Archive of Latest Developments

DEERFIELD CAMPUS FALL CLASS PLANS (JUNE 30, 2020)
Faculty, staff, and administration are planning for face-to-face classes on the Deerfield campus in the fall semester, as outlined below by school. The university will follow social distancing and other guidelines from the CDC and local health authorities. Members of the campus community will be required to wear masks and classroom capacity will be significantly reduced.

Because of the increased risk for exposure brought about by travel, the Deerfield campus will modify the fall calendar as follows:

We will not take the planned fall break, October 15-16. Classes will continue straight through Tuesday, November 24, taking only the September 7 Labor Day holiday.
On or before Monday, October 19, Trinity will inform the community about the return to campus after Thanksgiving break. Please do not make Thanksgiving or end of semester travel plans until October 19 or later.
Thanksgiving break will be Wednesday, November 25 through Monday, November 30, as currently scheduled.
If conditions permit, we will return to classes in Deerfield on Tuesday, December 1, to complete the semester. However, if conditions are such that we conclude the back and forth travel of the break risks health and safety, we will conclude the semester remotely, with classes resuming, remotely, on Tuesday, December 1. Classes, whether in person or remote, will continue through Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
Thursday and Friday, December 10 – 11, will be reading/study days, in preparation for final exams. (These days substitute for the fall break in faculty schedules.)
Final exams will be Monday through Thursday, December 14 – 17. If the campus is open, students will be expected to remain on campus to sit their final exams; travel is not an acceptable excuse for a final exam change.

Even as we plan, Lord willing, for face-to-face classes, we are also anticipating possible contingencies given the uncertainties related to the virus, and are prepared to shift to remote or fully online instruction (for courses developed as online courses) should there be an outbreak of COVID-19 on our campus or if there is a directive from a governmental or health authority. Trinity is committed to doing everything we can to keep students moving forward towards their academic goals while remaining as safe and healthy as possible.

Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

At present, TEDS plans to offer face-to-face and synchronous classes in the fall semester, following social distancing and other guidelines from the CDC and local health authorities. Synchronous-only classes will also be offered as needed. Faculty may opt to teach synchronously rather than in person. One-way traffic patterns to alleviate crowding on the stairs and hallways during the passing periods between classes may be implemented. Faculty and students who are ill, in self-isolation because of possible exposure to the coronavirus, or who are simply not ready to return to face-to-face classes will be able to continue their teaching/learning synchronously.

Trinity Graduate School

The programs of Trinity Graduate School are already delivered using various modalities, and this flexibility serves students well in the present circumstances. Fully online programs or those with extensive online options, such as the Master of Education and the Master of Arts in Bioethics, will continue to offer online classes. The Master of Leadership program employs video conferencing technology to connect students at the Deerfield campus and additional locations. In person classes at the locations will continue with social distancing and according to local government and health regulations. Due to the hands-on nature of athletic training, classes will meet in person with social distancing and other measures. Please consult the information about Trinity Florida for information regarding the Florida-based Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling.

An update from the Covid-19 task force

During the last week of May the COVID-19 task force met to begin preparations for the return of students, faculty, and staff to our Deerfield campus. During this time, the task force identified the core processes that will be required to ensure that our core function mitigates the risk of infection. To address this in a comprehensive way, the task force will carefully examine the teaching and learning environment, residential and campus life, athletics, facilities, and policy, as well as the budget for the responses. Communication to all stakeholders is an important part of the process and, over the next few weeks, the task force will provide information and guidance to the Trinity community regarding preparations for the fall semester.

These include:

Protection and Prevention: This includes enhanced cleaning protocols, use of face masks and personal hygiene, proactive health monitoring, protecting the vulnerable, and ongoing communication.
Social Distancing: This includes distancing students in the classrooms, residence halls, dining halls, and common spaces. Trinity will also provide alternate modes of education for remote learners.
Response to active cases: The team will identify protocols for response to active cases such as safe housing, contact tracing, and continuity of education for those who must isolate due to potential exposure.
Response to an outbreak and/or government mandate: The team will plan for the possibility of temporarily closing the campus in response to an outbreak or government mandate.
Policy and Guidelines: Trinity will establish an appropriate policy to address criteria for working remotely (vs. on campus), health and hygiene practices, health reporting, social distancing, travel restrictions, and restrictions for meetings and events.

Task Force Members:
Dr. H. Wayne Johnson (Chair), Provost
Dr. Graham Cole, Dean of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Dr. Karen Wrobbel, Dean of Trinity College and Trinity Graduate School
Amanda Onapito, Dean of Students
Heather Logue, Associate Dean of Students and Athletic Director
Julie Wong, Associate Vice President for Facility and Event Services
Steve Geggie, Chief Information Officer

A Message from President Nicholas Perrin, May 6, 2020

Dear Trinity Community, Congratulations to all of you for your perseverance and flexibility, as we complete a most unusual exam week and academic year! I pray that you felt the Lord’s blessing and found joy in the midst of the trials over the last few months. I give thanks for your remarkable dedication and the Lord’s sustaining grace through this difficult time. COVID-19 has demanded that all colleges and universities challenge their educational and business models, and Trinity is no different. As we conclude the two-week strategic planning process and Call to Prayer, I thank you for your active participation! We have clearly felt the Lord’s leading, but realize that he doesn’t always provide all the details at once. I am excited to share the journey we have undertaken—becoming a university living in the realities of a world in exile. Please watch the video update below to learn more about what this reality means for Trinity. Of course, there remains further conversations and planning to be done. Please continue to pray for wisdom, courage, and humility as we seek the Lord! Watch for regular video updates, which will be emailed to you throughout the summer. Also, the online FAQ’s have been recently updated in response to questions I am receiving from students and the Trinity Community. May you have a blessed summer. We look forward to seeing you on campus in the fall! In Christ, Nick

Previous Updates

Classes will continue remotely through the end of the term

MARCH 23, 2020—Thank you for your patience during these past three weeks as we have been unfolding our progressive plan in response to the ever-evolving COVID-19 health crisis.

Our top priority at Trinity International University remains the health and welfare of our students, faculty and staff, and next comes our educational mission. Starting last Monday, March 16, we shifted to a distance-learning model. While this change in educational delivery hasn’t been without its challenges; we are grateful that students, professors and staff have shown the flexibility, grace and patience we need in order to do this well.

In the interest of the health and safety of our community, Trinity (Deerfield) will not be resuming on-campus classes and programs on April 6, 2020, as we had hoped. Instead, effective immediately, all classes for the spring semester will continue to be delivered remotely through the end of the term. Meanwhile, Commencement will be postponed until a feasible day, still to be determined. We have made this decision in consultation with TIU’s Board of Regents, Trinity’s University Leadership Team, and other leaders from across the University.

Campus closed for classes

MARCH 13, 2020—This week has brought a wave of rapid changes revolving around the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis, not least the WHO’s recent upgrade from ‘outbreak’ to ‘pandemic’. Just yesterday Illinois Governor Pritzker recommended banning large (> 250) gatherings. As this update is being written, it comes simultaneously with a national address from President Trump focused on the COVID-19 crisis. We have accelerated our decision-making process accordingly.

Effective Monday, March 16, and through Friday, April 3, all face-to-face teaching will be suspended and we will be moving to remote instruction for TCGS and TEDS. During this period, we strongly recommend that any students who can relocate off campus to do so; for those students who cannot (and we recognize that there are number in this category), we can make accommodations.

Large gatherings limited on campus

MARCH 12, 2020—In consultation with the University Leadership Team, Trinity decided to significantly limit large gatherings on our campus as another preventative measure in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. This decision is effective immediately.

We have made the difficult decision to suspend indefinitely regular chapel services for the TEDS/TGS community and the Trinity College community. Trinity College students will not be penalized for any lost chapel credits in light of this suspension of services. When a more comprehensive determination is made about how classroom instruction and campus services will be affected, we will notify students about how chapel credit will be affected. At this point, Life Together Groups for college students and TEDS Formation Groups will continue to meet as scheduled.

MARCH 11, 2020—In recent weeks, each passing day has greeted us with a new wave of updates relating to the COVID-19 outbreak. All the while, we have been carefully monitoring the situation and responding with specific measures. Throughout the evaluation process, our goal has been to develop a carefully laid plan for our campus that will be sensitive to the many different dynamics impinging on you, our students at TEDS and Trinity College and Graduate School. Be assured: the health and wellbeing of our student body and indeed of our whole Trinity community remain our top priority.

On Tuesday, March 17 at 5PM CST, we will be providing further information regarding our plans for completing the semester at TEDS and TCGS. The same communication will touch on actions and activities that accompany these plans, including athletics events, conferences, and Commencement. At that time, we will explain what you might expect in order that you might plan accordingly. Stay tuned!

March 23, 2020—Thank you for your patience during these past three weeks as we have been unfolding our progressive plan in response to the ever-evolving COVID-19 health crisis. Our top priority at Trinity International University remains the health and welfare of our students, faculty and staff, and next comes our educational mission. Starting last Monday, March 16, we shifted to a distance-learning model. While this change in educational delivery hasn’t been without its challenges; we are grateful that students, professors and staff have shown the flexibility, grace and patience we need in order to do this well. In the interest of the health and safety of our community, Trinity (Deerfield) will not be resuming on-campus classes and programs on April 6, 2020, as we had hoped. Instead, effective immediately, all classes for the spring semester will continue to be delivered remotely through the end of the term. Meanwhile, Commencement will be postponed until a feasible day, still to be determined. We have made this decision in consultation with TIU’s Board of Regents, Trinity’s University Leadership Team, and other leaders from across the University. As we prepare to implement this policy decision, our desire is to comply with directives issuing from federal, state, and local authorities. This past Friday (March 20) afternoon, Governor Pritzker announced an Executive Order requiring all Illinoisans to stay in their homes to prevent the further spread of COVID-19; this order officially took effect on Saturday, March 21, at 5 pm Central Standard Time. Though educational institutions like Trinity technically enjoy some exemptions from this shelter-in-place order (per Section 1.12.j), we intend to comply with the spirit of the order as much as humanly possible—and invite the Trinity community to do the same. Effective immediately, the following policies are now in effect: Campus building access: Building access will be limited in accordance with public health guidelines during this time. Gathering your belongings: Beginning May 1 and ending May 15, 2020, after walking through the checkout process, students may come back to campus to pack up their belongings, place items in storage as needed, and move out. Please see more information below regarding credits and refunds. Follow the checkout procedures delineated HERE. Credits and refunds: Resident undergraduates who have already relocated must follow the checkout process in order to be eligible for an adjustment to their student account for prorated room and board charges. Adjustments will be made in conjunction with applicable financial aid. It is anticipated that adjustments will be posted to a student’s account by April 24, 2020. If the adjustment results in a credit balance, there are three options from which students may elect:

Students and/or their parents may choose to apply the credit to a future bill (for example, summer courses or fall 2020 tuition and fees). No action required.
Students and/or their parents may choose to donate the credit to Trinity, as a gift to help shore up operational losses as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Students and/or their parents may choose (as of May 1, 2020) a refund check if the total student account has a credit balance after debit adjustments.

Undergraduates who need to remain on campus for the remainder of the semester and have notified Student Life may do so under the normal billing plans. Please send questions concerning student account adjustments to [email protected]. Residential Graduate Students: Many graduate students occupy the campus apartments and graduate dorms as a permanent residence, and Trinity will continue to honor those lease agreements through the term of the lease. Services outlined in those lease agreements will continue to be available to residents. Graduate students with unusual circumstances are encouraged to contact Campus Housing and Facilities ([email protected] or Julie Wong at 847.317.7134). Commencement: As mentioned above, commencement will be postponed from the current date and rescheduled. This is a very important event for the Trinity family and we will be in touch with May graduates as we monitor the health crisis. Please continue to go to our Coronavirus Campus Updates page for updates and details, as well as our FAQ page. General concerns or questions may be directed to [email protected]; otherwise, see our Contacts page to ensure your questions goes to the best office. As always, join us in prayer for God’s wisdom and mercy in this challenging time, and be on the lookout for opportunities to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). God’s peace to you and yours, COVID-19 Response Task Force

March 13, 2020—This week has brought a wave of rapid changes revolving around the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis, not least the WHO’s recent upgrade from ‘outbreak’ to ‘pandemic’. Just yesterday Illinois Governor Pritzker recommended banning large (> 250) gatherings. As this update is being written, it comes simultaneously with a national address from President Trump focused on the COVID-19 crisis. We have accelerated our decision-making process accordingly.

Next week (March 16–20) will be constituted as a Reading Week; the following two weeks (March 23–April 3) will consist of distance-learning between students and professors, delivered through various means. At this point, we are expecting students to return to their residences and return to face-to-face format by the morning of April 6. This temporary shift to remote instruction will not change most of the academic calendar. Easter Break stretches from April 9–14, but in this new schedule April 9, 13, and 14 would no longer be days off from school. Good Friday (April 10), however, will still remain a day where classes are off. Final exams, the start and end dates for the semester, and Commencement will remain the same.

Each grouping within our Trinity Community—students, faculty and staff—have specific needs requiring detailed messages. Please check your email regularly concerning specific, individual protocols with detailed information. Our website will also continue to post general, campus-wide updates.

All offices will remain open, and staff will report to work as scheduled. While students are absent, TIU will be taking additional measures to clean and sanitize all public spaces and areas.

As of today, there’s been only one confirmed COVID-19 case in Lake County (population approximately 740,000). Our campus remains safe and clear. Though the traditional student demographic retains the lowest risk, we desire not just to protect our own students but also to reduce the risk to the most vulnerable within our community and around us.

This will be a trying time for our community, not without its uncertainties and stressors. While we will be doing everything that is within our power to reduce these, our hope remains in the Lord. I ask that you pray for the Trinity Community, the greater Chicagoland area, and the world—for protection and that Jesus Christ might be glorified even through this crisis.

In Christ,

Nick Perrin
President
Trinity International University

March 11, 2020—In recent weeks, each passing day has greeted us with a new wave of updates relating to the COVID-19 outbreak. All the while, we have been carefully monitoring the situation and responding with specific measures. Throughout the evaluation process, our goal has been to develop a carefully laid plan for our campus that will be sensitive to the many different dynamics impinging on you, our students at TEDS and Trinity College and Graduate School. Be assured: the health and wellbeing of our student body and indeed of our whole Trinity community remain our top priority.

Meanwhile, I want to remind you to continue to “love your neighbor” on campus by engaging in the standard preventive practices:

Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects such as your laptops and phone.
Covering your cough and/or sneeze with a tissue or your arm.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Staying home or in your room if you are unwell, except to get medical care (please use the form we’ve set up to self-report sickness or report absences resulting from illness).

Finally, pray for our loved ones around the world that have been impacted by COVID-19. Pray that God would continue to protect us.

Thank you ahead of time for these prayers. Thank you, too, for your continued spirit of unity in meeting this challenge.

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