Coronavirus Update: Retrieving Belongings from Residence Halls and South Campus

Dear Students, Parents and Families:

As a follow-up to my message yesterday, I write to share further information about moving out of residence halls and South Campus apartments. We understand there are many challenges surrounding travel across the globe. As such, we are providing students and their families the following options for retrieving their belongings:

• Pick up your belongings by Sunday, March 22, at 9 p.m.;
• Have your belongings packed and shipped/stored; or
• Leave your belongings in your current residence hall room or South Campus apartment for pick-up at a later date.

Outlined below are additional details for each of these options, as well as answers to common questions we have received since our last communication.

I encourage our campus community to continue good hygiene practices and social distancing guidelines. Additionally, I want to remind students who remain on campus that the Barnes Center at The Arch is available for health care and counseling services. Students must first call the staff at the Barnes Center at 315.443.8000 if they are seeking care or want to schedule an over-the-phone counseling appointment.
We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work hard to address this rapidly evolving situation.

I live in a North Campus residence hall or Skyhall. How will I retrieve my belongings?

Students and families have the following options:

1. We have developed a staggered move-out schedule for North Campus residence halls and Skyhall. Time slots are available beginning at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, and continue through Sunday, March 22. Families may select a pick-up time through the MySlice housing portal Students and families may NOT visit campus outside of their scheduled time. In order to comply with social distancing recommendations and public health best practices, we have limited the number of groups who may arrive in each three-hour period. Students who live in South Campus apartments are welcome to move out at any time through March 22. Scheduling for South Campus apartments is not required.
2. Students and families can complete the item storage form to request that their belongings be packed and stored by the University’s vetted storage partner, Lazybones. Students can also complete the pick-up authorization form to have a moving company pack and ship/transport their belongings.
3. Students can keep their belongings in their on-campus housing to retrieve at a future date.

If I cannot return to campus during this time, am I required to complete the item storage form?

No. Please only complete the item storage form to request that your belongings be packed and stored by Lazybones. Students are permitted to keep their belongings in on-campus housing until a future date.

If I am currently traveling somewhere during spring break that’s not home, can a family member pick up my belongings?

Yes, families can make arrangements to retrieve belongings. Families can retrieve belongings from a North Campus residence hall by selecting a pick-up time through the MySlice housing portal. For students who live on South Campus, a family member can pack up their student’s apartment from now through Sunday, March 22, at 9 p.m. South Campus residents/families do not need to schedule a pick-up time.

If you plan to arrive at a residence hall without the student resident, the resident will need to first fill out the pick-up authorization form indicating that all parties involved have agreed to the arrangement.

If I left for spring break, can I return to campus to retrieve my belongings?

To facilitate the move-out process, students who left campus will be permitted to return to their residence hall or South Campus apartment solely to move out. For students in North Campus residence halls and Skyhall, you will need to schedule a time through the MySlice housing portal. Please note, you may NOT collect belongings outside of your scheduled time and you may not stay overnight on campus. For students in South Campus apartments, you may return to collect your belongings until 9 p.m. on March 22. No prior registration is needed.

Will families be allowed into the residence halls to help students pack and move?

Yes. To create an efficient move-out process, parents and families will be allowed inside residence halls to assist their students. In order to comply with social distancing recommendations and public health best practices, we have limited the number of groups who may arrive in each three-hour period.

My permanent residence is far from Syracuse and I/my family are unable to return to campus. Can I hire a moving service to help pack and ship my possessions?

Yes. However, for the safety and security of other students, if you plan to hire a moving service and the student resident will not be present, the resident will need to first fill out the pick-up authorization form indicating that all parties involved have agreed to the arrangement.

I am unable to move out of my on-campus residence (North or South Campus) by Sunday, March 22. What will happen to my possessions?

Your personal belongings will remain safe and secure in your residence hall and/or South Campus apartment. We are encouraging all students who are able to pack up their residence and leave campus no later than March 22.

Will there be other dates when I can remove my belongings?

We anticipate offering additional move-out times in April and May. However, due to the rapidly evolving nature of this crisis, we are unable to provide exact dates at this time.

I’m on campus, but now plan to go home. How can the University help me leave campus?

One additional bus to New York City will leave on Wednesday, March 18, at noon. Tickets are not required. Details are available via the online Box Office. Consistent with social distancing best practices, the bus is limited in capacity. If you are going to take the bus, please take all of your belongings with you.
Additionally, free transportation to Syracuse Hancock International Airport and to the Regional Transportation Center is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. by calling 315.706.5060. Please give at least one hour of notice prior to your desired pick-up time.

Sincerely,

Amanda Nicholson
Interim Deputy Senior Vice President for Enrollment and the Student Experience