Students walk by the Chappy statue

Coronavirus Information

This webpage is used to provide the College of DuPage community with up-to-date information and resources regarding the College’s response to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Please continue to check back for updates.

24. Message from the President of College of DuPage, May 28, 2020

 

College of DuPage Community:

Congratulations on a successful spring 2020 semester. With tenacity and applied skill, the faculty, staff, and administrators of College of DuPage quickly moved to online and alternative instruction. Your efforts were nothing short of amazing.

It is now time to look forward to the summer 2020 semester. As we begin the new semester, it may be helpful to review a few points about how we will operate as we continue to navigate the coronavirus crisis.

Coronavirus Advisory Task Force

The members of the Coronavirus Advisory Task Force are listed below. The task force advises the Cabinet on issues related to the College’s response to the coronavirus threat. If you have suggestions or questions, please contact one of the task force members.

  • Dilyss Gallyot, Interim Dean, Nursing & Health Sciences Division, Task Force Chair
  • Cheryl Baunbach-Caplan, Counselor, CODAA Representative
  • James Benté, Vice President, Planning & Institutional Effectiveness, Cabinet Liaison
  • Robert Clark, Faculty, Business & Applied Technology Division
  • Anna Gay, Program Support Specialist, Classified Staff Representative
  • Lubna Haque, Faculty, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Division
  • Tim Henningsen, Faculty, Chair, Instructional Committee
  • Susan Landers, Manager, Learning Technology Center
  • Jennifer Kelley, Faculty (Library), Social/Behavioral Sciences & Library Division
  • Lee Kesselman, Faculty, Arts, Communication, & Hospitality Division
  • Tamara McClain, Manager, Admissions & Outreach Office
  • Stephanie Quirk, Coordinator, Student Life and Leadership Development
  • Jason Snart, Faculty, Liberal Arts Division

Business-Related Expenses

With appropriate advance approval, the College will pay for or reimburse employees for business-related expenses incurred during the coronavirus crisis that are extraordinary in nature. Employees who need to purchase goods or services of this nature should contact their supervisors.

Access to the Main Campus

Access to the main campus will be restricted. The regional centers will remain closed. Non-essential employees should only come to the main campus for short periods of time when necessary to otherwise accomplish their work from home (e.g., pick up supplies or hardcopy reference materials). These employees should only come to campus with the expressed authorization of and instructions from their immediate supervisor and Cabinet officer. Non-essential employees must bring protective masks with them when coming to campus and wear masks at all times while on campus. All employees should also maintain six-foot social distance and wash their hands frequently while on campus. If you are ill or show signs of any of the COVID-19 symptoms outlined by the Centers for Disease Control or the DuPage Public Health Department, please stay home and DO NOT come to campus.

Employee and Non-Employee Screening

To further protect the health and well-being of all who are on campus, starting in June , all employees (essential and non-essential) as well as all visitors, vendors, and contractors will be asked screening questions prior to being permitted on campus. Those with potential COVID-19 exposure will not be permitted on campus until it is shown that it is safe for them to be on campus.

More members of the college community have distinguished themselves recently. Those individuals are:

Instructional Technologist Tim Sweeney: Tim has been exceptionally effective and helpful to the faculty. He has assisted many on how to get the most from our learning management system. He is a difference maker.

Marketing & Communications Department Staff: The staff of the Marketing & Communications Department has worked tirelessly to keep the college community informed of our approaches to address the rapidly changing circumstances with which we have been confronted. They have used creative videos, website updates, marketing materials, press releases, Facebook streams, and virtual events to convey a wide variety of messages. Every one of those messages has been impactful and helped us stay connected.

All College coronavirus response updates will continue to be posted on this webpage. Additional information/guidance for employees can be found on the employee portal at inside.cod.edu.

Brian W. Caputo, Ph.D., C.P.A.

President
College of DuPage

View previous updates

Campus Closures

  • Until further notice, College of DuPage facilities on the main campus and at the regional centers will be formally closed.
  • Only those faculty and staff who are explicitly approved by both their immediate supervisor and appropriate Cabinet officer will be permitted to enter the College's facilities.
  • College faculty and staff should continue to work from home to the maximum extent possible.

Alternative Instruction

Campus Events

All events (internal, hosted and rental at the main campus, COD regional centers, and the MAC) are cancelled until further notice.

The virtual commencement ceremony will be held Thursday, June 11, at 7 p.m. Please note that 2020 graduating students may participate in the virtual commencement, and, if interested, may also participate in the spring 2021 graduation. For more information, go to cod.edu/commencement.

If You Experience COVID-19 Symptoms

  • If you or a person you know has traveled in the previous 14 days to an area that has seen any occurrence of the coronavirus and are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care right away.
  • Notify the Dean of Students office of your symptoms at (630) 942-2485 or deanofstudents@cod.edu and include your name and student ID number.

Help Stop COVID-19

The best way to prevent coronavirus is to reduce your exposure. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends taking the following steps to protect yourself:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
  • Avoid close contact with people and people who are sick.
  • Cover cough and sneezes and immediately wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.