Residence Life encourages students to leave campus

Monday morning, Utah State University released a COVID-19 update encouraging students in on-campus housing to return to their permanent homes. 

“If possible, we encourage you to leave your on-campus housing and return to your permanent home. Prorated refunds are available on housing and meal plans. USU will continue to provide services to those who are not able to leave,” the update said.

Students able to can cancel their housing contracts without penalty and receive a prorated refund based on the date they move out. Students can also receive a prorated refund for meal plans and parking permits. 

Anna Workman is a USU student who previously lived at the Living Learning Community. After USU announced students would receive a refund for housing, she moved out and returned to her permanent home in Sandy, Utah.  

“I was actually planning on moving back home before they sent the email. It just made sense to me to move back home and continue my classes in Sandy,” Workman said. “The email was just another reason for me to move out.” 

Workman agrees with the University’s decision to encourage students to return home. 

“I think it’s the right thing to do because I feel like COVID-19 is going to get a lot worse before it gets better,” Workman said. “I know that there are some students who can’t go home, but I think students that decide to stay on campus need to be really careful about their health.”

It was also announced Monday students establishing residency who must leave Utah due to COVID-19 will not have their time spent out of Utah impact their residency status. 

“From March 13, 2020 until restrictions for COVID-19 are lifted, students may leave the state and it will not count against residency. Once restrictions are lifted, students are expected to return to Utah to complete the residency requirements,” read the COVID-19 Update on Residency from the USU Office of Admissions.

Emily McAllister is an out-of-state student living at the LLC. She is trying to establish residency to qualify for in-state tuition next year. 

“Residency was the only thing I was waiting to hear about in order to make my decision about going home or not,” McAllister said. “Knowing that the time spent at home due to the virus will not count is a huge relief for me.”

McAllister also agrees with the university’s actions. 

“I think it is good that the university is encouraging students to go home. Right now, many students are going to be more comfortable with their families. However, I am appreciative that the campus is keeping housing and dining services open for students because many students are unable to go home,” McAllister said. 

Students have the option to continue their housing reservation as normal if they are unable to leave. Residence halls and dining services will remain open. 

Anika Ehlert is an international student from Germany living at Blue Square Apartments. She is unable to return home and will be remaining in Logan. 

“It is very frustrating. I would much rather be with my family during this time. I was okay with it at first because my friends said they would stay here, but now everybody is going home after all,” Ehlert said. “I feel like I will be here alone at some point.” 

Ehlert agrees the safety of students is very important and students should be with their families at this time. However, she also believes international students are in an unfair situation.

“I don’t think it is very fair to international students especially after Trump forbid people from Europe to travel back into the US. I do have dual citizenship, but I would never know one hundred percent if I could come back,” Ehlert said. “I don’t want to take that risk.” 

—darcy.ritchie@aggiemail.usu.edu

@darcyrrose