President Ramage Responds to Illinois Stay-at-Home Order

Read the latest COVID-19 update here.

Please read Parkland College's announcement to the Parkland community in response to Governor Pritzker's order today for Illinoisans to stay at home. 
 

Dear Parkland Community: 

I am writing with another critical update that will further impact our community and campus. This afternoon, Governor Pritzker issued an executive order for residents of Illinois to shelter in place starting tomorrow, Saturday, March 21, 2020, at 5 p.m. for the next two weeks. Residents will still be allowed to go to the grocery store, gas stations, pharmacies, and outside for a walk. But your ability to access campus will be closed off significantly. 

What this means, is that only essential personnel will be allowed to come to campus for that duration. "Essential" personnel in this case means our public safety officers and a very small group of individuals critical to keep the operations of the college running. Anyone authorized to come to campus should utilize the U3 door, near the Student Union patio. 

Employees, you will be contacted directly by your supervisor if your role is part of this small essential group. Please come prior to tomorrow at 5 p.m. to gather any items you may need for what will likely be many weeks of working remotely.

Students, this means the remaining services we were providing on campus will be shifted entirely online. Students you will receive a follow up from Vice President Michael Trame with more information on how to access student services. Your success remains our absolute priority. 

I want to reiterate that the college remains open for operation in an online format and that our call center remains open during regular business hours, available at 217/351-2200. Updates will continue to be available on the college's social media channels and website, parkland.edu/covid19.

While we won't be physically together on campus, we will remain connected through the spirit of Parkland and our mission. We will continue to keep you informed as this situation evolves and wish you continued health and peace as we weather this storm. 

Be safe, be smart, be well. 

Thomas R. Ramage
President, Parkland College