HRL and COVID-19

Housing and Residential Life is committed to providing a living environment that is as safe as possible while the University navigates the new normal of physical distancing. As the global pandemic continues to evolve, we will make necessary updates to the information provided below.


The University's COVID-19 Response

Our Commitment to Cleanliness

Housing and Residential Life is closely aligned with Facilities and Operations to establish the best practices for the cleaning of our spaces. Our increased cleaning efforts include:

Hand sanitizer stations will be available at all building entrances, elevator lobbies, area offices, and desk entrances.
ABM cleaning staff will utilize CDC-directed cleaning methods and EPA registered disinfectants to wipe surfaces and clean high-traffic areas.
Plexiglass panels will be placed at all reception desks and security posts.
Large gliders are limited to four persons at a time. Small gliders are limited to two persons.
The communal bathrooms in Hecht and Stanford residential colleges will be sanitized 3 times each day and deep-cleaned daily using CDC-directed cleaning methods and EPA registered disinfectants.
All lobby or communal bathrooms will be equipped with hands-free devices such as faucets, soap dispensers, and paper towel dispensers.
Guiding signage will be present in all high-traffic areas as a reminder of proper physical distancing practice. This includes directional traffic signage, 6-foot markers, and entry and exit markers.

Additionally, our staff is trained to provide the best experience possible in this new and evolving landscape. We are here to provide you with assistance while maintaining safe and physically distant practices.

Closed and Restricted Amenities

To encourage physical distancing and personal safety some of our amenity spaces will be restricted or closed until further notice.

When possible, seating in lobby and communal areas will be rearranged to provide 6’ distance between individuals. This extends to small gathering areas, such as floor lounges.
Drinking fountains will be turned off. Water bottle filling stations and ice machines remain operable.
The Mahoney Residential College communal kitchens have been closed until further notice.
LSV recreational equipment such as foosball tables will be stored and unavailable for use until further notice.

Dining Services

Housing and Residential Life works closely with UM Dining to provide safe dining options to residents. The dining halls are located outside of Stanford Residential College and Mahoney & Pearson Residential Colleges.

Help Us Slow the Spread

As resident students, there are a number of expectations while living on campus during the increased restrictions of COVID-19. We have put together a guide to help roommates maintain a clean and safe living environment. Students can report concerns about unsafe behaviors of others to 'Canes Care for 'Canes.

All students are required to use a daily symptom checker and respond appropriately to the guidance it provides.
Everyone must wear a face covering while in a public space on campus, including any communal areas of your residential community (hallways, lobbies, laundry rooms, study spaces, etc.). Although you are not required to wear a face covering while in your room, put on your face covering when around residents from other rooms/apartments.
A campus-wide curfew of midnight will be enforced until further notice. You must return to and be within your residential college or apartment area by the stated curfew. Resident students are able to use common lounges and other communal spaces within their residential building past curfew.
Each resident is permitted to host one guest in their room/apartment from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. if—and only if—the guest currently resides in on-campus housing. Guests from other buildings must be provided access and be escorted by the hosting resident at all times. All guests are expected to return to their assigned space by 10 p.m.; no overnight guests are allowed.
Students must not gather in groups within study lounges, hallways, lobbies, or inside any resident room/apartment. Students who host or attend any gatherings that exceed occupancy and guest limitations will face disciplinary action and be subject to a housing contract review even on the first offense.
Students must not host or attend off-campus events such as house parties, large gatherings at restaurants, or other activities that bring large groups of students close together where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Assigned roommates are considered a “household” for contact tracing purposes. 
Residents are expected to regularly clean and sanitize their living spaces. Cleaning supplies for resident use will not be available at reception desks.
Any courier service (Postmates, Uber Eats, Instacart, flower delivery, etc.) must meet the resident outside of the buildings.
The University reserves the right to notify parents or families without a student’s prior consent in health or safety emergencies. If you are found in violation of these policies, your ability to continue to live in housing will be reviewed and your parent/guardian will be notified of the outcome of that review.

 

Spring Testing Requirements

All resident students are required to be tested for COVID-19 every week. This begins by testing as soon as you arrive on campus. All resident students must test within 12 hours of checking in, with testing available via appointment through UHealth.

You will receive a text message with instructions for establishing a MyUHealthChart account (if you do not already have one) and scheduling your test.

Testing Locations

  • Pavia Garage - available for residents of Eaton, Hecht, Mahoney, Pearson, Stanford, and all non-residential students.
  • Lakeside Village Music Room (near Lobby A facing Stanford Drive) - available for residents of Lakeside Village
  • University Village Office Breezeway in Albenga Garage - available for residents of University Village

Weekly Testing Schedule:

Residential College Residents

  • Mondays - Hecht
  • Tuesdays - Stanford
  • Wednesdays - Mahoney (on Wellness Wednesday, Mahoney residents will test on Thursday)
  • Thursdays - Pearson
  • Fridays - Eaton

Lakeside Village & University Village Residents

  • Testing will be conducted twice a week for all residents of LSV and UV
  • Mondays - Test 1 & Wednesdays – Test 2
  • Tuesdays - Test 1 & Thursdays – Test 2

Visit coronavirus.miami.edu for answers to frequently asked questions regarding this testing requirement and for the latest information about the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Isolation and Quarantine

For clinical assistance, please follow the instructions on the Student Health Service website

Students who test positive for COVID-19, have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or have been potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 will be advised to self-isolate or self-quarantine. Affected students will be advised to follow self-isolation or self-quarantine guidelines.

  • Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others.
    • Students who are required to quarantine as a result of contact tracing will likely be asked to quarantine for up to 14 days.
    • Students who are required to quarantine while the University awaits the results of testing may be asked to quarantine for a short time (generally five days), but that quarantine may be extended based on test results.
  • Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from people who are not infected.   

Open All Tabs
  • Location

    If a student’s current campus housing assignment provides access to a private bedroom and bathroom, the student will likely complete their isolation/quarantine within that space. Otherwise, the student will be re-located to a designated space elsewhere on campus or at an off-campus location. The decision to relocate to Mahoney, Pearson, or an off-campus space will be made by HRL staff based on availability of space and public health guidance.

    • If relocated, the student’s original room/apartment, surrounding areas, and any areas they entered while traveling to their isolation/quarantine space will be fully sanitized.
    • Additionally, out of an abundance of caution, specific portions of our residential communities—such as an entire floor, wing, or building—may be asked to quarantine in place for a short time as we await test results. Meal delivery and other support will be provided.

  • On-Campus Spaces

    Students without a private bedroom and bathroom will be relocated to specific areas of Mahoney or Pearson residential colleges. With the exception of other students who may be asked to quarantine/isolate, no other residents will occupy the wings in which these spaces are located.

    • Each room within Mahoney and Pearson residential colleges is equipped with its own in-room air handler, which pulls in and circulates fresh air from outside. All air handlers were serviced this summer to ensure maximum air flow, and air filters have been replaced to meet CDC recommendations.
    • Laundry for these students will be managed by a third-party vendor abiding by CDC guidelines for laundering linens safely; resident laundry facilities will not be used.

  • Student Care

    Whether directed to isolate/quarantine on or off campus, care for students will be provided by a contracted home health and nursing agency, as well as a designated University case manager. The presence of these professionals at on- and off-campus sites is among many efforts to maintain a safe and healthy environment on campus.   

    • Support will include well-being checks, meal delivery, and telehealth care.
    • If an in-person visit by a medical professional is needed, medical staff will follow CDC recommendations for the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) including changing any PPE before re-entering the public areas.
    • University housekeeping staff will perform coordinated and frequent sanitation of all common areas such as elevators, hallways, and other common spaces.

  • Quarantine and Isolation Helpline

    In order to address the needs of students quarantining or isolating either on or off campus, the Division of Student Affairs has activated a helpline staffed by a team of University employees who have experience responding to student concerns and finding solutions to common issues a student may face.

    Information about how to call the helpline and the services it can provide are supplied directly to students who are placed in quarantine or isolation.