Information about Fall Move-Out

Dear Obie parents,

Below please find information we shared today with your student about the end of the semester. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We hope you and your family are safe and well.

Best,

Meredith Raimondo
Vice President and Dean of Students

Dear Obies,

We are writing you with information regarding moving out of campus housing for the Fall semester. The goals of our move-out in November are to keep our community safe and healthy while you return home, and to prepare our campus for a safe and successful move-in process in January.

Even considering the recent increase in COVID-19 cases on campus, this community has been diligent and effective in protecting our campus. Here, at the mid-point of the semester, your embrace of the ObieSafe guidelines and your care for this community are evident. It has been a joy to be back on campus together.

This email contains important information about our move-out, which is to be completed on November 25. Please read it carefully and save it for future reference. Included below is:

An explanation of how to prepare your campus housing before your departure. This semester is different from past years, so read this closely!

• A reminder on how to travel as safely as possible
• A plan for how to prevent COVID-19 transmission when you are away from campus and during travel back in January
• Additional information you will need if you are remaining on campus in December

Need help? Call the Dean of Students office at 440-774-8462 or Campus Safety at 440-775-8444.

Departing Campus by November 25

All students must depart campus by 9 a.m. November 25. Please allow yourself time to pack and prepare your room. You may need to start earlier than you normally would if your academic schedule does not allow you a full day between your last class and your departure to pack.

Please remember to follow the emailed guidelines you will receive soon from your Area Coordinator. You also will discuss these plans in a floor meeting, to ensure you leave your space in appropriate condition.

ACTION REQUIRED: All students in College housing are strongly encouraged to take their belongings with them. Any items left behind in your assigned housing must be packed into shipping boxes in the event public health conditions prevent a return to campus, and we need to send the contents back to you. Each box must include an accurate mailing address and be sealed appropriately. Please make sure any fragile items are protected. Unpacked items may be discarded. While we very much hope that we will all be back on time in January, it is important to prepare for the pandemic’s uncertainties. We appreciate your help with this effort. Your cooperation will allow returning students to leave for break without completely moving out of their housing.

As with any semester transition, you are strongly encouraged to hand-carry any valuables such as identity documents or medications.

Please note that students who are not continuing for the spring semester will need to move out fully in November. There will be no on-campus storage options. If you would like to make your own arrangements for off-campus storage, please consult the Residential Education website for options. If you are moving out of your College housing and are not returning to campus in January, please follow the Res Ed checkout process, including ensuring that your room is clean and in good condition.

Preparing to Travel from Campus and Time Away

Please review the “Tips for Traveling Safely” provided by Campus COVID-19 Coordinator Katie Gravens. In particular, begin to limit your interactions with others to critical activities such as class and work during the two weeks before your departure. Be vigilant about wearing a mask, physical distancing, and handwashing. In this article, you’ll also find tips for protecting yourself during various modes of transportation.

Upon your arrival, we recommend you maintain a mask, physical distancing, and vigilant handwashing even around friends and family. Please use PPE any time you are in public or around others while you are away. Continue to monitor your health closely. Please consult your health care provider if you have any symptoms indicative of COVID-19.

We ask you to be especially careful if you are celebrating holidays in December and January, including New Year’s. Since most of you will come to campus immediately after January 1, we urge you to consider smaller gatherings using PPE and physical distancing. Informal social gatherings are among the most serious “superspreading events;” please be thoughtful about your social choices and their impact on the campus community.

If You are Staying on Campus in December

The only students who may stay on campus after November 25 are those who received written approval from the Dean of Students office. Please be aware that most College buildings will be closed. The dining program will be provided in Stevenson Hall; all other campus dining facilities will be closed until the start of the Spring Semester.

Students who remain on campus in December will need to schedule a COVID-19 test. Please watch for an email offering you sign-up times. Failure to take a COVID-19 test in December may result in a requirement that you attend the spring semester remotely.

If you need assistance at any time while living on campus and no other offices are open, please call Campus Safety at 440-775-8444 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).

If you are living in the town of Oberlin during the shutdown, you are welcome to purchase the meal plan. In order to dine on campus, you will be required to participate in the COVID-19 testing program in December. Please contact Campus Dining at 440-775-8101.

Next week you will receive information on spring housing assignments and January move-in. I wish you all a safe and healthy finish to your Fall Semester and some well-deserved respite during Winter Break. Your welfare is our top concern, so please don’t hesitate to contact me or the Dean of Students office if you have any questions.