Frequently Asked Questions

Please find below several Frequently Asked Questions concerning DBU's response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. These FAQs will continue to be updated as new information becomes available.

Latest DBU Statements

Please refer to our Latest Updates to see all that DBU is doing to respond.

Please visit our resources page for information on our protocols for suspected or positive cases.

To report a suspected or positive case, please fill out our Symptoms Reporting form.

Refer to our Latest Updates to see how DBU responded to this crisis.

General Information about COVID-19

A respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus that was first detected in China and which has now been detected worldwide, including in the United States. The virus has been named “SARS-CoV-2” and the disease it causes has been named “coronavirus disease 2019” (abbreviated “COVID-19”).

COVID-19 is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:

  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and landing in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly inhaled into the lungs.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

People are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic (the sickest). Some spread might be possible before people show symptoms; there have been reports of this with this new coronavirus, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

Learn what is known about the spread here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/transmission.html.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), symptoms of COVID include:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Read more about symptoms from the CDC website.

Social distancing is designed to limit the spread of a disease by reducing the opportunities for close contact between people and includes: Reduce face-to-face exposure by using telephone/conference calls, email, and tools, such as Microsoft Teams, including but, not limited to, student organization meetings. The Student Affairs team will provide more detailed guidance soon.    

  • Avoid mass gatherings.
  • Keep at least six feet between yourself and another person in all public places.
  • Avoid close contact, including handshakes and hugging. Use other non-contact methods for greeting.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Practice good hygiene.
  • Limit food sharing.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Cough or sneeze into your elbow if you do not have tissue.

Click here for more information.

According to the Center for Disease Control, "Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (those who are sick with COVID-19 and those with no symptoms) from people who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay home until it’s safe for them to be around others. In the home, anyone sick or infected should separate themselves from others by staying in a specific 'sick room' or area and using a separate bathroom (if available)."

Self-isolation serves to temporarily separate people who have been in an area of public health concern to help protect their health and that of their community. Day zero of the 14 day isolation period is the day you leave a restricted location.

If you are an on-campus residential student, you will be required to self-isolate or quarantine off-campus unless extenuating circumstances exist.

Individuals required to self-isolate:

  • May not return to class, work, activities or university events until 14 days have passed. Students needing assistance finding accommodations for self-isolation should contact Student Affairs for support and guidance.
  • Stay home except to get medical care and call ahead before doing so.
  • Report your health status daily to university health staff.
  • Separate yourself from others who also share their residence.
  • Monitor your temperature twice a day for fever. Fever is defined as ≥100.4F or 38C.

According to the Center for Disease Control, "Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department."

University Housing and Food Services

Multiple measures have been put in place in the dining facilities, including:

  • Food available on a “grab and go” basic
  • Occupancy limited to percentages ordered by local, state, and/or federal government
  • Enhanced clearning and santization of high-touch and guest-contact surface areas
  • Floor markings provided to guide flow and queuing for all diners

DBU residential housing remains open to students.

For the safety of on-campus residents, the following measures have been put in place:

  • All students residing on campus are subject to DBU’s COVID Housing Policy
  • Students are not permitted to have off-campus guests in DBU Housing for the Fall 2020 semester
  • Residential students must provide DBU Housing with a COVID Care Plan and identify where they will self-isolate or self-quarantine off-campus. If self-isolation or quarantine off-campus or at a permanent resident is not feasible, please coordinate with DBU Housing about exceptions to the policy

Facilities and Support Services

During the Shelter-in-Place directive from Dallas County, we are asking that no individuals plan to visit campus. However, DBU personnel can still meet virtually with individuals. Please email your contact to schedule virtual meetings.

Yes, the DBU Library and the University Writing Center will be available for research, study, and assistance both in-person and online. Please visit http://libguides.dbu.edu/library/homeand www.dbu.edu/uwc/hours.aspfor more information.

Financial Aid

DBU encourages you to make a phone appointment with a financial aid counselor. If you would like to make an appointment, please contact our office at 214-333-5363 or email finaid@dbu.edu. Unless the University campus closes, our office will also remain open during normal business hours.

Our counselors can evaluate your circumstances and increase your Cost of Education budget to cover illness-related expenses. Please contact our office to request a budget increase evaluation. Please note that documentation of the extra expenses will be required.

Our financial aid counselors can reassess your family’s ability to help with your educational expenses if their employment is affected by an illness and their income this year will be significantly less than the income reported on your FAFSA (2017 income was reported on the FAFSA for 19/20). You can find the required forms below:

Parent Request

19-20 Change in Circumstances: Parent Request

19-20 Income Verification Worksheet: Dependent Student

Independent Student Request

19-20 Change in Circumstances: Independent Student Request

19-20 Income Verification Worksheet: Independent Student

The U.S. Department of Education does not have the authority to relax compliance requirements related to unit requirements. Financial aid eligibility is verified based on the hours you are enrolled in at the end of 02/03/2020. You must be enrolled half time (4.5 hours for graduate students, 6 hours for undergraduate students) to remain eligible for financial aid. Most undergraduate grant programs require full time enrollment and your eligibility will be reduced, if you are enrolled in less than 12 hours at census.

Unfortunately, the U.S. Department of Education does not have the authority to relax compliance requirements related to withdrawals. If you withdraw (officially or unofficially), the Office of Financial Aid is required to perform a calculation to determine how much of the financial aid you received for the term needs to be returned. The later in the term you withdraw, the more of your financial aid will be considered “earned” and the impact on your financial aid will be smaller. You can find additional information by reviewing the What is DBU’s Refund Policy guidance.

If you do not enroll, you will not receive financial aid for that semester. However, your eligibility for future semesters will not be affected. We recommend that you see your academic advisor any time your enrollment plans change to make sure that you are still on track to graduation.

We will be working through the impacts for those relying on work-study.

DBU’s Global Studies staff and Financial Aid staff are in constant communication, and we are made aware of any programs that have been suspended.

No.  Emergency financial aid grants under the CARES Act for unexpected expenses, unmet financial need, or expenses related to the disruption of campus operations on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as unexpected expenses for food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, or childcare, are qualified disaster relief payments under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code.  This grant is not includible in your gross income.
No.  Because the emergency financial aid grant is not includible in your gross income, you cannot claim any deduction or credit for expenses paid with the grant including the tuition and fees deduction, the American Opportunity Credit, or the Lifetime Learning Credit. See section 139(h) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Enrolled students that meet Title IV guidelines that have completed the 19/20 FAFSA application at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa must complete the financial hardship application at https://dbu.presence.io/form/financial-hardship-application to be considered by the committee.
Students will receive an email notification to the primary email address on file with the university concerning the committee decision once their hardship application has been reviewed.

Section 484 of the HEA states that Title IV eligible students must: 

  • Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree or certificate program
  • Not be enrolled in elementary or secondary school
  • For currently enrolled students, be making satisfactory academic progress
  • Not owe an overpayment on Title IV grants or loans
  • Not be in default on a Title IV loan
  • File "as part of the original financial aid application process" a certification that includes
    • A statement of educational purpose
    • Student's SSN
  • Be a U.S. citizen or national, permanent resident, or other eligible non-citizen
  • Have returned fraudulently obtained Title IV funds if convicted of or pled guilty or no contest to charges
  • Not have fraudulently received Title IV loans in excess of annual or aggregate limits
  • Have repaid Title IV loan amounts in excess of annual or aggregate limits if obtained inadvertently
  • Have Selective Service registration verified
  • Have Social Security Number verified
  • Not have a federal or state conviction for drug possession or sale, with certain time limitations
DBU signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement and assurance that the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.
2,417 Title IV Eligible DBU Students out 4,014 Enrolled Students for Spring 2020
To date (8/6/20), DBU has received $1,099,399.00 to be distributed.
To date (8/6/20), DBU has distributed $1,099,399.00 to 414 students.
The total amount still available for distribution is $0.00.  Request for funds is currently closed.
 
To date (7/15/20), DBU has received $1,099,399.00 to be distributed.
To date (7/15/20), DBU has distributed $1,074,800.32 to 394 students.
The total amount still available for distribution is $24,598.68. DBU is continuing to evaluate requests on a daily basis and distribute funds.
 
To date (7/2/20), DBU has received $1,099,399.00 to be distributed.
To date (7/2/20), DBU has distributed $1,002,326.06 to 373 students.
The total amount still available for distribution is $97,072.94. DBU is continuing to evaluate requests on a daily basis and distribute funds.
 
To date (6/22/20), DBU has received $1,099,399.00 to be distributed.
To date (6/22/20), DBU has distributed $936,829.23 to 353 students.
The total amount still available for distribution is $162,569.77. DBU is continuing to evaluate requests on a daily basis and distribute funds.
 
To date (6/4/20), DBU has received $1,099,399.00 to be distributed.
To date (6/4/20), DBU has distributed $716,417.40 to 261 students.
The total amount still available for distribution is $382,982. DBU is continuing to evaluate requests on a daily basis and distribute funds.
 
To date (5/14/20), DBU has received $1,099,399.00 to be distributed.
To date (5/14/20), DBU has distributed $663,465.15 to 155 students.
The total amount still available for distribution is $435,933.85. DBU is continuing to evaluate requests on a daily basis and distribute funds.
 
Fill out the DBU Hardship Application to see if you are eligible to receive these funds.

International Students FAQs >>

Remote Work Information for Faculty and Staff

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, DBU temporarily implemented a Remote Working Policy for all full-time faculty, staff, and student workers.

Throughout the summer, however, DBU is transitioning back to having all employees office back working on campus. Please work with your DBU supervisor directly to learn about the transition plan within your division or department.

Please work with your direct supervisor and the DBU Information Technology department.

Contacts

For any follow-up questions, please send an email to the Coronavirus Taskforce ctf@dbu.edu or Student Affairs at studentaffairs@dbu.edu. Your question will be routed to the appropriate DBU departments.

The DBU Counseling Center offers counseling at no charge to DBU students, faculty, and staff. To make an appointment, talk with a counselor, or get more information, please call 214 333 5288, or email us at counselingcenter@dbu.edu.

Spring 2020 FAQ Items

Please find below information that was provided related to the academic, credit/no-credit, and financial aid related directly to the COVID-19 response during the Spring 2020 semester. This information is available for archival purposes and is not the current policy. To see current policies, please refer to the above questions.

As of March 23, 2020, DBU will be extending online instruction for the remainder of the Spring semester. This applies to all students and all programs.

The University will remain open in order to service those students residing on campus and perform other functions necessary to maintain the essential operations of these residences.

Faculty should meet with students during office hours by phone or online conferencing.

No, the online instruction period will not have any impact on degree plans or hours earned.

Our standard May Commencement services which are held in Pilgrim Chapel have been postponed, and May 2020 graduates are invited to walk in an upcoming ceremony held in August 2020, December 2020, or May 2021. DBU will still confer degrees in May for those who satisfy academic requirements.

In place of our normal Commencement services, DBU is planning to host a Commencement Parade that will take place on Friday, May 15.  More details about this event, as well as information on how to participate in an upcoming service, can be found at www.dbu.edu/commencement.

At this time, there are no changes to the finals schedule. The Academic Calendar remains on schedule.

During the Spring 2020 semester, DBU implemented a Credit/No Credit Policy for final grades in response to the disruption to that semester caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These policies do not apply to other semesters.