Illinois universities cancel spring break

The state’s flagship University of Illinois campus nixed the holiday this week, joining Northern, Southern and Western Illinois universities in revising its schedule amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus. File Photo.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announced revisions to its spring schedule this week, joining other state schools such as Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale and Western Illinois University.

Sun-Times file photo

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:

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.

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