Here’s how Penn State students will move out of the dorms amid the global pandemic
With Penn State’s spring semester officially finished, the university has turned its attention to moving students out of the dorms — and it let students know Saturday what to expect.
Only students currently in areas not under stay-at-home orders will be allowed to return to their on-campus housing, for two-hour windows between Monday and at least June 7. Eligible students — those who live in “yellow phase” counties in Pennsylvania, which have partially reopened, for example — will receive a personal email from the university asking them to sign up for a move-out time and date.
Those who are not eligible, such as those living in New York City, will not receive a personal email just yet.
Students are asked to bring along no more than one other person to help with moving, and roommates are required to coordinate their move-out times to make sure they’re at least seven days apart.
“This trip to collect belongings is not a family outing or a social gathering — we’re expecting students to come back, pack up and return to their permanent address as quickly as possible,” David Gray, senior vice president for finance and business, said in a news release. “As we’re allowing students to return to campus, we’re asking for their help in maintaining the safety and well-being of our staff members and our local communities throughout the process.”
No more than four students will be permitted in most University Park residence halls at once, and smaller residence halls will set the max at two. Key-card access will only work for those who have signed up and will only work during the allotted time slot.
Those who return to move out will be required to wear face masks while practicing social-distancing. And campus staff members, wearing protective gear, will sanitize all carts and high-touch areas before and after every time slot.
“We understand students’ desire to get their belongings, but we urge them to be mindful of the latest guidance at their homes and at our campus locations,” Gray said. “Personal items will continue to remain safe in rooms or apartments.”
The announcement comes two days after the university, Centre Region Council of Governments and State College borough teamed up to offer guidance to those who live in off-campus housing. Among the guidelines there were planning with roommates and landlords to stagger move-out dates, wearing nonsurgical masks and staggering parking spots.
The complete list of guidelines for those off-campus can be found on the Ferguson Township website, and more information for those moving out on-campus is located at hfs.psu.edu.
This story was originally published May 9, 2020 at 5:31 PM.
