The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed Will County-area colleges to make significant changes to keep students safe as classes begin.

Joliet Junior College, the University of St. Francis in Joliet and Lewis University in Romeoville all have plans on how they will continue to offer classes that lay out what measures theyre taking.

All three institutions have said they are requiring the use of face coverings for those on campus, maintaining regular cleaning of facilities and encouraging physical distancing according to public health guidance.

Colleges nationwide have been trying to reduce the number of people coming to campus on a regular basis.

Christopher Sindt, provost at Lewis University, said about 70% of classes for the semester will be delivered online. Another 20% will be given in a hybrid format, with the remaining 10% delivered in person.

Sindt said university officials tried to take a flexible approach to meet the needs of all of Lewis 6,400 students.

Weve tried to really pay attention to what students and families were telling us, he said, adding that he feels Lewis is in a comfortable place with its balance of remote and in-person instruction.

JJC has only about 10% of its students on campus for in-person labs every week. The junior college announced early in the spring that it would go nearly fully remote learning this semester and recently said it would continue with the format for next spring.

Our students have faced unprecedented stress, frustration and fear, JJC President Judy Mitchell said in a news release. But they havent given up on their education, and neither have we.

The schools also have implemented measures to screen and track those on campus in the event of a positive test.

JJC is requiring all individuals entering a campus building to go through a hands-free thermal temperature station. Those with a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher will be required to leave and contact an appropriate college representative.

The college also is conducting its own contact tracing, said Judy Connelly, JJCs interim executive director of human resources. She said this does not replace the county health departments contact tracing program, which JJC also will be cooperating with, Connelly said.

JJC has been publicly reporting the number of positive COVID-19 cases among students and employees who have been on campus on its website. As of Thursday, JJC has reported nine positive cases among those who have been on campus since August.

Lewis University also is reporting the number of people whove been on campus and tested positive for COVID-19 on a weekly basis, which as of Aug. 28 stood at six.

The university said it is following contact tracing protocols as directed by the Will County Health Department. It also is using its LewisU smartphone app for students and staff to self-screen for symptoms daily before they come to campus.

This is a daily requirement for the 950 or so students who reside in on-campus housing. Anyone who tests positive is asked to contact the universitys COVID-19 hotline.

When on campus, students also use the app to check in via a QR code before they enter a classroom. This helps the university know who else might have been around someone who tests positive.

Sindt said he thinks students are very much engaged in complying with the safety protocols, a key to keeping the campus safe.

The most important part of our preparations is trying to communicate how important human behavior is, he said.

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Will County colleges try to manage pandemic as new year begins - The Herald-News