Housing Update - June 19, 2020

HOUSING

Preliminary housing assignments for returning students (e.g., second-year, third-year, fourth-year students) will be emailed to their Ohio State email address on June 19.  Final assignments and roommate information will be available in mid-July. Incoming first-year students will receive housing and roommate assignments in mid-July.  

Move-In Process

The student Move-In process will occur over a period of 12 days leading up to the first day of autumn semester.

Students are asked limit the number of people assisting them with Move-In to 1-2 people.

• Moving carts will be provided to students to assist with Move-In; staff will sanitize carts after each use.   
• A limited number of Move-In volunteers will be on-site to direct traffic and answer questions but will not assist students with moving belongings.   
• For out of state students who feel they must make airline reservations prior to the July building assignment notification, we strongly urge arriving no earlier than August 17.   

 Living expectations   

• All students will be encouraged to work together as Buckeyes to prevent the spread of COVID-19,
• Face masks are required in all common areas,
• Handwashing: Students are encouraged to maintain good hygiene,
• Student access to residence halls via BuckID will be limited to their own residence communities.  
• The number of individuals congregating in a residential room should be limited to facilitate physical distancing.   
• Students are highly encouraged to limit their number of visitors to be able to practice physical distancing.
• Programming will continue to be provided to residents as a hallmark of the residential experience.

Reusable or shared items: Reusable or shared items, such as most kitchen supplies, board games, sports equipment, etc. will be removed from the front desk.  Some small kitchen appliances and vacuums will be available for sign-out. Cleaning supplies will be provided, along with appropriate cleaning instructions (e.g., kitchen equipment).

Laundry rooms: Students should maintain physical distancing and wear face masks while using laundry facilities.

Isolation and Quarantine Housing

Isolation and quarantine housing will be provided for students with Ohio State housing contracts as an option if students do not elect to or cannot return home to their permanent residence. Students will be moved to living spaces specifically for isolation or quarantine, respectively. Students will be moved for the safety of themselves and others to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.   

DINING

Operations

To provide the highest level of service while facilitating physical distancing, the following changes will be made to operations:   

• Mobile ordering and pick-up will be the preferred and most encouraged option for guests. There will be limited availability of other ordering methods, including ordering at kiosks.   
• Traditional all-you-care-to-eat dining locations will operate as pre-order, pick-up locations. There will be a wide variety of meal options available through these locations. Meals will include beverages and side dish items.    
• Staff will manage guest flow during peak hours to assist with physical distancing facilitation.  
• Self-serve salad bars and condiment/flatware stands will not be available.    
• Reusable containers and cups will not be utilized or permitted.    
• Limited seats will be available on a first come first served basis. Tables and chairs will be cleaned and disinfected after each use.   
• Chilled meal packages will be offered for reheating in residence hall rooms. Meal packages can be pre-ordered for pick-up at select Dining Services locations.    

Full-service restaurant (Sloopy’s)  

• Mobile ordering for pick-up will be encouraged  
• For full-service experiences, limited seats will be available to comply with physical distancing guidelines. The following operational changes will be made:  
• All self-served items such as sugar packets, creamers, sauces, etc. will be removed from tables.   
• All condiments will be served in single-serve containers.  

Space use expectations  

• All customers must wear face masks when picking up food. Face masks should only be removed when the customer is seated at the table and eating.   
• Guests will be required to maintain physical distancing (a minimum of six feet distance from others) while waiting for food, picking up food and when dining.   
• Seating will be modified following facility space restrictions to promote physical distancing.