Illinois universities cancel spring break

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announced this week it will cancel spring break while delaying the start of the spring semester next year due to COVID-19.

“Health and safety remain our top priority,” said UIUC Chancellor Robert J. Jones in a release. “We believe these precautions are necessary to maximize the safety of our entire community.”

The release stated that while classes will begin a week later, students who will attend in-person classes are required to return early for on-campus COVID testing. Students cannot use campus facilities until they receive two negative tests at least three days apart.

The university will also add three break days, one in February, March and April.

UIUC joins other state schools such as Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Western Illinois University, in revising its schedule:

• Northern Illinois University: Spring semester will end one week earlier with no spring break.
• Southern Illinois University Carbondale: Spring semester delayed one week with no spring break, but school hopes to provide additional days off for students.
• Western Illinois University: Spring semester ends one week earlier and there will be no spring break.

UIUC also follows the lead other public universities around the country have set surrounding their spring terms, including some of the largest.

Texas A&M announced earlier this month it would be reducing its spring break from a week to one day. In September, Ohio State University cancelled its spring break while adding two break days.

Within the University of Illinois system, University of Illinois at Chicago has not made changes to their spring schedule, said Sherri McGinnis Gonzalez, senior director of public affairs.

A spokesperson at University of Illinois at Springfield said that its campus senate meets on Friday, and there should be an announcement on the school’s spring schedule soon.