Delaware College of Art and Design continues to place the highest priority on the health, safety, and well-being of its students, faculty, staff, and campus community. As a result of the significant increase of positive COVID-19 cases in our nation caused by the Omicron variant, the College is moving the first two weeks of the semester to online instruction.
Classes will begin as planned on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, and will be delivered virtually through Tuesday, February 1, 2022, to help mitigate the chance of exposure to COVID-19 on campus.
All previously communicated health and safety efforts, including required vaccination, mask-wearing, regular testing, daily symptom monitoring, and contact-tracing protocols, remain in effect. DCAD will continue to monitor state updates and guidance from the State Department of Health, CDC, and other health officials as the Spring semester begins.
Residence Hall/Move-In
The 707 Residence Hall will re-open as planned on Sunday, January 16, 2022. All residents are required to provide a negative PCR COVID-19 test dated within 72 hours of moving into the 707 Residence Hall. Student Services will restore access to the residence hall and individual rooms upon receiving results. To submit test results, please email Student Services at [email protected].
Please note, access to 707 will not be permitted if negative test results are not received before arriving. No exceptions to testing requirements will be allowed; please plan accordingly and make testing reservations as soon as possible before move-in. For additional questions or concerns, please email the Director of Student Services, Marcus Freeman, at [email protected].
600 Building Access
The main campus building will remain closed to the public throughout the month of January; however, students, faculty, and staff will be permitted in the building. DCAD staff will be available during regular office hours between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Students will have access to the main school building, including studio spaces and the library as of January 18, 2022, between 8 am and 11 pm, Monday through Friday.
Online Class Delivery
Returning students will have the robust academic experience they expect and deserve from DCAD. Academic excellence is our primary objective in shaping the Spring plan. Classes will be held remotely for the first two weeks of the Spring semester from January 18, 2022, to February 1, 2022. In-person instruction will begin on Wednesday, February 2, 2022. DCAD faculty have worked diligently to adjust course content for remote teaching and learning. All courses will occur synchronously, with regular check-ins with faculty, and students will access course content and instruction through Populi, DCAD’s learning management system.
Technology
Students who have limited or no access to technology should email Megan Johnson at [email protected], including the following information:
- Full name
- Technology limitations
- Specific hardware and software specifications
Absence Policy
Students should be in contact with the professors regarding classwork and virtual attendance. Please refer to your class syllabi regarding excused and unexcused absences.
Counseling
Counseling will continue to be available to all students both via Zoom and in-person. Note: in-person availability will be communicated when the counseling schedule has been finalized.
Student Emergency Fund
DCAD recognizes that there may be unforeseen financial hardships caused by the interim shift to online instruction. Emergency financial assistance is available to students who apply. The application requires a brief statement explaining the need for funding, the expense(s) to be covered, and amount(s) requested, along with a description of your efforts to obtain funds through other resources.