Student Apartment Living During COVID-19

As April is just beginning, the first four months of 2020 have been hugely impacted by COVID-19. With over 640,000 cases in the United States, the virus continues to spread, causing universities to move online. As a result, college students around the country have returned home to their families, while some have chosen to stay in their apartments. This is raising a number of issues and concerns for students, especially since nearly all colleges and universities have said they will not resume classes until the Fall semester.

For Arizona State University, many residents have moved back home due to the changes being made at their own apartment complexes. According to residents of SOL and Sterling 920 Terrace, both off-campus apartments that are not affiliated with ASU but the majority of residents are ASU students, have closed off their amenities to avoid large crowds and promote social distancing.
During the first weeks of March, residents of SOL were informed that amenities, like the pool, courtyards, study lounges, and gyms, would be temporarily closed. Following ASU’s decision to move classes online, the shuttle service that SOL provides to transport students to and from the ASU campus will no longer be running.

According to a statement by the SOL Management Team, “We are aware of the impact the COVID-19 issue is having on all aspects of everyone’s lives, and that the cancellations and shutdowns in connection with this pandemic have created new burdens for our residents and guarantors. Please know that our Company has not escaped the consequences either. We have temporarily changed the way we work and communicate with you due to the CDC and other governmental mandates” referencing one major change SOL has made is in the accessibility of the office. The office doors are locked at all times to prevent anyone from coming into it and if any help is needed, a staff member wearing gloves is available to assist for any package pickups or questions.

According to SOL’s official statement, “ In conjunction with governmental mandates and to decrease the possibility of virus spread, we have had to close some of our amenities,” which includes the pool, study rooms, and gym,” Lastly stating, “Although we are sympathetic to this situation and the hardship that this pandemic has caused, we are unable to change the terms of our Lease Agreement,” in regards to many residents questioning their current rental price due to losing jobs, amenities being shut down and the shuttle no longer working. Residents still have to pay their full rent.

In response to the changes that have been made, many residents are frustrated since not everyone can leave and therefore are stuck inside an apartment with no other place to lounge or workout within the complex.

“I am very understanding of the entire situation and the concern for residents’ safety, but it is frustrating that all of the amenities are closed. Working out is a great way for me to stay healthy both mentally and physically, but now that I have worked out inside my apartment, it is much harder,” said Lauren Tobias, a resident of Sol, “Along with my other roommates who like to workout in the mornings, it can be very distracting and loud especially during my class sessions. It is a very frustrating time to be in an apartment complex since I know all precautions are being made. I just wish some amenities can open up again soon.”

The frustration is not only limited to SOL residents. Sterling 920 Terrace resident, Jaela Spears, agrees that it was a struggle at first, after her apartment unit got on a notice on the door that all of the complex’s facilities were closed, “but it was just something that had to be and it would take residents time to get used to,” said Spears. Her only concern was that the notice didn’t mention anything about paying the rent online or in person. According to Spears, paying rent online results in an additional $30 fee. On top of that, they only get a two-hour window to pick up packages, which was another frustration for Spears and her roommates.

“I get why they closed everything, and I think a lot of people are frustrated because it's like ‘Well, I'm stuck here and I can’t do anything’ but that's kinda the whole point,” said Spears, explaining her point of view about how other residents feel about the situation.
“For the most part, being inside an apartment with three additional roommates and not being able to really go anywhere else to relax will cause stress to anyone, especially during a time like this with pressures of not having a job and still having to pay bills, rent and groceries. It is a new struggle for many that will take time to get used to it,” said SOL resident, Brianna Sloan.

At the end of the day, all apartment complexes, SOL and Sterling 920 Terrance included, just wish for the safety of their residents and faculty.