By Gracie Swind, Managing Editor
As the University Campus students return to campus for the Fall 2020 semester, students who have chosen to live on campus are facing a vastly different lifestyle as a resident than they remember from March earlier this year. Saint Leo University has released a number of documents outlining the expectations they hold for new and returning student residents this fall.
Although it is highly recommended for each and every student to review carefully and thoroughly the “Stage 2: Fall 2020 – Return to the Pride” document, as well as the “Housing Addendum” document in their respective entireties, below is a simplified collection of the new housing policies. This information is compiled from both the “Return to the Pride” document and the “Housing Addendum” released July 31; this information is current and accurate as of August 14, 2020.
Daily Expectations of University Campus Residents
Face coverings are required when residents are not in their residence hall rooms or apartments, including while walking around outdoors.
Daily health checks will be required for every student on campus. These checks will track the students’ travel, temperature, symptoms, etc. and must be completed by 4 p.m. each day.
Visitors from outside the University Campus community will not be permitted.
Social distancing regulations include:
- Keeping a six-foot distance at all times
- No more than 10 individuals permitted in one area at any given time
- Limit physical contact
Students are expected to increase handwashing and sanitation.
Elevators are limited to one-person occupancy at a time; face covering is required. Use of stairwells is encouraged with compliance of directional guides and distancing.
Residents should wipe down commonly used surfaces before and after each use, including surfaces in individual living spaces such as common areas (kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, etc.) in apartments.
Residents should wear masks and practice social distancing when using restrooms and wait outside if the restroom is occupied. It is encouraged for residents to wipe down surfaces, faucets, and knobs before and after each use in personal bathrooms, as well.
Testing and Quarantine/Isolation Housing Regulations
Students arriving from locations under any emergency orders must quarantine for 14 days prior to arriving on campus.
Any students who are symptomatic will be tested for COVID-19 and quarantined if necessary.
Resident needs—such as meals and trash pickup—will be facilitated and fulfilled by the Health Center, Residence Life, and Campus Safety and Security offices.
Students placed in quarantine will not be able to remain in their residence hall and will be moved to a designated isolation location for the period of at least 14 days. During this quarantine students will:
- be contacted twice daily for temperature and symptom checks,
- be able to continue attending class via Zoom if well enough, and
- be required to provide two negative test results before moving out of self-isolation if they previously provided a positive lab test.
Contact tracing will occur at the university’s discretion and students who are identified as “close contacts” under the DOH/CDC definition will also be required to quarantine.
The CDC defines a “close contact” as “any individual within six feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes.”
Other Regulations and Procedures
Housing and dining will remain open through the last day of the semester, even as classes are moved online following Thanksgiving break. Students may remain on campus and use meal plans through the December closing date, but, depending on their travel during the break, may be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
Airport shuttles, Safe Ride, and Lions Express will operate under reduced capacity with increased cleaning protocols and face coverings required.
Common areas may be closed at any time at the University Campus’ discretion.
There will be no refunds afforded to students for any incidents out of Saint Leo’s control.
Housing Addendum
In the event of a hurricane, all students who are able must go home due to limited space.
Unless Saint Leo delays moving in, out, or relocation, the terms as outlined in the addendum will not be altered. This includes:
- Residents’ obligation to comply with terms of the Housing Agreement,
- Full payment of meals and housing, and
- Whether or not the Residents’ rights under the Housing Agreement may be altered, interrupted, or materially and adversely affected (such as use of common areas, meal plans, etc.).
As stated in the addendum, Saint Leo can and may change or cancel the addendum or housing agreement in its entirety without penalty (legal or monetarily) due to circumstances beyond the university’s control. This provision includes natural disasters such as hurricanes and updates to the coronavirus pandemic. Residents are subject to:
- terms and conditions of the housing agreement,
- all university policies and procedures, and
- the terms and conditions of the housing addendum.
New requirements outlined in the Housing Addendum (some repeated from above):
- Daily online check-in by 4 p.m.
- No outside visitors – limit one Saint Leo student visitor per resident at any given time, and all residents must agree to permit any visitor
- Face masks or face coverings must be worn by all residents outside of individual living unit (apartment or room) when in the presence of others and in public settings both indoors and outdoors (for example, when walking in the hallways, common restrooms, building lobbies, walking to/from class or dining locations).
- Social distancing must be maintained, which includes keeping six-foot distance and prohibiting more than 10 individuals in one area, mass gatherings, and physical greetings or affection
- Increased handwashing with regulations on specifications for sanitation
Residents should:
- wipe down commonly used surfaces before and after each use
- wear masks and practice social distancing when using restrooms
- limit elevators to one person at a time (with use of face coverings when in elevator alone and avoidance of touching elevator buttons with exposed hands or fingers) – use of stairs encouraged whenever possible with face coverings and compliance with directional signs when possible, as well as avoiding using the stair railing
Common areas may be closed. Under no circumstances will the housing or meal costs be amended due to circumstances outside the university’s control. Refunds for food and housing will not be administered at any time for any reason.
Students who are living on campus in the Fall and who present symptoms of COVID-19, test positive for the virus, or have recently been in contact with someone who tested positive will be required to self-isolate or quarantine. Students who are asked to self-isolate or quarantine will be able to do so at home or with a friend in the area if they are able, but the university is also providing isolation areas on and off campus for any students who need or prefer it.
The Director of Residence Life, Tory England, stated that in the event that a student is asked to self-isolate or quarantine and they choose to do so off-campus, that “[student is]not permitted on-campus for any reason until the isolation/quarantine period has ended.”
England discussed on-campus self-isolation areas as well.
“The self-isolation areas are currently located within East Campus, and if necessary, a local hotel. All traditional amenities are offered in the rooms. Students are encouraged to bring their own bedding, an overnight bag including clothes, toiletries, medications, school supplies (including computer to continue academic obligations), and items to keep themselves entertained. […] During [the period of quarantine], staff will coordinate with students to choose their meals from the dining hall, and the meals will be delivered by Campus Safety,” said England. “Students are not ‘locked’ in the self-isolation rooms, however, in accordance with CDC and university guidelines, students must stay in the room or designated outdoor space. If a student violates the quarantine/isolation agreement, they may be referred to the Student Conduct office for formal judicial action, including but not limited to, immediately losing their on-campus housing privilege, without refund.”
It is highly encouraged for each individual student to read the documents provided by Saint Leo in order to ensure they are following all newly-established policies. Understanding the guidelines the school is putting forward for the fall, as well as the possible penalties for infringing on new policies, is the first step to ensuring a safe year for yourself and the university campus community.
