DePauw reveals post- spring break COVID-19 strategies

As the DePauw University community returns from spring break and it continues to monitor COVID-19 infection rates, the university has shared updates to its current COVID-19 policies that will go into effect April 4.

For two years, DePauw joined the rest of the world in support of COVID-19 mitigation strategies to better protect ourselves and each other. Public health regulations were implemented at DePauw for two reasons.:

-- Individual health: Significant sections of our community did not have the means to protect themselves from the health threat.

-- Community/infrastructure impact: The infrastructure of the community could have collapsed in the absence of such regulations.

We have entered a phase in the COVID-19 pandemic where public health experts support relaxing many of the mitigation strategies. Moreover, all members of the DePauw community have access to at-home tests and effective masks, and most have the ability to receive vaccines that significantly reduce the likelihood of severe disease.

Individuals can protect themselves through the use of KF94, KN95, N95 or surgical masks which are widely available. Likewise, community infrastructure on campus and in Putnam County are stable and manageable. Accordingly, adjustments have been made to mitigation strategies as outlined below, including shifting to personal health decisions based on one’s own individual risks.

DePauw’s mitigation team will continue to monitor and adjust COVID-19 regulations and procedures as necessary. Changes will occur if evidence suggests impacts on community infrastructure and/or individual health with new COVID-19 variants.

The following campus-wide policies are being adopted following spring break for students and employees:

Masking is recommended on campus and surgical, KF94, KN95, or N95 masks will remain required during the following instances throughout spring term:

-- Classes and labs (in the case that course content or pedagogy requires an exception, an exemption request may be sent to the vice president for academic affairs or the dean of the School of Music).

-- Health care settings (DePauw Health Wellness Center, Counseling Services and athletic training rooms).

-- Intercollegiate athletics if directed by NCAA and NCAC guidance.

-- Specific university-sponsored events.