Fall 2020 > FAQs > University operations

University operations

​Yes. Under the Chicago Department of Public Health's (CDPH) guidelines:  
  • The contact tracing team will call people who were in close contact with the individual who tested positive  
  • Faculty, staff and students will receive an email notification from DePaulCommunityHealth@depaul.edu each time a positive COVID-19 case occurs with an individual who was on-campus while potentially infectious.
Please note that the identities of positive cases and the people who have been in close contact with them will never be shared publicly with the DePaul community. All will remain anonymous. DePaul's priority is to maintain privacy and respect the dignity of all people during this challenging time.

No. The identities of positive cases and the people who have been in close contact with them will never be shared publically with the DePaul community. All will remain anonymous. 

DePaul's priority is to maintain privacy and respect the dignity of all people during this challenging time.

​For the most current list of DePaul buildings that are closed or restricted, visit the Building Closures website.​ 

Please give serious consideration to the necessity of visiting campus. If it is necessary for you to visit campus, DePaul’s buildings will operate in controlled access mode, requiring an ID card swipe or sign in for entry. Access will be available from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.​

University libraries: 
Space in the DePaul University Library is now open to current students, fac​ulty and staff for independent study and computer use. For more information, please visit Newsline. ​

The John T. Richardson Library and Loop Library are also offering Contactless Pick-up Service, virtual access to all e-resources, virtual research and instruction services, electronic access to book chapters, articles and other digital materials through our interlibrary loan service and support for online course reserves. Special Collections and Archives is providing digital reference and instruction services utilizing physical and digital collections.
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For information on access, services and available resources for the Rinn Law library, please visit the Rinn Law Library website. 

Please visit our COVID-19 DePaul Library Services Guide for up-to-date information on how you can access library resources and services during this time. ​

If you have any questions, please Ask a Librarian for help.

Barnes & Noble: 
Bookstores on the Loop and Lincoln Park campuses are open with modified hours and offerings. Please check their website​ for the most up-to-date information because hours are subject to change.​​

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General purpose computer labs will be open on both campuses once Fall Quarter classes begin. Please visit the Student Success website for the most up-to-date list of locations, hours, and labs with ADA-accessible equipment. 

Computer labs in the libraries will open gradually as new operational parameters are established. 

During the academic quarter, you will not be required to sign in. However, a sign-in may be reinstated in the event that Chicago moves back to Phase II or Phase III of the reopening plan, prompting the suspension of most on-site activity.​

​All building’s HVAC filters have been upgraded from MERV 8 to MERV 13. All buildings with automated HVAC systems are programmed to increase the amount of fresh, outside air brought into the building by a factor of two whenever possible. 

Also, the airflow in the Holtschneider Performance Center’s music practice rooms were increased by an additional 100 cubic feet per minute (CFM) at a minimum.

For more information on DePaul's ventilation system improvements, ​please visit Newsline​. 

​Sanitizer stations are intentionally distributed throughout hallways to meet the needs of classroom users and passersby alike. Additionally, having sanitizer stations in the hallways allows Facility Operations to check and restock without disrupting in-session classes.

Most larger office suites will have one or more hand sanitizer stations. Due to supply availability, and labor to restock stations, occupants of suites 1,000 square feet or less may have to use a sanitizer station in a hallway nearby. 

As for offices, cubicles and conference rooms, Facility Operations cannot take on the issuance of sanitizer to individuals. Also, small bottles of hand sanitizer are still not readily available in suitable quantity versus bulk sanitizer.

For more information on DePaul's on-campus sanitizer, please visit Newsline​. 

DePaul intends to maintain access to all, or a significant percentage of, common area spaces, with reduced capacities.  As with all common areas, the department or academic area responsible for that space must ensure everyone is complying with physical distancing requirements.​

In accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, DePaul has disabled traditional drinking fountains. Students should bring a reusable water bottle on campus to take advantage of bottlefilling stations that are located throughout both campuses.


​All outdoor tables, except those at the DePaul Center Terrace, were removed on both campuses because they are not conducive to physical distancing.

The DePaul Center Terrace will remain open on nice days during Fall Quarter. Tables are appropriately spaced to promote physical distancing and only one chair is placed at each table. Table users are encouraged to use a paper towel and liquid sanitizer to disinfect tables and chairs prior to use. Additionally, Student Centers' staff will use spray disinfectants on all tables and chairs throughout the day.

The only outdoor benches, which were removed, are those from the DePaul Center Plaza because they attract too many people to promote physical distancing. All other outdoor benches remain in place on both campuses because they would be impossible to remove without causing significant damage to the surrounding landscaping.

Two important notes about outdoor benches:
  1. The physically distanced occupancy limit for any outdoor bench is one person.
  2. Outdoor benches are not disinfected. Avoid touching the bench surfaces with your hands, and wash or sanitize your hands after sitting on a bench.

​Yes, outdoor areas can be utilized when and where available. For example, when not being used for outdoor classes or fitness. Physical distancing recommendations must be applied.

Note: As has always, the DePaul Center Terrace and the LPC Quad must be reserved via Student Centers/Conference Services.

​Yes, the intention is to maintain access to all, or a significant percentage of, common area spaces, with reduced capacities. As with all common areas, the department or academic area responsible for that space must ensure everyone is complying with physical distancing requirements.

In all cases, all occupants are required to face coverings. For more information on face coverings, please visit Newsline​. 

​Yes, kitchenettes and break rooms can be used, provided everyone is wearing face coverings and maintaining physical distancing requirements.

As always, those using the space are responsible for cleaning up after themselves. Facility Operations will only clean the spaces in the evening. Facility Operations will disinfect counters and handles of major appliances, but will not disinfect inside refrigerators or microwaves, or clean coffee makers and other small appliances.

Also, please note that current guidelines recommend removing shared small appliances and communal utensils in shared kitchen spaces.


Only stairwells that do not pose an undue security or personal safety risk will be open while others may be limited only during regular business hours for additional security. 

​Traffic in hallways and stairwells will be reduced by virtue of decreasing on-site classroom capacities and through general reduction of on-site workforce through continued remote working. 

Beyond efforts to reduce overall building occupancy, there will be no additional regulation of traffic in hallways and stairwells. Health officials indicate that brief contact from passing others is acceptable if all parties are properly wearing a face covering. 

For more information face coverings, please visit Newsline​. 

Directional and spacing indicators, like those installed in grocery stores, have been proven largely ineffective. Health authorities also determined that as long as occupants are wearing face coverings, it is safe to pass or be next to another person in the hallways and stairwells.

​For more information on face coverings, please visit Newsline​. ​​

​Restroom traffic and occupancy will be reduced by virtue of decreasing on-site classroom capacities and through the general reduction of on-site workforce through remote working arrangements.

Beyond efforts to reduce overall building occupancy, there will be no additional regulation of restroom traffic and/or occupancy.

For more information on DePaul's updated restroom procedures, please visit Newsline​. 

Information Services developed a Instructions for Remote Work site with detailed guidance on:

  • Accessing DePaul email, calendars and voicemail
  • Hosting meetings, conference calls and classes
  • Collaborating with other employees
  • Accessing files, documents, software and special applications on DePaul desktop computers (remote access)
  • Securely accessing DePaul resources through a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
  • Faxing documents
  • Finding additional assistance

Updates to this site are made continually as IS responds to feedback and develops new tools.

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Submit a question

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