CS 473: Health-Related Policies

General policies
COVID-19
Mental health

General Policies

If you feel ill or have recently tested positive for COVID, do not come to class. This applies not only to COVID, but to any other illness. Your health (and ours) is more important than this class. Except for exams, you do not need to contact the instructor. All class resources except exams are available online.

If you feel ill or test positive for COVID before an exam, please contact Jeff or one of the TAs as soon as possible, but do not come to the exam. Similarly, if you feel ill during an exam, please inform one of the course staff as you leave. We understand that exam stress can exacerbate health issues, and that illness can significantly interfere with exam performance. See our course policies for conflict and makeup exams.

If you are concerned that conditions related to a documented disability, illness, injury, or other emergency are significantly interfering with your ability to submit homework, attend exams, or otherwise maintain good progress in this class, please contact Jeff or one of the TAs.

COVID-19

All on-campus students and course staff are expected to engage in appropriate behavior to protect the health and safety of the community during on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in accordance with university policy and local public health recommendations. In particular:

All students, faculty, and course staff are required to be fully vaccinated (meaning 14 days after the second dose), and encouraged to have booster shots as well. We stronlgy recommend uploading your vaccination card to MyMckinley at least a week before your first on-campus class.
Anyone who cannot be vaccinated for medical or religious reasons must apply for an exception and must test at an on-campus COVID-19 testing site at least once per week. Please see the recent massmail for more details.
Face coverings are no longer required on campus, except in healthcare facilities, and Buuilding Access Status is no longer active. Nevertheless, students who wish to wear a face covering are welcome to do so.
If you feel ill or you receive a positive COVID test, do not come to class.

Mental Health

Diminished mental health, including significant stress, mood changes, excessive worry, substance/alcohol abuse, or problems with eating and/or sleeping can interfere with emotional and physical well-being, social development, and academic performance. The University of Illinois offers a variety of confidential services including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, psychiatric services, and specialized screenings at no additional cost. If you or someone you know experiences any of the above mental health concerns, we strongly encourage you to contact or visit any of the resources listed below. Getting help is a smart and courageous thing to do, for yourself and for those who care about you.

If you are in immediate danger, call or text 911.
National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 988
Counseling Center: 217-333-3704
Embedded counselors in college offices:
- Juvenal George (Grainger Engineering)
- Andrew Novinska (Liberal Arts and Sciences)
McKinley Health Center Mental Health: 217-333-2701.
- Emergency number: 217-359-4141
DRES Mental Health Resources: 217-333-1970
Department of Psychology Psychological Services Center: 217-333-3704

We also recommend reaching out to the Office of the Dean of Students (217-333-0050) and the academic advisors in your department and college for help advocating for yourself with staff, faculty, students, and other organizations on campus.

The Computer Science Mental Health Committee and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District maintain lists of additional mental health resources.

If you feel ill either before or during an exam, please contact Jeff or one of the TAs. We understand that exam stress can exacerbate health issues, and that illness can significantly interfere with exam performance. See our course policies for conflict and makeup exams.