DU Recommendations Regarding COVID-19

March 16, 2020

To: Delta Upsilon undergraduates, advisors and house corporation volunteers
CC: Parents and university partners

As the new week begins, we wanted to provide another update on the steps Delta Upsilon International Fraternity is taking regarding COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus.

First, we want to thank our members, families and campus partners for their thoughtful work as the situation continues to unfold. Brotherhood, friendship and compassion have been, and will continue to be, foundational in our response. Together, we must continue to support our brothers and all those in our communities.

Second, on the recommendations from the state of Indiana and city of Indianapolis, the Delta Upsilon International Headquarters office will be closed indefinitely starting today, March 16. Staff members will work from home during this time and continue to maintain Fraternity operations. Staff will observe normal office hours of 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT, Monday-Friday, and can be reached via telephone or email. See our staff directory for the contact information for each staff member.

On a weekly basis, the Fraternity will re-evaluate if the office should re-open and if staff should resume travel. During the closure, mail will be checked weekly, and any chapter dues payments and gifts to the DU Educational Foundation will be processed at that time.

Finally, the Fraternity has created a page on our website dedicated to providing updates and information regarding our plans and recommendations for chapters when it comes to COVID-19. Please visit www.deltau.org/coronavirus. Nearly all DU chapters are on a campus that has instituted short- or long-term campus closures/online learning periods. Delta Upsilon recommends that if your institution is asking for students to leave campus for any period of time, that should apply to residents in chapter facilities, as well. While fraternity/sorority housing is not often a part of official university housing, as members of our campus communities, we should be responsible partners and neighbors by following their lead. Should members not be able to leave campus due to distance from home, technology needs for online learning, or other circumstances, they should first contact the school’s residential life office and then contact the alumni house corporation to identify alternative housing arrangements.

In addition to this webpage, you can download a PDF of DU’s updated recommendations on items such has housing, chapter events, chapter finances, social distancing and more. This includes the cancellation or postponement of all events and activities until your campus reopens.

We understand that this is an unusual, confusing time. As with other times during history, we can help the situation by working together and being thoughtful in our actions. Follow the recommendations of your college/university, medical professionals, and federal/state/province/local governments, especially when it comes to social distancing. Social distancing is both for your sake and the sake of others. Even if you are healthy and believe yourself to be at low risk due to age, you can transmit this disease to others who are older or immunocompromised, resulting in a catastrophic effect. Even in young people, symptoms often involve high grade fevers that require hospitalization and constant monitoring. Flattening the curve is important so that we do not overwhelm our hospitals and medical professionals. As global citizens, we must all do what we can to ensure the health and safety of others, even if it is inconvenient at times.

We also encourage you to take care of your mental and physical health during this time. Take cues from your body should you find yourself to be ill, anxious or depressed. Let’s promise to check in on one another during this time. A simple video chat can go a long way in brightening your day and providing interpersonal interaction you may be missing. Check out this article from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention titled “Taking Care of Your Mental Health in the Face of Uncertainty” for some great tips.

Thank you again for your patience and work as we navigate this continually evolving situation. We will be in touch as more information and recommendations need to be provided.

Dikaia Upotheke,

Justin Kirk, Boise State '00
Executive Director
Delta Upsilon International Fraternity and Educational Foundation