Alpha Delta Pi - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

SIGMA STAR Fall 2020 sigmaofadpi.com The Illini COVID-19 Response The University of Illinois has always been a popular Big Ten school, but it has never been more publicized than it is now. From August 15 to the end of September, all eyes were on us. Illinois is the only large university with a semi-established infrastructure for the global pandemic, with its proprietary rapid test, 20 testing stations, and unlimited, free COVID-19 testing available for all students. I've received more questions about my university in the past month than I have in my three previous years of study. Here's how my week goes: I visited a testing center Monday morning, and I will most likely have my results eight hours later. My test results are emailed to me and also monitored in the Safer Illinois app. The app has a boarding pass that is valid for four days if I receive a negative test, and it employs various methods of ensuring that it's a real boarding pass so that it's very difficult to fake a boarding pass. All Illinois buildings require a recent negative test, as well as some establishments in the community. If I want to get a burger on Green Street, there's a good chance the restaurant will ask to see my COVID-19 status. Because of the availability of easy, quick testing on campus, it's not uncommon for a friend to ask to see your status before visiting for a meal or study session. The Safer Illinois app also tracks your location — if I go to class and a student in my class tests positive the next day, the app will recognize that I may have been exposed. If I suspect I have been exposed, I can get tested as often as I want. Regardless of exposure, when Thursday comes around, I'll have to stop by a tent on my way around campus. It takes five minutes and gives everyone peace of mind. I've been highly impressed by the way the university has handled this situation. One of the most nerve-wracking things this summer was the big question: How will we send students back to school? In an environment that relies so heavily on social interactions, both in and outside of the classroom, how will we make sure that in- person classes and gatherings are safe? College kids can be irresponsible — how will everyone else remain safe? How will student organizations like Alpha Delta Pi continue to hold events? Many of my friends have been sent home from other universities due to outbreaks or risks. Illinois did have a spike in cases in early September; we were encouraged to stay inside to reduce this spike, and told two weeks later that we were successful; a shocking feat for a community full of antsy college students. Testing sites have increased their hours, contact tracing has improved accuracy, and the Safer Illinois app has been modified to thwart false passes. Our positivity rates have significantly decreased. I have not heard of any other school with such a developed infrastructure to handle this crisis. My senior year looks a lot different than I planned. I have spent more hours in my apartment than I ever thought possible, and I am slowly learning to cook more than just quesadillas. While the next semester, year, and decade are huge question marks, there is one thing I know for sure: I have never been prouder to be an Illini. L&V, Janie Huber '17 Director of Alumnae Engagement, Archivist How has the house changed this year for COVID-19 accommodations? BATHROOM We added plexiglass sheets in between the sinks and are providing lots of cleaning supplies. DINING ROOM We capped dining capacity at 26 and removed extra chairs. The women have really stepped up to maintain a sanitary environment with weekend cleaning jobs and cleaning up after themselves before exiting a room. PATIO We gave the patio a facelift with the new colorful seat cushions and the new patterned umbrellas. BEDROOMS This image shows one of the open-air dorms that was converted into a very spacious quad. SHORT-TERM ISOLATION Since there are no in-person chapter meetings, the chapter room has been converted into a short-term isolation area for women heading home after testing positive or getting an exposure notification. There are four beds, a TV, and desk, with a bathroom reserved for these cases.

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