April 29 Message to Undergraduates: Retrieving Belongings from Residence Halls

To Our Undergraduates with Belongings in Residence Halls:

With Ohio beginning to lift its stay-at-home order starting Friday, we are opening a registration process for students to begin retrieving belongings next month. As part of this process, we are also sharing the protocols the university has adopted to reduce health risks for everyone involved.

In addition to common practices regarding masks and social distancing, these protocols also address the number of individuals who can assist students in moving, as well as the total per floor or suite.

We recognize that some of these requirements may pose an additional burden for families, but Case Western Reserve’s top priority continues to be the well-being of the campus community. Below the protocols are details regarding where to park based on the location of the building of residence.

Also, for purposes of this communication, any reference to residence halls applies to Greek Houses as well.

Required Preventive Measures

Anyone experiencing COVID-19-like symptoms should not come to campus. If students or those assisting them are ill, they should notify housing to reschedule or make alternative arrangements.

While on campus and in any residence hall, students and those accompanying them must comply with the following:

• Wearing a mask or other face covering at all times.
• Frequently washing hands and/or using hand sanitizers provided.
• Maintaining 6 feet of separation in any line queue at entrances, and in stairwells.
• Limiting elevator occupancy to two people.
• Entering only the residence hall in which belongings reside, and only during the designated time period (details below).
• Having only one person accompanying each student into the residence hall (additional people may travel with them).

Registration and Additional Information

• Students may retrieve their belongings within one of the three four-hour windows specified from Monday, May 11, through Sunday, May 24.
• Students retrieving belongings must register in advance for a specific four-hour window.
• No roommates or suitemates may move out within the same four-hour window; students should confer before registering to avoid overlap, which will result in lengthy waits for one of them.
• Students unable to retrieve their belongings during this time may select an approved university vendor—Armbruster or Dorm Room Movers—to pack and ship or store them. If your financial circumstances are such that you need assistance with the vendors’ costs, you may apply to the Student Emergency Fund. Once students have confirmed times and dates with their vendors, they also must register in advance, noting that they are using a vendor.
• Vendors also may not share a move-out window with students’ roommates or suitemates, so students using vendors should confer with roommates or suitemates before registering.
• Dollies and carts will be available for sign out at residential area offices. Staff will sanitize them after every use.
• The university will provide adequate supplies of hand sanitizer and cleaning products, as well as assigned staff disinfecting high-touch areas regularly.
• For health and safety, no students returning to campus may stay the night in their rooms or suites during retrieval of belongings. Students and their families who wish to stay in the area can find a list of nearby hotels on our travel website.
• Finally, if you would like to pack your own belongings but extenuating circumstances prevent you from returning to campus during the designated dates, please contact university housing at 216.368.3780 or email housing@case.edu.

Occupancy Limits during Move Out

If you share a room, suite, apartment or Greek House with other students, please coordinate with them before registering your time and date.

First-Year Buildings

For all first-year residence halls (Clarke, Cutler, Hitchcock, Norton, Pierce, Raymond, Sherman, Smith, Storrs Taft, Taplin and Tyler), no more than five students may be on a floor during any four-hour period. No roommates may retrieve belongings during the same time period.

Second-Year Buildings

For all second-year residence halls (Clarke, Triangle 2, Alumni, Glaser, Howe, Kusch, Michelson, Staley, and Tippit), no more than one student may be in a suite/apartment for each four-hour period. No suitemates may retrieve belongings during the same time period.

Upperclass Buildings

For all upperclass buildings (Village Houses 1-7, STJ, Triangle 2), no more than one student may be in a suite/apartment in each four-hour period. No suitemates may retrieve belongings during the same time period.

Greek Houses

No more than five students per house may retrieve belongings during each four-hour period.  

Campus Vehicle Access and Parking

Case Western Reserve police will direct traffic and address potential congestion surrounding residence halls. The officers will open appropriate gates and parking structures only during move out periods.

Village at 115