Fall at DU: What to Expect

The University of Denver is preparing a full, robust on-campus experience this fall, thanks to the remarkable work of the DU community in navigating the pandemic and prioritizing safety.

“The extraordinary diligence of our community around aggressive testing and hygiene practices has been exemplary, and we are seeing the tremendous benefits of these efforts,” Chancellor Jeremy Haefner says.  “Given the continued decline in the positivity rate, increased vaccination, and recognition that, at DU, not a single case of COVID-19 has been traced to transmission in a classroom, there is general agreement that in-person learning in the fall will be safe for our community.”

Classes: With safety continuing to be a priority, fall classes for undergraduates will be predominately in person, while accommodations for those with medical conditions will continue to be provided.

Housing: DU is planning the return to a full residential experience, with all students having the exciting opportunity to live with roommates in fall 2021. First- and second-year students will once again be required to live on-campus, but students living within a 25-mile radius of campus with a parent or legal guardian can request an exemption.

Gathering Together: Students returning to DU or experiencing DU for the first time this fall will notice several new buildings on campus. The new Community Commons in the heart of campus provides a gathering spot for in-person activities and programming from DU’s student clubs and organizations. Students can stop by to grab a bite to eat at the central dining hall, study in a dedicated undergraduate lounge area and soak in stunning mountain views from the roof.

Study Abroad: Nearly 700 students have applied to DU’s nationally ranked study abroad program for fall 2021. Because this is an important and transformative part of the DU experience, the Office of International Education is conducting regular risk assessments of our study abroad partners’ sites and will keep students informed.

COVID Precautions: Students on campus can expect safety precautions to remain in place to keep the DU community safe. Face coverings, a degree of social distancing and periodic testing likely will continue through the fall term to some extent.

“We will need to continue to be agile and responsive to changes,” Haefner says. “We are deeply moved that our community has risen to this challenge with such grace and fortitude. Thank you to all for your remarkable commitments to our community, to our students and to one another.”