Managing Communicable
Diseases at DePaul
2022-23 Guide for University Center (Loop) Residents
last updated September 15, 2022
Dear Resident,
If you are reading this message, you have likely tested positive for COVID-19 or simply want
to prepare yourself for any type of exposure or illness while living on campus. Whatever your
current circumstance is, we genuinely thank you for doing your part as a member of the
DePaul community. We are in this together and will do our best to support you while living on
campus.
DePaul has developed policies and processes to create a safe environment for all students,
including the COVID-19 vaccination and booster requirement. Still, living in a shared-living
community comes with certain risks. Since the last academic year, COVID procedures have
changed in higher education and monkeypox (MPV) has become a public health concern. We
are urging you to read the contents of this guide carefully, especially if you are experiencing
symptoms related to COVID-19 or MPV.
This guide will not only prepare you, but it will focus on resources what will help you identify
symptoms and determine next steps. Moreover, we will continue to update our website,
particularly the Communicable Diseases Information for Campus Residents webpage at
go.depaul.edu/communicable-diseases-resident-info.
If you have questions, please email us at [email protected] or use our chat feature
available on the Housing website: go.depaul.edu/housing.
Take care,
Department of Housing Department of
Dining & Student Centers Residential Education
(773) 325-7196 (773) 325-4211
go.depaul.edu/housing go.depaul.edu/resed
Section 1:
Introduction
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Residents with COVID-19 symptoms
Residents who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., fever, body aches, cough, loss of taste
or smell) should get tested for COVID-19 immediately. Rapid antigen at-home tests for COVID-19
are available to pick up on campus from these two offices:
Lincoln Park Campus Loop Campus
Office of Health Promotion & Wellness
Lincoln Park Student Center
2250 N. Sheffield Avenue, Suite 302
Monday-Thursday, 10AM-3PM
Student Affairs Office
Lewis Center
25 E. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 1400
Monday-Thursday, 10AM-3PM
Residents may also visit the City of Chicago COVID Testing webpage for alternative test solutions.
Residents who test positive for COVID-19
During the 2022-23 academic year, DePaul University is no longer requiring students to report a
positive COVID-19 test result. Instead, DePaul instructs all students who test positive for COVID-19
to inform their roommate(s) and begin the isolation in place process. At universities where the
COVID-19 vaccination and/or booster are required, isolation in place has become a standard practice
for those who test positive. To determine “day 0” of their minimum 5-day isolation, residents may
refer to the CDC’s Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 webpage.
What does it mean to isolate in place at DePaul?
Residents who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate in place, which means:
• Residents must isolate in their permanent unit for 5 days and should not leave their unit unless
they need to visit a healthcare provider, use the bathroom, pick up meals from the front desk or
2nd floor dining hall of University Center, retrieve urgent mail and packages, dispose of trash and
recycling, or exit in the event of a fire alarm or emergency evacuation. When a resident is outside
of their unit, they must wear an N95, KN95, or other medical-grade mask.
• Masks are not required while sleeping, but residents sharing a bedroom should attempt to socially
distance as much as possible.
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Section 2:
COVID-19
• Meals from on-campus dining locations will not be delivered when a resident isolates in place.
However, residents may leave their unit to pick up food from dining on the 2nd floor of University
Center. Residents may also opt for food delivery from online services, such as DoorDash,
GrubHub, Amazon Fresh, etc. Again, residents who are COVID-19 positive must be fully masked
when picking up their food from the 2nd floor dining hall or front desk of the building.
• When isolating in place, residents should NOT accept visitors, except those who are briefly visiting
to drop off food, mail, or homework assignments.
• A resident may stop isolating in place after 5 days, IF they have improved symptoms and are
fever-free for 24 hours or are fever-free over the 5-day isolation period. Presenting proof of a
negative COVID test to contact tracers is no longer required. Residents must also wear a mask
immediately after isolation for an additional 5 days.
• A resident must continue isolating in place after 5 days, IF they still have a weakened immune
system or were extremely sick during their 5-day isolation period. They should wait to end their
isolation until they are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and
their other symptoms have improved. As soon as their isolation has ended, they must wear a mask
for an additional 5 days.
Residents who are not comfortable with isolating in their unit may choose to isolate in place
somewhere off campus or in a designated short-term housing unit on the Lincoln Park campus.
Short-term housing can be used for COVID-positive students if they have symptoms that
are serious but not serious enough to be hospitalized.
Those who are facing or dealing with an urgent crisis while isolating in place should
call 9-1-1 or DePaul University Public Safety at (773) 325-7777.
Roommates of a resident who tested positive for COVID-19
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. It is also important for close contacts to wear a mask outside of their unit for at
least 10 days (starting on the date they were last exposed to the COVID-positive resident).
If a roommate (close contact) is asymptomatic or has a negative COVID test result, they should:
• Self-monitor for symptoms.
• Continue wearing a medical-grade mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for 10 days.
• Wash hands frequently for at least 20 seconds each time.
• Disinfect any shared spaces, including bathroom (if in a suite-style unit or on-campus apartment).
If a roommate (close contact) is experiencing symptoms, they must:
• Take a COVID-19 test immediately (see page 2 for testing information). Getting tested for COVID-19
will help determine if isolation in place is needed.
Our staff understands that some roommates may be immunocompromised and want to be placed in
short-term housing (for up to 5 days). In this case, roommates may contact the Residence Director
On Duty via DePaul Public Safety. All residents must note that short-term housing is NOT offered to
suitemates in residence halls or roommates in an on-campus apartment who do not share
a bedroom with the COVID-positive resident.
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What is monkeypox?
Per the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC):
Monkeypox symptoms can include:
• Rash (typically located near genitals and could be found on other areas like hands, feet, face, etc.)
• Pimples or blisters and are painful or itchy
• Fever
• Chills
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Exhaustion
• Muscle aches and back pain
• Headache
• Flu-like symptoms such as sore throat, nasal congestion, or cough
How is monkeypox spread?
Monkeypox can be transmitted through close contact, typically skin-to-skin contact or contact with
bodily fluids, including respiratory droplets. An individual can also contract monkeypox by touching
objects (e.g., clothing, bedding, towels) that have been used by someone with monkeypox. Therefore,
it is important for on-campus residents to keep their units and personal belongings clean.
Residents with monkeypox symptoms
Residents who are experiencing monkeypox symptoms (e.g., rash, fever, chills) should avoid contact
with others, wear a medical-grade mask around campus, cover any exposed sores/rashes with
clothing or bandages, and get tested by a healthcare provider immediately. Those seeking medical
care may contact AMITA Sage Medical Group at (773) 549-7757 to schedule an appointment in
advance.
Continued on next page...
“Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox
virus is part of the same family of viruses as variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox.
Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder, and monkeypox is
rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.”
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Section 3:
Monkeypox (MPV)
Residents who test positive for monkeypox
If a resident tests positive for monkeypox, they must inform DePaul Community Health at
depaulc[email protected] to discuss next steps and prepare to go into isolation. DePaul
will seek guidance from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) regarding contact tracing
and other recommendations.
Residents with monkeypox may choose to isolate somewhere off campus, such as a friend or family
member’s residence. Or, they may opt to stay in short-term housing near DePaul’s Lincoln Park
C
ampus. For more information about short-term housing offered by DePaul, go to Section 4: Short-
Term Housing on page 6 of this guide.
There isn’t a treatment for monkeypox currently, but there are ways to manage symptoms. Residents
may refer to the CDC’s online resource for monkeypox and/or DePaul’s online resource for
monkeypox.
FIRST AID
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Section 4:
Short-Term Housing
Short-term housing is a designated apartment building adjacent to the Lincoln Park campus for a
resident with serious COVID symptoms, monkeypox, etc. to isolate. The process to request short-term
housing requires aresident to:
1. Call Public Safety at (773) 325-7777.
2. Ask to speak with the Residence Director On Duty.
3. Await approval for short-term housing from the Residence Director On Duty (residents who are
unapproved must follow the isolation in place process, see pages 2-3).
Spaces in short-term housing are limited, not guaranteed. If a resident has been approved for
short-term housing, they need to prepare and pack the essentials before they are transferred to a
temporary unit.
What to pack for short-term housing
What will be provided in a
short-term housing unit
F Clean Clothing
F Clean Bedding and Pillow
F Clean Towels
F Toiletries (soap, toothbrush, toothpaste)
F Paper Products (toilet paper, paper towels)
F Bottled Water
F Food (refrigerator and microwave will be available)
F First Aid Kit
F Prescription Medication
F Menstrual Products (if applicable)
F Laptop (WiFi will be available)
F Cell Phone and Mobile Device Charger
F Face Masks (preferably N95 or KN95)
F Linen Pack*
(fresh bedding and towels)
F Toilet Paper
F Trash Bags
*We encourage residents to bring
bedding for their own comfort.
✓
✓
✓
Page 7 of this guide covers the services available while a resident is in short-term housing.
Continued on next page...
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Dining & Meal Delivery
University Center residents living in short-term housing may pick up meals for carryout from the
Lincoln Park Student Center (2250 N. Sheffield Avenue) or order food for delivery from a third-
party service, like DoorDash, Grubhub, Amazon Fresh, etc. Those in short-term housing must be fully
masked when picking up their food from the Student Center or front of the building.
Garbage
Everyone in short-term housing should keep their temporary unit clean and throw away food scraps
and wrappers. If a trash basket is full, the resident must tie the garbage bag and take it out to the
trash bin behind the building. Any resident in short-term housing for illness must wear a mask before
leaving their temporary unit to take out the trash.
Mail & Deliveries
University Center residents who are too sick to pick up urgent mail and packages (e.g., medication,
medical supplies, and textbooks) should email [email protected] during regular business hours.
Non-essential mail and packages should be postponed until a resident’s isolation period is over.
Visitors
Out of an abundance of caution, visitors are not permitted inside a short-term housing unit except to
briefly drop off food, mail, or homework assignments.
Section 5:
Mental Health Resources
University Counseling and Psychological Services (UCAPS)
The college experience includes many unique challenges and opportunities for students. It is a time
of change, growth, and transition. Reaching your academic goals can be difficult if you are suffering
from emotional distress, relationship difficulties, or other concerns. There may be times when these
challenges lead to excessive stress, anxiety, depression, confusion, and loneliness. Seeking support,
including counseling can enable you to understand and deal with these issues.
University Counseling and Psychological Services (UCAPS) is committed to creating a welcoming
and affirming space where the dignity of all DePaul students is valued and affirmed. We strive to
support the educational success of students by providing culturally aware clinical services, includ-
ing: individual and group counseling, outreach programming, consultation, community referrals, and
training opportunities.
How to make an appointment
• Call 773-325-CARE (2273), Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and select option 2.
-OR-
• Visit the UCAPS website at go.depaul.edu/ucaps anytime and select Schedule a Consultation.
Students have in-person and tele-health options for consultations and other appointments
through UCAPS.
After-Hours Crisis
Students should dial 773-325-CARE (2273) and select option 1, if prompted, to speak directly to a
therapist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Students facing or dealing with an urgent crisis should call 9-1-1 or DePaul University Public Safety
at 773-325-7777. Examples of an urgent crisis:
• Thoughts of hurting self
• Thoughts of hurting other people
• Have not eaten in a few days
(not due to illness)
• Recent victim of a physical or
sexual assault
• Concern over a student’s
whereabouts
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Center for Students with Disabilities coordinates providing accommodations and other
services to students with documented disabilities.
Health Promotion & Wellness provides holistic education, support and resources for you
to establish and sustain long-term, healthy behaviors.
Office of Public Safety provides the following services: emergency response, crime
prevention, security awareness, crime victim assistance, safety tips, and lost and found.
go.depaul.edu/publicsafety | Lincoln Park: (773) 325-7777 | Loop: (312) 362-8400
Section 6:
University Resources
