Due to the health and safety precautions related to COVID-19, Residential Life and Housing has altered certain practices and policies. Please review the changes below.
FAQs
What happens if VCU decides to close the campus, will my housing be refunded?
Should the university decide to close campus then a decision will be made about which, if any, residence halls will remain open. This decision will be made in concert with the Public Health Response Team. If Residence Halls remain open and students choose to return home then refunds/credits will not be issued. If residents are not allowed to stay on campus refunds/credits will be determined based on time remaining in the semester and other fixed costs including personnel, debt and operations of Residential Life and Housing not on a daily prorated basis.
If a student chose to cancel their housing contract, can they later apply for spring housing?
Spring housing is not guaranteed and will be processed based on room availability and the date the student completes their Spring housing application. The Spring only application usually opens in early November.
Will students move out all their belongings before Thanksgiving break or can they leave their belongings in the residence halls for return of the spring semester?
Residents will be encouraged to remain home after Thanksgiving Break. As it currently stands, residents in all halls will have the opportunity to return to their residence hall if that is needed for them to complete their Finals. Residential Life and Housing will reach out to students in the Fall to ensure those that need access after Thanksgiving Break will have access.
What is Residential Life and Housing doing to minimize the spread of COVID-19?
Residential Life and Housing is working with partners across VCU to assist with the transition back to campus. Every resident will receive a welcome kit that includes starter samples of helpful resources, such as cloth face coverings, hand sanitizer and disinfectant. Sanitizer stations are being installed throughout the halls. Housekeeping staff will be cleaning common areas, bathrooms, and other high traffic areas more frequently. This is a team effort and we ask that students do their part on keeping these areas clean. Students in traditional style halls will be assigned their own shower stall, toilet stall and sink for the duration of the academic semester. For example, students should wipe down any surfaces in common areas before and after touching them. Some common areas will be closed off and other common area spaces may be modified to allow for appropriate physical distancing. For example, plexiglass barriers will be installed in certain high traffic areas. This will allow for closer interaction between residents and staff through the barrier. Residential Life and Housing is setting aside approximately 50 rooms for potential isolation and quarantine needs.
Will students be required to wear a face covering in their residence hall room?
Students will be required to wear a face covering while navigating residence halls outside of their room, suite or apartment.
What is the Guest Policy for residence halls?
To learn more about the Guest Policy please visit housing.vcu.edu/help/guest.
How is self-quarantine and isolation in on-campus housing occurring?
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. Students who are determined to be contacts of those who are sick will self-quarantine in their assigned room, separate themselves from others, monitor their health and follow directions from their state or local health department for no less than 14 days from last contact. Student Health will notify Residential Life and Housing when a resident is required to begin self-quarantine.
Students who are sick with COVID-19 or presenting symptoms associated with COVID-19 will be moved to isolation housing, a temporary room in Gladding Residence Center III or The Honors College to isolate for the recommended minimum 10-day isolation period or until cleared by Student Health. Student Health will notify Residential Life and Housing when a student needs isolation housing. Residential Life and Housing will arrange for the student to be transported from their assigned residence hall to their isolation space Gladding Residence Center III. During isolation, students should remain in their specific “sick room” and use only the bathroom in their suite. Student Health will notify Residential Life and Housing when a resident is cleared to leave isolation.
Residents in isolation and quarantine housing will first receive a health and a meal kit with nonperishable items such as liquids, soups, and snacks. Fresh meals will then be delivered daily from Dining Services. In isolation housing, residents will receive a full linen set with a pillow in their isolation room.
What happens if a residential student needs tests positive for COVID-19 or is exposed to someone with COVID-19?
To support our on-campus residential community, VCU Residential Life and Housing has created a response plan for residents who become infected with or potentially exposed to COVID-19. Visit the Resident Planning Guide for Isolation and Quarantine to review this plan.
Can students visit other students in their residence hall? On their floor?
Yes. Please visit the Guest Policy page to learn more.
How is Residential Life and Housing Preparing for students to return?
Please visit Preparations for Student Return to Campus page for more information.
What are students expectations for residential living?
Please visit the Student Expectations page for more information.
How will students become and stay connected to campus while physically distancing?
Please visit the Student Connection page to learn more.
Break Housing Update for Gladding Residence Center
Gladding Residence Center will close during Thanksgiving, winter and spring breaks.
Are there break housing options for students?
Since none of the first-year halls are designated to be open over breaks, Residential Life and Housing is exploring options to provide limited break housing to residents who choose to remain on campus to complete their coursework. More information about break housing will be sent to residents VCU emails after the semester has started.
Housing Inventory Changes
The Honors College
The Honors College Residence hall will not be available as a housing option for the 2020-2021 academic year. This residence hall will be used by VCU Health System to house low acuity patients this academic year.
Where will Honors students be housed?
We intend that the residential component of The Honors College program will be housed in Gladding Residence Center and Cary & Belvidere.
Gladding Residence Center III
Gladding Residence Center III will be use for Isolation Housing for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Johnson and Rhoads
Double and triple rooms in Johnson and Rhoads will be converted to single occupancy rooms. Incoming first-year students who have selected double or triple rooms in these buildings can change their preferences to other room types through the Housing Application.
Housing Rates
Please visit the 2020-21 First-year Student Housing Rates to view the first-year housing rates. Please visit the 2020-21 Upperclass Students Housing Rates to view the upperclass housing rates.
Eligibility to live on-campus
Students taking on-line classes and/or in-person classes are both eligible to remain on campus. Taking only virtual classes is not grounds for an automatic release from your housing contract.
Operational Changes
Campus living this year may look different to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. The University has highlighted its plan at together.vcu.edu.
What COVID-19 protocols do students have to follow?
All residents must follow the VCU's protocols, including the following:
- Complete the daily health screenings.
- Wear a face covering or mask in common areas.
- Apply physical distance guidelines to all settings.
- Clean and disinfect personal and shared spaces before and after use. Cleaning supplies will be available in numerous locations.
- Report symptoms associated with COVID-19 to VCU Student Health Services by calling 804-MYCOVID (804-692-6843).
What is Residential Life and Housing doing to minimize the spread of COVID-19?
Residential Life and Housing is working with partners across VCU to assist with the transition back to campus.
- Every resident will receive a welcome kit that includes starter samples of helpful resources, such as cloth face coverings, hand sanitizer and disinfectant.
- Sanitizer stations are being installed throughout the halls.
- Housekeeping staff will be cleaning common areas, bathrooms, and other high traffic areas more frequently. This is a team effort and we ask that students do their part on keeping these areas clean. For example, students should wipe down any surfaces in common areas before and after touching them.
- Some common areas will be closed off and other common area spaces may be modified to allow for appropriate physical distancing. For example, plexiglass barriers will be installed in certain high traffic areas. This will allow for closer interaction between residents and staff through the barrier.
- Residential Life and Housing is setting aside approximately 50 rooms for potential isolation and quarantine needs.
Guide to Residential Living
Visit the Guide to Residential Living (Housing Policies) to learn more about housing policies and important housing information.
Guest Policy
Visit our Guest Policy page to learn more.