UA Moving Students Out Of Burke West To Expand Isolation Space

TUSCALOOSA, AL. —The University of Alabama says it notified certain students on Monday that they will be moved to new housing to consolidate space and make rooms available in Burke West for expanded COVID-19 isolation facilities. The move comes after more than 531 COVID-19 cases were identified on the UA's Tuscaloosa campus over the last week as students returned for fall classes.

In total, the three-school University of Alabama System reported 566 cumulative cases on Monday, with the majority coming in Tuscaloosa.

UA Assistant Director of Communications Shane Dorrill said consolidation is standard practice as availability is reviewed at the beginning of each semester to make the most efficient and effective use of space.

"We appreciate the assistance of these students as we navigate these changes," he said in a statement provided to Patch. "Their costs will not increase regardless of where they are moved."

Dorrill then said each student will also be provided UA services to aid in transporting their belongings to their new housing, along with $250 in Bama Cash.

"We are proceeding with consolidation of students as quickly as possible to make sure that the campus is prepared for any additional isolation housing needs," Dorrill said. "Housing staff attempted to pair roommates as much as possible, and almost half of all students who were moved were placed with their roommates, but consolidating space sometimes means students would be moved into the rooms available."

Patch previously reported the university had secured quarantine space at two on-campus apartments — Bryce Lawn and the Highlands. However, the university previously mentioned it was actively working to find other alternatives as the number of cases on campus grew.