Our faculty and staff play a critical role in the lives of our students, especially when they have a serious need. In an effort to provide support to students experiencing homelessness, and in accordance with
IL Public Act 102-0083, DePaul has designated a liaison to connect these students with appropriate campus and community resources.
Identifying Students Experiencing Homelessness
“Student experiencing homelessness” is defined as an individual enrolled at DePaul who lacks or is at imminent risk of lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence or whose parent or legal guardian is unable or unwilling to provide shelter and care and includes a homeless individual as defined under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This includes, but is not limited to, students who:
- Are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason;
- Are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations;
- Are living in emergency or transitional shelters;
- Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings; or
- Are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings.
Refer Students Experiencing Homelessness to DOS
In collaboration with campus partners, the Dean of Students Office strives to provide campus and community resources to assist our students who may be facing homelessness or housing insecurity. If you learn of a student who is facing housing insecurity or homelessness, then please refer them to the DOS office:
DePaul University’s HOUSE Liaison
Ellen Herion Fingado
Dean of Students
(773) 325-7290
The DOS office will centralize support, coordinate referrals, and ensure that DePaul complies with its annual reporting requirements.
What You Can Do
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Connect the student with Dean of Students Office by calling (773) 325-7290 or submitting a concern at go.depaul.edu/dos.
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Offer to connect with the student individually to create a space for them to share. Be attentive to the stigma of homelessness and ask questions to better understand the student’s situation.
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Maintain a trauma informed approach.
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If you are a faculty member, ensure classroom polices and procedures set students up for success. Afford flexibility where possible.
For more information and resources for Homeless and At-Risk Students, please visit this webpage.
If your department would like additional training please contact deanofstudents@depaul.edu.