May 19, 2020
The global COVID-19 pandemic transformed what would have been just another spring quarter to the historic Spring Quarantine Quarter of 2020. With great effort and speed, the university's in-person operation was modified to a community of remote learners, teachers and workers, with almost every university function, duty and responsibility adapted to be performed virtually in order to mind social distancing guidelines.
But not every staff member can join a Zoom meeting, jump on a conference call or sit in front of a laptop to do their job. While most are working, teaching or learning from home, the university's on-campus workers, our DePaul heroes, continue to head into the office to manage current campus operations and prepare for when we can return to Lincoln Park and the Loop.
From a safe distance, Newsline caught up with some of our on-campus staff members on April 21, before the Illinois mask order went into effect, to see how the COVID-19 crisis has changed life on the university grounds and to learn “in their own words" what it's been like for them during this unprecedented time in DePaul's history.
"I’m sure there will be changes, but I can’t wait for our students to come back," Danny Cruz, custodian.
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(Photo made April 21, 2020, by Jeff Carrion, University Photographer, Marketing and Communications)
This whole situation has been an emotional rollercoaster. I was at DePaul when 9/11 happened, and I saw the nation go into prayer mode. Many around campus would gather at the Quad and come together to pray and cry. With this, there is no one around.
For those of us who remain on campus, the buildings are now empty without any students. They're the ones who really make this university.
I miss my DePaul family. I'm sure there will be changes. However, I can't wait for our students to come back. I look forward to seeing faculty and staff back on campus.