Trinity International University

Frequently Asked Questions

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Find answers to your most pressing concerns regarding the current COVID-19 virus outbreak and its impact on campus life. Check back often as this page is frequently updated as new information becomes available.

Health

What is Trinity doing to be COVID-19 safe in preparation for returning students, staff and faculty for the 2020–2021 academic year? We are committed to creating COVID-19 safe campuses for this fall. We are carefully monitoring regulations and recommendations as we prepare for your arrival this fall. Please check back here for details as they develop. Trinity is also planning for social-distancing measures:
  • All TEDS coursework will be offered in two formats in Fall 2020: face-to-face and synchronously online.
  • The College is preparing to offer remote and fully online coursework, if deemed necessary.
Last updated 05/05/2020 Are there confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Illinois or Trinity International University? There has been one confirmed case related to Trinity’s Deerfield campus. The non-residential graduate student did not contract the virus from anyone within the Trinity community, and did not present with symptoms until March 21. The last time the student was on campus and came into contact with others was on March 12. Last updated 03/23/2020 I’m sick. How do I know if it is COVID-19? If you are a student and are experiencing a high fever (above 100.4° F or 38° C), cough and difficulty breathing, please seek medical attention. These symptoms overlap with several other common illnesses, including influenza. If you are experiencing these symptoms, your health care provider will ask about recent travel or possible exposure to other people who are known to have the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19).  Please notify us of your positive diagnosis by emailing [email protected] . Last updated 03/18/2020 The Lake County Health Department recommends the following: What to do if you are sick—Call your doctor: If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as cough or difficulty breathing, stay home and call your healthcare provider to be assessed. DO NOT walk into a healthcare facility, urgent care clinic, or hospital before calling. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor first. If your doctor believes that you need to be tested for COVID-19, your doctor should call the Lake County Health Department Communicable Disease Program to arrange for you to be assessed. Who to contact if you have general questions—Please call the Illinois COVID-19 hotline via phone 1.800.889.3931 or email [email protected].  Last updated 03/17/2020 What should I do if I have recently traveled to a “Level 3” country or a U.S. state with a travel advisory? All travel, even travel to another state, can increase your risk of exposure to COVID-19. If you must travel, practice the 3 Ws:
  • Wear a face covering.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
  • Watch your physical distance, staying at least 6 feet from others.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Illinois Department of Public Health recommend that any employee, student, or other community member who has traveled to a Level 3 country (which now includes almost every country the world over) where there is widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19, should self-isolate for 14 days upon returning. Trinity upholds the CDC guidance in recommending but not requiring self-quarantine for 14 days. Upon returning to the Trinity community, closely monitor your health for 14 days. Symptoms to monitor include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea. When you return, please contact Health Services at [email protected] or 847.317.6698 to determine if any other action is necessary. Last updated 10/02/2020 Will Counseling Services continue at Trinity? At this time, Counseling Services is no longer accepting new clients.  Please contact the office coordinator at [email protected] for referrals to providers in the area. The Counseling Center is currently in touch with all enrolled clients to communicate further service options during this time of remote learning. Last updated 03/18/2020

International Student Support and Travel

I plan to return to my home country. I am in the process of applying for OPT or course extension. How can I obtain signature for travel endorsement or related documents?
ISSO staff now works remotely. Facilities department is temporarily serving as the physical location for ISSO to collect and distribute confidential documents between ISSO and international students. Students are to place their I-20 or documents in an envelope (attn: ISSO, Minhee Jyun) and bring it to Facilities during their office hours (M-F, 8:30am–4pm). Facilities is the small white building located next to the Mansion. If any questions, please contact Minhee at: [email protected]

 

Can I maintain my visa status if all my classes are changed to online?
Yes, you are able to maintain your F or J visa as long as you continue to participate in online courses as full-time, make normal progress, and get final grades this semester, Spring 2020, given the global pandemic. It includes students who are staying in the US and those who have returned to their home country.

 

I heard that my I-20 will be terminated if I am out of the U.S. longer than 5 months. I am afraid that I cannot come back to Trinity.
Under current COVID-19 conditions, F and J students are allowed to maintain their visa status, if they continue to take and complete all the online courses they registered for Spring 2020 semester, given the global pandemic.. Therefore, as long as your visa status is maintained, the validity of your I-20 will not be affected by the five-month rule.

 

I am experiencing mild symptoms for COVID-19 and do not have medical insurance. Which medical clinic can I visit?
You can visit Creekside Health Center at 300 McHenry Road in Wheeling. They can be reached at 847.608.1344. They offer discounts to international students with proof of limited finances. If you need a letter of proof, please contact Marianne To at [email protected]

For other questions or concerns related to international travel or visa, please contact Minhee Jyun at: [email protected] For all other questions or concerns related to the support of international student community, please contact Marianne To, [email protected]

Last updated 03/27/2020

Academics

When do classes begin this fall?

Trinity plans to welcome returning and matriculating students (back) to their physical classrooms on August 26. Please visit the respective schools for details.

Last updated 05/05/2020

What are Trinity online class offerings this fall?

  • Trinity’s online opportunities continue to offer various programs for students.
  • TEDS offers two fully online degree programs: MA Theological Studies and MA in Educational Ministries.
  • First year MDiv at TEDS will now available online for Fall 2020 and on-going (more information coming soon).
  • All TEDS coursework will be offered in two formats in Fall 2020: face-to-face and synchronously online.
  • The College is preparing to offer remote and fully online coursework, if deemed necessary.

Last updated 05/05/2020

How will classes be delivered instead of traditional classroom instruction?
Trinity provides many tools and technologies that will support this adjustment in teaching delivery mode. Each faculty member will be responsible for determining how to best craft their materials to ensure student success.  Academic and Institutional Technology staff will be working alongside faculty during this transition period. Faculty will contact their students with additional information about how to proceed with virtual class sessions and course assignments.

Last updated 04/13/2020

What technology will a student need to effectively participate in remote learning?
Students should be prepared to access their course materials with a basic computer or mobile device with internet connectivity, speakers and microphone or a headset with a microphone. Some faculty may require a web camera. Faculty will inform students of the specific technology requirements throughout the entire distance-learning process.

Last updated 3/16/2020

What if I don’t have the technological support or equipment at home to participate in remote teaching?
Students should contact their professors to make arrangements.

Last updated  03/16/2020

What learning support can I find during this time?
Thrive Center tutors are available for online/virtual tutoring. Students should email the tutors as usual and arrange a time and virtual method for the tutoring. (See instructions/contact info on myTIU.)

Last updated 04/13/2020

What if I need something from Rolfing Library?
Wherever you are, you have access to Rolfing’s electronic resources. (Check http://library.www.tiu.edu/COVID-19 for the latest updates.)

If you need to access materials not directly available online, send us a WorldShare request.

  • Never used WorldShare before? Click here for step-by-step instructions.
  • For your ease and safety, we will send you PDF scans of resources rather than lending you physical items.
  • Bear in mind that our staffing is limited during this time. Please only request items you specifically need to complete your current projects.
  • If you need a resource from another library, please request a scan of a book section, chapter, or article. Full books cannot be obtained from other libraries at this time.
  • We’ll process your requests as quickly as we can. Thanks for your patience!
  • Contact [email protected] with any questions or concerns.
  •  

Need Research Help?
Library staff  are available for research assistance between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

  • Chat with us using the interface available at the bottom right corner of every library webpage.
  • Call us at 847.317.4013.
  • For any other questions or concerns, or to set up an appointment time for a video-chat conversation, email [email protected].
  • To contact a staff member directly, use the information on our Library Staff Page.
  •  

Last updated 03/20/2020

Room and Board

Can graduate students remain on campus?
All students and student families living in leased apartments, including Carlson and Owens graduate housing, may continue to reside in their unit throughout the term of the lease. Residents with questions or concerns please email [email protected].

Last updated 03/25/2020

 

What services will be available to students who remain on campus or live locally?
We anticipate that the campus will generally be very quiet during this time, as we must practice social distancing and avoid group gatherings, per the CDC’s guidelines. All students, including those who remain on campus or live locally, will only be allowed to attend classes remotely, through the use of technology. We are making plans to provide housing, dining from FRESH Cafe, student care services as well as other services offered by Student Life in a way that is safe and limits further spread of the virus.

    • The Waybright Center’s west entrance will be open from 9:00 am–1:00 pm for access to the Campus Post Office only. The remainder of Waybright is closed.
    • Facility Services will be working normal business hours and caring for Work Orders.

Last updated  03/25/2020

Athletics

Will there be any athletic competitions or practices for the remainder of the semester?
All competitions, scrimmages, and practices are canceled for the remainder of the semester.

Last updated 03/20/2020

 

Will I lose a year of eligibility if I’m a spring sport athlete?
All spring sport athletes registered in the spring 2020 semester will not be charged a season of competition for the 2019–2020 academic year and will be allowed two extra semesters of attendance.

The NAIA has released the following FAQs to address these issues in greater detail.

Last Updated 4/09/20

Billing/Refunds

How can I pay my remaining bill or apartment rent if I am not able to make it on campus?
Payments can always be mailed to campus. Also, we have temporarily waived the convenience fee on the online payment form. Facility Services will accept rent and tuition payments due to the ATO building being closed at this time.

Last updated 03/25/2020

 

Will Trinity offer an adjustment for room and board for this semester?
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 (based on the date that they moved off campus). 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 two options from which students may elect:

    1.  Students and/or their parents may choose to apply the credit to a Summer Course (Link to Authorization).
    2.  Students and/or their parents may receive a refund check if the total student account has a credit balance after adjustments. (Check Request and update mailing address forms). We expect checks for eligible students to be mailed within 14 days of student account adjustment.

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].

Last updated 04/02/2020

 

What happens to Payment Plans?
Payment plans will continue for those who have already enrolled and will recalculate by the April 15 payment based on any adjustment to the balance outstanding.

Last updated 03/20/2020

 

Will Trinity offer a refund for this semester’s tuition?
As courses are continuing for all programs there should not be a need for tuition or course fees refunds.

Last updated 03/25/2020

 

How will this affect my Federal Work Study?
The CARES Act allows for institutions of Higher Education to transfer any unexpended Federal Work Study funds to its FSEOG allotment (CARES Act Section 3503).

Trinity will take advantage of this provision in order to assist undergraduate and graduate students with unmet financial need. Financial Aid and Enrollment Services will be working together to ensure Trinity students are able to benefit from these provisions.

For Supervisors:
Effective April 9, 2020, supervisors should notify students of the changes to the Work Study program and should not approve any additional hours for work-study students. Work Study students are now eligible for expanded funding under FSEOG program up to the amount of available funds.

Last updated 04/09/2020

Future Programming, Commencement & Events

Will Commencement still be held?
Yes. The following dates for Commencement are as follows:

  • Undergraduate-Deerfield: Saturday, September 26 at 10 a.m.
  • Trinity Florida: Saturday, August 29 at noon
  • Trinity Graduate School: Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m.
  • TEDS: Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m.
  • Trinity Law School: TBD

Last updated 05/05/2020

 

Are campus internal and public events (lectures, concerts, etc.) cancelled?
All internal and public university events have been cancelled for the remainder of the summer through August. The first event that will be held on campus would be the welcoming of our returning RA’s and athletes in mid-August.

Trinity took into account a number of things when we made this decision such as what stages of reopening other states were exercising, the need to focus on preparing for the return of students, and all that will be involved in having our buildings and housing ready for the new guidelines of keeping our students, staff and faculty as safe as possible.

Last updated 05/05/2020

 

Is Camp Timber-lee still offering camp this summer?
Please refer to Timber-lee’s COVID-19 updates page for details.

Last updated 05/05/2020

Graduate & Undergraduate Admissions

Can I visit the Trinity campus?
At this point, we believe on-campus visits are risky and inefficient with the closure of most buildings on campus. Further, the CDC recommends that older adults and people of any age with serious chronic medical conditions should consider postponing nonessential travel. While we recognize there are varied opinions on the extent to which our daily lives need readjusting, Trinity takes the health and wellbeing of its community (and beyond) very seriously. To that end, Admissions is discouraging and cancelling on-campus visits. We are encouraging students to take advantage of a newly created way to visit campus remotely (see next question below).

Last updated 03/18/20

 

Can I schedule a virtual visit with Admissions? How?
All prospective students will have an opportunity to schedule a virtual personalized visit that will include a voice-to-voice or face-to-face (via Zoom or similar program) conversation with an admissions counselor, faculty member in their area of choosing, and co-curricular coach/director/leader.  Students can sign up directly on a counselor’s calendar using a real-time service called Calendy. This is up and active. Students will be emailed a link to request a conversation with a faculty member and/or co-curricular leader. Sign up here:

Additionally, Admissions is working on a way to make announcements and conduct certain parts of a traditional campus visit via Instagram Live.  This would include a virtual campus tour, potentially a faculty and/or student panel. This largely depends on which buildings admissions can get into and which faculty members or students might be able to assist.

Last updated 03/17/20

 

Can I still apply for summer and/or fall 2020?
The Graduate and Undergraduate Admissions Offices remain open, and our admissions staff continue to counsel prospective students and review applications for admissions as usual.

Last updated 03/16/20

 

Will summer and fall 2020 classes take place as usual?
There are currently no changes to the summer or fall 2020 schedules.

Last updated 03/20/2020

Working Remotely

Are Trinity employees in the office?
Many Trinity employees have begun moving to working remotely as of 3/17/2020. There are also a number of positions that remain in a hybrid format including days at the office and days at home. This is to ensure Trinity continues to function at an optimum level during this challenging time period.

Last updated 03/20/2020

 

How long will employees work from home?
In this constantly changing climate, it is difficult to predict needs very far into the future. Remote work will continue alongside the timeframe that students remain off campus. We will maintain a flexibility to the needs as things develop.

Last updated 03/20/2020

 

What if employees don’t have the ability to work remotely?
Employees that need assistance with technology options should contact the IT department for assistance.

Last updated 03/20/2020

 

What if employees do not have enough work to do remotely?
We are in the process of redeploying employees whose main function is front-facing to students to other areas of campus that need assistance at this time.

Last updated 03/20/2020