Coronavirus (COVID-19): Impact to Graduate Studies

Illinois State University is closely monitoring developments with the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The University is taking a highly coordinated approach to planning and preparedness to ensure the safety of the campus community. Staff in Illinois State’s Incident Management Team, Emergency Management, Student Health Services, Risk Management, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs have closely monitored developments with the coronavirus and continue to develop contingency plans.

The safety health and well-being of our graduate community is our number one priority. The Graduate School is monitoring the situation and will update accordingly.

For more information please refer to the ISU Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response page or Redbirds Keep Teaching , Redbirds Keep Learning and Redbirds Keep Researching .

Student Guide for Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I stay connected with the graduate school and other graduate students in the fall?

The Graduate School will send out a newsletter every Tuesday. This message will include important updates as well as information about professional development opportunities and other resources for Grad Students.

Are there online classes I can take for Fall?

Online courses are available, but are determined by the program. Please contact your graduate coordinator for online options.

What happens to my health insurance if my graduate assistantship is declined or postponed but I remain enrolled in classes?

The requirement that you have health insurance is connected to your status as a student and not as a graduate assistant. Students enrolled for 9 credit hours or more will be automatically enrolled in the student health insurance program and assessed student health insurance fees. If you wish to instead waive coverage, you must submit a cancellation request prior to the 15th day of the fall semester.

If you are a student located outside of the United State whose graduate assistantship has been postponed, in addition to the cancellation request, you must send an email to Student_Insurance_Contact@ilstu.edu from your ILSTU email account with your name and UID along with an acknowledgement that (1) you have coverage in your home country and (2) you will not be in the US during the entire fall semester in order to cancel your coverage.

Will I be required to quarantine upon arrival if I am outside of the U.S?

Yes, CDC guidelines  state that individuals returning from international travel are required to self-quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. Students traveling from outside the US are encouraged to arrive on campus fourteen (14) days before the start of the semester to quarantine prior to classes starting. International students entering the U.S. from international travel should contact  Student Health Services  for further guidance.

Information about the Student Absence Policy can be found on the Dean of Students Office website .
On-campus students with Housing contracts should contact University Housing prior to arrival on campus for more information about quarantine and isolation procedures .
Off-campus students should isolate at their off-campus apartments. The University does not have space to house off-campus students in our limited on-campus quarantine and isolation spaces.
Students who are also employees should follow the steps outlined in Managing Covid-19 in the Workplace

Can I still conduct research on campus?

Please visit the Redbirds Keep Researching website for more information and updates.

Am I still able to hold a dissertation / thesis defense virtually?

Yes, dissertation/thesis defenses do not have to be in person. Please work with your dissertation/thesis chair to schedule a defense remotely using zoom or another video interface. Forms can be turned into the graduate school electronically to dissert@ilstu.edu. Your chair has also been given guidance on how to turn in forms.

Are you extending dissertation or thesis deadlines?

At this time, we are asking you to stick as close to the deadlines as you can. We know that extensions may be needed. Work with your chair and have them contact Dana Davidson in the Graduate School at dddavid@ilstu.edu. Conferral of degrees will still occur, so we need to be mindful of deadlines to process degree completion. Here is a link to our deadlines page.

Will Milner Library be open?

Getting Help (virtually)

By chat when the Chat with Us button is green
Via email
Texting (309) 807-9442
Contact a Subject Librarian – we can do a research consult via Zoom

Online Resources

Accessing specialized software

Free access to Adobe Creative Cloud (CC)

For the most up-to-date information, visit the Milner News page.

How can I submit a dissertation/thesis form or scholarship application?

We are encouraging submitting forms electronically. Our physical office is open, but with reduced staffing. Staff are answering emails (GraduateSchool@ilstu.edu) and taking phone calls (309-438-2583) during normal business hours: M-F 8-4:30. If you need to meet with a staff member in person, please schedule and appointment with them ahead of time.

Will the University Research Symposium be in an alternative format in the spring?

Yes. The Research Symposium will be taking on an alternative format. More details will be forthcoming.

Can I apply for admission to a graduate program?

Yes. All normal operating procedures will continue. If you have concerns about the GRE and GMAT exam for the upcoming fall or spring terms or other questions related to graduate admissions, please contact graduateadmissions@IllinoisState.edu.

Updated as of July 31