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Important Messages Log

March 17, 2020
A message from UCI Student Housing

Spring Housing Plans – Action Needed Now

Message sent to students living on the UCI campus

Dear UCI Housing Residents, 

You have either not responded to the “Spring Quarter 2020 – Housing Plans” survey or have indicated in the survey that you intend to remain in campus housing for spring quarter. For those who have not responded, please respond to the survey by Wednesday, March 18.

The public health concerns in the United States continue to escalate. We strongly urge students who are able to safely return to their permanent residence to do so by Sunday, March 29, and plan to remain there for the remainder of the academic year. Exceptions to stay in campus housing beyond Sunday, March 29 will be made for students who meet one of the following: 

  • Do not have access to alternate housing;

  • Have economic needs that do not enable them to return to their permanent residence;

  • Can not relocate due to personal health or safety considerations;

  • Have permanent residences in areas highly impacted by COVID-19; or

  • Have other situations that should be considered on a case-by-case basis. 


Important:

  • Food service will be limited, and meals that are served will be “grab and go”

  • There will be no labs or studios open

  • The Anteater Recreation Center (ARC) will be closed for the foreseeable future

  • Shuttle services will be limited and some service routes cancelled

  • Campus events have been cancelled

  • Dorm rooms and living communities may be adjusted to comply with social distancing regulations

  • Graduation is cancelled, and

  • In the event you are quarantined due to illness or exposure, enforcement will be coordinated with county officials


While some of these measures might sound extreme, they are consistent with California Health and Safety Code regulations recently released for Orange County, effective immediately, through March 31, 2020. Those restrictions include prohibition of “all public and private gatherings of any number of people, including at places of work, occurring outside a single household or living unit” unless they are engaged in “Essential Activities.” The regulations do permit colleges and universities to continue to be at work “for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that Social Distancing of six feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible.”  Violation of this Order is subject to fine, imprisonment, or both. (California Health and Safety Code section 120295.)

If the information provided here has given you a different outlook on staying versus leaving campus and you wish to change a previous survey response, you may do so up until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Anyone who decides to move out of Student Housing must also check out and turn in keys to the housing office in their community.

Wishing everyone a healthy and secure spring quarter, wherever you are learning.

Sincerely,

Tim Trevan
Executive Director
UCI Student Housing