Residence Life COVID-19 Exposure Protocol 2021-2022

• COVID-19+ student transported to Isolation housing for length of time determined by RSH staff using the above protocol.
• Roommate transported to alternative housing should be tested on or about day 5 after last exposure and again if symptoms develop. The student may move back to their permanent residence hall room if they have developed no symptoms and their PCR test done on day 5 is negative.

• COVID-19+ student transported to isolation housing for the length of time determined by RSH staff using the above protocol.
• Roommate transported to alternative housing and gets tested on or about day 5 after last exposure and again if symptoms develop. The student may move back to their permanent residence hall room if they have developed no symptoms and their PCR test done on day 5 is negative.
• Remaining suite-mates will be assessed for symptoms, possible exposure, advised to wear masks and permitted to stay in the suite. These students may come and go, but should always wear a mask when outside their room and should limit their locations to those that are essential. Suitemates tested 3-5 days post last exposure and again if symptoms develop and monitor for symptoms. Any testing positive will be moved to Isolation housing.

• COVID-19+ student transported to isolation housing for the length of time determined by RSH staff using the above protocol.
• Roommate transported to alternative housing and gets tested on or about day 5 after last exposure and again if symptoms develop. The student may move back to their permanent residence hall room if they have developed no symptoms and their PCR test done on day 5 is negative.
• Remaining apartment-mates will be assessed for symptoms, possible exposure, advised to wear masks and permitted to stay in the apartment. These students may come and go, but should always wear a mask when outside their room and should limit their locations to those that are essential. Apartment-mates tested 3-5 days post last exposure and again if symptoms develop and monitor for symptoms. Any testing positive will be moved to Isolation housing.

• COVID-19+ student in a single bedroom in an apartment transported to isolation housing.
• Apartment-mates will be assessed for symptoms, possible exposure, advised to wear masks and permitted to stay in the apartment. All those in the apartment should be encouraged to minimize exposure to others within 10 days of last exposure. Apartment-mates tested 3-5 days post last exposure and again if symptoms develop and monitor for symptoms. Any testing positive will be moved to Isolation housing.

• Students in apartment-style living with their families should be offered Isolation housing but wishes may be respected if they choose to isolate in place. COVID-19 + students should minimize contact with their family members and refrain from going to class or work for 10 days post positive test.

All students in residence halls should be reminded that COVID-19 vaccination confers a great amount of protection from severe illness, however public health safety measures are additive. The more protective measures followed the less likely one is to become ill.

• Wear masks in indoor social settings
• Wash hands
• Maintain 6-feet of physical distance when possible
• Utilize My Campus Pass daily to monitor symptoms. If My Campus Pass indicates an individual might be at risk, contact RSH.
• Utilize My Campus Pass daily to monitor possible symptoms. Contact RSH at 848-932-7402 if My Campus Pass indicates that you may be at risk

Moving students to a less populated residential area helps prevent the spread of the virus. Students who have tested positive need to isolate because they could possibly infect others. People who are close to those who have tested positive (roommates etc.) will move to alternative housing until Health Services determines they have not developed the virus. You can separate yourself at home, at an off-campus location, or on-campus space provided by the university.

Isolation: Very briefly to get fresh air or meet a delivery person but always masked. As students are knowingly positive, limiting movement to your room reduces the likelihood of further community spread.  

Alternate Housing: Students may only leave their space for specific reasons during this period and must wear a mask and practice social distancing. Approved reasons to leave your space:

• Picking up food “to-go” from the closest dining hall
• COVID Testing (instructions for testing procedures will be shared)
• Completing necessary medical appointments with pre-approval
• Taking out the garbage to the dumpster
• Doing laundry (masks required and do not remain in the laundry room during wash and dry cycles)
• Brief visits to the area directly outside your building for a breath of fresh air

Altnerative Housing: You may order from third-party delivery services; or if you have a meal plan, you may go to Neilson dining hall for a takeout meal that you eat in your temporary space. If you prefer, you can order grocery delivery. You may leave your temporary apartment (masked) to receive third-party deliveries.*

Isolation: You cannot go to the dining halls. If you have a meal plan, you may order delivery from dining services. Or, you may order from third-party delivery or grocery delivery services. You must wear a mask when receiving your deliveries.*

*It is encouraged for students to order/pick up multiple meals at a time to reduce their need to travel back and forth from dining halls.

For the students in alternative housing, the hours of operation for Neilson Take-Out are as follows:

Monday-Thursday

7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Breakfast

12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch

5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Dinner

Friday 

7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Breakfast

12:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Lunch

Saturday 

11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Brunch

Sunday 

11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Brunch

5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Dinner

Yes. Students can travel home to be with friends or family if desired. Students should communicate to Residence Life their travel plans. Building access will be removed until the student is approved to return to their permanent residential space. We advise students and families to follow guidance from public health officials on how to do so at home.  

Students in isolation could have a roommate if they have an on-campus housing contract. Students in isolation are all knowingly positive and having a roommate does not impact spread. If a student is in alternative housing due to exposure, they will not have a roommate. 

No. You are being moved to lessen the chance of exposing other people to the virus, so no visitors will be allowed.  

Residents should review the suggested packing list. You will be able to pack up needed items from your room before moving.

If you forget an item or run out of an item or supply, please connect with your Residence Life contact to discuss item retrieval. If the item is determined to be essential, efforts will be made to have item/s delivered to you. Residence Life will not be able to provide prescription or over-the-counter medication.

If you need Rutgers Facilities provided supplies (trash bags or toilet paper), please reach out to Facilities Services to request supplies be dropped off to your temporary space. During business hours, please reach out to the Facilities Call Center.

After business hours, please reach out to the building RA on-call (number posted in the building). Please let the RA know you are in temporary housing so staff can take the necessary safety steps to keep themselves safe while addressing maintenance concerns. 

Please let Residence Life staff know of your service and support animal and refer to the guidelines e-mailed regarding the care and feeding of your service or support animal.

If you require accommodations, please reach out the Residence Life Student Support Team. 

Call your primary care physician or Student Health Services., Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. For after-hours care (evenings, weekends, and holidays), call Rutgers Student Health Advice Nurse Line at 800-890-5882. If you are experiencing severe coronavirus symptoms or experiencing a medical emergency, call 911. Please let them know you have been exposed to COVID-19. 

If you hear the fire alarm system sound, please evacuate the building immediately, wear a mask properly and be sure to maintain appropriate physical distancing in the emergency assembly point noted on the evacuation plans.  

Please place a maintenance request to report any issues in your new space. If it is something that needs immediate attention, during business hours, please reach out to Facilities Call Center at 848-445-1234. After business hours, please reach out to the building’s RA on-call. Please identify yourself as being in temporary housing so staff can take the necessary safety steps to keep themselves safe while addressing maintenance concerns. In order for Facilities to enter your space, someone will reach out asking for the following:

• Best time to enter the apartment.
• Ask you to open windows in living room and unoccupied bed room.
• Ask you go into your room and close the door one hour before Facilities enters the apartment and stay in your room for the duration of them addressing the concern.
• Facilities enter the apartment at the designated time and spray Enviro Care Neutral Disinfectant in the work area, wait until area is dry and proceed to work and safely proceed to correct the problem.

Your Residence Life contact person will regularly check-in to see how you are doing. Also, CAPS is offering teletherapy and other remote opportunities for engaging in conversations. Please visit CAPS website http://health.rutgers.edu/medical-counseling-services/counseling/. There are also free after-hours support lines that can assist students in crisis, http://health.rutgers.edu/general-resources/emergency-information/

Recreation Services:

Student Activities, clubs, organizations events:

Health Education & Promotion Events

Cultural Collaborative

Student Health Services determines the length of stay. You will receive a confirmation from Student Health Services and Residence Life as to your move-out date a few days before it occurs. Masks should still be worn in all settings.

Move Out Checklist:

• Pack and remove all your personal belongings from the entire living space (suite or apartment)
• Clear and wipe down all your drawers/tables/ beds, etc..
• Take out any trash you may have to the community dumpster
• Place a work order for any broken or non-working items in your space.
• Do a final walkthrough to ensure you have all your items and nothing is left in the space as you will no longer have access to the space.

When you complete your move, to return your key

Go to the PAL building to return your key

1.  Fill out the information asked on the envelope.
2. Please place your key(s) in the envelope.
3. Seal the envelope and drop it in the key drop.

Students will return to their original residence hall room or apartment once you are released. Move-out dates are determined by Health Services. Leading up to a student’s move-out date, you will receive an email that outlines move-out instructions including move-out timeline, where to return their key, removal of trash and personal belongings.  

Most students are using Rutgers buses, friends or family, taxis, or a ride app (Uber, Lyft, etc.) if they do not have a car. Residence Life can provide transportation to your permanent room assignment. Because this has to be scheduled, you may have to wait for a ride longer than you may wish. These rides are curb-to-curb, so you will need to move your belongings to the curb and into the car, and then out of the car and to your permanent room. To schedule transportation, complete the Return Information Form at least 4 days in advance of your departure. We cannot accommodate late requests.

All residents that have personal vehicles on campus should have a student parking permit. While you are in temporary housing, you may park in the resident student lot near that temporary building. If there are any concerns, you can contact the Department of Transportation Services directly.  

Student information is protected by FERPA and medical information is protected by HIPAA. However, during a public health emergency, information may be shared with public health agencies on a need-to-know basis only. 

Yes. You will be asked to take a COVID PCR test on or about the fifth day after exposure. If this test comes back negative, you will be allowed to return to your original room. 

Students should inform their professors of their situation. Professors have been advised to provide the student with reasonable accommodations. For additional support, you may schedule a virtual appointment with the Dean of Students by emailing deanofstudents@echo.rutgers.edu. The Dean of Students is available Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm.

All packages and mail should be delivered to your typical Rutgers mailing address. Please contact Rutgers Mailing Services if you require a package/mail extension. If there are packages that are critical to your temporary stay, please discuss this with Mailing Services and your Residence Life contact person. 

The university has designated specific halls for this purpose. Students will be given their assignments when contacted regarding the need to move.

There are resources on campus that may be able to help in the case of financial hardship and other circumstances which heavily impact you. You may schedule a virtual appointment with the Dean of Students by emailing deanofstudents@rutgers.edu. The Dean of Students is available Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm. You may also reach out to Residence Life Student Support at rlstudentsupport@rutgers.edu  to schedule a support meeting and review helpful resources on campus. Student Support is available Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm.