COVID-19 Updates and Guidance > FAQs > Classes and Academics for Students

Classes and Academics for Students

1. Health and Safety Compliance

Students ​who have received one dose of a two-dose series or who are not yet two weeks past their second shot can attend classes and must adhere to required testing protocols. These students will receive a medical exemption that will expire when they are two weeks past the date of when their second shot is due.

In the classroom: Students who are not adhering to the requirement of wearing a face mask will be reminded to wear one. If the behavior is not modified, the student may be asked to leave the classroom.

In DPU facilities: Students who are not adhering to the requirement of wearing a face mask should be brought to the attention of the appropriate staff member and/or the Department of Public Safety and addressed immediately by reminding the student of the requirement. If the behavior is not modified, the student may be asked to leave the facility.

Referrals to the Dean of Students Office: The Dean of Students Office (DOS) helps develop and maintain community standards in order to facilitate a safe and healthy campus environment for our students. Should a report be made to DOS alleging noncompliance to University requirements, the DOS will work to gather all relevant information and address the issue as deemed appropriate which may include a referral to the Student Conduct Process. This intervention may include interim restrictions while the matter is under review.

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f an​yone needs a face mask, disposable paper masks will be available at a limited number of first-floor desk areas near building entrances.

Loop campus:
  • CDM Center, 243 S. Wabash Ave., Public Safety desk in the lobby
  • Daley Building, 14 E. Jackson Blvd., Public Safety desk in the lobby
  • Daley Building, State Street entrance, Public Safety desk in the lobby
  • Lewis Center, 25 E. Jackson Blvd., Public Safety desk in the lobby
  • DePaul Center, 1 E. Jackson Blvd., Public Safety desk in the lobby
​Lincoln Park campus:
  • Holtschneider Performance Center, 2330 N. Halsted St., Public Safety desk in the lobby
  • Schmitt Academic Center, 2320 N. Kenmore Ave., Parking Services Office in Room 177
  • 2400 N. Sheffield Building in the lobby
  • Student Center, 2250 N. Sheffield Ave., lobby

​No. Students who are only enrolled in online classes do not need to comply. As a result, they may not participate in any in-person classes or any on-campus co-curricular programs or experiences on either of DePaul’s campuses this fall quarter.

If they are interested in doing so, they are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19, or have received a medical or religious exemption from the requirement. They must also upload their immunization documentation through Campus Connect. 

The vaccination requirement is a major part of the university’s efforts to keep the DePaul campus community safe.​


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If you were exposed to COVID-19 and have no symptoms: You can come to campus while the household member is waiting on test results. You also need to do the following:

  • If vaccinated, get tested 3 to 5 days following exposure. There is no need to quarantine or report unless you test positive.
  • If unvaccinated, quarantine immediately. Stay home (except to get tested) and do NOT attend in-person class. Follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and stay home for 10 days without testing or 7 days after receiving a negative test result (test must occur on day 5 after exposure or later). Report positive test results at this reporting website or call (773) 207-4340. A representative is available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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​​If you have possible COVID-19 symptoms: Regardless of vaccination status, get tested as soon as possible. Stay home (except to get tested) while you have symptoms and do NOT attend in-person class or come to campus for work. Report positive test results at this reporting website or call (773) 207-4340. A representative is available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday – Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.


​Students who do not feel well should not attend in-person classes. Please check your course syllabi for attendance policies and reach out to your professors to let them know you are ill. 

Please reach out to your instructor with questions about your options for a specific course. If you are seeking an administrative withdrawal from one or more courses, consult with the Dean of Students. 

No. Like any other medical treatment and condition, an employee's vaccination status is personal health information, which is confidential under university policy. Like students, faculty and staff are required to be vaccinated or seek an exemption. 

All faculty, staff and students must inform the university if they have tested positive for COVID-19, received a COVID-19 diagnosis, they learn of a positive COVID-19 case at DePaul, or they believe they were exposed to COVID-19. Learn more and find how to report a case about yourself or someone else on DePaul’s COVID-19 Reporting Protocol webpage.

If DePaul confirms that a student in your class has tested positive, the university’s contact tracing process will begin. DePaul staff or a local public health agency may notify you if it is determined that you came into contact with someone affiliated with DePaul who is confirmed to have COVID-19, even if the risk of exposure to you is considered minimal. Each situation is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Faculty should not make these notifications.

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DePaul is closely monitoring the situation and following guidance from the Chicago Department of Public Health, as we have since the start of the pandemic. If you are in a course that is scheduled to meet in person, please follow that course's attendance policy.

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2. Classroom Guidance

Eating and drinking in class is discouraged unless absolutely necessary. Masks may be adjusted temporarily while actively eating and drinking.

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3. DePaul Services

University services will be available both online and in person. For the full list of services, please visit the Student Success website. This includes:
Please visit the Student Services and Engagement FAQs for the most up-to-date information.​

Submit a question

If you can’t find an answer that you’re looking for, submit a question to our COVID-19 response team.

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