The University of Nevada, Reno now says it is changing its policy to accommodate residence hall students who are being told to leave their living quarters by 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
In a new statement, the University says:
"The COVID-19 pandemic is worsening. Whole states are encouraging shelter-in-place philosophies to protect community members and increase prevention efforts. We understand that families may be experiencing hardships and inability to travel as they deal with extremely trying circumstances related to the outbreak of coronavirus. We want to make our best effort to support the health and safety of our students, families and community and lessen any turmoil that is being felt during an uncertain time.This is why, effective immediately, the University of Nevada, Reno is modifying its decision about on-campus housing for the remainder of the spring, 2020 term, to protect the health and safety of our student residents and also to reassure their families that we understand the circumstances many of them now face.
"The following accommodations will now be made:
* The University will prorate occupancy and provide a refund to all student residents who have been asked to stay home in order to receive remote instruction. These refunds will be processed as these residents are identified and issued within 14 days.
• Those students with extenuating circumstances who have been approved to remain in on-campus housing (for example, international students, students who are homeless, in foster situations, or from areas where travel has been ordered to cease) will continue to be responsible for completion of their rental and meal plan contracts.
• If a student resident has belongings remaining in the residence hall room after spring break, those rooms will be locked and the owner of these belongings will remove materials by May 13. One does not need to return immediately nor does one have to fill out a survey with explanation of extenuating circumstances. As always, students unable to meet the May 13 deadline should notify the Housing office by May 1 so that accommodations can be made.
• For those who purchased meal plans and cannot use them due to their absence from campus, a prorated refund will be issued for the number of weeks remaining in the term.
If there are any questions or the Residential Life, Housing, and Dining Services team can help in any way, please call 775-784-1113 or email housing@unr.edu. "
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The University of Nevada, Reno is telling students to leave their dorms by 5 p.m. on March 25th. The University of Nevada, Reno says there are no known cases of COVID19 on campus, but the move out must be done for safety reasons. This includes those living in Canada, Great Basin, Juniper, the Nevada LLC, Manzanita, Peavine, and Sierra student residence facilities and Wolf Pack Tower. Residents in the Ponderosa Village apartments are allowed to stay.
University of Nevada student Cade Schiller is not happy about having to pack up and move out of his dorm. “I found out about noon or so because my girlfriend texted me. And I was 2 and a half hours away,” said Schiller.
Schiller said he was near Sacramento when he checked his email and found a message telling him he had until March 25th to move out. That’s less than a week from when he got the message.
The University of Nevada, Reno says it's sent emails to each student. The university says "by greatly diminishing the number of people on our campus, we are doing our part to minimize the spread of Novel Coronavirus on our campus and in our community". Students are being asked to sign up for a check-out date and time. The appointments allow for social distancing.
“I’ve got friends from the bay area and they can't come up. So I don't know what’s going to happen to their stuff. For me it was easy because I can just drive up here. But I wish they give us more notice,” said Schiller.
If students don't have another place to stay, a “Request To Stay Form" can be filled out, but it has to be done by Saturday. THE SCHOOL says it WILL TRY TO ACCOMMODATE THOSE STUDENTS. The University of Nevada Reno says it will not issue refunds because it says, “housing assignments are made on semester or annual contracts”. Students remain responsible for bills such as water and power. “I’m a little annoyed that they are not refunding us,” said Schiller.
Housing has to be empty and cleaned. Grad student Teal Francis says the move out has her worried. “It's hard to think about everything you need. I’m afraid I’m going to be doing something and be like you don't have what you need,” said Francis. But she's glad the University of Nevada, Reno is taking steps to prevent Coronavirus from spreading.
“I think it would be better if we'd taking more precautions earlier, but it’s good we're doing as much as we can now.,” said Francis.
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The University of Nevada, Reno is telling residence hall students that they need to move out of their living quarters by next Wednesday, March 25th at 5 p.m.
A letter sent to the affected students says:
Dear Residence Hall Students,
As we continue to live in unprecedented times, we hope you are taking care of yourself. While there are no known cases of COVID-19 on our campus at this time, per the March 17 directive from Governor Sislolak and Nevada System of Higher Education, Chancellor Riley, we have made the decision that residents need to move out of their residential spaces by Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at 5 p.m. This includes Canada, Great Basin, Juniper, the Nevada LLC, Manzanita, Peavine, Sierra, and Wolf Pack Tower. Residents in Ponderosa Village Apartments are allowed to remain in their units.
Shortly, you will receive an email from your Resident Director/Graduate Resident Director with a link specific to your building to sign up for a check-out date/time from Friday, March 20 to Wednesday, March 25. Because your health is paramount, these appointment times have been designed to ensure social distancing as students are checking out. We are following recommendations to avoid situations where too many people are sharing the same space at the same time.
We are currently reviewing ways to provide a partial meal-plan-only refund for residents who have not been able to use their meal plan. Additional information will be forthcoming.
With respect to campus housing, however, residents remain financially responsible for their housing assignments even if they are off-campus. Because the residence halls are open, all of the financing, utility, personnel, and other operating expenses continue. Further, housing assignments are made based upon semester or annual contracts; there are no established weekly or monthly options or rates.
We understand some students may not be able to check out of their assignments as they may have extenuating circumstances and must remain in on-campus housing (e.g., international students, foster youth, etc.). We are committed to honor the license agreement for these students and provide housing and dining options until the end of the semester (May 13, 2020). For this reason, IF YOU MUST REMAIN IN HOUSING for the remainder of this semester, as you have no place to go or are unable to get home, please complete this 30-second REQUEST TO STAY FORM by Saturday, March 21 by 5 p.m.
Students who receive approval to remain on-campus will likely be relocated to other on-campus housing. Please note dining options on campus will be limited but meal plans will still be in effect for residential students when virtual learning/classes are in session.
We recognize this process has been disruptive and inconvenient, and we thank you for your patience and understanding throughout this unique situation for which we have never experienced in our lifetimes. Our primary goal is to keep you safe and healthy. If you have any questions or our team can help in any way, please call Residential Life, Housing, or Dining Services at 775-784-1113 or email housing@unr.edu.
Yours in Striving for Good Health,
Dean
Dean Kennedy, Ph.D.
Executive Director of Residential Life, Housing, and Dining Services
