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thursday, 08.20.20
alestlelive.com
On-campus living sees radical changes due tO COVID-19 ALEX AULTMAN reporter
Due to the precautions needed to protect against COVID-19, life in the residence halls and Cougar Village will be different than in past years. During a typical semester, the residence halls would have thriving social and study lounges. However, this semester is far from typical. The amount of furniture has been reduced in common areas such as the social and study lounges to help with social distancing and reduce touched surfaces. There are capacity limits marked for every common room. Students will also be required to wear face coverings in all public spaces including hallways, kitchens and activity and study spaces. Housing will still run programming throughout the semester, but it will be either online or socially distanced with limited capacity if in-person. Possibly one of the most significant changes to life in on-campus housing is the new no-guest
policy. Director of University Housing Mallory Sidarous said guests cannot go past the front desk in any on-campus housing unless they currently reside in that hall or community. “[If one lives in Prairie Hall], they could spend time with anyone else in the building, but people from outside the Prairie Hall community will not be permitted inside that area,” Sidarous said. The capacity of living units has also been reduced to encourage social distancing. In Bluff, Prairie and Woodland halls, there will be no more than four students allowed in a living unit at one time. In Evergreen, capacity is no more than twice the amount of students living in the room. For Cougar Village, it is no more than six students. Students in lowerclassman housing will also be able to bring their own microwaves this semester. No more than one microwave is allowed per room. If a roommate cancels their housing contract, students do not have to worry because they are not responsible for their roommate’s contract. Another resident
may be assigned to that bedroom depending on the contract, so residents are not responsible for finding another roommate. Housing will increase the frequency of cleaning in high-traffic areas like hallways, vending machines and stairwells. Residents are responsible for cleaning their own bathrooms, just like in previous semesters, and will receive additional guidance on how frequently to sanitize their space. If residents violate any of these new policies, they will go through the normal disciplinary process outlined in the living guide. University Housing has been working with Health Service and the Madison County Health Department on guidelines if a student tests positive for COVID-19. Students are encouraged to isolate at their permanent address if they test positive or are diagnosed presumptive positive by a doctor. Sidarous said she is understanding that not everyone is able to go to their permanent address for 14 days, and University Housing has set aside isolation
| Dominick Oranika / The Alestle
spaces for residents. “They can order dining and that will be delivered, [as well as] laundry, trash pickup, but the student would be held accountable to not leave their living space, as isolation or quarantine means staying in place for 14 days,” Si-
darous said. Roommates may also be relocated and/or asked to quarantine to see if they are infected or show symptoms. More information on University Housing policies can be found in the living guide.
Space-Saving Hacks: managing small dorm rooms and apartments Tip 1. Dorm closets can be very crowded, especially when they are shared with a roommate. Placing a soda can tab on hangers allows for double the hanging space at no extra cost.
Tip 2.
With limited drawers and multiple free shirt opportunities throughout the year, T-shirts can be rolled to maximize dresser space.
Tip 3.
2. 1.
Over-the-door shoe organizers can be used to store more than just shoes. To free up space in already cramped closets and bathrooms, use these shoe organizers for cleaning supplies, snacks or bathroom essentials.
Tip 4. Sharing a fridge that is already mini can be tough. Using small drawers for snacks leaves more fridge space for bigger items. | Mackenzie Smith / The Alestle
3.
4.
