COVID-19 Campus Housing Status Updates

COVID-19 Screening, Vaccination, and Quarantine

Housing & Dining Services does not require COVID-19 screening to move into the Residence Halls and University Apartments. Designated isolation and quarantine spaces will not be available for Fall 2023.

COVID-19 Information & Resources

Quick Links

covid.colostate.edu is updated frequently and serves as the University’s COVID-19 information hub. As part of our ongoing response to COVID-19, university operations, including housing and dining, will follow public health guidance from Colorado and Larimer County and evolve as those recommendations change. We recognize that this year will be different than previous years, and we will continue to share new information with our residents and update our website as it is finalized.

University Mask/Face Covering Policy

  • Wear a face covering when in a common area such as any university building; workspace; classroom; food court or dining hall (except while eating); study area; residence hall common area such as a hallway, stairwell, elevator, or bathroom; and outside on university grounds when you cannot maintain 6 feet of physical distance.
  • Employees who are working in private offices or work spaces do not need to wear a mask while they are alone in that area.
  • Students in university housing do not need to wear a mask while alone in their room or apartment.
  • Employee face covering exemption information
  • Student face covering exemption information

For more information visit covid.colostate.edu/kb/slow-the-spread-how-to-guide/

COVID-19 Screening

  • Please get screened at CSU if you are asked by CSU.

Off-campus testing:

  • If you get tested at a county or other testing site, please notify them that you’re a student or employee.
  • The county and state report results to CSU, but it can be delayed.

How to report if you tested somewhere other than at CSU and are positive:

  • Report immediately via CSU’s Daily Symptom Checker Online.
  • Call CSU’s Public Health hotline at (970) 491-4600. Leave a message with your contact information and student or employee ID number.
Spring Extended Housing & Move Out

Spring 2021

All course instruction and exams after spring break will be delivered remotely through the end of the semester (April 19-May 14).

2020/2021 Frequently Asked Questions

  • Physical/Social Distancing

    Are there any new policies related to friends visiting, or for overnight guests?
    Yes, non-resident guests are prohibited until the pandemic is over, including residents of other buildings and family members, except in the lobby areas. All lobby guests are required to wear masks and physically distance (6 feet apart). Only guests from within the floor are permitted on resident floors and in rooms.

    What if a staff member needs to enter my room to repair something?
    To better protect both staff and students, it is advised that students leave the room while work is completed. All staff members will wear masks and are required to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from students if they cannot leave the room. Residents are also required to wear masks when staff are present in their room. We are limiting entry into rooms as much as possible and are only doing so for emergencies and/or urgent matters, with as much advance notice as possible.

     

  • Cleaning & Sanitization

    Housing & Dining Facilities has boosted both the frequency and the level of cleaning in all of our buildings. We are using a bleach solution on high-touch areas (elevator buttons, door knobs, front desks, etc.). Disinfecting wipes and hand sanitizer are available at all front desks and in all dining centers. Our Environmental Services crews are also ensuring that all soap dispensers are regularly filled.

    Is hand sanitizer available at the residence halls?
    Yes, in addition to the front desk areas, hand sanitizer stations are being added to the resident floors. Handwashing is best and we encourage all students to regularly wash hands (i.e. after passing through public spaces, before and after eating, after using the restroom, etc.).

    How often will community bathrooms be cleaned?
    Community bathrooms will be cleaned twice per day and Housing & Dining Facilities will also provide cleaning supplies if students would like to additionally clean surfaces before and after use.

    How often will suite bathrooms be cleaned?
    Suite bathrooms will be cleaned once per month to reduce staff entry into student rooms. Cleaning kits will be provided for each suite room for self-cleaning of sinks/vanities and bathrooms between staff cleanings.

    What additional measures are being taken to sanitize the surfaces in common areas like lobbies?
    In addition to frequent cleaning, we are purchasing electrostatic disinfectant sprayers for staff use, which contain positively charged particles that are able to aggressively adhere to surfaces and objects.

  • Community Building

    With limited person-to-person contact, how can residents develop a sense of community in the residence halls?

    • Residents have access to community lounges and other reservable spaces within their hall. Student staff such as Resident Assistants, Inclusive Community Assistants, and Eco Leaders are also coming up with new and innovative ways to build community, and there are several virtual engagement opportunities available on campus.
    • Residents receive a bi-weekly newsletter from University Housing called the CAMunity Connection that outlines various program offerings, support services, and ways to get involved.

  • Dining

    Dining center hours operation
    housing.colostate.edu/dining/hours/

    Explore dining options
    housing.colostate.edu/dining/explore/

    I have specific dietary needs – will someone be available to help guide me with food options?
    Yes, our dietician is available to help guide you and we take your needs seriously. Students with dietary needs will receive a welcome packet to highlight options.

    • Contact Brittney Sly, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, at
      (970) 491-4714 or Sly@colostate.edu.

  • Residence Hall Assignments

    Can I view the Hall Contract?
    Yes, a copy of the Hall Contract can be found at housing.colostate.edu/halls/policies/#hallcontract

    Are roommates being assigned and at what capacity are the residence halls?
    Other than students living in designed singles, residents can expect to be placed with a roommate. Public health experts have provided guidance that living with roommates is acceptable and we are asking residents to wear masks in public spaces, sanitize/clean high-touch surfaces regularly, and practice proper hand washing. Some spaces will be left vacant to help reduce overall occupancy, particularly in community-style halls with shared restrooms. A subset of on-campus housing has also been set aside for quarantine space needs.

    Can I change roommates, rooms or halls during the semester? What are my options if am I asked to move?

    • Assignment changes are limited only to those deemed critical by Housing & Dining Services staff, including but not limited to conduct/discipline, maintenance, and/or irreconcilable roommate differences after conflict resolution efforts have been attempted.
    • Residents must comply with temporary or permanent reassignment at the direction of Housing & Dining Services, including compliance with any directions for isolation or quarantine.

  • COVID-19 Screening & Quarantine Procedures

    CSU has implemented a saliva-based COVID screening process. All students living in University Housing are required to screen weekly and have been emailed about this process.

    What will happen if the screening detects COVID?
    If the screening protocol indicates no further follow up is necessary, notification will be sent via email. If the saliva screening indicates further follow-up is necessary, a member of the COVID-19 screening team will reach out via telephone to communicate next steps.

    If saliva screening indicates the need for a nasal swab test and that test is positive, that person must isolate. A person must quarantine if they are a close contact of someone who tested positive with a nasal swab test.  Residents who are asked to isolate or quarantine will be provided with a space to do so on campus or in a hotel at no cost, which includes services such as meal delivery. One can also choose to quarantine or isolate at home there is a safe means to travel and a safe place to quarantine or isolate; however, these options should first be discussed with a public health official. More information on quarantine/isolation can be found on this Quarantine in University Housing FAQ.

    Will there no longer be short-notice requests to screen due to wastewater testing?
    It is still possible that hall residents are asked to screen outside of the rotation as a result of wastewater test results, but we expect those requests to be reduced.

    Can residents opt out?
    We understand that some members of our community have a medical condition which prevents them from testing or a religious belief pertaining to participation in medical practices. We want to respect a wide variety of needs and beliefs while also mitigating risk to everyone. No one is required to screen if they have a medical or religious reason not to, but those individuals may be required to quarantine if the source(s) of infection that lead to a wastewater signal or other indication of COVID-19 are not identified through this process.

    Information about how and where to get tested outside of the scheduled screenings can be found at covid.colostate.edu/kb/how-do-i-get-tested/

Student Staff Information

We recognize the extra strain this fall semester has imposed on student staff. We have taken the following measures to ensure student staff have the tools and information they need to support themselves and their residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • Student staff have received information and talking points on COVID testing and quarantine that they can use to answer resident questions.
  • Student staff can refer residents to the Housing & Dining Services Pandemic Hotline to answer more in-depth and specific questions pertaining to meals, cleaning supplies, and anything residents need while in isolation or quarantine.
  • The name of the person with COVID-19 and their close contacts must remain confidential as is required by medical privacy and student record laws (HIPAA and FERPA). Any time we are aware that a resident will be away from a floor for a period of time (for any reason) we will notify that RA without disclosing any medical information so the RA can check in and provide virtual support, if needed and appropriate. Student staff can expect to receive an email from hall leadership that reads as follows: I have been notified that (insert name) will not be returning to your floor for (insert timeframe or if unknown say a short period). While we cannot share medical information about any students, we can confirm that students in the halls will move to quarantine spaces if they test positive for COVID or if they have been identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID. We also know that some students choose to quarantine at home or may decide to spend time at home for any reason if their courses are online or they are feeling homesick. We ask that you and the residents on your floor don’t discuss any potential medical information about this resident but we do encourage you to reach out and continue to check in and provide support while they are away from the community. Teams outreach, texting, and phone calls are encouraged and may be very supportive.
  • Contact tracers will reach out to those who have been identified as a close contact. For more information, the Pandemic Preparedness Team’s website answers questions about who is notified when cases are identified: covid.colostate.edu/kb/i-just-heard-someone-who-was-in-a-building-i-work-or-study-in-has-tested-positive-for-covid-19-and-i-was-not-notified-why/. Student staff have been advised to use the COVID Reporter tool if they were not contacted and feel they should have been.
Move-in

The university apartments are open year-round, regardless of whether CSU classes are in-person or online. We are carefully monitoring public health guidance and the university is required to follow guidelines to protect our students and community. Any changes or updates will be shared with incoming students.

2020/2021 Frequently Asked Questions

  • Move-In

    When can I move into my apartment?
    Your scheduled arrival date as listed in your assignment offer is the day you can arrive and move in to your apartment.

    Can I show up anytime during my arrival date?
    Yes. We do encourage residents, if possible, to move in during hours when the community office will be open listed at housing.colostate.edu/apartments/move-in. If the office is closed, a duty number will be posted to contact staff to assist.

    What should we do if our travel plans do not coincide with our arrival date?
    Residents should adhere to their scheduled arrival date as much as possible. If circumstances arise that may cause difficulty, please contact our office at housing@colostate.edu. While we cannot assure the apartment will be ready for a different arrival date, we will accommodate as much as possible.

    Are there quarantine/isolation requirements for incoming students prior to arrival?
    Two weeks prior to arriving on campus, residents should monitor for symptoms and self-isolate as much as possible to limit exposure.

    Is it okay to have items shipped ahead to my apartment?
    No. Limited storage prohibits us from storing packages for future residents. Consider trying to schedule deliveries to arrive shortly after your move-in date as an alternative.

  • Physical/Social Distancing

    What is being done to help reduce contact with others?

    • Plexiglass shields have been installed at various customer service points such as desks/front offices/etc.
    • Residents, staff, and guests must wear masks in public areas and while interacting with one another at the front desk, dining center, etc.
    • Many apartment communities have adjusted their operations to include virtual office desk hours.

    Are there any new policies related to friends visiting, or for overnight guests?
    Yes, non-resident guests are prohibited until the pandemic is over, including residents of other buildings and family members, except in the lobby areas. All lobby guests are required to wear masks and physically distance (6 feet apart). Only guests from within the floor/wing/building/complex are permitted in apartments.

    What if a staff member needs to enter my apartment to repair something?
    To better protect both staff and students, it is advised that students leave the apartment while work is completed. All staff members will wear masks and are required to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet from students if they cannot leave the apartment. Residents are also required to wear masks when staff are present in their apartment. We are limiting entry into rooms as much as possible and are only doing so for emergencies and/or urgent matters, with as much advance notice as possible.

  • Cleaning & Sanitization

    Is hand sanitizer available at university apartments?
    Yes, hand sanitizer is available at the front desk areas. Handwashing is best and we encourage all students to regularly wash hands (i.e. after passing through public spaces, before and after eating, after using the restroom, etc.).

    What additional measures are being taken to sanitize the surfaces in common areas like lobbies?
    In addition to frequent cleaning, we are purchasing electrostatic disinfectant sprayers for staff use, which contain positively charged particles that are able to aggressively adhere to surfaces and objects.

  • Community Building

    With limited person-to-person contact, how can residents develop a sense of community in university apartments?

    • Residents have access to community lounges and other reservable spaces within their community.
    • Student staff such as Community Coordinators, Family Programs Coordinators, and Eco Leaders are also coming up with new and innovative ways to build community, and there are several virtual engagement opportunities available on campus.
    • Residents receive a monthly bulletin from University Housing that outlines various program offerings, support services, and ways to get involved.

  • University Apartment Assignments

    Can I view an apartment lease?
    An example of the apartment lease can be found at housing.colostate.edu/apartments/apply/

    Will roommates be assigned and at what capacity will the apartments be filled?
    Other than students living in apartments designed or designated for individual assignments, residents can expect to be placed with a roommate(s). Public health experts have provided guidance that living with roommates is acceptable and we are asking residents to wear masks in public spaces, sanitize/clean high-touch surfaces regularly, and practice proper hand washing. A subset of on-campus housing has also been set aside for quarantine space needs.

    Will the apartments remain open after Spring Break when courses all shift to an online format?
    Yes. Apartment leases are for the full academic year and do not close during academic breaks or University holidays. All residents will have full access to their apartment throughout the duration of their lease.

  • COVID-19 Screening & Quarantine Procedures

    CSU has implemented a saliva-based COVID screening process. All students living in University Housing are required to screen weekly and have been emailed about this process.

    What will happen if the screening detects COVID?
    If the screening protocol indicates no further follow up is necessary, notification will be sent via email. If the saliva screening indicates further follow-up is necessary, a member of the COVID-19 screening team will reach out via telephone to communicate next steps.

    If saliva screening indicates the need for a nasal swab test and that test is positive, that person must isolate. A person must quarantine if they are a close contact of someone who tested positive with a nasal swab test. Residents who are asked to isolate or quarantine will be provided with a space to do so on campus or in a hotel at no cost, which includes services such as meal delivery. One can also choose to quarantine or isolate at home there is a safe means to travel and a safe place to quarantine or isolate; however, these options should first be discussed with a public health official. More information on quarantine/isolation can be found on this Quarantine in University Housing FAQ.

    Can residents opt out?
    We understand that some members of our community have a medical condition which prevents them from testing or a religious belief pertaining to participation in medical practices. We want to respect a wide variety of needs and beliefs while also mitigating risk to everyone. No one is required to screen if they have a medical or religious reason not to, but those individuals may be required to quarantine if the source(s) of infection that lead to a wastewater signal or other indication of COVID-19 are not identified through this process.

    Information about how and where to get tested outside of the scheduled screenings can be found at covid.colostate.edu/kb/how-do-i-get-tested/