A complicated, but successful move in
In early January 2022, a committee was created to help navigate and prepare for the spring residential student move-in process. Several challenges had to be overcome, including all 6,500+ residential students had to provide proof of full vaccination plus booster and be tested for COVID prior to moving in. These students also needed to be notified of the plan and scheduled to move in over four days. Staff also had to be coordinated to manage multiple facets over a weekend.
The committee settled on the Tillman Lobby as a central hub with UU-120 as check-in, the Mandela Room and Old Union Hall for testing, UU-111 for a booster clinic and the second floor for Residential Life clearance. Various other rooms around Tillman were reserved for troubleshooting, command central and consultation stations. This also allowed students access to Dunkin’, The Union Undergrounds, the MarketPlace and the Bookstore while waiting for test results.
Once the locations were established, the committee worked out the logistics for how each station would function and in which order students would proceed. The process had to be simplified enough so that even new students would be able to complete it in a timely manner. A three-step procedure was decided upon with (1) all students checking in at UU-120, (2) proceeding across the hall to the Mandela Room to be tested and, upon receiving a negative test, (3) going through a Residential Life checkpoint then to the second floor for clearance to move in. Eventualities were discussed and locations/processes established for any situation out of the norm. Large informational signs were deployed at each step and a “Student Passport” with map was printed to direct students to each location and to where staff could stamp their progress.
As soon as the locations and logistics were agreed upon, student communication went out through several coordinated channels and across department websites. Students signed up for a day and time block to move in. A large part of assuring a smooth move-in process was to secure enough volunteer staff to be available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for four days, including through a weekend. Hundreds of volunteers from across campus as well as the full Residential Life staff were scheduled in four-hour blocks at each step.
Due to the hard work of our staff, a total of 6,574 residential students were moved in over a four-day period (including a fifth day for stragglers). This thoughtful preparation resulted in 1,000 to 1,800 students smoothly moving onto campus each day. Density was decreased and masks were worn throughout. Activities were planned each day so that students had things to do, could settle in and begin their semester. We even received accolades from parents. Job well done.