University Dean of Students Allen Groves outlined move-out plans for students who lived on Grounds this semester to retrieve their belongings between May 4 and 24 in an email issued Monday afternoon. Students will set up staggered appointment times and safety protocols put in place to ensure social distancing.
The University has developed two primary options from which students may choose their move-out plan. Students may return to retrieve their belongings from on-Grounds housing or designate an individual to handle move-out for them.
If the student is not able to make a move-out appointment in May, they may choose to have their possessions packed and stored at the University’s expense, or pay to have them shipped to the student’s primary residence at the time of packing.
In the email, Groves reassured those that will take part in these move-out plans that “woven into the procedures are requirements for safety and social distancing.” Namely, during the move-out on Grounds, all participants will be required to wear face coverings and maintain a distance of six feet from others at all times. Face coverings will not be provided by the University. Additionally, students are permitted to bring only one additional person to assist with the move-out process. Security will be present on-site to enforce safety protocols.
Students are asked not to return to Grounds if they display any symptoms of illness.
The University is suspending other standard move-out protocols. Unlike a standard move-out, trash and any unwanted belongings may be left behind — these items will be discarded by University personnel following the completion of move-out. Items for donation may be left in the designated donation area found in each building or housing area.
Students must notify University Housing and Residence Life of the option they will select for move-out via the housing portal no later than May 21.
This move-out process will also include residents of Bond, Bice and the language houses, who were previously told that their belongings could be moved to storage in response to the U.Va. Health System’s request for their use in temporarily housing healthcare workers.
“Due to successful mitigation efforts, the University has not needed to use these buildings thus far, and we do not anticipate needing them in the near future,” Groves said.
Around 200 students who received special permission to remain on Grounds the last few months have been asked to vacate housing by May 24. This is an extension of the agreement previously reached in which students currently on Grounds were expected to move-out by May 9. This housing extension is available to these students at no charge, and those still living on Grounds must notify the University of their move-out plans by May 9.
Students that are unable to return home upon leaving Grounds are encouraged to visit offgroundshousing.student.virginia.edu for short-term rentals and summer sublets.