CIU’s Coronavirus Response

University officials continue monitoring the latest developments with the U.S. COVID-19 outbreak and its impact on University operations. Updates and new information will be added as needed, and the community will be notified through email and updates to this website.

CIU continues to be open and operational.

For reliable, up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 please visit the Center for Disease Control’s website.

Please see below for the latest update from CIU. If you have additional concerns or questions, you may contact the school at (800) 777-2227.

Message from the President

Greetings from CIU!

As the 2022–2023 school year progresses, CIU’s COVID-19 Task Force continues to monitor the situation related to the virus.

We realize there is a great deal of debate surrounding COVID-19 and the response to it. We have done our best to review information wisely and rationally as we determine how to operate.

Here are key points about CIU’s operations for this school year:

Students should regularly self-monitor for symptoms and alert coronavirus@ciu.edu if symptoms develop or if they get a positive COVID test result. This will ensure that a member of the health services team will be informed and respond promptly.

If students have symptoms; such as, fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea, they must make an appointment with CIU Health Services to have a COVID test administered. After a positive test, the Health Services Director will provide the student with a medical excuse form for class.

Also following a positive COVID test, students will

Be urged to go home to isolate if possible.
Isolate in their room on campus if they are unable to go home.
Wear a mask while they are in their room (if their roommate remains in the room) and restroom.
Be expected to remain in isolation until their projected return date and/or no longer symptomatic.

For additional information regarding COVID protocol for students and for faculty/staff, click on the additional links on this page for specifics.

Please join with me in praying for God’s wisdom as we stay in contact with national, state and local health experts on the topic and consider best practices for the CIU campus.

COVID Procedures for Students

As we continue to live with COVID virus, CIU administration has decided on the following procedures for CIU students for the 2022–2023 school year. We continue to strive to provide a safe learning environment for all students and your attention to these procedures will help us achieve this.

All communication with CIU Health Services pertaining to COVID symptoms or a positive test must go through the coronavirus@ciu.edu email. This will ensure that a member of the health services team will be informed and respond to your email promptly.
If you have symptoms such as, fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, body aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, nausea or vomiting, and/or diarrhea, make an appointment with CIU Health Services to have a COVID test administered. If you receive a positive test, the Health Services Director will provide you with a medical excuse form for class.
1. If you have received a positive home test or have been tested at a doctor’s office, please provide your positive test results to the Health Services Director.
Students are responsible to provide each of their instructors the medical excuse form that they have been provided by Health Services.
1. The form will provide the student with a projected return to class date. If more time is needed due to continued symptoms, contact coronavirus@ciu.edu and a new form may be provided to you with a new return date. This form must also be emailed by the student to each of their instructors.
2. Absences due to COVID will be “medically exempt” and not be counted towards the 25% absence failure policy.
Following a Positive Test, students will…
1. Be urged to go home to isolate if possible.
2. Isolate in their room on campus if they are unable to go home.
3. Wear a mask while they are in their room (if their roommate remains in the room) and restroom.
4. Be expected to remain in isolation until their projected return date and/or no longer symptomatic.
Following a Positive Test, CIU Health Services will …
1. Inform the Director of Residence Life so that meals can be arranged during the student’s time in isolation.
  1. Director of Residents Life will inform the roommate of the student with COVID and help make housing arrangements for the non-sick student.

COVID Procedures for Employees

As we continue to live with COVID virus, CIU administration has decided on the following procedures for CIU employees for the 2022–2023 school year. We continue to strive to provide a safe work environment. Employees attention to these procedures will help us achieve this.

Treat COVID like other illnesses.
Stay home if ill.
Notify supervisor.
No need to advise coronavirus@ciu.edu.

Emergency CARES Act Fund

CARES Grant (HEERF 1)

CIU has signed and returned the Certification and Agreement form for HEERF funds and has used 100% of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide HEERF grants to students. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provided Columbia International University with $338,471 in Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds for student grants. The funds are targeted to give students cash to cover their expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare. During the week of May 18, 2020, CIU dispersed CARES Grants to approximately 626 students.

Grants were awarded to students based on guidelines from the US Department of Education. To be considered students had to be eligible for federal student financial aid as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, students had to be enrolled in the Spring of 2020 in classes that were not exclusively online prior to the closure of campus. Following the federal government’s recommendation to prioritize students with the greatest need, CIU made decisions accordingly. Undergrad Pell Grant recipients received $676, Undergrad non-Pell Grant recipients received $510 and residential graduate students received $330. Students with a missing or incomplete FAFSA did not receive grants.

Students did not have to apply and no additional action on part of the recipients is anticipated. Funds were sent directly to the student and not credited to their CIU student account.

CRRSAA Grant (HEERF II)

On December 27, 2020, Congress passed the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA), which provided CIU with $338,471 in funding for emergency financial aid grants. (This is in addition to the CARES Act Grants disbursed in May 2020.)

Grants were awarded to 917 students (including the online-only population) based on federal guidelines from the US Department of Education. Following the federal government’s requirement to prioritize students with greatest need, CIU awarded $527.59 to Undergrad Pell Grant recipients, $330.10 to Undergrad Non-Pell recipients and $232.60 to graduate-level students. Students received an email notification of the grant award and given the opportunity to receive the grant directly or to apply their grant towards a current or future balance on their student account.

ARP Grant (HEERF III)

On March 11, 2021 Congress passed the American Rescue Plan (ARP), which provided CIU with $951,429 in funding for emergency financial aid grants.

Grants were awarded to 1659 students based on federal guidelines from the US Department of Education. Following the federal government’s requirement to prioritize students with greatest need, CIU awarded $976.91 to Undergrad Pell Grant recipients and $468.30 to Non-Pell recipients enrolled in Fall semester 2021. Students received an email notification of the grant award and were given the opportunity to receive the grant directly or to apply their grant towards a current or future balance on their student account.

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report under CARES Act — 09-30-2020

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act — 03-31-2021.

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act — 06-30-2021

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act — 09-30-21

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report under Cares Act — 01/10/2022

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Report under Cares Act — 04/10/2022

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act — 07-08-22

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act — 10-10-22

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act — 01-10-23

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act — 04-10-23

View the Quarterly Budget and Expenditure Reporting under CARES Act — 07-10-23