Fall Housing and COVID-19
Housing Policies and Restrictions Related to COVID-19
In response to the current public health guidelines and recommendations related to COVID-19, the below policies and guidelines are incorporated into the SVA Residence Life policies in addition to other policies in the SVA student housing agreement and as outlined in the SVA Handbook. The policies below are subject to change in accordance with changes to public health guidelines and policies as outlined by the CDC and NYS Departments of Education and Health.
We will continue to implement and modify cleaning protocols to address COVID-19 in the interest of minimizing the spread of disease. The College will educate and inform residential students on the appropriate cleaning protocols within their assigned spaces to reduce the possibility of the spread of COVID-19 within campus housing
SVA Facilities will consistently disinfect “high touch surfaces and areas” within Residence Hall common areas including, but not limited to the below list:
● Door handles, push bars and knobs
● Light switches
● Handrails
● Elevator buttons
● Common restroom stalls, sinks, faucets and dispensers
● Vending machines
● Common kitchens: refrigerators, stoves/ovens, appliance handles, cabinets and file drawer handles
● Security desks
Students will be expected to:
- Wipe down surfaces within their private bathrooms and kitchen/kitchenettes after each use as well as surfaces and appliances in common area kitchens and lounges
- Follow public guidance regarding proper and frequent hand washing upon returning to their rooms/suites.
Living Spaces
The housing placement process has been adapted to ensure that no more than 4 students are allocated to any bathroom or kitchen/cooking area per living unit.
All housing assignments are subject to change and reassignments may occur in the interest of de-densifying spaces prior to check-in. Please note that roommates and suitemates within the same room or apartment will be treated as a “family unit.”
Residence Hall Common Areas
Revised/reduced occupancy limits in common areas (elevators, lounges, laundry rooms, etc) will be posted in all spaces to ensure adequate distancing in communal spaces.
In order to minimize contact that occurs among individuals inside the campus residences and therefore, the potential spread of COVID-19, the only individuals permitted in an individual room, apartment or suite are the residents assigned to those spaces.
Guests:
Guests will not be permitted in the residence halls throughout the academic year (1 family member will be allowed to enter the halls for the check-in process only.)
Visiting Rooms Within Same Residence Hall:
The only individuals permitted in an individual room, apartment or suite are the residents assigned to those spaces.
Face masks/coverings will be required in all areas of the residence halls (common areas) that are outside of the personal living space. This includes, but is not limited to (hallways, elevators, lounges, laundry rooms, lobbies, trash rooms.)
The college will continue to monitor and follow guidance from the CDC and New York State regarding practices and requirements for quarantine advisories for travel into NYC.
Definitions from the CDC
Isolation- separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
Quarantine- separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick. CDC recommendations for restricted action for quarantine is to: (1) Stay home until 14 days after your last exposure. (2) Check your temperature twice a day and watch for symptoms of COVID-19 (3) If possible, stay away from people who are at higher-risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
- Residents who are required to self-quarantine may do so: off-campus or on-campus (pending availability).
- Residents who are required to self-isolate may do so: off-campus at their permanent home or in a location outlined and allocated through the NYC Department of Health or on-campus pending space availability and safety considerations.
- For self-isolating on campus, Residence Life will coordinate access to meals, medicine and additional support as needed. For convenience and possible necessity, it is highly encouraged to set up accounts for food delivery, transportation, and laundry. Some apps that provide such services in NYC include: Seamless, Grubhub and Uber. Students are encouraged to bring an adequate supply of their prescribed medications and other medical supplies.
- Roommates/suitemates of a resident who is confirmed to have COVID-19 will be considered exposed and will be required to quarantine, the length of the quarantine will be determined by a medical professional.
- Spaces within each Residence Hall have been allocated and set aside for cases of residential student self-isolation.