NIU announces end to 2-week ban on in-person undergrad classes, student activities

By Ahyen Labanan

DeKALB — NIU’s two-week ban on in-person undergraduate courses and activities will end Monday, according to a Friday email from NIU President Lisa Freeman. 

“During this pause, we identified new cases within our student surveillance testing population on Sept. 18 and were immediately able to quarantine groups of students who were likely exposed,” Freeman said. “Those students were tested, and the results are represented in Wednesday’s dashboard count. 

Freeman said overall NIU’s positivity rate has decreased and the majority of students are taking the situation seriously. 

On Sept. 11 when the ban began, 112 students and one employee were COVID-19 positive, according to a Sept. 11 Northern Star article. As of Friday, 82 students and two employees are COVID-19 positive, according to the campus dashboard

Restrictions from the two-week ban will remain Saturday and Sunday and will be lifted or altered Monday. 

Freeman said if there is a change in the positivity rate or lack of compliance, NIU may take another pause or permanently transition to remote learning.