Following President Loh's announcement to campus that the University will move to online education for the remainder of the semester, residence halls will officially close for the semester by Sunday, April 5, 2020. Students are required to move out of the residence halls to complete their studies at home or an alternative non-campus residence in support of social distancing and students’ health and well-being.
All undergraduate students living in university-owned residence halls — whether you remain on campus at this time or are currently home or traveling for spring break — are required to return to your permanent home residence or to an alternate non-campus housing arrangement for the remainder of the Spring semester.
We need you to begin making your plans now to move out of the residence halls between March 23 - April 5.
International students and students who face extreme hardship and are unable to return to your permanent address immediately or by April 5, may petition to be moved to an emergency space on campus for the remainder of Spring semester. As we transition to emergency, temporary housing, our ability to approve these requests will be extremely limited.
While the University will ensure that we have sufficient residence hall rooms available for students who truly have no alternatives, we will consolidate emergency housing into one building or area and implement measures for appropriate social distancing for the safety and well-being of students residing in emergency housing. None of us can predict how long the present situation may last and if you remain on campus you might be here for some time with very limited services.
Move Out Process
The Department of Resident Life is committed to helping you with the move-out process, and we ask that you carefully follow the steps below:
- You must schedule a specific move-out date and time via the Housing Portal. This will limit the number of people on campus at any one time while allowing you to collect your belongings. You will not be able to access your building without signing up. You must adhere to your chosen schedule and limit the number of people you bring with you in order to best protect yourself and your fellow Terps.
- We ask that your move out be completed within the window of your scheduled move-out time in order to accommodate your fellow Terps who also need to move out and, again, to limit the number of people on campus at one time so we can continue to observe important social distancing practices.
- Once all your belongings are removed from your residence hall room, please place your room keys in the provided key envelope and drop the sealed envelope in the check out box at your building/area residence hall service desk.
Students who are approved for emergency, temporary accommodations:
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Will be moved to an emergency, temporary accommodation. A new assignment will be provided before April 5 and it will include a check-in date and time.
- Will be expected to abide by all terms and conditions in your On-Campus Housing and Dining Agreement, residence hall rules, Code of Student Conduct, and the Resident Life Community Living Handbook.
- Will not be permitted to have guests in the university residence halls during this period.
- Will need to know that typical services may be limited.
- Will need to know that you are expected to remain on campus and self-isolate as much as possible and limit your travels to the greatest extent possible.
We recognize these changes and actions may be disruptive. While there is a great deal of uncertainty during this time, please know that our Resident Life staff care about you and are available to support you.
If you have questions, please contact the Department of Resident Life at (301) 314-2100 or reslife@umd.edu.
Dining Services
For those students approved to remain on campus in emergency housing, Dining Services will offer two meals per day in the South Campus Dining Hall. The hours of service and daily menu offerings will be adjusted based on guest counts and all meals will be offered as carry-out only, until the COVID-19 issues are resolved. Students without traditional dining plans are welcome to purchase meals with cash, credit or an optional dining plan.
In addition to the two meals per day, Dining Services will open the Commons Shop on a limited basis to allow students an opportunity to supplement their meals with groceries and convenience items for their rooms.
Campus Updates
For the latest ongoing campus updates on the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit the Coronavirus Information website.
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