In our last issue we shared information about reopening our housing and dining in the fall. Both are open for fall with face coverings and physical distancing requirements in common spaces and buildings, additional cleaning and staggered timelines for activities such as move-in and dining. Here is some information on what you and your student should be doing to prepare for the new academic semester.
Housing
Move-in for new incoming first-years students is scheduled for August 24-31. Check out the Housing FAQs for up-to-date information. If your student plans on living in U-M housing, they should self-quarantine for 14 days prior to arriving on campus. More specific instructions will be forthcoming.
Please note that students moving into U-M Housing (residence halls and apartments) are expected to be tested for the virus that causes COVID-19 - and cleared – prior to their arrival in Ann Arbor. U-M is partnering with Quest Diagnostics to provide testing kits, at no additional cost, directly to students for you to self-administer and then mail back to Quest for analysis. If you are planning to live in U-M Housing, you will receive an email next week with additional information and instructions on testing.
If your student signed a housing agreement, and chooses not to return to campus, the deadline to make that change is August 14.
What Students Should Do Now...
- Have your student pack their favorite, most comfortable face coverings (they will need them all over campus, and will need a supply of clean ones!)
- Decide what cleansers and sanitizers your student will want to use in their room — it's their space to take care of.
- Download the GET app to manage their meal plan from their phone.
- Roommate information will be going out soon — start thinking about the kinds of questions your student will want to discuss with roommates, about keeping their room healthy.
- Get ready (and make a plan) to stay at home with enhanced social distancing 14 days before traveling domestically to Ann Arbor.
- Prune your student’s list of what they are going to bring to campus — and what you can just ship ahead or buy in town.
- Rent a fridge or microwave from CollegeProducts.com to be delivered in your student’s room for when they arrive.
Dining
Dining facilities will offer take out only to begin the academic year. Fall hours of operation are available on the Michigan Dining website. There are enhanced and strict cleaning policies and processes in place. Frequently asked questions can be found on the MDining FAQ page.
What Students Should Be Doing Now:
- Download the GET mobile app. GET will allow them to utilize contactless entry into the dining halls, make reservations for dine in options at the dining halls, utilize our mobile ordering features at several dining locations and purchase meal plans.
- Add blue bucks before coming to campus to utilize retail locations for added convenience.
- New MGifts will be launching for fall including some household and personal products so your student won't need to leave campus for basic needs items.
- If your student has concerns about navigating dining halls or eating on campus with a food allergy or nutritional need reach out to [email protected] to connect with one of our campus dietitians.
- Trying to figure out what to bring? We recommend your student teaming up with roommates to have a microwave and refrigerator in their room with added to-go locations on campus.
More information and fall hours of operation will be added to the dining website soon so be sure to check back for the most up to date details before coming to campus
Please remind your student that together we will make a difference. In all activities:
- Maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more between yourself and others.
- Wear a face covering that covers your mouth, nose and chin anywhere on campus including indoors, outside and on U-M transportation.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes. Avoid touching your face.
- If you're gathering with others, meet outdoors when possible and limit the size. The smaller the group, the safer the event.
- Do not share common food and beverages.
- If you feel sick, stay home and away from others. Seek medical attention if necessary.
- Get vaccinated against the flu.
Full details are available here.