Dec. 30, 2021
Dear students, faculty and staff,
Hope you are enjoying the last days of winter break. This message is a reminder that
the first two weeks of DePaul’s Winter Quarter courses, Monday, Jan. 3 to Saturday, Jan. 15, will be held mostly online. There will be exceptions for some classes.
In-person classes will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, following the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. DePaul is fully committed to in-person learning. Because we start right after the New Year, before other institutions around the country do, we are taking these steps to mitigate a potential surge in COVID-19 cases after we travel and gather to celebrate the holidays. Moving courses online temporarily—combined with our adherence to local, state and federal COVID-19 guidance—will help us cautiously start Winter Quarter so we can sustain a robust college experience the remainder of the academic year. Safety and health remain our priorities.
All residence halls will reopen as planned on Sunday, Jan. 2. For more residence hall updates, review Housing’s
Winter Quarter FAQs. DePaul expects everyone to take a COVID test before their return to campus, ideally no longer than 72 hours before arrival. The university will expand testing hours on the Lincoln Park Campus through the end of January to make it even easier to access testing. On-campus testing resumes Jan. 3. Visit DePaul’s
COVID-19 Testing webpage for hours and locations on both campuses.
Other university services and operations will continue to function with limited/reduced in-person staffing, coupled with virtual service offerings for the first two weeks of January. Starting Jan. 3, campus buildings will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will require an ID card swipe (in Lincoln Park buildings) or sign in (in Loop buildings) for entry. Please visit the
Student Center and
computer labs websites for those locations and hours. The Ray will be open regular hours during Winter Quarter;
hours are available here. In addition to those spaces, for students looking for a quiet place to participate in synchronous Zoom classes, study spaces can be found in Lincoln Park at the
Richardson Library (seating reservation required), Arts & Letters Hall, Holtschneider Performance Center, McGowan North and South, and Schmitt Academic Center. In the Loop, study spaces can be utilized in the Student Center in the DePaul Center as well as computer labs within the College of Computing and Digital Media and Daley Center buildings.
DePaul will continue to follow directives of the Chicago Department of Public Health and other health professionals and will make any other adjustments to our plans, as needed.
Faculty have been asked to reach out to their classes/students in advance of the start of the quarter to share how the class will proceed. For classes that have pivoted from in-person to online synchronous for these two weeks, students will receive a Zoom link from their instructor prior to the first scheduled class. If you have additional questions, please email your instructor.
To help stop the spread of COVID-19, the CIty of Chicago is introducing a vaccine requirement in response to a rise in cases locally and nationally. Effective Monday, Jan. 3, any individual 5 years of age or older will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to dine indoors, visit gyms, or enjoy entertainment venues where food or drink are being served. Valid proof of vaccination (as
defined by the CDC) includes a valid photo ID (ages 16+) and a vaccination card, photocopy of a vaccination card, digital record or app OR a printed record from a vaccine provider. In accordance with the new requirement, proof of vaccination will be required at DePaul basketball games at Wintrust Arena. For complete details and up-to-date information regarding the Chicago Vaccine Requirement, please visit the
City of Chicago's COVID-19 website.
Please keep practicing these important health and safety guidelines:
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Wear a face mask indoors.
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Stay home if you are sick and do not attend in-person class.
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Get tested five to seven days after you have been exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 or immediately if you are experiencing symptoms.
Testing will resume on-campus on Monday, Jan. 3.
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Get your COVID booster now. CDC has recently updated guidance and recommends everyone 16 years and older should get a booster shot. For more information on specific criteria and where to find a booster, please visit the
CDC’s website. At this time, DePaul is not requiring faculty, staff and students to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster, however anyone due to receive one is highly encouraged to do so.
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Get your flu shot. For more information on how to find a flu shot in Chicago, please visit the
Chicago Department of Public Health’s website.
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Review the CDC’s recommendations for
safer ways to celebrate the holidays.
As we continue to monitor the situation, please regularly visit DePaul’s
COVID-19 Updates and Guidance for the latest information.