FAQs about DePauw’s response to COVID-19

After careful consideration, we plan to begin the fall term in August, in person and on campus, with significant health and safety precautions implemented to protect the health of our students, staff, faculty and the broader community. More information is forthcoming. 

Due to the continued threat of COVID-19, we postponed our May 17 commencement ceremony. We celebrated seniors with a Virtual Recognition and Conferral of Degrees on May 17 and emailed regarding an in-person Commencement ceremony at a later date. 

Alumni reunion weekend has been canceled. Alumni in a reunion year have been communicated with regarding the change in plans. 

We have regretfully decided that there will be no on-campus summer programs. This includes on-campus faculty-student summer research, on-campus internships and student employment, and on-campus summer camps. May Term travel courses were cancelled previously. While no on-campus May Term courses will be offered, we will offer several May Term courses that will be taught remotely. Details will be posted in the Schedule of Classes soon.

Heather Wright in Student Academic Life is the point of contact for all students remaining on campus. She will be communicating with those students directly for any needs. She can be reached at: 

• Office Phone: (765) 658-1087

• heatherwright@depauw.edu

As a reminder, for the safety of all community members, students remaining on-campus will need to adhere to limited travel restrictions. While we initially announced that travel would be restricted to within a 45 mile radius to campus, the COVID-19 situation continues to change daily. Thus, it is extremely important that students remaining on campus restrict their off-campus travel to primarily the city of Greencastle and secondarily, Putnam County. The priority of travel should be for:

• Medical appointments

• Grocery stores

• Pharmacy

• Prior approved airport travel 

Some student services will continue to operate at some level over the summer. Offices will be posting information, hours and details to their specific websites as it becomes available. Students approved to stay for the summer will have limited access to on-campus services and should check their email for more details. 

No. We aim to limit the number of people on campus.

If your symptoms are mild to moderate, call DePauw Health or a hotline first for direction.

If you experience moderate or severe shortness of breath, significant chest tightness or blue lips, call 911 and tell dispatch your symptoms.

Transport yourself if you have a car and you feel well enough to drive. Do not ask a friend to transport you.  

If you don’t have a car and don’t have a license, call a hotline or do a virtual visit first for directions  on what to do.

Resource information:

• DePauw Health 765-658-4555, hours posted on website

• Hendricks Regional Health: COVID-19 Hotline 317-520-5500, open 24/7

• Immediate Care Centers in Avon, Brownsburg and Danville (Hendricks Immediate Care Centers)

• Monday-Friday, open 8am-8pm

• Saturday-Sunday, open 8:30am-4:30pm 

• Schedule with the new virtual app: Sign up on your desktop computer at Hendricks Virtual Visit OR download the free MyVirtualHealthVisit app (Google Play or iTunes) on your mobile device. Create a login and complete your personal profile. Connect with a provider – no appointment needed. When prompted, enter the information below to receive your free visit:

• Service Key: Hendricks

  Coupon Code: HRHCV19

• Putnam County Hospital 

• COVID-19 Hotline 765-301-7019, open 8am- 9pm

• Respiratory Clinic, call 765-301-7400 before going to the clinic

•  Monday-Friday, open 7am-9pm

• Saturday-Sunday, open 8am-5pm

• Visit other local and national website sources like the Indiana State Department of Health and the Center for Disease Control and prevention

• Putnam County Health Dept

• Hendricks County Health Dept

• ISDH Coronavirus

• CDC Coronavirus info

• Prorated refunds for room and board will be activated by move-out.
• Refunds will be issued for students who were living and/or dining on university property and will be leaving campus for the spring term.
• The precise amount that a student will be reimbursed will depend upon a number of factors unique to them. A credit will be placed on the student’s account, and a reimbursement issued for any balance due to the student. We will process refunds as soon as possible.
• Reimbursements will be direct deposited if we have your automatic bank transfer information on file. Otherwise, they will be mailed to students at the home mailing address on file.
• Thanks to a new Student Emergency Relief Fund created by DePauw Alumni and Friends and DePauw Student Government, funds are available should students need help with pressing costs related to unexpected early departure, assistance with travel (priority will be given to those who live more than 300 miles away from campus), storage or shipping, technology to pursue online learning, as well as unplanned expenses. Those interested in submitting a request for funds should complete this form. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Tuition is linked to the award of academic credit. Because we will continue with instruction in an online format and award credit as earned, there will be no refunds for tuition.
• For questions related to room and board reimbursement, contact Cash Receipts at 765-658-4015 or cashreceipts@depauw.edu

• Students have received information about how their work study will be impacted. 

• Federal Work Study Program: Based on federal regulations, we will pay additional wages to eligible students. Those students who have been employed in Federal Work Study at DePauw University during the 2020 spring term will continue to receive their paychecks based on the previous “average” hours worked per pay period earlier this term. Students should continue to enter the hours they would have normally worked into eServices and supervisors will continue to approve those hours. These paychecks will continue through the conclusion of the spring 2020 term. All students who were eligible for Federal Work Study, but chose not to work or worked very minimal hours will not receive any additional payments.  

• DePauw work study students that have been approved by their supervisor to work remotely, will enter the hours worked into eServices and supervisors will review & approve those hours in eServices. No work study students should be doing face-to-face work, even if the students are remaining on campus. Work that can be done virtually can continue if the student and supervisor agree. At this time, we have decided that the DePauw University Student Employment may be available for some positions; however, please understand that individual decisions related to specific jobs will be at the discretion of supervisors. All students in this category should immediately check with their supervisors to see if their employment will be continued.

• Students can see what type of work study they have on eServices on their Financial Aid Award.  Supervisors can see what type of work study students have below their assignment on eServices.

Yes. If possible, please take all items out of your room. If you are unable to do so, please put your name and address on pre-packed boxes and we will ship them to your home address on file.

Yes. Thanks to a new Student Emergency Relief Fund created by DePauw Alumni and Friends and DePauw Student Government, funds are available should you need help with pressing costs related to unexpected early departure, assistance with travel (priority will be given to those who live more than 300 miles away from campus), storage or shipping, technology to pursue online learning, as well as unplanned expenses. Those interested in submitting a request for funds should complete this form. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Packages received from USPS Priority or First Class mail will be forwarded to your home address on file with the Registrar's Office.  Packages received from UPS, FED EX or DHL will be returned to sender as these services do not offer a forwarding service. First class letters will be forwarded to your home address on file with the Registrar's Office for students living domestically within the United States and returned to sender to for students living Internationally. Magazines, newsletters, newspapers and advertisements are not eligible for forwarding and will be recycled.

All student vehicles should be removed from campus, unless there are unusual circumstances that are approved by DePauw Police. We strongly encourage students not to store any personal belongings in their vehicles that are approved to remain on campus; DePauw will not be responsible for any belongings left in vehicles