Skip to main content

3/17: COVID-19 Update Regarding Housing Move Out Options

PLEASE NOTE: READ NEW MARCH 20 MOVE-OUT INFORMATION 

The following message was emailed to students and parents on March 17, 2020.

Dear Santa Clara University students,

In his message to the community yesterday, Fr. O’Brien communicated that we have decided to extend virtual learning and exams through the end of the academic year. Coupled with the decision to offer online instruction through the end of the academic year, the University has made a decision to close all of the residence halls, graduate and law residences, and neighborhood units for the spring quarter/semester, with limited exceptions. This decision and the subsequent reduction in occupancy of our residence halls allows us to do our part to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, as recommended by CDC and the County Public Health Department.  

These weeks have created anxiety across our campus and nation. Our goal is to manage the implementation plans for student move-out in a thoughtful, compassionate, and humane manner. Recognizing that some students have extraordinary circumstances (including some international students) that require them to remain in on-campus housing, a limited number of exceptions will be granted.  

Recognizing the different circumstances that our families face, we have established two periods where move-out can take place: March 17–March 28 and May 1–8.  

Information for Students Who Are Currently on Campus:

For students currently on campus, they are required to do the following by March 28 at 9 p.m.:

  • Remove all personal items. 
  • Dispose of all garbage in the appropriate trash or recycling areas outside of your building.
  • Remove all food items. Bins will be placed in the lobby of each residence hall for donations of non-perishable food to the Bronco Pantry.
  • Micro-Fridge rental units must be left plugged in.
  • Close and lock your windows; close your blinds; turn off all lights. 
  • Turn off heater/AC/vents. Turn off all faucets.

Those Not on Campus Who Need to Retrieve Belongings Before March 28:

We realize that most students are away from campus now and there is concern regarding the shelter-in-place order now in place for Santa Clara County and the Bay Area. We want to clarify that the order explicitly allows ‘essential travel’ for “travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning.” In further consultation with the SCCPHD, we also confirmed that students who live in the region may return to our campus to move out of residential halls. Our transition to virtual learning next quarter is important; therefore, we encourage those who are able to and wish to return to campus to retrieve their belongings to do so before Saturday, March 28 at 9 p.m. Students can go directly to their residence hall and move out, being sure to complete the online checkout form upon departure. The checkout form will be available as early as March 18 and is located on your housing portal via eCampus. Planned move-out of the residence halls will comply with the required social distancing guidelines proposed by the County. 

Additional Move-out Period

Another opportunity to gain access to retrieve belongings will be offered the week of May 1–8 to accommodate those students who live far from this region or are unable to retrieve their belongings by March 28. Residence hall rooms will remain locked and secure, accessible only by Campus Safety Services and Housing Operations until the student has moved their belongings. In addition, we are confirming other services that will aid in this process including local pod storage and packing services with whom you can contract. Students are not charged for keeping their belongings in their room as they wait to retrieve items during this period.

Exceptions:

Students facing extraordinary circumstances that will require them to remain in on-campus housing must request an exception to live on campus no later than March 20. 

  • The form is available on your housing portal via eCampus.
  • Look for a button titled “Exception Form” across the top of the Housing landing page. 
  • All exception requests will be reviewed within 24 hours. 
  • Depending on demand, space utilization, health/safety, and staff coverage responsibilities, residents approved to remain on campus—including graduate/law and neighborhood unit residents—will be consolidated to a different campus residence hall after March 28th.

Spring quarter room and board fees: 

With the move to online classes and closure of most residence halls, many students will not be living on campus. For those who have already made spring room and board payments, the University will credit Spring Quarter room and board fees if the student is not approved to continue living on campus. Calculation and processing of these credits will happen in the next several weeks. More information will be forthcoming on our COVID-19 website. For students who are approved to remain in campus housing, room and board charges for their original assigned space will remain due. 

Residents who have specific questions about move-out should contact your Resident Director (RD) or Building Resident Manager (BRM) via email. Alternatively, residents can email housing@scu.edu

Thank you for your flexibility and patience. We know this process is challenging and not how any of you envisioned how your academic year was going to unfold. The Housing and Residence Life teams are hard at work to assist, provide you with support, and answer questions along the way. We are in this together. 

Jeanne Rosenberger
Vice Provost for Student Life

Robin Reynolds
Associate Vice President, Auxiliary Services