. Even once vaccinated, you could still be capable of spreading the virus. This is why those vaccinated need to continue to use masks and practice physical distancing.

Both vaccines are messenger RNA vaccines. They include a piece of the virus (not live), which is recognized by your immune system and signals your body to make antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that help fight off infections and can provide immunity (protection against getting a specific disease again).

For the COVID-19 vaccines, one dose is not enough to protect you from the virus. You must get two doses for the vaccine to be effective. Protection begins 7–14 days after the second vaccine dose.

The COVID-19 vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of developing COVID-19 in clinical trials; however, it does not completely eliminate the possibility that you may get infected with the virus. After you get the COVID-19 vaccine, it is not yet clear whether you can still be asymptomatically infected or transmit the virus to others. 

The vaccine has not been studied long enough to determine how long immunity will last. Therefore, even if you are vaccinated, you should continue to follow CDC guidelines for masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene. This guidance will continue until we have more scientific information about the duration of immunity and until the majority of the population is vaccinated, which is what it would take to achieve herd immunity.

Please remember that one dose of the vaccine is not enough to protect you from COVID-19; two doses are required for the vaccine to be effective. Protection begins seven to 14 days after the second vaccine dose.

Stopping a pandemic requires harnessing all tools available. Vaccines will make your body ready to respond to the virus if you were exposed. Following the CDC guidelines will help prevent you from being exposed to COVID-19, becoming infected, and infecting others -- including those who are at high risk for severe illness. You need both strategies to ensure protection against COVID-19.

Yes. Even though the vaccine significantly reduces your risk of getting the virus, the protection is not a 100% guarantee.

Yes. Even if you are vaccinated, if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19, you will still need to quarantine for the recommended duration per IU guidelines.

No. Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine does not exempt you from IU mitigation testing. The vaccine has been shown to reduce the risk of developing COVID-19 in clinical trials; however, it does not completely eliminate the possibility that you may get infected with the virus. After you get the vaccine, it is not yet clear whether you can still be asymptomatically infected or transmit the virus to others. That’s why you are still required to participate in mitigation testing to help limit the spread of COVID-19 on our campuses.

No, having received the COVID-19 vaccine will not affect the results of a COVID-19 test. The vaccine would not cause a COVID-19 test to come back positive because it does not give you the live virus that causes COVID-19.

The clinical trials conducted so far have not reported any major safety issues.

After receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, you might develop soreness at the site of the injection, fever, fatigue, muscle pains, joint pains, or headaches within 24-48 hours after the dose. These symptoms can last up to 24 hours.

If you start to develop these symptoms within 48 hours after receiving the vaccine, you do not need to be tested for COVID-19 and can continue to go to work/school. However, if your symptoms start more than 48 hours after your vaccine or last for more than 24 hours, or if you experience any symptoms other than those listed above, then they may not be related to the vaccine, and it is recommended that you stay home and use the IU Health Virtual Screening Clinic for evaluation by a medical professional.

The vaccine is not live and cannot give you COVID-19. Although you may experience fever, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, or headache for 24 to 36 hours, the side effects of receiving the vaccine would not include other symptoms of COVID-19 such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, cough, loss of taste and smell, etc.

You may have a fever or feel tired the day after you get the vaccine, so please take that into consideration when selecting your vaccination date. Most people experience the more significant immune response following the second dose.

One vaccine has only been approved for people 16 and older, as it hasn’t been studied yet in young children. Clinical trials on children 12 and older are expected to begin in early 2021.

Currently, there is no safety information about these vaccines in anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding. This will change in the future, and the decision to get a vaccine if pregnant at this time is a personal one, in consultation with your obstetrician.

IU strongly recommends that you receive the COVID vaccine.

The vaccine will be provided to you free of charge. The group administering your vaccine will collect insurance information in case an administration fee is charged to your insurance, but you will not be expected to pay out of pocket.

The COVID-19 vaccine should not be given at the same time as any other vaccine, such as flu or pneumonia vaccines. It should be given alone with at least 14 days before or after receiving any other vaccine. Please consider prioritizing your COVID-19 vaccine over other vaccines.

The vaccines should be spread out because there isn’t any information about the safety and effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines given at the same time as other vaccines.

However, if mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are administered within 14 days of another vaccine, doses do not need to be repeated for either vaccine.

As of Jan. 11, IU is not yet authorized to provide the COVID-19 vaccine. The university is coordinating with state and local health departments to work through the approval process. Once IU is a vaccine distribution site, the state will determine when and how much vaccine the university receives.

Contact tracing is a longstanding, proven public health strategy that helps isolate people infected by a disease and their close contacts in order to stop the chain of transmission. In the case of COVID-19, a close contact is defined as an individual who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes cumulatively over 24 hours.

Contact tracers work to quickly inform an infected person of their positive test result and provide them with isolation instructions. In addition, contact tracers rapidly identify and inform the close contacts of the person who tested positive so they can quarantine and monitor their health for any symptoms.

A robust system of contact tracing is key to keeping students, faculty and staff safe on campus. Contact tracing, in addition to mitigation and symptomatic testing, is part of IU's strategy for keeping our campuses as safe as possible. The success of contact tracing also relies on those in the community to change their behavior to help limit the spread of disease.

For COVID-19, a close contact is defined as an individual who has been within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes cumulatively over 24 hours, starting from 48 hours before illness onset until the time the patient is isolated (if the patient with COVID-19 had symptoms) OR starting 48 hours before the patient tested positive for COVID-19 (if the patient with COVID-19 did not have any symptoms). 

This definition holds whether either individual was wearing a mask or not. While masks are an important part of preventing outbreaks, they are not a substitute for limiting interactions with others and maintaining physical distance of at least 6 feet. Physical distance is vital to protecting yourself. Distance from others is most important.  Even short, brief interactions should be physically distanced and masked.

If you are identified as a close contact, an IU contact tracer will call you to inform you of your potential exposure to COVID-19 and provide further instructions based on CDC guidelines. IU contact tracers may also attempt to contact you via emails or text messages.

Close contacts are expected to quarantine for 10 days from the time they were exposed to ensure they do not spread the coronavirus to others.

Yes. IU community members who are in quarantine because they have been exposed to COVID-19 may not come out of a required quarantine if they receive a negative test result during their quarantine period.

This is because an individual who has been exposed will most likely take 2–10 days to develop infection so a negative test during that time only means that the close contact hasn’t YET developed infection. You should continue to monitor your symptoms because you are still at risk of developing infection until 14 days after your last exposure.

Isolation is for people who test positive for COVID-19. It is used to separate infected people from people who are not infected. People who are in isolation should separate themselves from others until their infectious period has passed.

Quarantine is for close contacts of those who test positive for COVID-19. It is used to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which can occur before a person knows they are infected with the virus -- whether they are pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic. People in quarantine should separate themselves from others (both infected and non-infected people) to prevent transmission should they be infected.

IU will provide separate isolation and quarantine facilities for those living in on-campus housing who are unable to return home. Those living off campus will be provided with instructions to facilitate isolation or quarantine in their own living situations.

If a close contact in quarantine tests positive, they will be moved to isolation.

Individuals in both isolation and quarantine will receive regular follow-up from IU Health through the Twistle app in order to report symptoms and other support needs. Other services such as meal delivery, pharmacy services, laundry services, and mental health support will be provided to individuals in campus isolation and quarantine rooms.

Yes. Filling out the contact tracing form is not required, but if you fill it out, it will help shorten the length of your phone interview with IU contact tracers. The form will ask you for your contact information, COVID-19 testing history and information about any symptoms you’re experiencing. The form will NOT ask you for personal information such as your Social Security Number or for payment of any kind.

Twistle is a company contracted by IU Health to provide symptom monitoring of all COVID-19 infected individuals, as well as those who are identified as being a close contact of a person who has tested positive. Twistle will prompt you to check-in via the app on a daily basis. This is how IU will help you keep track of your symptoms in case things get worse. It is also the way that IU Health will be able to release you from isolation or quarantine.  

IU is REQUIRING that all IU affiliated individuals enroll in Twistle when prompted. If you do not participate (either by opting out or not responding to the daily symptom checks), you will be reported to the appropriate university leadership for noncompliance and will be subject to disciplinary action.

After you complete your contact tracing interview, you will receive an email with your isolation (for positive individuals) or quarantine (for close contacts) instructions. Included in this email will be information about Twistle. IU will then send your information to IU Health to enroll you in the Twistle monitoring program. You will receive a text communication from IU Health (phone number 833-361-5015) with instructions on how to enroll. Please follow these prompts. You will then be sent a daily reminder to answer a few questions regarding your symptoms. Do NOT reply "STOP" to this text message. If you do reply "STOP" accidentally, simply reply "START" to re-engage the text messages.   

If the symptoms you report worsen, an IU Health nurse will be notified and will attempt to reach you. If you are a close contact and you develop symptoms, an IU Health nurse will also contact you. They will walk you through the next steps. At the end of your quarantine/isolation period, you will be prompted to contact the IU Health virtual hub. The nurse you speak with at this time will verify your information and, if appropriate, will send you a release notification. This is the only way you will be medically cleared to end your isolation/quarantine period.

If you have questions about or issues with Twistle, you can call 317-944-8011 from 8am–5pm ET. When you call this number, you will get voicemail. Please leave your name and telephone number, and Twistle will call you back.

At the end of your quarantine/isolation period, you will be prompted through the Twistle app to contact the IU Health virtual hub. The nurse you speak with at this time will verify your information and, if appropriate, will send you a release notification.

This is the only way you will be medically cleared to end your isolation/quarantine period.

If you are in quarantine and you get a COVID-19 test before your 10-day quarantine period is complete and the result is negative, that does NOT mean you should end your quarantine early. The 10-day quarantine is important because people who have been exposed to COVID-19 are most likely to become infectious up to 10 days after exposure. It's important to continue to monitor symptoms up to 14 days after exposure for any signs of illness.

IU will be hiring a number of contact tracers. Contact tracers receive training about COVID-19, privacy laws and effective communication.

Calls from IU contact tracers will come from an IU phone number.

Contact tracers may ask those that have tested positive to look through their calendar, texts and emails to recall anyone with whom they may have had close contact during their infectious period, which current research shows to be about two days before and 10 days after the onset of symptoms. Asymptomatic individuals are also believed to be contagious for 10 days.

Contact tracers will ask positive cases and close contacts about their symptoms and about their living environments. They will also provide education, guidance and quarantine/isolation parameters based on guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as assist with resources necessary to make isolation or quarantine possible.

Contact tracers will NOT disclose to the public who may have exposed a person to COVID-19. This information is strictly confidential and HIPAA protected.

Public health departments will receive information about positive cases. All employees of public health departments are HIPAA compliant. 

Contact tracers will NOT ask for:

• Your social security number.
• Money or payment of any type.
• Photographs or videos of any type.
• Passwords or any other type of account information.
• You immigration status.

Learn more about what legitimate contact tracers will not ask, and how to report fake contact tracers.

The information that is shared will only be used for public health purposes, including notifying close contacts of possible exposure and the need to quarantine.

Close contacts will not be told the name of the person who has tested positive for COVID-19 due to health privacy laws.

It is the student or employee’s responsibility to inform their professors and/or supervisors.

Calls from IU contact tracers will come from an IU phone number.

Contact tracers will NOT disclose to the public who may have exposed a person to COVID-19. This information is strictly confidential and HIPAA protected.

Public health departments will receive information about positive cases. All employees of public health departments are HIPAA compliant. 

Contact tracers will NOT ask for:

• Your social security number.
• Money or payment of any type.
• Photographs or videos of any type.
• Passwords or any other type of account information.

It is possible that contact tracers from the state or county health department may also contact cases and close contacts. IU asks that all individuals cooperate with them in addition to the IU contact tracers.

It's important to promptly respond to all calls, emails and text messages from contact tracers to help ensure the virus does not continue to spread. One way you can help speed up the process (for yourself and the contact tracer) is to complete the online form that will be emailed to you when you're first identified as a positive case or close contact. This form will ask you for information such as how to contact you and whether you've been tested for COVID-19 or are experiencing any symptoms. Submitting this information in advance will help shorten the phone interview you'll have with a contact tracer. The form will NOT ask you for personal information such as your Social Security Number or for payment of any kind.

Members of the IU community are required to cooperate with the contact tracing process and failure to do so will result in disciplinary measures.

They are also required to participate in follow-up with IU Health through the Twistle app if they are identified as a COVID-19 positive case or close contact.

Yes, you do need to notify IU if you have tested positive using an outside lab (not through IU Health or through another IU-organized testing site).

You should also notify IU if you have been told that you are a close contact to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

To report this information, you should fill out the "COVID-19 Self Reporting Form" found at one.iu.edu.

The best way to minimize your risk of being a close contact is to limit the number of people with whom you interact in person. The more people you see in person, the more chances you have for exposure to COVID-19, should one of them become infected.

Wearing a face mask, maintaining social distance (more than 6 feet apart from others) and avoiding social gatherings are the best ways to minimize your risk of exposure to COVID-19.

At a superspreading event, the number of cases transmitted will be disproportionately high compared to general transmission. The risk of a superspreading event may balloon in the presence of superspreading people, who pass on their infection more widely, either by being in contact with more people or emitting more of the virus. While the vast majority of people at an event may not infect any others, one person at a superspreader event could conceivably infect more than one dozen individuals.

To prevent the risk of creating superspreader events, large gatherings should be avoided. (Local ordinances vary on how many individuals comprise a large gathering.)

Gatherings of any size should be held outdoors, with chairs arranged so that people can stay six feet apart from one another while eating or drinking. Individuals should wear masks if entering homes or buildings with other people inside.

As long as you don't have any symptoms, you can continue with your normal routine. If your household member's test is positive, you should self-report as a close contact and follow the instructions for quarantine.

If you develop symptoms, however, isolate at home and connect with the IU Health Virtual Screening Clinic for testing and further instructions.

Yes, we encourage our students to quarantine and isolate at home, if it's possible to get there safely. Students may be picked up before they check in to quarantine and isolation housing in Ashton, or they may be checked out of Ashton at any time.

Quarantine and isolation housing is in Ashton, one of IU Bloomington's residence halls. Ashton is only being used for quarantine and isolation.

IU has contracted with a third-party vendor, Service Master, to handle cleaning and disinfecting in quarantine and isolation housing. Service Master will follow the cleaning guidelines established by IU’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety. All rooms will be cleaned thoroughly before a guest arrives and again after they leave.

Trash will be collected daily from the trash room on each floor. Students will need to take their trash to the trash room on their floor.

Here's what students should bring with them, as recommended by IU medical, public health and residential life experts. It's recommended students pack a "go bag" so they are ready if they need to move to quarantine or isolation housing:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss.
• Shampoo, conditioner and hairbrush.
• Soap and deodorant.
• Feminine hygiene products.
• Laundry detergent.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
• Cough medicine and cough drops.
• Pillow case.
• Undergarments and pajamas.
• Socks and flip flops or sandals.
• Phone charger.
• Reading material (books, magazines) and/or journal.
• Refillable water bottle.
• Tissues.
• Plastic utensils. 
• Printed contact list with phone numbers.
• Extra face masks.
• Non-perishable snacks and bottles of water.
• Optional: Lotion, robe, personal blanket and pillow, personal clothing items (pack lightly).

Before leaving for isolation/quarantine spaces, be sure to add these to your go bag:

• ID, insurance card and credit card.
• Two-week supply of personal medications/prescriptions.
• Thermometer.
• All schoolwork, books and supplies.
• Computer and power cord.

Yes. Students who move into Ashton for quarantine/isolation will be provided with a linen packet upon arrival, including bed sheets, a thermal blanket, a pillow and pillow cover, two bath towels, two hand towels and two washcloths. If students need replacements of these items while they are living in Ashton, they can call the residence center's 24-hour help desk, which can deliver items to their room upon request. Students will leave these items behind when they leave quarantine/isolation. Students will also be given a pair of scrubs for their personal use while staying in Ashton.

Students will order meals from IU Dining to be delivered to their rooms. Students may also order snacks and other items through Grubhub from the C-store. They may also order from restaurants, and the food will be delivered to the center desk in Ashton Dreiser. Ashton staff will then deliver the food to the student’s room.

Yes. Due to residents needing to bring their own personal items, they will be permitted to use the laundry facilities in Ashton. Each building has laundry facilities on the first floor. Using the application that all residents will have used in their previous residence hall, they will be able to see what washers and dryers are within their building and if they are being used at any given time. This should be referenced before going to the laundry facility in order to stay physically distanced and help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Please note that all residents will be required to use the laundry facilities in their assigned building. They will not be permitted to go outside and to other buildings to do their laundry.

Residents who wish to use the laundry facilities should stay with their laundry while it is being completed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and prevent theft. They should be wearing a mask and physical distance themselves from others in the facility.

Ashton’s center desk is open 24/7, and staff are prepared to welcome residents at all times.

No guests will be allowed during the quarantine and/or isolation period to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Yes. Students in quarantine will stay in separate buildings from those in isolation. If a student in quarantine develops symptoms and/or receives a positive COVID-19 test, they will need to contact the center desk to arrange for a relocation to an isolation building.

Each student in Ashton will receive a welcome packet with resources that will help them complete quarantine or isolation successfully. All students will receive daily text messages from Twistle with reminders to check their temperature and monitor symptoms. Students can report worsening symptoms via the text messages from Twistle and an IU Health nurse will call to check on the student.

At any time, the student may call the IU Student Health Center or reach out via Twistle for assistance or with questions. The welcome packet also includes resources from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), which will help students manage the psychological and emotional effects of living in quarantine or isolation.

Students are in quarantine because they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 -- also known as being a "close contact" -- and are therefore at risk for becoming infected themselves.

To identify and isolate positive cases on campus more quickly (especially those who are asymptomatic), students living in on-campus quarantine housing will be required to participate in COVID-19 testing. These will be saliva tests through the company Vault, with results back in 2-3 days. 

Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be moved to isolation. 

Students who test negative CANNOT test out of quarantine; a negative test means you should continue to monitor your health and remain in quarantine until your 10 days are complete.

Yes. Packages will be delivered to the center desk in Ashton, and then delivered to the student's room by Ashton staff.

Ashton is managed by Residential Programs and Services.

Students entering quarantine or isolation who have in-person classes should notify their instructors that they are not permitted to attend class during the quarantine or isolation period. The instructor will work with the student to ensure they are able to continue making progress on their class. Students will be expected to continue completing classwork as usual for their online classes.

If a student is too ill to keep up with classwork or attend classes remotely, they should contact the Student Advocates Office, which will assist the student in contacting instructors and making arrangements for the student to make up any work they miss.

Yes, we encourage our students to quarantine and isolate at home, if it is possible to get there safely. You may pick them up before they check in to Quarantine & Isolation Housing.

All units are private with in-unit kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry services – so the student in the assigned space will be responsible for maintaining day-to-day cleaning.

Once Q&I Housing space has been vacated by the student, it will sit for 72 hours per guidance from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  From there, we will have members of our COVID Response Team enter the space to clean all linens and kitchen supplies thoroughly. The Housing and Residence Life housekeeping team will use sanitizing supplies to clean all areas within the space, following protocol set forth by IU’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Here's what students should bring with them, as recommended by IUPUI’s Campus Health and Housing and Residence Life. It's recommended students pack a "go bag" so they are ready if they need to move to quarantine or isolation housing:

• Toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss.
• Shampoo, conditioner and hairbrush.
• Soap and deodorant.
• Feminine hygiene products.
• Laundry detergent.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).
• Cough medicine and cough drops.
• Pillow case.
• Undergarments and pajamas.
• Socks and flip flops or sandals.
• Phone charger.
• Reading material (books, magazines) and/or journal.
• Refillable water bottle.
• Tissues.
• Plastic utensils. 
• Printed contact list with phone numbers.
• Extra face masks.
• Non-perishable snacks and bottles of water.
• Optional: Lotion, robe, personal blanket and pillow, personal clothing items (pack lightly).

Before leaving for isolation/quarantine spaces, be sure to add these to your go bag:

• ID, insurance card and credit card.
• Two-week supply of personal medications/prescriptions.
• Thermometer.
• All schoolwork, books and supplies.
• Computer and power cord.

Students moving into quarantine and isolation housing at IUPUI will be provided with basic linens, kitchen supplies, and a few items for their bathrooms. If students need supplies while in quarantine or isolation housing, they should contact the COVID Response Team’s on-call phone number: (317) 473-0458. This number is staffed 24/7 and will be able to coordinate some supply drop offs to the student's building on a case-by-case basis.

Students will be able to order meals through Chartwells. Upon move-in, they will receive a handout with specific information regarding ordering meals, but meals will be available to be ordered and dropped off seven days a week. If you are a student with a current meal plan, your meal will be deducted automatically from your meal plan account on your Crimson Card. If you are a student without a meal plan, the cost of food will be charged to your CrimsonCash account, or if one is not available, your bursar account, in one lump sum after your quarantine or isolation has ended.

Each student will have an in-unit washer and dryer. Students will also be provided laundry detergent and dryer sheets in case they were unable to pack them.

Once a student has tested positive or been identified as a close contact, they are entered into the university tracking system. Students will then be contacted and provided information regarding where to go and how they will get there.

No guests will be allowed during the quarantine and/or isolation period to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Yes. Students in quarantine will stay in separate buildings from those in isolation. If a student in quarantine develops symptoms and/or receives a positive COVID-19 test, they will work with the COVID Response Team to move spaces.

Each student in quarantine and isolation housing will receive a welcome packet with resources that will help them complete quarantine or isolation successfully. All students will receive daily text messages from Twistle with reminders to check their temperature and monitor symptoms. Students can report worsening symptoms via the text messages from Twistle and an IU Health nurse will call to check on the student.

Additionally, Monday through Friday, a member of the COVID Response Team will call to check in with the student and get a better idea of their needs. This call will be a time to ask general questions, receive support, and ask for resources.

Students are in quarantine because they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 -- also known as being a "close contact" -- and are therefore at risk for becoming infected themselves.

To identify and isolate positive cases on campus more quickly (especially those who are asymptomatic), students living in on-campus quarantine housing will be required to participate in COVID-19 testing. These will be saliva tests through the company Vault, with results back in 2-3 days.

Students who test positive for COVID-19 will be moved to isolation.

Students who test negative CANNOT test out of quarantine; a negative test means you should continue to monitor your health and remain in quarantine until your 10 days are complete.

Yes, students are allowed to receive care packages. If they have questions about mailing addresses, they should ask the COVID Response Team.

Quarantine and isolation housing is managed by a team from IUPUI’s Housing and Residence Life.

Students entering quarantine or isolation who have in-person classes should notify their instructors that they are not permitted to attend class during the quarantine or isolation period. The instructor will work with the student to ensure they are able to continue making progress on their class. Students will be expected to continue completing classwork as usual for their online classes.

If a student is too ill to keep up with classwork or attend classes remotely, they should contact the Office of Student Advocacy and Support (stuadvoc@iupui.edu), which will assist the student in contacting instructors and making arrangements for the student to make up any work they miss. If needed, a member of the COVID Response Team will facilitate a connection between the student and that office.

Yes, all staff, faculty and students whose work or class schedule requires them to be regularly present on campus will be required to get an annual flu vaccine during the fall 2020 semester.

Employees and students who are unable to get a vaccine due to a medical condition, or who have a religious or other ethical reason, can request an exemption. Employees and students who will not be present on campus between Dec. 1, 2020, and March 1, 2021, can also request an exemption.

Learn more here.

Faculty and staff who do not request an exemption must obtain a flu vaccine by Dec. 1, 2020. Students who don't request an exemption must obtain a vaccine by Dec. 1, 2020, if they will be studying or working on campus after Nov. 20, or by Jan. 15, 2021, if they will not be studying or working on campus after Nov. 20.

Learn more here.

Flu vaccines are covered at no cost as preventive care for faculty and staff on all IU-sponsored health plans, whether the shot is received on campus or through an in-network provider under their insurance plan in the community. Flu vaccines will be available at no cost to students, but insurance will be billed for anyone who has coverage through IU or through a non-IU plan (such as a parent plan).

Flu vaccine clinics were held during the fall semester on all campuses, and it is still possible to get a flu shot on some IU campuses. Other locations to receive a flu vaccine include:

• Retail pharmacies: Check with your retail pharmacy for influenza shot availability. Employees, students, and covered dependents and spouses enrolled in IU-sponsored medical plans can receive the seasonal flu vaccine at no cost at in-network retail pharmacies, like CVS and Kroger.
• Health care provider: In most cases, your primary-care provider can administer flu shots. Employees, students, and covered dependents and spouses enrolled on IU-sponsored medical plans can receive the seasonal flu vaccine at no cost through their local in-network physician.

Vendors and contractors who regularly work on IU campuses and in close proximity to the general campus population will be required to get an annual flu vaccine as well. Vendors and contractors who have employees subject to this policy must certify ongoing compliance to the relevant contracting officer. (Note: IU's policy does not apply to commercial delivery services whose presence on campuses is considered a short duration to deliver materials, food, or mail.)

The winter session is an intersession between the fall and spring semesters that will allow students to take additional courses. It covers 7 calendar weeks (Dec. 21 - Feb. 7) with 6 weeks of instruction.

Winter session will be considered part of the spring semester.

The winter session is 7 calendar weeks with 6 weeks of instruction to allow for a break around the holidays and New Year.

The dates for winter session will be consistent across all campuses, except IU Fort Wayne and some of IU's professional schools/programs. The courses offered during the winter session will vary by campus.

The winter session is not mandatory. It can be thought of as similar to the summer sessions, which give students an opportunity to take additional courses and earn credits.

Spring semester begins Jan. 19 and ends May 9. The first three weeks of the semester will be online only with the remainder of the semester being a mix of in-person and online instruction.

Yes, the spring semester will be a mirror image of the fall semester with the first three weeks of the semester online-only and the remainder of the semester a mix of in-person and online instruction.

Required

• Wear a mask when in public and within 6 ft of others
• Fully participate with contact tracing if contacted
• Report if you’re a close contact or get a positive test
• Quarantine if you’re a close contact
• Isolate if you have symptoms and contact IU Health
• Participate in mitigation testing if selected

Encouraged

• Always wear a mask when in public even if you’re physically distanced
• Keep your circle small and avoid large gatherings
• Make a plan for what you’ll do if you have to quarantine or isolate
• Report violations if you see them

Students should take these three critical steps before coming to campus:

Don’t come to campus if you are sick or experiencing symptoms. Report your symptoms through the IU Health virtual screening clinic.

Quarantine prior to arrival. Practice physical distancing and limit contact with others in the days prior to your arrival on campus as much as possible.

Have a plan. What will you do if you get sick during the semester? Or your roommate gets sick? Consider your travel plans, quarantine and isolation plans.

This decision was made following careful review of the Restart Committee's recommendations report as well as the planning, work and recommendations from a number of campus committees.

Some programs/campuses are excluded from the revised academic calendar. This includes the IU Fort Wayne campus, professional programs in the School of Dentistry, School of Medicine, Maurer School of Law, Robert H. McKinney School of Law and the School of Optometry, and all quarter-based programs.

Some sections or classes of the same course may meet differently, so students need to check the particular section or class to see how and when the class meets.

You can see how your classes will be taught in both the iGPS plan semester details and weekly calendar. See the specific steps here.

Decisions for moving classes from in-person to online will be made on a campus-by-campus basis and potentially even school by school or activity by activity. For example, depending on the circumstances, some forms of instruction may go online, but research could continue. The decision will depend on many factors including what the campus is experiencing as well as what’s happening in the surrounding community. We will be as targeted as we can be so there are as few interruptions as possible while also maintaining the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and communities.

A virtual meeting is preferable during this time. If that’s not a possibility, practice physical distancing (keep at least six feet between you and others); wear a mask; wash your hands often; avoid hugging, high fives, handshakes, etc.; do not share food or drinks; and cover your cough or sneeze. If you’re feeling ill, stay home from any public gatherings.

IU is providing free, 24-hour, high-speed Wi-Fi access across the state to IU students, faculty and staff as well as the general public who may not have internet connectivity due to COVID-19-related library and business closures.

Learn how to access Wi-Fi at the IU hot spots.

Faculty and staff who do not have home internet should contact the IT Ombudsman.

Wi-Fi

IU is providing free, 24-hour, high-speed Wi-Fi access across the state in parking lot hot spots to IU students, faculty and staff as well as the general public who may not have internet connectivity due to COVID-19-related library and business closures.

Learn how to access Wi-Fi at the IU hot spots.

Computer access

If you are a student on the Bloomington campus and do not have access to a computer, or have concerns about equipment needed for your courses, please email studaffa@indiana.edu.

We recognize that remote learning may pose challenges for students who may not have access to helpful technology, such as computers, broadband internet service and reliable, fast-speed internet connectivity.

We are committed to working hard to ensure a quality educational experience is delivered to all of our students, regardless of the resources that may be available to them. No student should feel left out. To this end, we are asking faculty and staff to be as flexible and accommodating as possible during these circumstances, including considering workarounds and backup teaching and learning scenarios for those students who may face technological challenges. Additionally, we are investigating how to accommodate classroom activities that typically include laboratories or other in-person interactions. And we are continuing to solicit guidance and best practices from our partners in the higher education community.

The plan is for tuition and fees to be assessed as normal. Students should continue to refer to messages from their campus for the latest information about tuition and fees.

Learn more about IU's decision on Fall 2020 tuition.

After thorough consideration of the exceptional circumstances of the spring semester, IU has decided to issue a prorated credit for students' spring semester parking passes.

Each student’s credit will be based on the permit type they purchased. The credit amount is derived by multiplying the daily rate of the permit by the number of days remaining in the spring semester.  President McRobbie’s letter requested students vacate campus by March 20 at 11:59 p.m. March 21 was used as the start date and the last day a spring permit was valid as the end date. 

Credits received as noted above will first be applied to any unpaid charges on the student's bursar account, with any remaining credit applied to future charges such as summer and/or fall 2020 enrollment.

If a student would like to request an immediate refund of any remaining credit, please complete the COVID-19 Refund Request form.

IU is taking a number of actions due to what could be severe financial consequences of the current wordlwide pandemic. These include:

• Freezing the hiring of staff,
• Prioritizing strategic faculty hires and requiring executive vice president approval for them,
• Freezing mid-year salary increases,
• Strictly limiting travel and purchases,
• Cancelling previously approved fiscal 2021 salary increases and continuing the freezes previously mentioned,
• Delaying non-essential planned capital projects funded through university resources, 
• Reducing Grand Challenge funding,
• Reviewing IU Foundation funds to ensure full uitilization, and
• Building the fiscal 2021 budget with a five percent general fund reduction.

Learn more about the pandemic's financial implications for IU.

Students and families who have questions related to financial hardships or have seen changes to their individual or family financial status should contact the student financial aid office on their respective campuses. A list of those offices is available online. Students who have an emergency financial need may be eligible for emergency grant funding.

IU continues to gather ideas and information related to helping students meet their financial obligations. More information will be made available as financial decisions are made.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority has put together a Coronavirus Eviction and Foreclosure Resource Guide to answer questions Indiana residents may have about a range of housing and financial topics.

For IU campuses with on-campus housing, residence halls will be open. Additional details on residence halls will be provided by your campus.

On-campus dining will be available although options may be limited. Dining rooms will be set up to ensure physical distancing and precautions will be in place to ensure a safe experience.

Learn more about dining at IU Bloomington here.

Learn more about dining at IUPUI here.

Yes, signage will be placed around campus to inform students, faculty, staff and visitors of public health guidance and any restrictions in place.

While evidence of transmission through ventilation systems is inconclusive, IU is taking key steps to protect the IU community, including:

• Pre-arrival filter changes – filters have been replaced in HVAC units across the IU system per manufacturer specifications.
• Regularly scheduled filter changes throughout the year.
• Preventative maintenance to ensure optimal air flow and proper functionality of HVAC systems.
• Remote sensing technology to identify air flow and humidity issues, where feasible.
• Mask requirements to reduce overall potential for aerosolized respiratory droplets.
• Quarantine/Isolation of positive student residents in separate facilities or rooms that do not share recirculated air with other rooms.

IU will also continue to monitor and react to federal, state, public health, and industry standard HVAC guidelines to manage and mitigate risk where possible.

Students can take these important steps to support healthy air flow:

• Avoid opening windows and running air conditioning at the same time -- this can create mold and other negative environmental impacts.
• Avoid use of portable fans, especially in common areas where they blow across multiple workstations.
• Report any dysfunctioning building systems to the applicable maintenance team for that campus or facility.

More guidance about building ventilation and airflow can be found here.

Campus Bus on the Bloomington campus will resume its full route schedule by August 17. Masks are required for all riders. While there will not be capacity limits on the number of riders, we encourage students to consider walking or riding a bike to help reduce density and limit potential exposure.

Masks are mandatory in campus buildings and on campus transportation. Safe operation of campus transportation and the safety of all riders are the priority of the bus driver.

There will be signs reminding riders to wear a mask. Drivers will also wear a mask and there will be plexiglass between the driver and riders. Riders not wearing a mask will be reminded of the requirement to wear a mask.

As a safety service, IU Ride will pick up students from a party or a bar, but only if they are going home.

IUB Night Owl is suspended for the fall semester.

Students can use IU Ride for rides to and from campus and the surrounding areas during the following times:

• Sunday–Thursday, 8 p.m. to 1:45 a.m.
• Friday & Saturday, 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. 

IU Ride will not drop off at parties or bars, but will pick up students from those locations and take them home.

IU Ride will require riders to wear masks. If a rider doesn’t have a mask, masks will be available in the vans.

Yes. Everyone on campus (students, faculty, staff, visitors) should be wearing a mask when inside an IU building, as well as outside when physical distancing is difficult to maintain. Masks can be removed if you are alone in an office with the door closed.

Everyone on campus (students, faculty, staff, visitors) must wear a mask when inside an IU building, as well as outside when physical distancing is difficult to maintain (such as when walking on busy pathways). Masks can be removed if you are alone in an office with the door closed.

Yes, faculty can tell students they must leave the classroom if they refuse to wear a mask. Masks are required on campus.

Read IU's policy for students on complying with health and safety directives.

Per IU policy UA-21, failure to comply with the health and safety directives adopted by the university to combat the spread of COVID-19 will subject employees to corrective action, which can result in termination of employment.

You do not have to wear the IU-provided mask. Any mask that meets CDC guidelines is acceptable.

Masks should:

• fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• completely cover the nose and mouth
• be secured with ties or ear loops
• include multiple layers of fabric
• allow for breathing without restriction
• be able to be laundered and machine dried without damage or change to shape

All students and employees on all IU campuses will receive two masks.

Masks are being mailed to IU students and employees, arriving in the mail before the start of the fall semester.

At IU Bloomington, students living in residence halls will receive them at check-in and other IU Bloomington students will receive them by mail.

The masks are one size but have toggles to shorten or lengthen the ear loops.

Yes. Find more information here on ordering PPE, including surgical masks. 

Current guidance to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 recommends the use of masks when out in public and especially in places where physical distancing is not possible. Our public health experts agree that wearing masks slows the spread of the virus.

Yes. Masks should be worn while on campus, including while teaching and interacting with others.

Enforcement will be handled as classroom and workplace governance. Complaints should be sent to faculty, supervisors, or Student Affairs.

IU has developed policies for students and employees that outline expectations for all members of the IU community, as well as sanctions for not complying with the health and safety directives.

Read the policy for students.

Read the policy for employees.

Report non-compliance with IU COVID-19 health and safety directives as described in these policies through this form. The appropriate campus office associated with the reported violation (for example, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, or Human Resources) will be responsible for investigation and follow-up.

Yes, all members of the IU community, including employees, students, contractors, suppliers, vendors, and visitors are required to wear a mask.

Through an agreement with Indiana University Health, IU students, faculty and staff will have access to a comprehensive series of services related to the screening, testing and management of COVID-19. 

As part of the agreement, all IU students, faculty and staff at any IU campus or facility who have symptoms of COVID-19 will be able to use virtual visits and local clinics where samples can be collected for virus testing if needed.

Access the IU Health services online.

Testing and health care services are also available at the Student Health Center at IU Bloomington.

Testing and clinic services will be available at 14 sites across Indiana all located on or near an IU campus.

Access the IU Health services online.

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you should stay home if you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have COVID-19. The CDC lists symptoms of COVID-19 on its website.

IU students, faculty and staff can use the IU Health web-based assistant to do an interactive virtual screening or may use the IU Health virtual screening clinic to be seen by an IU Health registered nurse who can review their symptoms and advise on the next steps in care, including how and where to get tested.

Access the IU Health services online.

The test itself is just one aspect of the comprehensive process that includes a symptom checker and virtual screening. This partnership with IU Health is a significant step forward in promoting the health of the IU community and we will continue to consider the recommendations of public health experts alongside testing capacity and capabilities as students, faculty and staff take advantage of the service.

Currently, testing is geared toward IU students, faculty and staff that will physically be coming to campus and have COVID-19 symptoms.

For family members of employees or students covered on an IU-sponsored healthcare plan, COVID-19 testing and treatment are covered by the medical plan at 100 percent. This means that all copays, deductibles and out-of-pocket costs are waived, whether the care is received in a physician's office, urgent care center or emergency department.

Family members covered by an IU-sponsored healthcare plan should speak with their physician about testing options or visit the IU Health Virtual Visits app. The IU Health Virtual Visits app provides a free COVID-19 virtual screening option for all Hoosiers regardless of age.

Through an agreement with Indiana University Health, IU students, faculty and staff will have access to a comprehensive series of services related to the screening, testing and management of COVID-19. As part of the agreement, all IU students, faculty and staff at any IU or facility who have symptoms of COVID-19 will be able to use virtual visits and local clinics where samples can be collected for the virus testing if needed.

For employees who receive services through the IU medical plans, you must coordinate testing with your physician or through another telemedicine vendor. While this is covered at no cost under the plan, it will be billed through insurance and employees will not have access to the full set of services offered by the agreement with IU Health.

Participation in live events are a central component of an Indiana University experience. A checklist is now available for event organizers to safely develop in-person events.

The risk of transmission in a classroom -- given the rigorous cleaning and safety protocols in place -- remains extremely low. 

IU researchers have analyzed data from the university's fall 2020 COVID-19 testing program and found that infection risk was not higher among students attending more in-person courses.

The study reviewed data from more than 70,000 undergraduate students at all IU campuses and compared the number of positive tests with the number of in-person credit hours taken by the students.

Employees can always reach out to their direct supervisor or HR representative. Up-to-date HR-guidance and FAQ can also be found on the COVID-19 informational area of hr.iu.edu and through askHR at 812-856-1234 or askHR@iu.edu.

It is not necessary for every department or school to develop 3-week courses. A checklist is being developed to guide decisions about whether a particular course would be delivered effectively in this format.

The IU Online Faculty Starter Kit was created to give faculty a quick but thorough introduction to teaching online.

Read an IU news story about the kit.

IU will not assert ownership rights in any and all forms of Traditional Works of Scholarship created or used as instructional materials, including but not limited to class recordings in Kaltura and Zoom, by IU faculty as a result of the suspension of face-to-face classroom teaching due to COVID-19. See IP Policy UA-05 for details.

Non-essential travel continues to be discouraged. Essential travel, such as traveling to your permanent residence to quarantine or isolate, should be done safely with health and safety in mind (wear a mask, physical distance, etc.).

Only essential IU travel through the end of 2020 is permitted.

The following applies to IU-sponsored and work travel:

• Intercampus travel to IU campuses is permitted. However, other means of conducting business, such as teleconferencing, are strongly encouraged.
• Essential IU travel should align with research restart guidelines or academic mission. Travel must be approved by the EVP, VP, AVP, dean, or their designee (fiscal officer).
• All travel arrangements should be made through University Travel Services.

View the full guidelines from IU Travel Management Services.

All IU-affiliated international travel remains suspended for fall 2020. Requests from IU faculty, staff, and students will only be considered for humanitarian purposes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Requests from faculty, staff, or graduate students for an exception from this policy will be considered for travel for humanitarian purposes related to the pandemic or for essential international travel. Learn more on the IU Global website.

Domestic travel is permitted and does not require additional approval unless it is being paid for with university funds in which case pre-approval is required by your department chair, dean, or the relevant vice president.

The current Research Travel Policy is for domestic travel only. The university will consider travel for research “essential” and permit it provided that:

• the research activities to be undertaken cannot otherwise be carried out without travel;
• the travel takes into account the considerations identified by the CDC for domestic travel; and
• fieldwork and other research conducted in facilities under the control of an entity other than IU comply with the policies of that third party and with applicable law in that jurisdiction, in addition to these guidelines.

This exception would not cover travel to conventions or regular association meetings.

The Restart Committee has worked to make a series of recommendations about when and under what circumstances IU can start various activities, including in-person classes and research. The Restart Committee Recommendations Report is being used to fully develop a phased return to campus operations.

This report details the recommendations made by the university's Restart Committee. The guidance included in the report provides a basis for leaders, work groups and committees across the university to then make specific decisions about operations on each campus during the fall 2020 semester.

A variety of measures are being put in place to help ensure the health and safety of our IU community once we return to campus, including, but not limited to, providing cloth masks for all students, faculty and staff; rigorous cleaning protocols; changes to less-contact dining services; and reducing the number of people on campus at one time.

To ensure the needs of the entire university are met, individual departments should no longer try to order certain types of items using traditional procurement methods such as BUY.IU or P-Card.

There is now a new process for ordering. Visit Purchasing's online COVID-19 Resource Center for all the details on how to order.

IU will carefully monitor the pandemic and is prepared to alter how courses are delivered should the need arise for the health and safety of students, faculty and staff.

While we don’t have specific information at this point, please know that our leaders are considering those factors and will have more information to share in the coming weeks.

IU has developed policies for students and employees that outline expectations for all members of the IU community, as well as sanctions for not complying with the health and safety directives.

Read the policy for students.

Read the policy for employees.

The 2019 novel coronavirus, also known as coronavirus COVID-19, is a member of a large family of viruses, which can cause a variety of illnesses in animals and humans. One type of coronavirus causes about 20% of common colds in humans. Other types of coronavirus have caused more serious illnesses in the past, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS).

After apparently originating in the Hubei province of China, the coronavirus COVID-19 spread worldwide, including North America. Like all members of the coronavirus family, it has a single strand of RNA to carry its genetic code. So far, it has caused illness in thousands of people. Among those with the illness, the severity has varied from simple “cold symptoms” all the way up to death. The fraction of those with a severe infection is a small portion of the total number infected with coronavirus, based on current data.

The Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC)’s website is the best source for up-to-date information, as well as the Indiana State Department of Health’s coronavirus information page.

There are several measures which reduce the likelihood of getting or spreading the virus:

• Regularly wash your hands and use alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol.
• Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze.
• Do not share food or drinks.
• Avoid close contact with people who have fever, coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing.
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Keep yourself away from others if you have fever, coughing, sneezing, or difficulty breathing.

See IU Human Resources’ policies related to coronavirus COVID-19.

IU Environmental Health and Safety has developed COVID-19-related training for both IU employees and students. You'll learn more about COVID-19, including how to protect yourself and others from the virus.

Access COVID-19 Employee Safety Training.

Access COVID-19 Student Safety Training.

When a person has the virus, they may have a fever (above 100.4F), cough and difficulty breathing. These symptoms overlap with several other common illnesses, including influenza.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, your health care provider will ask about recent travel or possible exposure to other people who are known to have COVID-19. At-risk individuals may undergo a physical examination, lab testing, and/or additional consultation with experts, if needed.

See CDC information on COVID-19 symptoms.

The virus originated in an animal species, although at this time, it is unclear which animals may have been the original source. The outbreak may have began when a human made contact with an animal infected by the virus. From there, the virus began spreading among humans, mainly by exposure to coughing, sneezing or close physical contact. World travel has amplified the spread from the original area.

There is no specific remedy or cure for this infection. People with the infection are treated with commonly available medications. The most seriously ill people require treatment at a hospital.