By Chelsea Zhao
Estimated Reading time: 3 minutes
Dominican University retains safety protocols and reinstates tentative mask rules for the community in the 2021-2022 Return to Campus Guide.
“The following plan represents our best attempt, at the current time, of responding to the pandemic in ways that promote the success of our students while keeping our community safe,” the plan reads.
Dominican University offices open on Aug. 16 to its regular hours. The university still expects students to follow the Caritas Commitment. Individuals not vaccinated or with compromised immune systems must wear a mask and social distance.
As of Aug. 9, due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in Cook County and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals must wear mask indoors.
All guests can receive a visitor badge at Welcome and Information Desk. Unvaccinated guests must wear masks.
Dominican will also not cap the maximum classroom density, instead sorting the classes to online, in-person, or hybrid for best health precautions.
As of Aug. 2, fall modality for undergrad classes are 36% face-to-face, 24% hybrid, and 40% online. For graduate students, it’s 12% face-to-face, 14% hybrid and 74% online.
Fall 2021 Course Modality (Undergraduate & Graduate Courses)
| Division Course Sections | Face-to-Face | Hybrid | Online |
| Undergrad | 36% | 24% | 40% |
| Grad | 12% | 14% | 74% |
According to the July 28 Wednesday Memo, 42% undergraduates, 47% of graduate students, 78% of full-time staff and faculty, and 55% of all employees (full- and part-time staff and faculty) have confirmed their vaccination as of July 13.
DU continues to offer vaccines to students, staff, faculty and their extended family or friends. The free Johnson & Johnson vaccines are offered on Thurs., Aug. 5 and Sat., Aug. 28 in Parmer Hall 107 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and on Tues., Aug. 17 in Springer Suite and Cyber Café. Those who register for a shot must bring a photo ID and insurance card.
Returning students and incoming residents must upload vaccination documentation to Wellness Center by Aug. 15th.
New students have until September 3 to upload their vaccination record, which means they will need to receive the final dose by Aug. 20.
Student athletes have until Aug. 5th to demonstrate fully vaccination status, or will undergo regular testing.
As of fall 2021, individuals will continue to use #CampusClear app to report positive COVID-19 cases. Only unvaccinated individuals need also to report COVID-19 symptoms. Wellness Center continues to use #CampusClear for contact-tracing.
Vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19. However, with onset of COVID-19 symptoms, all individuals need to leave campus for 10 days and return only if symptom-free for 24 hours.
Residents who live within 120 miles need to isolate in their residence, those who live further than 120 miles will stay in isolation rooms on campus.
Resident Life extended typical move-in days to four days: from Thursday, Aug. 26 to Sunday, Aug. 29. Unvaccinated guests who help with move-in must wear masks.
Campus Offices
Safety measures remain the same as 2020, with Plexiglas shields installed in high traffic areas such as Dining Services, IT Support, Shuttles, etc. Hours and Operations in Dining Hall and Cyber Café are extended while continuing safe space and sitting arrangements.
University will continue to provide cleaning supplies and advocate handwashing. Dominican University continues to enforce responsible behavior: student violations are reported to academic alert system while Human Resources handle faculty violations.
Study abroad opportunities in Florence, Limerick, Salamanca and Oxford were cancelled.
University Ministry will offer in-person and virtual programing. Rosary Chapel and Interfaith Prayer Room will also be open for 4 p.m. Sunday Mass and community use.
Igini Sports Forum, Fitness Center and Rebecca Crown Library are also open to the DU community members.
DU Performing Arts Center plans to host in-person concert in October and resume regular programming in January 2022. All Siena Center speakers are scheduled online and all Theater Arts fall production in-person in Lund Auditorium.
Students can reach out to Wellness Center at 708-524-6229 to make appointments with counselors and employees can contact 1-800-319-7819 for the Employee Assistance Program.
Useful Links/Contacts
Upload Vaccination Documentation
Vaccination Clinics Registration
Return to Campus Plan Fall 2021
#CampusClear App (Apple App Store) & (Google Play Store)
Wellness Center wellness@dom.edu
Resident Life housing@dom.edu
