#wooweekly
Fall 2020 Housing Information - update 9
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Waiting for you...12 days!
We know the restoration of normal operations won’t come easily or quickly, and, at first, may not resemble daily life as we knew it or imagined it. But we are confident—with everyone’s continued and much-appreciated patience and commitment to help protect each other—we will get there.
We have spoken to 600 residents over the past 2 weeks, while they moved their belongings into their fall rooms, and each of them shares the same feelings of excitement mixed with a little nervousness. This year will feel different. This semester comes with new responsibilities, as well as a commitment to doing our best to stay healthy and to live our best life, on campus. We will all do our best each and every day with scheduled tests for COVID-19, monitoring our symptoms by using the Co-Verified app, participating in activities while being socially distanced, practicing excellent daily hygiene and regular cleaning of all of our spaces. We will have to make hard decisions about where, who and what we are doing on and off campus. Each member of our community will have to use their best judgement every moment of each day. We will ask you to practice your best judgment from the time you open your eyes to the moment you go to sleep. Compliance is the key to a safe and fulfilling residential experience.
Here are some basic guidelines of what to expect as you prepare to arrive on campus:
Before You Come
Regardless of where you may be from, 14 days before you travel to campus, please follow this guidance:
- Limit your movement and contact with others.
- Stay in your house, apartment, or where you live.
- Limit your movement and interactions to picking up essential items, like food and medicine.
- If you have to work or have some other commitment, try to limit your interactions with others.
- If you have to go out for work, food, medicine, or other reasons, wear a face cover.
- Catch up with friends and family via your mobile device or computer.
- Read that book or watch those movies you’ve been hoping to finish before you come to campus (it’ll make for good conversation with others)
Once You Arrive On Campus
- You will be welcomed to campus and given a Check List to complete, from your car, before you check into your room.
- You’ll get tested at the COVID-19 test collection site in our Seven Hills Lounge.
- WSU Residence Life is requiring ALL students who arrive on campus, regardless of their home state, to restrict their movement for 24 hours in their room after being tested, until they have received a negative COVID-19 test result. Once you receive a negative COVID-19 test result, you may move about campus freely wearing a mask and maintaining 6ft distancing.
- You may only leave your room to pick up food (grab 'n go only - from the Sheehan Hall Dining hall, and return to your room), or for approved medical appointments.
- You must use your assigned restroom –you may share living space and a bathroom with your household members but must limit your contact with them and wear a mask at all times.
- We will be offering a full list of virtual events and even some ice cream delivery, during this time.
SPECIFIC CHECK IN INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020
Move In Check List
It’s essential that you complete each of these steps. Students who do not complete these steps will not be able to move into campus housing on their Check In Day.
We recognize this is a lot to think about. Please know, each of these steps is designed to help protect the health and safety of our entire campus community—you, your fellow students, your faculty, and university staff, as well as the greater Worcester community we call home.
1. Sign your COVID Residence Hall Release and Acknowledgement in your MyHousing portal, under applications.
2. Pack a GO Bag, in case you need to be quarantined at some point.
3. 1st year students need to submit Health Forms.
4. Update your Emergency Contact Information in Webadvisor.
5. Request a Resident Parking Decal, if you need one.
6. Stay close to home and make good decisions around social distancing before arriving on campus.
Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Updated 8/19/20
Your GO Bag
In these uncertain times, the possibility exists that you may test positive for COVID and have to leave your room or apartment to move to a quarantine or isolation space. We would suggest that you consider bringing a pre-packed bag with items you may need should this happen. It will be a lot easier to grab a bag than trying to figure out what you may need for two weeks.
Suggested Items:
Bedding (sheets, pillow, blanket)
Towels/Handtowels/FaceCloth
Extra cell phone charger
List of important peoples’ phone numbers and a list of any allergies
5 or more complete changes of comfy clothes; sweats, PJ pants, t-shirts
Fuzzy socks
Extra Blanket
Medicines:
Cough Drops
Tylenol (fever reducer)
Vicks VapORub
Mucinex DM or Robitussin Cough and Chest Congestion
Thermometer
Body Lotion
Feminine Hygiene
Toothbrush/Toothpaste
Shampoo
Hair Brush/Hair Ties
Prescription Meds
Tissues
Snacks
Gatorade or Pedialyte
A Few Masks
Some sort of distraction (coloring book/crayons/deck of cards)
Updated 8/12/20
Fall Resident Student Parking
To avoid significant scheduling delays to and from the Goddard Lot and to stay in compliance with Massachusetts social distancing requirements, the University has decided to allow residential students with approved applications to park on the main campus for the fall semester.
Permits will be approved for the fall semester only at this time. The rates below reflect a semester ONLY price.
Dowden Lot (RC) - $88.00
Parking Garage (RG) - $50.00
Notification of approved parking applications and payment instructions will go out the week of August 24, 2020.
WSU will evaluate residential parking plans for the spring semester in early December.
Updated 8/19/20
Weekly Testing
We will be testing all residential students on a weekly basis, through the Broad Institute. This COVID-19 test is based on viral RNA retrieved by a self-administered swab of the nasal cavity. See http://www.broadinstitute.org/.
Testing is a mandatory requirement, on a weekly basis and will begin on Check In Day, August 31st or September 1st, when the resident arrives on campus.
Testing will be conducted in a 3 minute window from check in to completion. Results will be available within 24 hours and will be sent directly to students, as well as Student Health Services.
Co-Verified App
A free app for Google Play and iPhone that integrates with the Broad Institute's testing platform, and allows users to monitor symptoms, receive test results, and get clearance for classes and activities. See https://www.coverified.us/. You will get an email from Worcester State with the WSU download information, once its ready.
Updated 8/12/20
Need Your OneCard?
FIRST YEAR RESIDENTS ONLY - You will need an official Worcester State University ID card, known as the OneCard to access a range of services and benefits across campus. To get your first OneCard, follow the steps below to submit your photo at least 10 business days before you move in. We’ll have your new OneCard ready when you move in.
Photo Requirements
We'll need a recent color photo with a plain, neutral background (white, off-white, cream, beige, light gray).
Face and hair should be clearly visible, with your face centered and facing forward. No hats, face coverings or masks please.
Wear prescription glasses if you normally do so, but do not wear sunglasses. Your eyes should be clearly visible.
A natural smile or neutral facial expression is best.
Use proper lighting.
Crop the photo from just above your head to your collarbone.
Save the photo in .jpg format.
How to Submit a Photo
Open the email you received requesting you to upload your Photo. Follow the instructions
Upload your Photo, upload your State picture ID, and sign the Terms and Conditions.
email the Terms and conditions back to: www.OneCard@worcester.edu.
The OneCard office will email you with approval or next steps if your photo cannot be used.
Once your photo is submitted and approved, you cannot submit another photo. If you would like a new or different photo on your OneCard please visit the OneCard office, 486 Chandler St. in the Administration Building to have a new photo taken and pay the $25.00 replacement fee. Deposit the $25.00 into your Common Fund before going to the OneCard office.
Card Pick Up
Your OneCard will be available for pick up at the Residence Life office located in Sheehan Hall. Please remember to bring valid government issued identification. Acceptable forms of identification include: Driver’s License or Non-driver ID Card issued by DMV, U.S. Green Card, Passport book or card, U.S. Military ID Card.
If you are having issues uploading your photo, please contact the OneCard office at: OneCard@worcester.edu or call 508-929-8888.
Planning to live Off-Campus?
We would like for you to consider all factors and make the best decision for you and your family under these challenging circumstances.
If you have any questions please email reslife@worcester.edu.
DATES TO REMEMBER
Dowden & Sheehan Hall Check In
Monday, Aug 31, 2020, 08:00 AM
Worcester State University, Chandler Street, Worcester, MA, USA
Chandler Village & Wasylean Hall Check In
Tuesday, Sep 1, 2020, 08:00 AM
Worcester State University, Chandler Street, Worcester, MA, USA
First Day of Classes
Wednesday, Sep 2, 2020, 08:00 AM
Worcester State University, Chandler Street, Worcester, MA, USA
Residence Life & Housing
Email: reslife@worcester.edu
Website: http://www.worcester.edu/Residence-Life/
Location: 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA, United States
Phone: 508-929-8074
Facebook: facebook.com/woolife
Twitter: @wsureslife