FAQs about DePauw’s response to COVID-19

Yes, though we are limiting the number of students on campus for health reasons. More information regarding this announcement can be found here. Because many classes will need to accommodate both on-campus and remote learners, some classes will be taught remotely even for on-campus learners and some classes will provide a mix of face-to-face instruction and online instruction.  Few courses will be taught in an entire in-person format. Instructional delivery techniques may change as a result of evolving conditions.

The number of students we can have on campus for fall term in university-owned and Greek housing is based on our ability to provide students with single rooms and the need to carefully balance the number of those living on campus with the number of available isolation spaces, as per health department guidelines. Hence, there is not an exact number, but it equates to approximately half of the DePauw student body. 

In determining priorities, we first focused on students newest to our community; students who may need more academic or other support; students who are unable to study from home; and ensuring we have campus leaders present in the community for mentorship and modeling our community values.  

During fall term, we will first prioritize first-year, sophomore (Class of 2023) and new transfer students who want to live and study on campus; international students who must remain on campus due to travel and government regulations; students whose home environment is not conducive to academic success; students who exhibit particular academic risk; and selected student leaders, including some RAs, peer mentors, organizational, and Greek leaders. 

After assessing these numbers and should space permit, when allowing for necessary isolation and quarantine capacity, we also hope to be able to welcome, in priority order, some seniors and juniors. For spring term, we are committed to welcoming all students, if possible. If not, we will prioritize first welcoming our seniors and juniors, new mid-year transfers and other specific populations as described above. If space permits, based on the number of isolation and quarantine spaces required, we will also welcome some first-year students and sophomores.

Each student will be asked to complete a Google form by July 31, 2020.

No, your choice to stay off campus in the fall of 2020 should not be influenced by any factors other than your own health and wellbeing. You will not in any way be penalized for this decision in terms of your academic or housing status moving forward in your DePauw career. We have many students who have indicated they will learn remotely.

Given the changing nature of the spread of the virus within the United States we have been working closely with local and state health officials over the summer to determine whether we could invite students back to campus and if so, how to do so in ways that mitigate risk for students, staff, faculty and the Greencastle community. There were myriad details to consider regarding how to bring students back to campus and how many students we could bring back given important health and safety considerations. Resolving all of these questions took time.

Most airlines are willing to work with customers to change flights, provide refunds and issue credits given the current state of the virus and what that has meant for air travel. For any student who will be on campus this semester, we recommend working with the airline company first to change your flight at no expense. For those students not coming to campus this semester, we encourage you to work with the airlines to get a refund or a credit to be used at a later date. If you are unable to change your flight or get a refund through the airline, please fill out the form to request emergency funding for students for consideration of your specific circumstances.

Our strong desire is to not depopulate campus and with the health and safety requirements and recommendations in place along with having fewer students residing on campus and in single rooms, that we hope we will not need to do so. We will continue to make decisions that prioritizes the health and safety of students and employees and adjust as needed, including the possibility of depopulating the campus.

The health and safety of students and employees is a priority. We will monitor the spread of COVID-19 within Putnam County, the ability to effectively test all people with symptoms, the capacity of regional hospitals to treat all patients, the ability to effectively contact trace COVID-19 spread on-campus, and the number of students in quarantine and isolation housing. We will make adjustments to courses and on-campus living accordingly.

We have suspended all Winter Term 2021 courses with a travel component. In addition, instead of offering on-campus Winter Term 2021 courses, we will offer Winter Term courses via remote instruction. More information will be provided regarding course offerings during the fall term.

On Monday, August 31, classes begin. There is no longer a week of asynchronous learning prior to the  first week of courses. Each course will begin in the instructional mode listed in the Schedule of Classes, which will be revised by August 3rd. Classes will continue for 12 weeks with no fall break, and the last day of class prior to Thanksgiving break will be Friday, November 20th. Monday November 23 through Friday November 27, is our Thanksgiving break. Two weeks of class, by remote instruction only, begin November 30, followed by one week for remote exams papers, projects etc. This period ends on Friday December 18th. See the 2020-21 Academic Calendar for additional information.

The School of Music has developed a Frequently Asked Questions page for music students. Information can be found here, and you can submit questions by emailing schoolofmusic@depauw.edu.

The specific approach will vary from course to course. In some cases, cameras and microphones will be set up in classrooms  so remote learners can connect to live class sessions. In other cases, parts of the course will be delivered online to all students (even those on campus) and then there will be special in-person sessions (e.g., discussion sessions, problem sessions) for students who are on campus with equivalent sessions offered online for remote learners.

A summary of course offering modes is provided below. Remember that “remote” courses will be delivered fully online but are available to on-campus and off-campus learners. “Mixed” courses are also available to on-campus and off-campus learners but these courses will include a face-to-face component for those students who are on campus. The designations below are accurate as of July 30th. However additional courses may shift to remote-only instruction if conditions change. You can find the designation for specific courses in the Schedule of Classes.

• 100-level courses in the College of Liberal Arts:  90 mixed; 93 remote; 8 require on-campus participation
• 200-level courses in the College of Liberal Arts:  71 mixed; 72 remote
• 300-level courses in the College of Liberal Arts:  11 mixed; 104 remote
• 400-level courses i the College of Liberal Arts:  4 mixed; 96 remote 
• School of Music Courses: 47 mixed; 43 remote

Students who live on campus will likely take courses taught in a mix of styles. About half of the 100-level and 200-level courses offered at DePauw will have an in-person component and about half will be taught fully online.  At the 300-level and 400-level almost all instruction will be fully online. Courses that are taught in mixed mode, meaning that they have an in-person component for on-campus learners, will vary in style.  In some cases, on-campus learners will attend in-person class on a regular basis. In other cases, online instruction will be supplemented with periodic in-person discussion, problem sessions, etc. Please keep in mind that additional courses may shift to remote-only instruction if conditions change.

We have conducted faculty development sessions multiple times per week throughout the summer. These sessions have covered topics ranging from using specific technologies to instructional approaches for teaching remote courses and mixed courses to building community and engaging students in a remote learning environment. Last spring the faculty had a very short time to prepare for remote instruction. This fall faculty have been planning all summer for remote and mixed instructional contingencies.  

The cornerstone of our academic model is that students and faculty mutually engage in the process. Office hours, class discussions, and one on one private meetings are what makes the DePauw experience special. It does not matter how these connections occur, but we all grow when they do. As faculty offer these opportunities and work to create welcoming environments, we call on students to step through these virtual and physical doors.

The instructional mode of all classes can be identified online on the Schedule of Classes (SOC).

Matching of first-year students to first-year seminars will continue on schedule. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors may adjust class schedules again from August 3rd through August 9th. The Registrar will start working on class schedules for first year students on August 13th to be complete by August 28.

Send an email to Registrarsoffice@depauw.edu or call 765-658-4141.

DePauw’s faculty are committed to connecting with students in and out of the classroom. As is always the case, DePauw classes will be small, even if they are delivered online. Small class sizes means that faculty can answer individual questions and provide feedback on submitted work. DePauw classes also count for major requirements, minor requirements and general education requirements. In addition, in departments that offer multi-course sequences, taking a course at DePauw helps assure you will be prepared for the courses that follow.

The add/drop period is still in place and is posted on the Academic Calendar and clearly communicated to students.

The faculty’s Curriculum Committee has been discussing Pass/D/Fail policies for the fall 2020 term. While a final decision has not been made, the discussion is leaning toward providing more flexibility than would be available in a typical year, although there may be less flexibility than was available in spring 2020. We will update the student body as soon as possible.

Students who are living off campus in fall 2020 and taking all classes remotely will receive a $500 grant, which we hope they will use for technology for remote learning. All juniors and seniors will receive a $500 professional opportunity grant, which we hope they will use for professional development opportunities (internships, graduate school visits, interview travel, interview attire, etc.)

In addition, we will continue to have an emergency fund for students with documented special needs.

Any merit-based scholarships you have received from the university will be retained for up to one full year and they will remain renewable for 8 semesters at DePauw. If you end up enrolling in any other university courses at another institution during your gap year, though, you will forfeit your first-year status and have to reapply as a transfer student. Your scholarships will not be retained and you will be re-evaluated for merit-based aid as a transfer student.

We also require a $1500 deferral/gap year deposit. This $1500 will be credited to your first tuition bill for the semester in which you are starting at DePauw.

If you defer your enrollment, you will not have to reapply. You will need to reconfirm your enrollment to DePauw by May 1, 2021 and can do so by emailing admission@depauw.edu.   If you are scheduled to participate in an Honor or Fellow Program (e.g., Honor Scholar, Management Fellows) you will not need to reapply to the program but you will need to reaffirm your admission to the University by May 1, 2021 and connect with your respective program to ensure they have space available for you in their cohort.

If you are a new student and planning on taking a gap year but decide to then take college classes at any other university during that time, you will have to reapply to DePauw as a transfer student. At that point, the transfer student admission process and the transfer credit policy would apply. Any university scholarships you received as a first-year student would be reevaluated through the transfer application process.

This leave of absence website explains how a current student may apply for a leave of absence and how to request to return from the leave.  If you take courses at another institution, it is important to use the transfer credit approval form for pre-approval to determine if specific courses will transfer to DePauw. Keep in mind that most general education or area distribution requirements cannot be completed with transfer credit. Credit for courses in a major or minor require the department chair signature. Please review the transfer credit policy and consult your advisor and the Office of the Registrar (registrarsoffice@depauw.edu) with questions. As noted below, you must also confer with the Financial Aid Office (financialaid@depaw.edu) to discuss the implications of your financial aid award.

Generally, DePauw financial aid is available for 8 semesters (4 academic years); however, these semesters need not be consecutive.  Need based scholarships, however, are based on the FAFSA filing each calendar year.  Students who attend another school will need to apply for aid through that school. Need based scholarships may vary from year to year based on the FAFSA.  There are also limitations on federal and state financial aid.  Students who have questions about the implications of a leave of absence on their financial aid should consult with the Financial Aid Office (financialaid@depauw.edu).

An update was provided to the community on June 30. The International Risk Assessment Committee has continued to meet regularly regarding off-campus study and made several recommendations which have been approved by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, appropriate faculty governance committees and the cabinet. Given that we are unable to reasonably mitigate the risks associated with operating off-campus study and maintain a commitment to a substantial immersive experience for our students, all fall 2020 off campus study programs, both domestic and international are suspended. 

We will allow DePauw sponsored fall 2020 internships (Management Fellows, Media Fellows, independently designed) that meet three conditions: 

(a) they are domestic

(b) the employer provides us with a safety plan to be approved

(c) the employer ensures the ability to convert the internship to a remote experience should the employer need to cease face-to-face operations

Additionally, we have suspended all Winter Term 2021 courses with a travel component. In addition, instead of offering on-campus Winter Term 2021 courses, we will offer Winter Term courses via remote instruction. More information will be provided regarding course offerings during the fall term. 

Students who have already engaged in a fall off-campus study program will hear from Mandy Brookins with instructions. Faculty who were scheduled to teach Winter Term 2021 will hear directly from Academic Affairs regarding their instructional options.

Move in for approved students will be scheduled between August 24-26. Information will be sent to all First Years, Sophomores, new transfer students and those juniors and seniors who will reside on campus on or around August 10. Move-in will include a health screening, limit of two other people to help you move in, and students will have a specific date and move-in time assigned.

Students approved to be on campus will be housed in single rooms in residence halls, Rector Village, University Owned Apartments and Houses, and independently owned fraternities and sororities, if they decide to open. For University owned facilities, traditional building designations will be different this fall, including more mixed class housing designations.

For current students, housing assignments made earlier this summer will need to be redone to factor in the new specific mix of students that will be on campus this fall. All on-campus students will receive a new housing assignment on or around August 10.

Our current housing model has one student per room. If students need an ADA accommodation, they should work with Student Accessibility Services, who in turn will work with Housing and Residence Life on placement. On the Google form, students can indicate people they would like to live near.

Fraternities and sororities will house students in single rooms. As privately owned facilities, each House Corporation will make decisions about opening their facility. House Corporations will consider factors such as modifications to sleeping rooms, guidelines from their national organizations, adaptations to in-house meal service, and the number of chapter members approved to be on campus. If a chapter decides not to open, affiliated students who are approved to be on campus are guaranteed housing in university housing.

University housing will be provided to students who planned to live in a Greek chapter house.

Yes. During campus check-in, students and their move-in help (two individuals) will be screened for the presence of COVID-19 symptoms prior to gaining access to university-owned housing.  Please note that DePauw requires that masks be worn throughout the move-in process both inside and outside.

Hoover Hall will open for carry-out only and for students only. No employees or community will be able to utilize Hoover Hall dining services at the start of the school year. Dining service operations will be re-evaluated after the first two weeks of classes (September 14) and adjustments will be made if health and safety conditions permit. 

House corporations will determine operations for meal services within chapter facilities. House Corporations were asked to create plans for enhanced meal safety operations by July 15. House Corporations are also asked to provide meals as carry-out only until September 14, and then adjustments will be made if health and safety conditions permit.

The University will encourage students to eat outside with a small, consistent group of friends or in their rooms. As we track community spread and viral transmission on our campus, we expect this guidance will be relaxed and students will have an opportunity to eat in Hoover or in their chapter facility, at tables that are appropriately distanced from one another. Wallace-Stewart will be open for carry-out only throughout the fall term. Cafe Allegro, Blend, and Cafe Roy will be closed for the fall term.

All students in University-owned housing will be automatically enrolled in the COVID-19 meal plan. The cost is $3,266 per semester, and includes 18 meals per week through Bon Appetit, $200 DPU flex dollars and $50 Community Plus. This meal plan allows for us to adapt to the unique needs of food service during the fall term including more carry out service, food delivery for students in isolation housing, and ensuring students have access to a variety of healthy food choices.

Students in fraternities and sorority owned facilities will be on meal plans as determined by their House Corporations.

If a student lives in University-owned housing:

• Those in quarantine may go to Hoover Hall to carry out their food. 

• As part of the meal plan, those in isolation will place meal orders online with dining services and have meals delivered. 

For students living in Greek chapters, chapters are responsible for providing food delivery for those in quarantine and isolation housing. If House Corporations decide, they may contract with Bon Appetit at a modest charge per meal for packaging and delivery. 

Yes. All of our previously published Health and Safety Guidelines, including the requirement to wear a mask inside University owned and operated spaces, still apply to all students and employees while on campus for the fall term. These Guidelines will be periodically reviewed and re-evaluated in light of health data from the state, county, and campus.

Yes. Students will be required to complete a COVID-19 module through SafeColleges, an online learning platform. Students will receive instructions via their campus email.

Each on-campus and commuter student will be given three reusable, washable, DePauw branded cloth masks at no charge. On-campus students should pick their mask up in their student mailbox, and we intend to mail commuter student masks to permanent residences prior to the start of classes.

These masks consist of two layers with an optional filter pocket and a semi-rigid nose arch. The inner layer is 100% cotton and the outer layer is 95% polyester/5% spandex.   We recommend that you have multiple masks available to ensure that you can frequently change them if they become wet or dirty.

Additionally, the School of Music is looking into specialty masks for singers, brass players, and woodwind players. Additional DePauw branded masks can be purchased through Eli’s Bookstore.

To start the semester with prioritizing health and safety of students and enhancing return-to campus protocols, additional precautions will be in place until at least September 14. These requirements will be reviewed and adjusted as appropriate on September 14.

• All meals on campus will be carry-out only.

• All gatherings, outside of classroom activities need to be under 10 people.

• No visitors in your residence beyond other students that live in your residence.

All learning spaces will be modified to permit at least six feet between each person in the room. Wherever possible, doors will be dedicated and marked as either entrances or exits. Please do not move furniture in classroom spaces.

Yes. Furniture will be moved to allow at least six feet of separation. Stairwells will be marked as one-way directions. Elevators will be limited to one person at a time. Additional adaptations to meet building specific needs will also be implemented.

The DePauw Health Wellness Center will be open to students on campus as per usual, as will Counseling Services. For more information regarding specific services and hours of operation, please visit https://depauwhealth.org/wellness-center-hours-for-students/ or https://www.depauw.edu/campus-life/wellness/counseling-services/

Yes, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) in the Asbury Hall (rooms 115 and 118) will offer  online assistance. (https://www.depauw.edu/academics/academic-resources/academic-resource-center/)

All university-sponsored events will be offered as virtual events only to allow all students to have the same experience regardless of location. 

Until notified otherwise, all in-person meetings or student gatherings will be limited to 10 attendees. 

Welch Fitness Center, Erdmann Natatorium, Neal Fieldhouse and the Indoor Tennis and Track Center will be open for students on campus with additional health and safety guidelines including occupancy limits and crowdsource cleaning expectations. Daily hours will accommodate for additional cleaning.

Campus Wellness/Recreation, Center for Spiritual Life, Campus Activities and Counseling Services will collaborate to create a schedule of events that will allow a student to support their mind, body or spirit every day of the week. Some of these activities will be in-person (appropriately distanced and masked) and others will be offered virtually.

Roy O. West is scheduled to be offline for the fall term although all library services (including full access to support from librarians) will be available online. Students may study in open buildings keeping a proper 6ft or more physical distance with masks, and are encouraged to use their room or outside on the physical grounds for studying.

A list of available study spaces will be made available to students as classes begin.

Yes. We ask that all students who choose to travel maintain all DePauw health and safety protocols including social distancing, masking, and health screening and inform campus upon their return. All campus community members should be aware that the more they travel the more risk they incur of becoming infected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

For incoming first years, your eServices page will have information regarding your assigned mailbox number and the accompanying combination.

The Student Post Office webpage reflects mail room operational plans for the fall term. Hours and general information is posted for all students. The page will continue to be updated as any plans change.

Students who will be in residency on campus this fall or attending classes on-campus will be required to participate in DePauw’s COVID-19 testing protocol and daily symptom screening. Two tests will be required within a seven day period.

Students traveling to campus from locations in the U.S. will be required to complete one test before coming to campus and one test shortly thereafter. Students traveling to campus from international locations in the two weeks immediately prior to their move in will be tested and screened for the presence of COVID-19 symptoms on their day of arrival and again seven days thereafter.  Students who were in any international location during the two weeks prior to their scheduled arrival on campus will be asked to quarantine, in keeping with CDC guidelines. This quarantine can occur either on or off campus.

Students whose first test result indicates they tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 may not come to campus without express permission. These individuals will have specific instructions sent to them by Student Academic Life regarding a delayed move-in. These students are still able to begin their courses remotely.

Throughout the term, students will be randomly chosen to undergo additional testing. Students will additionally be required to complete a daily self-symptom screen.

DePauw will cover the costs of all testing.  

If you have questions or concerns about completing the test prior to your arrival, or testing in general please contact Stevie Baker-Watson, Associate Vice President for Campus Wellness, at steviebaker-watson@depauw.edu.

We will be requiring all students to use our lab (Affinity) to ensure that test results can be sent directly to DePauw and received on time. If individuals have questions or concerns about the cost of the test or completing a test five days prior to their arrival, please contact Stevie Baker-Watson, steviebaker-watson@depauw.edu. (While we once considered the use of "any" lab, we became concerned that we will not have test results on-time and students will arrive on campus "waiting for a test result" which essentially means "you cannot move in".)

The University has reserved rooms for students who have been clinically diagnosed positive or tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Students being asked to isolate will be temporarily moved, instructions on where to go, what to take and further restrictions. 

A student who tests positive and develops symptoms must isolate for 10 days from onset and be fever-free for 72 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and have a reduction in symptoms over the 10 day period. A student who tests positive but never develops symptoms must isolate in their designated residence for 10 days after the date the positive specimen was collected.

DePauw Health Wellness Center will provide specific instructions to students who are required to isolate.

Because we are providing single rooms for students on campus, those students asked to quarantine because they have been exposed to someone who has tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 may do so in their already assigned room. If you are a close contact of a person diagnosed with COVID-19 you will be required to quarantine. A close contact is a person who spends more than 15 minutes within six feet of a positive COVID-19 person from the 48 hours prior to the positive person’s symptom onset until the positive COVID-19 person isolates themselves (or from 48 hours prior to the test collection date if the positive person never develops symptoms). While mask use decreases the risk of infection, at this time it does not change recommendations for quarantine. Close contacts need to quarantine for 14 days after the date of their last exposure.

DePauw Health Wellness Center will provide specific instructions to students who are required to quarantine.

DePauw has approved a COVID-19 Case Investigation and CONTACT TRACING AMNESTY policy.

Case Investigation is the phrase used to describe the process of interviewing individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. This interview will also be used to identify people who are their close contacts (people who have been exposed) so we can work with them to interrupt disease transmission.

The focus of the COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Amnesty Policy is to address barriers that may prevent students from sharing all information needed to allow the University to contact trace effectively. Any information shared during the contact tracing process will not be used in the University Community Standards process, even if a violation of University policy occurred.

On a daily basis, individuals should take their temperature with the thermometer they brought in their kit and assess for key indicators of illness:  a fever of 100.40F or higher, dry cough, shortness of breath, congestion or runny nose, diarrhea, nausea, sore throat, muscle pain/fatigue, chills, new loss of taste or smell.  Record this information on a piece of paper, or in an app so you can easily assess it if asked by a health care provider. If you have a fever, dry cough or shortness of breath, you should stay home and contact DePauw Health Wellness Center.

Counseling Services will continue to be available and accessible to students living and learning remotely. Virtual service options will include individual counseling, support groups, consultation and referral, crisis support, online resources, and various psychoeducational workshops and programming opportunities. Please note that participation in certain ongoing services may be more limited depending on students’ state of residence and current telemental health practice laws. However, immediate and after-hours support, consultation, resources, and referral assistance will remain available at all times. Please refer to https://www.depauw.edu/campus-life/wellness/counseling-services/ for more information.

The full slate of DePauw support services and resources will remain available to all students, including peer tutoring, the Academic Resource Center (W, Q and S Centers), peer mentors, dedicated library personnel to help you with research and assignments, career and internship services, and professional development programming available from our many other centers.

Hubbard Center Advisors, Faculty Advisors and our Fellowship Advisors are all eager to work with seniors on graduate and professional school applications, fellowship applications, career discernment and job searches. All advisors will be prepared to conduct virtual meetings with video conferencing software.

• The Hubbard Center will hold a virtual Career & Internship Fair on September 24th via Handshake’s virtual platform. Students can register beginning in mid-August/ More information can be found here.

• The virtual Graduate and Professional School Fair will be on October 1st. Meet admission counselors, engage with entrance exam prep representatives, learn about graduate assistantships/financial aid, ask questions about specific programs, and more. Registration for the fair opens on August 12th.

• Additionally, the Hubbard Center is working with employers to bring information sessions, recruiting events, and interviews to students virtually.

• You can also find information about these and other upcoming fairs in Campus Labs by searching the Events List using the Networking Event category.

The Career Development team in the Hubbard Center will conduct virtual workshops to assist all students in the job and internship searches and graduate and professional school application support. The workshops will cover Networking Etiquette, Resumes & Cover Letters, Behavior Interviewing, Conducting a Job & Internship Search, Writing a Personal Statement, Considering Graduate/Professional School, and How to Make the Most of a Fair. Specific information on live sessions will be shared in Campus Labs. These sessions will also be available through our website for viewing by students 24/7. 

Yes! In addition to the Fall Career & Internship Fair, the Hubbard Center is planning a variety of virtual events in collaboration with other Centers, departments, and organizations. Examples include, but are not limited to: industry-specific programming with DePauw alumni, info sessions about career options by major, alumni outreach in targeted geographic areas, and individual advising through virtual appointments with Hubbard Center staff. All programming will be listed in Campus Labs and can be searched via the Events List using the Networking Event category. All events will be recorded and available for those who are unable to attend. Appointments are available now and can be scheduled in SSC, on our webpage at https://www.depauw.edu/academics/centers/hubbard/, or by contacting the Hubbard Center via email at hubbard@depauw.edu.

• Students in the classes of 2022 and 2023 who were eligible for the Commitment at the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year remain eligible for the Commitment going into this academic year. Commitment programming will include both virtual synchronous and asynchronous opportunities during the fall term. Students in the class of 2023 can read more about Sophomore Commitment programming here and students in the class of 2022 can read more about Junior Commitment programming here. 

• Students in the class of 2024 can begin completing qualifications for the Commitment once classes begin. More information can be found on the First-Year Commitment Professional Programming page. 

• Students can track their Commitment progress at any time on their Gold Commitment Path in Campus Labs. Instructions about how to view a Path in Campus Labs can be found here. Full details about Gold Commitment qualifications can be found on the Commitment for Current Students page. Any questions about the Gold Commitment can be directed to goldcommitment@depauw.edu.

We will not be adjusting tuition, however, for students who choose or are required to study off campus this fall, we will not be charging room and board, and we will discount the student comprehensive fee by 25%. 

We will also be providing two COVID-19 related grants. All remote learners enrolled at DePauw (whether fall, spring or both), regardless of full or part-time, will receive one $500 Technology Grant for 2020-21. These will be credited to student accounts in the fall for all students enrolled and studying remotely in the fall. They will be credited in the spring to any student enrolled and studying remotely in the spring who did not receive the grant in the fall (either because they were not enrolled in fall or because they were enrolled and on-campus). 

All juniors and seniors, enrolled at DePauw, regardless of full-time or part-time, will receive one $500 Professional Development Grant for 2020-21. These will be credited to student accounts in the fall semester if the student is enrolled in the fall; they will be credited in the spring semester if an eligible student enrolls in the spring after not being enrolled in the fall.

In addition, we will continue to have an emergency fund for students with documented special needs.

DePauw’s tuition is based on the opportunity to earn academic credit.  Throughout any temporary (and hopefully short-term) adjustments requiring remote learning that may be required during the pandemic, students will continue to be eligible to earn full credit towards graduation without interruption.  

As a private, not-for-profit university, DePauw carefully considers and sets the tuition paid per academic credit based on all instructional costs plus campus operating costs; those include salaries for all faculty and staff who are needed to fully support our students as they earn their degrees, plus all other resources and services available to students whether they are on-campus or remote learners, including advising, tutoring, career services, facilities and grounds cleaning and maintenance, and more. Additionally, we expect expenses to be higher than normal during this coming academic year due to increased protocols, materials, and resources needed for health and safety reasons. 

DePauw faculty and staff are committed to providing all students outstanding instruction, advising and support services, in person and/or remotely, to ensure uninterrupted progress towards earning their degrees.

You will not be charged room and board and the financial aid office will work diligently to update your housing plans and notify you if there are any changes to your financial aid package.

DePauw will be absorbing significant additional costs to house and feed students on campus during the pandemic as we continue to prioritize the health and safety. Therefore, room and board costs are set for the fall semester assuming no interruption in the academic schedule occurs due to the pandemic. Students who need to remain on campus after November 20 will not be charged additional costs.

Each student has unique circumstances. Accordingly, this will be addressed on a case-by-case basis.  Students can contact the Financial Aid office for assistance. 

Detailed reporting is available here.

We have reset our first due date from August 1 to September 1. We expect invoices to be available in CashNet as soon as possible after housing is assigned. For questions related to invoices, contact Cash Receipts at 765-658-4015 or cashreceipts@depauw.edu

DePauw does not have different prices for different types of housing units, therefore room and board costs will remain the same for students living on campus.

Each student has unique circumstances with their work study appointments. Accordingly, this will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Students can contact their supervisors for assistance. 

DePauw requires all students every year to provide proof of primary health insurance.  Students who have insurance coverage through an individual policy or through one of their parents or guardians, can waive the insurance provided by DePauw University and their account will be credited prior to their September 2020 bill.  Students may complete the waiver at www.eiia.org/institution/depauw-university.

For students who enroll in the DePauw-United Healthcare plan, the plan offers affordable coverage anywhere where United Healthcare is accepted.  United Healthcare underwrites and pays claims under this plan and EIIA manages and services it.

International students who remain in their home country will not be enrolled in university insurance, as their insurance plan does not have coverage in their home country.  International students who reside outside of their home country will be automatically enrolled, unless they are currently enrolled in a plan that meets or exceeds the international student plan provided by DePauw University. 

For more information, please contact Stevie Baker-Watson, steviebaker-watson@depauw.edu.

Yes.  DePauw University is pleased to offer a health insurance plan for students who do not already have personal health insurance, or whose current plan has barriers to accessing care such as high deductibles, limited coverage for services received outside the health plan’s service area or an absence of participating providers in the Greencastle area.  Students may enroll at www.eiia.org/institution/depauw-university.

Hand sanitizing stations and disinfecting wipes will be placed throughout the campus in classrooms, offices, and public spaces. Everyone will be expected to wash or sanitize hands at every transition from one space to another. Students will be responsible for hand sanitizing and disinfecting within their personal space i.e. residence hall room. 

Each classroom, faculty and staff office, labs, lounge, restrooms, general public will be stocked with hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes. Students and Faculty will need to assist in disinfecting the surfaces they use such as desktops and chair handles (see above). Facilities staff will clean and disinfect classrooms five nights a week. 

Public spaces are cleaned on a nightly basis five nights a week. Additionally they are disinfected with CDC approved disinfectant.

In addition to the cleaning and disinfecting measures described above, there will be educational and directional signage. Classrooms and public areas are de-densified to encourage and foster proper social distancing. Additional outdoor seating provided throughout campus.  Restrooms in academic buildings are being converted to touchless fixtures.

Any university-sponsored events will be offered as virtual events only to allow all students to have the same experience regardless of location.

Yes. 

All Fall 2020 events in the Green Center will be presented without an audience. This allows us to safely make music and meet the university guidelines for masks and visitors.

We are working on options for presenting events virtually, either pre-recorded or live streamed, with high quality equipment. More information can be found on the School of Music coronavirus page. 

In-person events for Family Weekend are canceled. Stay tuned to this page for more updates regarding remote engagement opportunities. 

On July 22, the NCAC released a decision to suspend all intercollegiate competition through December 31, 2020. Student athletes and families were notified of this change, and we are working to bring the best experience to our student-athletes without a focus on intercollegiate competition. More information can be found here.

We expect that coaches and student-athletes will routinely connect to engage in athletically related activities like small group practices, film work, professional development and leadership activities during the fall term. All student-athletes enrolled at DePauw will be able to engage in these activities.

At this time, we are seeking a waiver from the NCAA to move fall championships sports to the spring.  We will not know if this waiver will be granted until some time this fall.

All student-athletes who are enrolled at DePauw are welcome to attend practices and other department activities this fall, but it is not required, even for those who are living on or close to campus. These activities are still regulated by the NCAA bylaws and we will ask you to complete compliance paperwork and medical clearance before you participate in formal team activities; we anticipate completing this work during the first two weeks of the term.  

All student-athletes will need to be medically cleared by our sports medicine staff, which will include a COVID-19 antibody test and follow up testing.  If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have a positive antibody test, please send this test result to your athletics trainer and depauwhealth@hendricks.org.

All student-athletes will need to complete training on COVID-19 and ways to minimize transmission in the athletics realm.

During this time, you should maintain your fitness on your own or in small groups, while maintaining appropriate physical distance. We will offer PES outdoors to provide you an opportunity to engage in physical activity, appropriately distanced from other members of #TeamDePauw.

Beginning mid September following medical clearance, teams will begin working with their coaches and teammates in small groups, maintaining physical distance as much as possible. We hope to have opened Welch Fitness Center by this time, but there will be both reduced occupancy and hours of operation to ensure we can adequately maintain physical distance and clean the space.

If you choose to come to campus for practice and other department activities (i.e. you are not residing on campus), you will be required to take two COVID-19 tests in seven days with two negative results before you will be allowed to participate in any team activities.  You will also be included in the weekly, random asymptomatic testing on campus. If you do not participate in the testing program, you will not be allowed to participate in in-person team activities. Coaches will be asked to verify commuters to ensure they are a part of our testing program. All student-athletes coming to campus for practice and other department activities need to adhere to all policies that apply to on-campus residential students.

The definition of visitors includes, but is not limited to: family members of DePauw students and employees, prospective students and their families, alumni, academic visitors, contractors, visiting athletics teams and staff, athletics officials, and vendors conducting business with the University, including making deliveries to the University.  

Essential contractors and deliveries may visit campus provided they abide by the visitors policy listed in the Health Practice Recommendations and Requirements. 

All other visitors should conduct business virtually until further notice. The visitors policy will be re-evaluated two weeks after the first day of in-person classes. 

In the absence of extenuation circumstances, no visitors can enter campus housing units. Our personal residence spaces need to be a place where all students can control their environment and feel as protected as possible from a random introduction of the virus. 

Prospective students and their families may still visit campus, but we will continue to limit the number and keep current restrictions until further notice. All appointments should be scheduled through the Office of Admissions; prospective students are limited to two additional guests for campus visits.

Unfortunately, no visitors can enter campus housing units unless there are extenuating circumstances. Our personal residence spaces need to be a place where all students can control their environment and feel as protected as possible from a random introduction of the virus.

If there are extenuating circumstances, such as a student’s illness, please call the Housing & Residence Life Office for assistance during regular business hours (765-658-4500) or DePauw Police after hours and on weekends (765-658-5555).

Students will be provided additional information on campus resources and a schedule of important sessions in August. Students will continue to receive weekly messages regarding Summer Online Orientation and New Student Orientation. Throughout, we will provide you an opportunity to connect with your classmates, first-year seminar advisor, attend virtual educational sessions, and complete online modules.

You can apply to defer for a semester or a year, but the request will not automatically be approved. You must submit your reason for deferring and what you plan to do during that time away from DePauw to admission@depauw.edu and it will be reviewed by the admission committee and a decision will be made within 24 hours. If you are approved for a deferral, you must submit a $1500 deposit. This deposit will be credited towards your first bill at DePauw. Should you enroll at another university during your deferral period, you forfeit your spot in the first-year class and your deferral deposit. You will have to reapply as a transfer student.

All first-year students are encouraged to fully participate in the fall term -  either remotely or on-campus. As you progress towards your degree, deferring for a semester or a year does put you in a position to graduate outside of your cohort. While this is certainly a time of great uncertainty, starting the semester with your first-year cohort will offer a lot of support that you will not receive in a deferral period. 

If you choose to enroll at a community college or another University for the fall, you forfeit your ability to join the first-year class. You will have to reapply as a transfer student, which can have implications on your financial aid and scholarship offers at DePauw.

New students who will be on-campus this fall, either learning or living, should complete their immunization documentation by August 1.  Students should establish an account at www.medproctor.com and follow the instructions on line.

For new students who will not be on-campus this fall, please complete your immunization record no later than October 1.  Students should establish an account at www.medproctor.com and follow the instructions on line. For more information, please contact Stevie Baker-Watson, steviebaker-watson@depauw.edu.

For spring term, we are committed to welcoming all students, if possible. If not, we will prioritize our seniors and juniors, new mid-year transfer and other specific populations as described above. If space permits, based on the number of isolation and quarantine spaces required, we also will welcome some first-year students and sophomores. 

All remote learners enrolled at DePauw (whether fall, spring or both), regardless of full or part-time, will receive one $500 Technology Grant for 2020-21. These will be credited to student accounts in the fall for all students enrolled and studying remotely in the fall. They will be credited in the spring to any student enrolled and studying remotely in the spring who did not receive the grant in the fall (either because they were not enrolled in fall or because they were enrolled and on-campus). 

All juniors and seniors, enrolled at DePauw, regardless of full-time or part-time, will receive one $500 Professional Development Grant for 2020-21. These will be credited to student accounts in the fall semester if the student is enrolled in the fall; they will be credited in the spring semester if an eligible student enrolls in the spring after not being enrolled in the fall.

Out of more than 650 courses offered by DePauw in fall of 2020 only eight courses are limited to students who are residing on campus. These eight courses are all offered at the 100-level and are primarily aimed at First Year Students (e.g., First Year Seminar courses). Therefore, with very few exceptions, students should not have to adjust their course schedules if they will be learning remotely.

There will be no early arrivals for any students due to the need for the health screen and testing protocol. 

Students traveling from international locations can choose to (1) Arrive on campus August 26-28 and take a test on campus. A second test would be required seven days after arriving on campus. (2) Arrive in the US early, complete a test August 18-21 and move-in August 24-26. Students choosing the second option must provide a US address no later than August 6 to the testing company to ensure the at home test can be received prior to their telehealth visit August 18-21. 

 If you are a returning international student:

• If you are planning to attend in-person classes, be sure to contact International Student Services to share your campus address. This information must be shared with ISS within 10 calendar days from the fall semester start date.

• If you plan to stay outside the US, under the DHS guidance issued on July 15th, 2020, your F-1 SEVIS record will remain active while enrolled in online classes (full-time course load).

• If you want to take a leave of absence in the fall semester, visit the Leave of Absence page for more information. Additionally, students need to complete the Authorized Early Withdrawal form required by ISS (available here) and attach the approval letter for the leave of absence. 

If you are a new student:

• If you are planning to attend in-person classes, be sure to contact International Student Services to activate your F-1 SEVIS record.  Be sure to do so within 10 calendar days from the fall semester start date.

• If you plan to stay outside the US, ISS will email students at the beginning of the semester with additional instructions regarding how to report their location from which they are taking online courses.

• If you want to defer your admission, contact the International Admission Office at intladmission@depauw.edu.

On July 13th, the US Department of State announced that US embassies and consulates are beginning the phased resumption of routine visa services. Check your nearest US consulate's website for updates regarding the status of its services. You may also look up current visa wait times for all embassies and consulates.   

Visa appointment considerations:

• You may be eligible for an expedited interview appointment based on your school start date.

• The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location. You should refer to the instructions on the website of the Embassy or Consulate Visa Section where you will interview, or on their online appointment scheduling site. You will need to provide proof of the need for an earlier appointment (e.g. I-20 showing your start date).

• In all cases, you must first submit the online visa application form (DS-160), pay the application fee and SEVIS I-901 fee, and schedule the first available interview appointment. Only at this point will the embassy or consulate consider your request for an expedited appointment.

• For example, if you are applying for a student visa in China, you can find the expedited visa appointment information here. 

• If possible, check appointment availability of other US consulates in addition to your preferred consulate.

On May 12, DHS announced that they coordinated with both the Department of State (which oversees US embassies and consulates) and Customs & Border Protection regarding the policy to allow electronic issuance and signing of Forms I-20 for the duration of the COVID19 emergency. Both agencies are in support of this action.

You may stay in the U.S. on an expired F-1 visa as long as you maintain your immigration status by being in possession of a valid I-20 and by meeting normal enrollment requirements. (Canadian citizens do not need a visa to enter the U.S.).

The five-month rule applies only to students that interrupt their studies. If you are enrolling in online courses, maintaining full-time status until the end of the fall term, and intend to register as usual for the spring term, this rule will not affect you. Remember that when classes resume fully in person, you must return to campus to maintain your immigration status.

Students who have been outside the U.S. in any of the 14 days prior to arriving on campus will be expected to self-quarantine on campus for 14 days as per CDC guidelines.

Academic advisors look forward to meeting students as usual, although meetings may be conducted virtually. Please contact your academic advisor directly. 

Send an email to Registrarsoffice@depauw.edu or call 765-658-4141.

Your professors want you to be able to engage fully in all your courses. To that end, courses will be scheduled to increase access to real-time participation to the extent possible. Additionally, some courses will require only asynchronous learning activities to enable students in different time zones to engage in coursework. These courses will be indicated in the Schedule of Classes by “ARR” in the time bank column.