July 26, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
It’s hard to believe that the beginning of August is next week! As a reminder, all employees who have been working remotely during the pandemic are expected to return to fully on-campus operations beginning Monday, August 2. I am looking forward to seeing you all for coffee and treats in the University Grill on Monday, August 2 from 9:30am to 10:30am. It will be good to reconnect with everyone as we get ready to welcome students back in a few weeks.
Our high vaccination rates and low incidence of COVID-19 on campus allow us to change many of the health and safety precautions we had in place last academic year. Remember, once you are fully vaccinated, your risk of getting COVID-19 and passing it to others is low. While masks are not required for fully vaccinated individuals, you may choose to wear one if that is your personal preference. If you have not yet received your vaccine, our campus Health and Wellness Center now has the COVID-19 vaccine. You may call them at (574) 520-5557 to schedule an appointment.
COVID-19 testing will continue to be available on all campuses so we can spot and respond to any trends in cases quickly. Individuals who are fully vaccinated will not be required to participate in regular mitigation testing. Those who have received an approved vaccine exemption will be required to participate in regular testing and will be required to wear a mask. All individuals not vaccinated are required to and quarantine if identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, and all members of the campus community are required to and stay home when showing any signs of COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vacation status, is also required to and isolate. will also continue to be available each week for members of the IU South Bend community.
To help everyone have a smooth return to campus, here are a few technology tips to help with your transition.
Allow time for updates
Computers powered off during the pandemic may need significant time to complete upgrades and some programs, such as Zoom, may not be able to connect until they’re upgraded to a recent version.
Remember to bring back your equipment
Remember to bring back from home any computer equipment you’ll need such as your mouse, keyboard, and headset. Also, be sure any equipment left on campus is fully charged and connected. Please note docking stations may need to be reconnected to reset them.
Learn how to access Zoom and Teams in conference rooms
Microsoft Teams and Zoom meetings are available from most conference room systems. You can learn more at and .
I know this has been a challenging time with so many ups and downs, gains as well as losses, and unexpected changes to work and personal lives. While we are not out of the woods with this pandemic, we can see the light streaming in through the trees thanks to the vaccine and our diligence with safety protocols and testing. Your continued resilience and commitment to doing your part in support of our students, our campus mission, and to each other is much appreciated. In the meantime, I hope you are taking time this summer to recharge and rejuvenate! We have an exciting year ahead.