May 14, 2020 Dear Parents and Families, I wanted to share this message below that was sent today to about 2,800 undergraduate students who still have belongings in the University Residential Life properties on and off campus. If you are the parent or family member of one of these students, we appreciate your patience and understanding and we hope this process provides your student with options. We are not able to provide these options to students who are not living in Residential Life properties unfortunately. For those of you who are parents or family members of graduating seniors, congratulations! While this Commencement Week is not what any of us expected or wanted, we are looking forward to celebrating with you virtually on Friday, and in person next spring on May 30, 2021, as the Chancellor announced yesterday. That is going to be quite the celebration. We know the past few months have been very challenging for all of you. On behalf of my colleagues, I want to let you know how much we appreciate the calls, ideas, encouragement, and feedback. If you would like to reach me, please feel free to do so at rob.wild@wustl.edu Rob Wild Dean of Students and Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (effective June 1) Packing & Shipping Email: Non-Lofts From: reslife@wustl.edu Email Subject: University Packing & Shipping Updates Dear Students, We are pleased to announce that we have finalized our plans for helping students with their belongings that were left behind in the residence halls when the university made the decision on March 11 to suspend “in person” activity on campus, ask students to return home, and move to alternate instruction. We have been committed to developing a plan that is as safe and as convenient as possible for our students and families. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we know our plans have evolved significantly since March. The stay at home orders will be relaxed in the city and county of St. Louis effective May 18, and we are now prepared to begin the process of packing, storing and in some cases, shipping student belongings. Residents who still have belongings remaining in their room can choose from three options being offered by Residential Life for the handling of those belongings. Please review all of the information below BEFORE completing the form linked at the bottom of this email. Deadline to submit your plans for retrieving your belongings: Wednesday, May 20, by 5:00 pm. If you miss the deadline, your items will be stored with the expectation that you will retrieve them at a later date on your own. OPTIONS EXPLAINED Residents should review the three options listed below before making and submitting their plans for retrieval. Forms must be submitted by the deadline. We want to caution that if the public health guidance changes, we will have to adapt our plans for the safety of all involved. This could mean postponing or canceling move-out dates.
- OPTION 1: RETURN TO CAMPUS TO PACK AND REMOVE
In this option, approved students will be permitted to return to campus to pack and remove their own belongings between Monday, June 1, 2020 and Monday, June 15, 2020. Students will be granted access to their room between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM. No overnight stays will be allowed. Any resident who requests access to their room should remove all of their belongings during this time period. Additional information will be sent separately with instructions for returning. There will be a limited number of students permitted to return each day due to social distancing restrictions and public health guidelines. If you do not see a certain day available, this means that the maximum number of spaces has already been taken for that date, and you will need to select a different date from the remaining spaces available. For students who wish to come back to pack their belongings but still utilize storage facilities for certain items, Residential Life is partnering with University Trucking, a student-run business, to provide limited storage services during the move out process at no cost to you. More details will be available through their website.
- OPTION 2: PACK AND STORE
In this option, students will NOT be allowed to return to campus. A university-approved moving company will carefully pack and store student’s belongings for the summer in a temperature-controlled facility at no cost to the student.
- If you are returning to Residential Life housing in the fall, your belongings will be moved by the vendor to your fall housing assignment prior to your return in August.
- If you are NOT returning to Residential Life housing in the fall, more information about how to retrieve your items will be provided later in the Summer. Storage will be paid until September 30, 2020 at no cost to the student.
- OPTION 3: PACK AND SHIP
In this option, students will NOT be allowed to return to campus. A university-approved moving company will carefully pack student belongings at no cost to the student.
- Graduating seniors who decide to have their items shipped will have the option to do so at no cost to the student.
- All other students who decide to have their items shipped, the University will cover the cost for up to 4 boxes. Additional boxes over the allowed amount will be at the student’s expense. Students can also request some items be stored for the summer in a temperature-controlled facility at no cost to the student.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Before contacting Residential Life, we ask that you carefully view the frequently asked questions provided on our website. If your question does not have an answer, please reach out to our office by email at reslife@wustl.edu or by phone at 314-935-5050. Please note that we are experiencing high call and email volumes and we will get back to you as soon as we can. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- RESUMED OFFICE HOURS
During this move-out period, the Residential Life office (located on the South 40) will be open Monday-Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. We ask that individuals looking to come into the office continue to practice safe social distancing and health recommendations to protect our employees in the office.
- JUNE 1 – JUNE 15 | MONDAY – FRIDAY
Our office will be hosting a daily webinar from 9:00 am – 10:00 am CST to answer any questions in an effort to supply sufficient support during high demand times. Links will be available to register on the Residential Life website by June 1.
- STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
If students are not able to afford shipping at their expense, we encourage students to choose the storage option (expenses covered by the university). No financial assistance is available to provide shipping beyond the four boxes provided in the shipping option.
- CARS REMAINING ON CAMPUS
If students have a car on campus and are able to return, we recommend retrieving vehicles between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM. If students are not able to come back to campus, they need to contact Parking and Transportation at parktrans@wustl.edu with the make, model, color, license plate number, and location of their vehicle, to discuss available options for storing or shipping their vehicle at student’s expense.
- BIKES REMAINING ON CAMPUS
If students have a bike on campus and are able to return, we recommend retrieving bikes between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM. If students are not able to come back to campus, they need to contact Residential Life at reslife@wustl.edu with the make, model, color, type (mountain, road, hybrid, etc…), serial number, if known and location of their bike, to discuss available options for storing or shipping their bike at student’s expense. Sincerely, Kawanna Leggett Executive Director, Residential Life Rob Wild Dean of Students Packing & Shipping Email: Lofts Specific From: reslife@wustl.edu Email Subject: University Packing & Shipping Updates Dear Students, We are pleased to announce that we have finalized our plans for helping students with their belongings that were left behind in the residence halls when the university made the decision on March 11 to suspend “in person” activity on campus, ask students to return home, and move to alternate instruction. We have been committed to developing a plan that is safe and as convenient as possible for our students and families. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we know our plans have evolved significantly since March. Lofts residents items were all packed and stored, in temperature controlled local facilities due to the need to provide space for emergency responders. This email is to inform you of your options below. Please review in detail. You will be receiving an email next week with an opportunity to officially select your choice. OPTIONS EXPLAINED
- OPTION 1: LEAVE MY ITEMS IN STORAGE
As a Lofts resident, your items have been placed in local storage facilities.
- You can leave your items in the storage facility. Storage will be paid until September 30 at no cost to you.
- If you are returning to campus and living in Residential Life housing, your items will be delivered to your fall assignment by move-in day.
- OPTION 2: SHIP MY ITEMS FROM STORAGE
In this option, a university-approved moving company will ship your items at no cost to you to an address of your choosing. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Before contacting Residential Life, we ask that you carefully view the frequently asked questions provided on our website. If your question does not have an answer, please reach out to our office by email at reslife@wustl.edu or by phone at 314-935-5050. Please note that we are experiencing high call and email volumes and we will get back to you as soon as we can. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- RESUMED OFFICE HOURS
During this move-out period, the Residential Life office (located on the South 40) will be open Monday – Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. We ask that individuals looking to come into the office continue to practice safe social distancing and health recommendations to protect our employees in the office.
- JUNE 1 – JUNE 15 | MONDAY – FRIDAY
Our office will be hosting a daily webinar from 9:00 am – 10:00 am to answer any questions in an effort to supply sufficient support during high demand times. Links will be available to register on the Residential Life website by June 1.
- CARS REMAINING ON CAMPUS
If students have a car on campus and are able to return, we recommend retrieving vehicles between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM. If students are not able to come back to campus, they need to contact Parking and Transportation at parktrans@wustl.edu with the make, model, color, license plate number, and location of their vehicle, to discuss available options for storing or shipping their vehicle.
- BIKES REMAINING ON CAMPUS
If students have a bike on campus and are able to return, we recommend retrieving bikes between the hours of 9 AM – 5 PM. If students are not able to come back to campus, they need to contact Residential Life at reslife@wustl.edu with the make, model, color, type (mountain, road, hybrid, etc…), serial number, if known and location of their bike, to discuss available options for storing or shipping their bike at student’s expense. Sincerely, Kawanna Leggett Executive Director, Residential Life Rob Wild Dean of Students