The University will no longer require off-campus graduate students to test for COVID-19, with the exception of those living in University Housing. Graduate students residing in Orchard Downs, Ashton Woods and Goodwin-Green must continue to test.

Before this announcement, graduate students voiced concern over lack of information about testing guidelines. Unclear policies led students such as Ivor Chen to receive harsh disciplinary action, including dismissal from the University.

While off-campus graduate students are no longer required to test, graduate college dean Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko encourages those students to continue regular testing. 

“We believe that regular testing is good for our community, and we encourage you to take advantage of it and to follow (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), (Illinois Department of Public Health) and (Champaign-Urbana Public Health District) recommendations regarding safe practices during the pandemic,” said Chodzko-Zajko in a Massmail on March 10. 

The Massmail said that while the testing requirements have lessened at this time, they are still subject to change. The University said they will continue to supply information and updates to graduate students through Massmails and in GradLINKS.

On-campus graduate students or graduate students coming to campus for any reason are still required to test biweekly.  

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