Return to Housing Update, Spring 2022 | Residence Life - Division of Student Affairs

Return to Housing Update

Due to significant university changes related to COVID-19, the return to housing has been moved from January 16 and 17 to January 29 and 30. Please note that students will not have access to residence halls until January 29, 2022. This does not apply to halls that stay open over Winter Break. Students returning to housing must have received a booster, when eligible, and are strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours prior to their arrival. At-home COVID-19 tests may be accessed for free here or at local county sites here.

Visit here for information about Residence Life Policies and Guidelines.

Extended Winter Break Housing Refund

Due to the extended Winter Break period, return to housing is delayed by 13 days. Housing refunds for this period will be automatically provided to all eligible students from late February to early March. Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a housing refund:

Returning Residents: Students who are assigned to a hall that is CLOSED for Winter Break and the extended break period will receive a full refund for the 13 days. Students who are approved to return before January 29 will not be eligible to receive a refund. Students who are assigned to a hall that is OPEN for Winter Break and the extended break period are not eligible to receive a refund. These students will continue to have access to their residence hall during this period and may leave and return and/or remain on campus.
New Residents: Students who are NEW to housing for Spring 2022 will receive a full refund for the 13 days. Students approved to move in before January 29 will not be eligible to receive a refund.

Mask Policies

Masks are Mandatory

Masks are mandatory in all public spaces in all Rutgers University residence halls and apartments.

Your RA is human, too! Please understand that the RAs are doing as they are instructed in reminding you to wear you mask and wear it properly. Ignoring them, cursing them, arguing with them, etc., gets no one anywhere. Just wear your mask! If you choose not to, or forget more than a few times, please read the Student Conduct sanctions which will follow:

New Conduct Sanctions for Residents Who Do Not Follow the Mask Protocols

Failure to Wear Masks in Public Areas of the Residence Halls

2+ Incidents of Not Wearing Mask, but Resident is Complaint or 1 Incident Resident of Non-Compliance (Refuse to Mask, Ignore Request, etc.):

1st Violation: Informal Warning if cooperative
2nd Violation: 1-Year Reprimand, COVID-19 Policy Review Paper, and 1 Educational Sanction of student's choosing
3rd Violation: 1-Year Disciplinary Probation, Next Recommended Sanction: Removal from Housing, CDC COVID-19 Guidance and Preventative Methods Research Paper, and 1 Educational Sanction of student's choosing
4th Violation: 6-Month Extended Disciplinary Probation, Removal from Housing

Non-compliant/Refusal, Disruptive, Threatening Behaviors

1 Incident of Resident Non-Compliance + Disruptive and/or Threaten/Use Force Against a University Official (Including RAs)
- 1-Year Disciplinary Probation, Removal from Housing indefinitely, Anger Management Workshop, and 1 Educational Sanction of student's choosing.

Vaccine Booster Requirement

Rutgers University is now requiring that all vaccinated students obtain a booster vaccination as soon as eligible. Eligibility for a booster is defined as six months after the last mRNA vaccine or two months after a J&J vaccine. Those students who are now eligible must obtain a vaccine booster by January 31, 2022, and proof of the booster must be uploaded to the vaccine portal by that date. Students residing on campus are strongly encouraged to upload their status by January 15, 2022. More information on scheduling a booster at the university can be found here. Remember, all residents must be fully vaccinated and boosted, no on-campus resident may have a waiver.

Student Quarantine and Isolation 

Students in on-campus housing who test positive or have a confirmed exposure are strongly encouraged and—if the university deems it necessary—may be required to quarantine or isolate at home during a quarantine period. Visit our COVID-19 Exposure Protocol page for more information.

Dining

Brower Dining Hall, Busch Dining Hall, Livingston Dining Hall, and Nielson Dining Hall will re-open for TAKEOUT ONLY on January 16. Meal plans will be accepted. For more information about dining options, visit food.rutgers.edu.

Request for Early Spring Return/Arrival

While the vast majority of residents can stay at home or wherever they may be at this time, we do understand that some cannot. If you have a valid reason that you must return to live in your hall beginning January 16 or January 17, please log in to Housing Portal and click on the link for “Request for Early Spring Return/Arrival – January 16 & 17” and complete this form. The deadline for submitting this request is January 10. The Residence Life staff will determine whether you are eligible to return early.

Getting Items from Your Room

Students who need to retrieve belongings from their residence hall room before January 29 must do so during designated pick–up days, which are January 16–18. Residents must sign up for a specific time to retrieve belongings from their room using the links below. Residents must sign up at least 24 hours before their desired pick-up date. Please note, only residents will be allowed to enter their residence hall to retrieve items; no outside assistance will be permitted.

Busch Campus