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

Classes and Academics for Students

1. Health and Safety Compliance

As of April 11, masks are no longer required to be worn in classrooms. However, DePaul will continue to be a mask-friendly campus and wearing a mask will be highly recommended for all indoor spaces. If you are joining a meeting or gathering and a participant asks you to wear a mask, please do so.

Masks are available at a number of places on campus.


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.​


If you were exposed to COVID-19 and have no symptoms: 
  • Check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance to determine if you need to quarantine and when to test.
  • Then, report confirmed COVID-19 cases of DePaul community members online or call (773) 207-4340. A representative is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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. 
  • Then, report confirmed COVID-19 cases of DePaul community members online​ or call (773) 207-4340. A representative is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and 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, please email DePaulCommunityHealth@depaul.edu.​​

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