Dear GET Community, During this challenging time, as we are all affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Global Education and Training (GET) extends our best wishes to our friends around the world. GET’s programs involve, at their core, creating opportunities for international professionals and students to come together at the University of Illinois for shared learning experiences. Confirmation of future programs will be on hold until public officials and health authorities affirm that it is safe to resume activities as usual. We will pledge our best efforts to provide high-quality academic content through online delivery formats for ongoing programs, while continuing to build towards successful programs for international participants in the future. Our office will contribute to safeguarding public health and mitigating risks to students, instructors, professional colleagues, and the broader community at Illinois by implementing social distancing practices. Temporary Measures for GET Operations and Office Practices Following guidance from U.S. federal and state agencies and from University of Illinois leadership, GET is implementing social distancing to help reduce the spread of the virus: - Effective Tuesday, March 17, the GET office in Research Park will be closed to foot traffic until further notice.
- GET staff members will work remotely from authorized locations and will be available during normal business hours via email, telephone and/or other communications tools.
- We will maintain business operations and conduct meetings by telephone and online.
Although we will not be in the GET office, we will be accessible and responsive to our community. Current Programs GET currently has several programs running at Illinois during the spring semester. Our first priority is to help ensure the safety and health of the participating students. - We are sharing resources on COVID-19, communicating updates from the University to the students, and encouraging program participants to observe social distancing.
- We are also checking in regularly to ensure their wellness. These students are welcome to reach out to GET staff at any time with concerns or questions.
- GET is also communicating regularly with contacts at the international partner organizations with which these students are affiliated, to ensure careful coordination regarding their safety.
Our second priority with current programs is to provide instructional continuity. We are closely following and adhering to University guidance on instruction: - Effective March 23 and through the remainder of the spring semester, academic courses through GET programs will no longer be delivered in person, and instead will be provided through online platforms.
- Individual instructors will be communicating to participants about procedures specific to their courses under this online format.
- GET program coordination staff are available to support this transition and facilitate communication with partners and students as needed.
Future Programs and Programs in Development We have not canceled GET’s summer or fall programs, and we continue to plan and develop future programs. As long as COVID-19 impacts the world, GET’s international mobility programs will be affected significantly. Informed by government and University guidance regarding public health, travel and academic mobility, we will periodically re-assess the situation to determine whether we need to cancel or postpone any programs. Our next assessment will occur on or before April 15, and we will communicate a status update at that time about the outlook for GET’s summer programs. Safety and health will be paramount in our assessments. If any guidance from federal, state or University officials mandates a shift in our timeline for decisions, we will respectfully comply and communicate out those changes. We will also be sensitive to the needs and interests of our partners and students in this decision-making. We are receptive to input regarding the feasibility of continued development of summer and fall programs in light of the circumstances. GET reserves the right, and responsibility, to cancel or postpone any summer or fall program on, before, or after April 15 in the interest of public health and safety. Resources For more information on the latest updates on the COVID-19 situation in the United States and Illinois, please see: We appreciate the patience and support of our students and partners during this transition. If you have questions, please contact us at GlobalEd-Training@illinois.edu. With kindest regards, Dr. Matt Rosenstein, GET Director |