DePauw enacts ‘no fans’ policy for sporting events

As DePauw officials continue to monitor rapidly-changing developments with the COVID-19 virus, the university has enacted a policy of having no fans at athletics events in the coming break.

The university made the announcement Tuesday with a statement that read in part, “On campus athletic events will continue as scheduled, though the university has implemented a ‘no-fans’ policy, and athletics will operate events with only required staff.”

At this time, the policy will continue through at least spring break.

Citing the safety of students, staff and faculty, the university has made a number of decisions regarding travel, visitors and events.

Among these, the university recently announced the cancelation of all events with guest lecturers or visitors beginning this past Sunday and continuing through at least spring break. This included the cancelation of Boston Celtics’ coach Brad Stevens’ planned return to DePauw for an Ubben lecture.

School of music concerts have also been canceled for the coming weeks.

The university also suspended all university-funded travel through spring break and potentially beyond. All planned visits from international areas were also canceled.

Additionally, DePauw has canceled in-person classes for March 19 and 20, the last two days before spring break, in order to prepare for a shift to online instruction, should such a move be needed at a later date.

Universities around the country have already made the shift to online instruction.

The latest numbers from the Indiana State Department of Health, released Tuesday morning, indicated six positive tests for COVID-19 in five counties in the state.

These included two cases in nearby Hendricks County.