It’s Here: TU's Fall 2020 Move-In

Press release from Towson University: By Kyle Hobstetter

As move-in takes place this weekend, students will be allowed just two family members
to help them take their belongings into the residence halls.

Starting Thursday, Aug. 13, Towson University will welcome approximately 3,000 students
to campus as part of fall move-in.

While move-in usually takes place over a weekend, this year TU has expanded it to
10 days.

This is just one of many safety precautions the university is taking during the COVID-19
pandemic.

“One of the things we’ve consistently heard from our students is their excitement
to return to campus,” says Vernon J. Hurte, vice president of student affairs. “We
have continued to prioritize health and safety while also preparing to provide a great
residential experience for our students.”

READ MORE: Keeping students safe when they move back to campus

Before coming to campus

Students must schedule the date and time they move in prior to arrival. They must also
complete the pre-move-in process assignment on the student housing gateway to learn about safety, what to bring to campus and other useful information.

Students are encouraged to pack light and bring other belongings as needed throughout
the term. No large furniture—futons, desk chairs, bookcases, etc.—will be permitted this
year.

Please be aware students may have up to two helpers during move-in.

In the event students have to move out mid-term, they will need to take all belongings with
them. Housing & Residence Life will not ship any resident possessions.

READ MORE: Packing for college

COVID-19 Testing

All students must complete a COVID-19 test within 10 days prior to their arrival and
provide confirmation of a negative result to the university before arriving on campus. They will not be permitted to move into their residence hall assignment without
it.

TU Health Center’s on-campus testing facility is open Monday through Friday from 9
a.m. to 3:45 p.m., in addition to weekend hours. Those wanting to take a test at the
Health Center must register ahead of time.

TU community members who are tested for COVID-19 off campus are asked to keep their
receipts, as TU will reimburse those costs.

If a student tests positive, they will not be permitted to move to campus housing
until 10 days after their positive test; during the last 24 hours of that time frame
they must display no symptoms. They must also notify Housing & Residence Life that
their arrival to campus will be delayed.

The Lot 5 parking area is ready and set up to welcome students who are moving onto
campus over the next 10 days.

Arriving to campus

Towson University has set up a check-in process in Lot 5, near SECU Arena. All students
and families will go there to pick up their residence hall key, OneCard, TU Cares
package and orientation swag (for incoming freshmen and students who are transferring).

Inclement weather, all move-in procedures will occur inside SECU Arena. In this case,
only students will be allowed to pick up move-in materials.

READ MORE: Parking information for fall 2020 move-in

Students will have a two-hour window to complete their move-in assignment, and there
will be no university-sponsored move-in crew.

READ MORE: Resources for residents

In order to encourage physical distancing, the following safety measures will be in
place:

• Roommates/apartment mates may not sign up for the same time block.
• No more than eight students may sign up for a time block per building.
• Elevator usage will be limited based on elevator size.
• Signage will direct traffic flow within buildings.
• Doors will be specified as entry or exit points.
• Hand sanitizer will be available in building lobbies.
• All residence hall front desks will be equipped with plexiglass.
• There will be a limited number of carts available at each building. Wipes will be provided,
  and families will be responsible for wiping the cart down when it is returned. Carts
  must be returned at the end of the two-hour window.
• It’s recommended that families bring their own cart or dolly if possible.

Now What?

HRL has even more information to help students get settled in:

• Student staff members will be available at each building’s community center to answer
  questions.

• Maintenance request can be made online at the bottom of HRL’s resource for residents page.
• Students will receive a communication from their resident assistant about a digital floor
  meeting on or around Aug. 20.

• Students need to complete their online room condition report by Friday, Aug. 28. They
  will be sent an email about the process after they pick up their key.
• Review Welcome 2 TU to find out how to participate in welcome events like the socially distant silent
  disco, a virtual murder mystery and a virtual open mic.
• Check out the Tigers Care website to learn what the university is doing to combat COVID-19.

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.