Housing Related COVID-19 Questions

All residents will be offered an opportunity for an early 'set-up room day' in order to limit congestion and promote social distancing.  For new students not in an Early Arrival Group, a set-up time slot can be selected between Monday, August 17 and Friday, August 21.  Residents will have the option to stay in the residence hall from that day forward or you may return for Blue Gold Welcome activities on Friday, August 21.  Returning students will be offered a time slot between Friday, August 21 and Sunday, August 23 if not part of an Early Arrival group.  Information updates on how to reserve a time slot and more details will be on the unk.edu/movein page, UNK Residence Life Facebook page, as well as in email communication to all students.  

Students will be notified that before they arrive to campus to make sure they and their guests are not running a fever, are not showing symptom of Covid-19, have not been asked to quarantine, and have not been exposed to someone with Covid-19. If they are experiencing these issues they should to contact housing@unk.edu to arrange another move in time. 

Residence Life will still be actively engaging students throughout the semester, building strong communities, and supporting the educational mission of the University.  Upon arriving to campus, students will be broken up into “Herds” that will be used to build connections on campus and allow students to build connections.

In accordance with the campus policy, students are required to wear a mask when outside of their room in all public areas in the residence halls during Phase I and II.   If socializing outside of the residence halls, students are required to wear a mask if they are not able to maintain a 6ft distance from other individuals. 

Exceptions to the are:

• When eating on campus; however, social distancing practices and dining policies must be observed.
• When in one’s assigned residence hall room/suite/apartment.
• When alone outside (not indoors).
• When completing oral care in a community bathroom or bathing/showering.   

Front desk hours will be limited during Phase I to reduce traffic in the residence halls and limit student exposure to Covid-19.  Additional procedures and policies will be put in place to minimize the transmission of Covid-19.  

Mail and Package deliver will not be impacted during Fall semester at this time.  Package delivery will be centralized during early arrivals.  Students handling mail will be required to wear masks and gloves.

PHASE I HOURS:

• Antelope/CTW/Mantor/URS:
  • Monday – Friday: 11 AM to 4 PM and 7 PM to 9 PM
  • Saturday/Sunday: 7 PM to 9 PM
• Village Flats
  • Monday – Friday: 3 PM to 8 PM
  • Saturday: 3 PM to 6 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

PHASE II HOURS:

• Antelope/CTW/Mantor/URS:
  • Monday – Friday: 11 AM to 9 PM
  • Saturday/Sunday: 7 PM to 9 PM
• Village Flats
  • Monday – Friday: 12 PM to 8 PM
  • Saturday: 3 PM to 6 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Desk equipment will not be available thru the desk for checkout during Phase I.  Equipment checkout will begin during Phase II.

Students that test positive for COVID-19 will be temporarily assigned to special housing that is separated from other occupied communities.  If possible, we ask that students return home until their symptoms subside and are cleared to return to campus.   However, we understand that will not always be an option for our students. 

Students that are placed into temporary isolation housing will be provided daily meals, laundry and other services.  Students will not be able to leave isolation housing unless directed by a medical professional.   Students will complete a daily health check and have their mental health assessed throughout their stay.  No additional fees will be charged.

UNK will increase cleaning during Phase I and II.  Staff will be addressing high touch point areas and will have an enhanced cleaning schedule for public areas and restrooms.   All rooms will be cleaned prior to student arrival.

Being in quarantine means you have possibly been exposed to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 or you are waiting on your own test results.  It is recommended that you not leave your room unless given permission by the Public Health Center. They will provide guidance on quarantining in partnership with Residence Life.

To assist with creating a safer environment for students living on campus, Residence Life has adopted a revised guest policy for Phase I and II.

PHASE I

On campus residents may not have guests/visitors in student housing including personal space and community spaces such as lounges.  Guests are defined as anyone without a contract with Residence Life for any residence hall.  Further, we are encouraging residents that live on campus to limit entering personal spaces and suites of other approved residents for your own protection. Suggested practices of self-hygiene and social distancing in common spaces is highly encouraged. Students that do choose to enter other resident’s personal spaces and common areas are required to wear a mask. In the event you are aware of someone that is a UNK student without shelter or resources, please contact the Dean of Students Office who will explore resource options with them.

PHASE II

Village Flats & Antelope/ Nester Suites:

Residents living in Village Flats, Antelope, or Nesters may have up to 6 total guests in their suite or apartment common area. 

CTW, CTE, Mens, Mantor, Randall, URS, URN:

Residents living in traditional residence halls may have up to 3 total guests in their room.

All guests must follow all State of Nebraska directed health measures.   All guests must comply with the following health guidelines during their visit:

• Guests must wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose in all public and shared environments while in the residence halls and apartments.   This includes common areas, restrooms, elevators, hallways, and lobbies.   This includes outside areas when a 6ft distance cannot be maintained. 
• Guests are not permitted who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 unless now symptom-free and cleared by a medical professional. 
• Guests are not permitted who have been in direct contact with someone diagnosed in the last 14 days. 
• Guests must not be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 which includes being fever-free with a temperature under 100 degrees, no cough present, and not experiencing respiratory problems for 24 hours and it has been one week since your symptoms first appeared.
• Guests who have travelled internationally must be in quarantine for the minimum 14 days and symptom-free before permitted to visit an on-campus resident.

CDC (Center for Disease Control) guidance for social distancing, wearing masks, and frequent hand-washing are the best protections from the virus.  This guidance comes from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and policies for guests may be limited in the future as virus conditions warrant.

To mitigate the spread of the novel coronavirus, in accordance with the CDC, Residence Life recommends that you clean bathrooms daily. Residence Life recommends suites put together a cleaning schedule that all students will agree on. By putting together an agreed upon cleaning schedule this will ensure all students are taking responsibility of their bathroom.

Recommended Cleaning/Disinfectant Supplies:

• Disinfect wipes or spray
• Soap
• Gloves
• Scrubbing brush
• Trash bags/trash can

Recommended cleaning guidelines:

• Launder items regularly and according to manufactures instructions.
• Wear reusable or disposable gloves for routine cleaning and disinfecting.
• Clean surfaces using soap and water, then use disinfectant.
• Wipe down high contact areas often such as, doorknobs, light switches, handles, door locks, etc.
• Clean and disinfect showers handles & tub basin, sink handles & sink basin, toilet, sweep floor & disinfect floor.

For a full list of ­­­CDC recommended cleaning products or practices visit www.CDC.gov

Yes, you will still need to evacuate if there is an emergency such as a fire.  We ask that you bring a mask with you and practice proper social distancing when possible. If you are asked to quarantine or are in isolation housing, you will be given special instructions.