CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- More local universities are shifting to remote education following the winter break to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
University of Illinois and Northwestern University are the latest to announce they’re shifting to remote for two weeks after the break.
According to the University of Chicago, the Chicago campus (UIC) will go online for two weeks, starting Jan. 10, with some exceptions; and the Champaign-Urbana campus will be online Jan. 18-23.
“With the omicron variant fueling a rapid rise in COVID-19 cases across Illinois and the nation, and a likely surge in the coming weeks based on the speed of transmissibility, holiday travel and gatherings, we decided to start the spring semester with two weeks of online instruction,” UIC officials said in an announcement issued Monday to faculty, staff and students.
In a letter to Chicago students, the university added, “We anticipate the two-week period of online instruction will allow students to get booster doses, settle in and navigate any health issues without the concern of missing the beginning of the semester."
Exceptions will be made for the health sciences colleges, labs, clinics, internships, and other classes that cannot be offered virtually.
Meanwhile, Northwestern University announced Monday classes and co-curricular activities will be held virtually for the first two weeks of Winter Quarter.
According to the Daily Northwestern, "Wildcat Wellness," a two-week quarantine period, will be implemented from Jan. 1-17. The period is mandatory for all undergraduate and graduate students living both on campus and off.
In an email to students, Northwestern administrators encouraged students to isolate following Winter Break and test regularly. All undergraduate and graduate students who intend to be on campus during the two-week quarantine period are required to take two in-person tests. There will be student testing sites on campus.
Additionally, the university said the positivity rate more than doubled last week to nearly 500 cases. As a result, Northwestern also announced a COVID-19 booster shot requirement for all students, faculty and staff by Jan. 30, 2022, or 30 days after becoming eligible for one.
DePaul is also switching to remote learning after winter break. An announcement was made earlier this month.
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