This story was originally published on Friday, March 13. It was updated on Friday, March 20. 

Your questions about how DePaul University is being affected by COVID-19, answered.

On Wednesday evening, DePaul University joined the growing number of colleges and universities across the nation to significantly change the remainder of the academic year. 

All Winter Quarter final exams — which are scheduled to begin on Monday — will occur online, and most of Spring Quarter classes will be conducted online for the entirety of the quarter. Students living on campus were told that they should prepare to move out by March 22, according to DePaul spokesperson Carol Hughes. 

Want to know more about the announcement? Here’s what’s happening. 

Much is still unknown about what the coming weeks will bring for DePaul students and community members, specifically the logistics of campus move-out, online courses, commencement and student employment. 

14 East has collected (and is continuing to collect) questions from community members regarding the virus and how it is affecting the DePaul community. Below is what we know so far. We’ll update you as we learn more. DePaul also has a COVID-19 FAQ page.  

Not sure what “pandemic” means or how to protect yourself? Here’s what you need to know. 

What we know about students living on campus

When will students living on campus need to move out? 

Hughes said the move-out deadline for students living in the resident halls is March 22 at 5 p.m., when finals end. However, she said the university “will work with students who may need a day or two more.” The university is not providing any financial resources to help students with moving costs, Hughes said.

Updated on Friday, March 20, 2020

On Wednesday night, students received an email from the housing department that said the move-out date had been accelerated. Students now have to move out by Saturday, March 21, at 5 p.m. 

Will students living on campus be refunded for Spring Quarter housing costs? If so, how and when? 

Yes. Students who are not staying on campus, will be refunded for all housing, meal plan and Medcare charges, as long as they complete the move and check-out process by March 22, according to DePaul’s housing FAQ. The credits will be applied to student accounts, and it could take up to three weeks.

How can students who need housing during Spring Quarter request it? When will they know if DePaul can provide it? 

Students should fill this form out by Monday, March 16 at 5 p.m. Students will be notified by March 18, Hughes said. 

Will any resources (financial or other) be provided to students who need to move-out? 

DePaul will help move boxes to vehicles. However, there will be no financial resources provided for students, Hughes said.

Live on campus? Here’s what we know so far and what resources are available.

What we know about DePaul University classes + coming to campus

Will the deadline for Finals Week be extended? 

Added on Friday, March 20, 2020

The deadline for turning in Winter Quarter grades was extended by two days to Sunday, March 29, according to a March 16 email.

Will tuition change? 

Added on Friday, March 20, 2020

No, tuition remains the same and is due on March 20, according to an email on March 13. 

Are classes during Spring Quarter going to be online throughout the entire quarter? 

“Classes are planned online for the entire quarter,” Hughes said. 

If classes are online, can students take them out of state?

Yes. 

What courses will not be remote? When will students know? 

Information on courses that might need to be conducted in person are being collected, Hughes said.

“Academic affairs will publish early next week the list of exceptional classes that will be offered on campus during spring break with special social distancing provisions,” she said. “If a student is not taking any of these classes, their geographical location will be irrelevant for their participation in Spring Quarter classes.”

Are DePaul facilities still open? Like the Lincoln Park Student Center, libraries and the gym? 

Updated on Friday, March 20, 2020

The Ray Meyer Fitness Center, all DePaul libraries and computer labs are closed indefinitely, according to a Tuesday email from Public Safety and DePaul’s Newsline. This continues to change as the city, state and country take precautions against COVID-19. 

The Lincoln Park Student Center will be open only to DePaul students, faculty and staff. Everyone must have their DePaul ID to enter, which is only allowed at the Kenmore Avenue entrance. The Student Center’s hours are on Newsline.

Beginning on Monday, three meals will be served in the Student Center during specific periods of time during the week, and two meals will be served on the following weekend. All meals will be served to-go, according to an email from DePaul’s housing department 

During spring break, only Brownstones and ETC in the Lincoln Park Student Center will be open, according to the email.

As of Tuesday, Spring Quarter students who live at the University Center downtown will have dining daily, according to Hughes. However, there will be no university dining options during spring break or Spring Quarter in the loop, according to a university-wide email on Wednesday.

Will students still be charged for the CTA U-Pass? What about the Student Activity Fee and Athletic Fee? 

Added on Friday, March 20, 2020

The CTA U-Pass, Student Activity and Athletic Fees will all be waived. However, the CTA U-Pass will remain active throughout Spring Quarter, according to an email on March 13.

What we know about DePaul’s graduation

Will there still be graduation ceremonies in June? 

All university events are either postponed or canceled until further notice. The status of commencement, which is scheduled for the second weekend of June, is still being evaluated and will be announced during Spring Quarter, Hughes said in an email on Thursday.  

What will be done for students approaching graduation whose graduation-required courses were canceled due to university changes?

Added on Friday, March 20, 2020

“The advising staff and the faculty in all colleges will work with students to ensure that their path to graduation is not altered as a result of the COVID-19 emergency,” Hughes said in an email.

What we know about DePaul student employees

How is student employment going to work when classes are online during finals week and Spring Quarter?

“Managers will work with student employees as they determine feasibility of working on campus or if positions can lend themselves to remote work,” Hughes said. 

Staff and faculty with “operational responsibilities” will continue to work on campus. However, in Wednesday’s email, Esteban recommended managers consider “telework on a case by case basis,” especially if an employee’s responsibilities can be completed remotely.

Check with your supervisor/manager on how to move forward. 

What if working remotely doesn’t work for DePaul student employees?  

Added on Friday, March 20, 2020

Student employees whose work can’t be done remotely should apply for other job opportunities at DePaul through the campus job board, according to an email from DePaul Human Resources. “Student workers will be paid the difference between actual hours worked and their regularly scheduled hours up to Friday, May 1, 2020, at which time the process will be re-evaluated,” the email said. 

There are still many questions about how COVID-19 will affect DePaul. It’s unclear if these changes will span beyond Spring Quarter, depending on the spread of the virus. Classes — especially those exclusively happening online — will also likely look different than if they were in person. We’ll keep reporting on this story, including how students are dealing with the change, and keep you updated as we learn more. 

 Related 14 East stories:

What You Need to Know About COVID-19

DePaul Final Exams to Move Online, Spring Quarter to be Remote in Response to COVID-19

DePaul’s On-Campus Housing: What Residents Need to Know

College Students Across the Country Cope with Academic Changes as COVID-19 Spreads

Header image by Jenni Holtz and Yusra Shah, 14 East