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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 for the remainder of the semester?

Join Interim Director, Noelle Selkow via zoom for coffee Friday mornings at 10am CST to connect with others and ask questions. https://illinoisstate.zoom.us/j/7272728414

Graduate Students have the option to take courses Pass/No Pass (P/NP). What does this mean?

Graduate students, including international students, can take up to 9 credit hours as P/NP. To receive a P, a student needs to achieve a B or higher. That means a C, would be NP, and the course would need to be repeated. P/NP courses are not counted in GPA. Your graduate coordinator should be consulted to help you make the decision. Starting, April 6, students may go into My.IllinoisState to make changes until May 4th at 8am. Students will be able to change a P/NP decision from May 14 through May 18 with a final closure of the grading system on Monday, May 18, at 8 a.m. 
Additional information can be found here: https://registrar.illinoisstate.edu/registration/pass-no-pass/

What does P/NP mean for probation and graduate assistantships?

Students on probation will be allowed a one semester extension if they choose to take courses P/NP. Students will need to receive a P to extend probation. In the next term classes are taken, a term GPA of 3.0 will be needed to show progress is being made toward degree completion. Graduate assistantships can be maintained while on probation if Ps are received.

I'm a graduate assistant. When should I report to campus?

The state of Illinois is currently under “shelter in place” beginning Saturday, 3/21/2020 at 5 pm. You should not be reporting to campus unless directed by your supervisor. You may work in research labs if practicing social distancing. Teaching GAs may use classrooms and laboratories to teach their distance education courses. You will continue to be paid.

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 this semester?

Yes, 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 then contact Dana Davidson in the Graduate School at dddavid@ilstu.edu. May 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)

Online Resources

Accessing specialized software

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

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

Our physical office is closed, but staff are answering emails (GraduateSchool@ilstu.edu) and taking phone calls (309-438-2583) during normal business hours: M-F 8-4:30. Please submit all forms and applications electronically to the graduate school.

Will the University Research Symposium be in an alternative format?

Yes! The Research Symposium will be taking on an alternative format. More details will be coming shortly.

I applied for or was planning to apply for a University Symposium Grant. Will I still be able to utilize funds?

Yes, any grant applications already submitted will be considered. You may continue to submit grants for funding support. Please be aware of the current travel guidelines: Effective March 16, all University-sponsored, non-essential domestic travel and all international travel is suspended until further notice. All Summer 2020 study abroad programs and international internships are canceled.

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 summer or fall terms or other questions related to graduate admissions, please contact graduateadmissions@IllinoisState.edu.

 

Updated as of April 6

 

2020-04-06T16:35:30.726-05:00 2020