Friday, Mar 13, 2020
All students received a communication today regarding Rider’s ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) response plan. This response will include an extended spring break through March 27, followed by a period of remote and alternative instruction beginning March 30 and continuing through April 10. As mentioned in the communication, we are strongly encouraging all resident students who are able to return home to do so and stay home until further notice. This important decision reduces risk associated with living in close proximity with others during this pandemic situation and supports the health of you and others.
Students who require an exception to stay on campus
We know that, for a variety of reasons, some students cannot return home. Students that have extenuating circumstances and may not be able to leave immediately, if at all, should complete the Spring 2020 residential remote instruction exemption form.
The following criteria will be considered for students permitted to remain living on campus until further notice.
-
Out of state student needing more time to get home
-
A student who faces housing insecurity (homelessness or a precarious living situation);
-
A student who faces financial insecurity or is certified “independent for the purposes of financial aid”;
-
An athlete or student performer still in competition and required to be on campus;
-
A student whose on-campus employment requires them to retain access on campus;
-
An international student may fall into any of the categories above. Other criteria for international students include those:
-
Who have immigration, travel, and/or visa restrictions;
-
Whose home is in a country currently designed at a Warning Levels 2 & 3 and USDOS Levels 3 & 4 for COVID-19;
-
Whose home is in an area with extremely limited internet connectivity.
-
Please note that for those who are approved to remain on campus, the following will apply.
-
You may be required to relocate to another building on campus;
-
Campus is dry (no alcohol or drugs permitted);
-
No guests are allowed in the residence halls during this time; and
-
Dining and other campus facilities and services may operate on a limited schedule.
Students who will be temporarily leaving campus
If you are departing campus for the extended spring break and remote instruction period, the privacy and security of your room will be maintained, and you may keep your belongings in the space until you return.
Students who have decided to move off campus
Although no decisions have been made past April 10, if you make a personal decision to completely vacate your room, you must officially check out. Room keys should be returned to your residence hall office or to the Residence Life Office located in the BLC.
As you make your arrangements, please consider ways to minimize the need for additional family or friends coming with you to campus to assist with your move to help us limit the number of people on campus.
Residential cleaning and disinfecting
We will continue our enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols in the residence halls. In addition to disinfecting residential common areas and bathrooms, this will include efforts in individual student rooms. All doorknobs, hardware, and accessible hard surfaces in residential rooms will be disinfected. Personal items will not be moved. A note will be placed on each door noting the date the disinfecting was completed.
Room selection
In an effort to ensure that we provide the most accurate information, the room selection schedule for 2020-2021 will be pushed back. A new room selection schedule will be emailed to students the week of March 30th. Room selection will continue to be managed online via the housing portal through myRider. Students that have not yet paid their housing deposits are still able to do so online. We encourage students that have not started their housing application to do so at this time.
We understand that this news may present challenges for you. The Residence Life Office is here to support you as you make decisions and manage these changes. Please contact the Residence Life Office via email at [email protected] or at 609-896-5057. Thank you for your understanding.