Communicable Diseases Campus Housing Information

We continue to comply with all guidelines from the university, State of Illinois, City of Chicago, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This may include, but not limited to wearing face masks in public areas, encouraging frequent hand washing, placing hand sanitizing stations throughout our halls, social distancing, and extra cleaning of all of our buildings on campus. 

Face masks are recommended, but NOT required on campus. Wearing a mask is a personal choice and the DePaul community supports your decision to continue wearing a mask if you so choose. For more information, including the current face mask policy, visit the DePaul University COVID-19 Updates and Guidance FAQs.

Free N95 masks: N95 respirators are available for free at a variety of pharmacies across the country. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and enter your zip code for a list of available locations.   

DePaul is committed to the health and safety of our students and those living in close quarters on campus are potentially at a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure or contraction. As a result, all students living on campus, both in Lincoln Park and University Center downtown, are expected to be vaccinated or have an approved exemption from the university. This vaccination requirement includes the first booster shot as well.

As with all immunizations, DePaul will consider requests for medical and religious exemptions on a case-by-case basis, but students living on campus should understand the importance of being vaccinated for COVID-19.

You must get tested via a testing center or an at-home rapid test. Testing is the only way to confirm your symptoms are related to COVID-19.

Please visit the COVID-19 Testing webpage for testing information and options.

Reporting a COVID-19 positive case is no longer a requirement at DePaul and short-term housing is no longer available for the remainder of the 2022-23 academic year. If a student, faculty, or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they should visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the most up-to-date instructions. Please contact your doctor if you have questions about symptoms or treatment options.

Residents who test positive while living on campus must follow CDC guidelines and wear a high-quality mask (N95 or KN95) at home and in public. Do not leave your unit unless you need to visit a healthcare provider, use the bathroom, pick up meals from the front desk or dining hall, retrieve urgent mail and packages, dispose of trash and recycling, or exit in the event of a fire alarm or emergency evacuation. Masks are not required while sleeping, but residents sharing a bedroom should attempt to socially distance as much as possible.

Roommates who share a unit with a resident who tested positive for COVID-19 are already considered a “close contact.” However, quarantine is not a requirement for those who are up to date with their COVID vaccinations.

Currently, we are following our regular visitor policies. You can check the Visitor Policies webpage for the latest update.