Coronavirus Precautions: Residential Housing, other services info for students

March 18, 2020

Academics Campus News Student Affairs & Enrollment Management

March 18, 2020

Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
213 Smith-Brown Memorial Student Union PO Box 13405
Baton Rouge, LA 70813
Phone: (225) 771-3922
Fax: (225) 771-2202
Email: studentaffairs@subr.edu

RE: Message from Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management to all residential students
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Due to the rapidly evolving situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the University has made a series of new decisions regarding campus operations. We are now strongly encouraging all students to return home for the health and safety of the entire university community. We recognize the burden this may place on some of you. Administrative staff will try to be as understanding as possible with any students who need additional support.
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The University is transitioning to an alternative operational method, and as a result, the number of employees on campus at a given time may be reduced and our residence halls will be transitioning to limited capacity on Friday, March 20, 2020. Students who presently reside in our residence halls are encouraged to make preparations to transition by this deadline and are strongly encouraged to leave as soon as possible.

We have set up a dedicated call center support line to assist you if you are unable to leave before the end of this week. Please contact us at (225) 771-4083 with extenuating circumstances that are preventing you from moving off campus.

We have updated some of the frequently asked questions below surrounding the campus transition due to COVID-19. Please review these updated answers to the questions we have been receiving.

• Will I still be able to attend any in-person classes?

No. Classes have moved exclusively to an online only format for the remainder of the semester. Students will have no expectation to return to campus for the spring semester. Please follow the dates communicated in the university communication.

? March 16-20 - Classes cancelled. Please use this time to transition off campus.
? March 23-27 - Spring break
? March 30 - Online course instruction begins.

• How does this impact students living in residence halls?

Students are strongly encouraged to make plans to transition off campus by March 20, 2020. All students are asked to make plans by this date to remove all items from the residence halls and complete checkout. We recognize that there may be extenuating circumstances that may prevent you from doing this. We have set up a dedicated call center support line to assist you if you are unable to leave before the end of this week.

• Are there storage options for students to store items on campus?

No, the University is unable to provide storage for students during this time. There are several storage facilities located around the Greater Baton Rouge area. Students are responsible for any storage facilities secured.

• What if I am having difficulty making arrangements to move home?

As a precautionary measure, we are strongly encouraging students to leave the residential halls to protect the health and safety and preventing the spread of the coronavirus to the Southern University community.

We have set up a dedicated call center support line to assist you if you are unable to leave before the end of this week. Please contact us at (225) 771-4083.

• Will I be reimbursed for my room & board?
Yes, the University is working on a prorated reimbursement process for students that check out as of Friday, March 20, 2020. Additional information will be sent to your official university email address in the next few weeks.

• Will the residence halls be open for summer and fall classes?

Southern University is hopeful and working towards the residence halls being open this summer and fall. The application process for fall housing continues to take place this month, and students should plan as if we will be back to normal operations for the summer and fall. However, we will communicate with students as information becomes available.

• What if I am feeling ill or my roommate is showing symptoms of illness?

If you or someone you know are showing signs of illness, please contact the SU Health center immediately at (225) 771-4770.

If any further updates become available, we will send official university communication. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this unprecedented time in history.

MEMO AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR SUBR STUDENTS

MARCH 13, 2020

In light of communication that was sent from Housing and Residence Life yesterday regarding checkout procedures, we wanted to take an opportunity to provide clarification about campus transition plans. We want to clarify that our campus is not closing, and faculty and staff will be here to answer questions and assist you through this unprecedented time.

Per communication from the University, Southern University is moving into a period of transition on campus, which will result in several changes to our current operations. As part of this change in service, the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, including but not limited to the Department of Housing and Residence Life, Office of Student Leadership and Engagement, and Campus Dining are instituting a number of policy and operational adjustments.

We understand that the university community may have questions, so we will update this FAQ daily on our website. We ask for your patience in this process as we deal with a high volume of calls to our office.

There is a lot of information contained in this message, all of which is very important. We ask that you please carefully review each of the topics below. Thank you in advance for your attention in this unique period of time.

Will I still be able to attend any in-person classes?

No. Classes have moved exclusively to an online only format for the remainder of the semester. Students will have no expectation to return to campus for the Spring semester. Please follow the dates communicated in the university communication.

March 16-20 - Classes cancelled. Please use this time to transition off
March 23-27 - Spring break
March 30 - Online course instruction

Are the residence halls closing?

No, the residence halls are not closing. However, students are encouraged to move off campus only if they are able. This is NOT mandatory. This is to minimize social contact in close quarters such as residence halls. We recognize that there may be extenuating circumstances that may prevent you from leaving campus at this time. If this is the case, please submit a notification of continued use form by March 20. This form allows us to best assess the number of meals and frequency of regular services, including security and facilities management, in the residence halls.

Are there storage options for students to store items on campus?

No, the university is unable to provide storage for students during this time. There are several storage facilities located around the Greater Baton Rouge area. Students are responsible for any storage facilities secured.

What if I don’t have the ability to move home?

Please complete the notification of continued use form.

Will there still be dining options available on campus?

Yes, there will still be dining options available on campus. Details will be provided about safety and health modifications to dining options as they are made.

If I am unable to leave campus, is it safe for me to stay in the residence hall?

At this time, there are no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 at Southern University. However, out of an abundance of caution, the university has determined the best course of action is to cancel all in- person classes and to encourage students to move out of the residence halls. There will still be staffing on campus to ensure that the halls are being maintained and cleaned in order to mitigate/minimize any health concerns with COVID-19.

If I remain on campus, will there still be services and activities taking place?

Students should be aware that there will be very limited recreation and activities due to recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control about large-scale events.

Will the residence halls be open for summer and fall classes?

Southern University does not anticipate that there will be any changes to classes this summer or fall. However, we will communicate with students as information becomes available. Meanwhile, the application process for fall housing continues to take place this month. Students should plan as if we will be back to normal operations for the summer and fall.

What if I am feeling ill or my roommate is showing symptoms of illness?

If you or a friend or roommate are showing signs of illness, we would advise that you/they contact SU Health Center immediately at 225-771-4770.

How are we going to hold spring elections?

SGA Elections will be held (March 16-20) with Digital Campaigning

Candidates will be allowed to utilize social media to campaign to the student body. For those students who do not have social media platforms to engage in the digital campaigns, the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement will provide, campus wide via email, the platforms and headshots of each candidate.

Will there be a Spring Fest?

No, due the outbreak of novel COVID-19, Southern University is postponing all large scale activities. In addition to the suspension of large scale programs, university sponsored travel is suspended until further notice.

If any further updates become available, we will send official university communication. Continue to monitor your university email, emergency text messages and official university social media accounts. For up-to-date travel advisories and health information, visit cornonavirus.gov.