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DePauw University outlines student return plans

GREENCASTLE, Ind. (Inside INdiana Business) — DePauw University first-year students and sophomores will begin on-campus classes Aug. 31, with juniors and seniors returning to campus in the spring. President Lori White says the staggered return is due to the resurgence of COVID-19 cases.

“Despite our best hopes, efforts and preparations, we now know that to safeguard the health of our DePauw and Greencastle communities in the face of an alarming resurgence of COVID-19 in our state and nation, we must reduce the number of students who are on campus at any one time,” White said in a letter sent via email to students, their families and faculty and staff members. 

“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,” White wrote.  

The university is allowing on-campus learning to new transfer students who choose to live on campus; international students who must stay on campus due to government regulations; students whose home life is not conducive to learning; and students at academic risk, along with certain student leaders. 

Masks are mandatory in all university common spaces, and no social gatherings of more than 10 people will be allowed, and dining and service lines will be limited. 

The last on-campus day is scheduled for Nov. 20, followed by a week for Thanksgiving break; two weeks of remote learning for all students; and a week for papers, projects and exams, with the term ending Dec. 18.