Welcome to the Parent and Family Newsletter!
We are so happy that you are part of the Illinois State University family! The Parent and Family Newsletter is a monthly publication to provide you information and resources that might be helpful for you and your Redbird. We hope you find it beneficial. In addition, you will find the Parent and Family Services website and the Parent and Family Guide as valuable resources as your Redbird navigates through their college journey.
Spring 2022 registration
Registration for spring 2022 classes begins Friday, October 11, and closes Friday, December 10. Students can register online through My.IllinoisState.edu. More information can be found through the University Registrar and University College. If your student is unsure when they are scheduled to register, they can verify their date and time in the Academics tab under the Registration Times section of My.IllinoisState.edu. Encourage your students to schedule an appointment with their academic advisor prior to their registration date to determine what courses they should take in the spring.
Homecoming 2021: 100 Years
Get ready for another Illinois State homecoming! This year, we will be celebrating from October 11–17. Whether you are a parent/guardian, an alum, or both, there are lots of events to get involved with outside of the big game on Saturday, October 16, against North Dakota State. The Homecoming website has a full schedule of events, or you can check out #RedbirdHomecoming on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram to follow along with the fun from afar.
Family Weekend 2022
We loved seeing so many families out enjoying time with their students here at Illinois State earlier this month. See if you can find yourself in photos from the Parent and Family Services tent! Even if you couldn’t attend this year, you can start planning ahead for next year’s dates: September 30–October 2.
Plan ahead to study abroad
Studying abroad helps broaden your students’ academic experience by experiencing life in another culture and traveling the world while earning academic credit. The Office of International Studies and Programs has made their First Steps resources virtual for fall 2021. Students can learn about the program offerings, how classes abroad transfer back to Illinois State, where to find scholarships, the timeline of the application process, and how to apply.
Commitment to campus safety
We understand that the number of safety concerns that have occurred this fall semester are unnerving. Please know that we hear your worries about student safety in recent weeks. We care about your student and their safety, and we are committed to ensuring a safe campus environment in which all members of our community can learn and thrive.
Our administration has been meeting with students to listen to their concerns and will continue meeting with student groups over the next few weeks. In addition, we want to share a few points about the steps we’re taking as a University to address student safety.
- At the request of our students, we are increasing our police presence on and around campus. We are also exploring whether additional security can be made available through further partnerships with our on-campus security force, Securitas. This service provides additional foot patrols for our campus community, buildings, and grounds.
- We remain in constant communication with our local government and law enforcement, as well as landlords of off-campus leasing properties to ensure that the safety of all students is a priority.
- When there is an imminent threat to the campus community, an ISU Emergency Alert will be issued. Crime Advisories are sent to inform the campus when a significant crime is reported to have occurred on or near campus and does not represent an immediate threat to campus safety.
- We widely promote Redbird Safe Walk, a 24/7 service where on-campus police, security personnel, or our student patrol volunteers will escort individuals on campus.
- For many years, the University Police Department (UPD) has offered self-defense classes and will continue to hold these classes this fall semester.
- There were over 900 downloads of the Safe Redbirds app in the month of September. We encourage you and your student to download this app from the App Store or Google Play to gain access to safety features such as Virtual Safe Walk, Friend Walk, Work Alone, and other emergency resources.
We promote these programs and services on social media and through additional outreach throughout the academic year. Thank you for entrusting us to care for your student. Rest assured that their safety has and always will be our number one priority.
COVID-19 compliance
Please remind your student that they are required to follow Illinois State University’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Failure to remain in compliance will lead to disciplinary sanctions through Student Conduct and Community Responsibilities. Sanctions may include probation, loss of housing exemptions, and/or suspension from the University. Students not in compliance with University COVID-19 health and safety protocols may have a registration block placed on their student account for the spring semester.
In order to be compliant with COVID-19 health and safety requirements, students must:
- Upload a COVID-19 vaccination record to their Student Health Portal as soon as possible, OR
- Upload proof of a positive COVID-19 test taken within 90 days of submitting results to the Student Health Portal (following the CDC advice for those who test positive to refrain from retesting for 90 days), OR
- Participate in weekly (every 7 days) on-campus, saliva-based, COVID-19 testing provided by SHIELD Illinois (Testing is required unless or until a student is fully vaccinated, defined as two weeks after receiving the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA, or two weeks after receiving a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed, or otherwise approved by the FDA).
On-campus COVID-19 testing is quick and convenient. In addition, there are many nearby locations for students to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Learn more about vaccines and testing by visiting the Coronavirus website.
Student account due dates
If you are enrolled in a payment plan, payments for fall 2021 are due to the Student Accounts Office on or before the following dates:
- Third installment: Friday, October 8
- Fourth installment: Friday, November 12
- Fifth installment: Friday, December 10
These dates are very important to remember—past due balances will place a hold on your student’s account, which can affect their course registration for future semesters. |
