In order to promote safety and security for our students and employees, a Public Safety Advisory is being issued regarding a change in circumstances on Coronavirus COVID-19 occurring on an IU campus.
Increase in cases at Greek houses
An alarming increase of positive COVID-19 tests within Greek, Evans Scholars and Christian Student Fellowship houses at IU Bloomington has been identified through IU’s mitigation testing efforts. Because these are cases of community transmission, all houses have been directed to suspend all in-person organizational activities (other than dining and housing for live-in members) until at least Sept. 14, 2020. No IU residence halls are included in these measures.
Eight Greek houses will be required to quarantine and are receiving notices from the Monroe County Health Department, along with a directive reinforcing this notice from the IUB Division of Student Affairs. There is a strong possibility other houses will be impacted this same way. A list of houses directed to quarantine can be found here. (page removed)
Dedicated effort to combat COVID-19
IU leadership has been working with fraternity and sorority chapters since the onset of COVID-19 given the special risk factors associated with this specific type of communal living. As residences not owned or operated by the university, housed Greek and student organizations were instructed to develop their own specific isolation and quarantine plans following guidance and recommendations from IU and the Monroe County Health Department. IU will continue to work with the Monroe County Health Department to support chapters during this time.
Positive COVID-19 cases were anticipated by IU administration. Plans and procedures have been put in place to mitigate COVID-19 on all IU campuses. IU continues to closely monitor the number of cases, conduct mitigation testing and contact tracing, alongside other prevention efforts.
While IU may continue to see additional cases identified in congregate housing locations, the risk of transmission will be greatly reduced by students and others in the IU community avoiding parties and gatherings.
What you can do
Follow these best practices to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:
- Avoid parties and large events.
- Wear a mask.
- Physical distance and avoid close contact with others. Close contact is spending 15 minutes or more within six feet of someone.
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds often with soap and water.
- Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Use single use tissue and dispose immediately.
- Do not share drinks, food or utensils.
- Get ample sleep and drink plenty of water.
- Clean and disinfect common touch surfaces frequently.
Additional information and guidance
IU maintains an informational banner on the main home page for the university as well as informational banners on the home pages of all IU campuses.
Visit fall2020.iu.edu for more information.
The Indiana State Department of Health has information specific to the coronavirus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides more information about Coronavirus COVID-19.