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Student Life: COVID-19 Housing Update

COVID-19 Housing Update

Updated Housing Requirements and Guidelines

New guidance revised May, 2021

UAMS is closely monitoring the ongoing COVID-19 situation and taking action to protect the health and wellbeing of UAMS students, faculty, and staff, as well as our neighboring communities. We understand that this is a very difficult and stressful time, but working together collaboratively to implement several CDC-recommended strategies is the most immediate and practical means of slowing and reducing the community spread of COVID-19 through person-to-person contact. Below are new on-campus residential living directives related to the public health and safety during the COVID-19 health crisis.

UAMS will continue to make policy adjustments and implement additional measures as necessary. Any updates to housing policies will be posted on the Campus Life webpage.

FACE COVERINGS REQUIRED IN COMMON AREAS & PUBLIC SPACES

In residential buildings, face coverings are required prior to entering any common area, including those listed below.    

  • Lobbies
  • Hallways
  • Elevators
  • Stairwells
  • Laundry rooms
  • Parking lots
  • Walkways
  • Outdoor common areas
  • Mailrooms and other indoor common areas.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING IN EFFECT FOR All RESIDENCE HALL BUILDINGS

  • Minimize close contact with others. UAMS advises all community members to maintain good hygiene habits and to practice physical distancing.  To socialize, we ask that you go outside and maintain the recommended level of social distance or take advantage of phone and virtual environments to connect with friends and family.
  • Visitors. Revised 5/2021 Before entry into the Residence Hall, visitors must follow the steps below:
    • Complete the visitor screening questionnaire and adhere to all UAMS Infection Prevention and Student and Employee Health COVID-19 restrictions and recommendations.
    • Only ONE visitor at a time, per resident. Residents must accompany their guest at all times while in the facility.
    • The only exception is listed below.
    • Friends or family members who are helping a student move in or out of the Residence Hall. Limit 2 per resident.
  • Travel. Visitors required or recommended to quarantine by the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) due to illness, potential exposure, travel or other reason are NOT Allowed at UAMS until cleared by ADH.  In response to the severe outbreak of COVID-19 in India and the risk of introducing SARS-CoV2 variants from travelers returning from India, the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has issued a 14-day quarantine recommendation for anyone returning to Arkansas from India, including those who are fully vaccinated. Therefore, anyone traveling from India within the past 14 days will NOT Be Cleared to enter the facility and will be directed to contact Student Employee Health Services.
  • Rent Obligation. As long as the Residence Hall remains open, residents are obligated to the contractual period documented on individual semester contracts.
  • ​Social Events. Gatherings within residence halls consisting of more than four residence hall members are temporarily suspended until further notice.
  • Common Areas. Groups of no more than four students who live in your residence hall may gather in lobbies or private rooms, in line with social events guidance above. 
  • Community Kitchens. No more than four students should use a shared kitchen at any one time. Please ensure proper physical distancing between residents while cooking, with frequent hand washing and exclusive use of utensils and cooking supplies. Please ensure that you are cleaning and wiping down surfaces with suitable cleaning agents before and after using the kitchens.
  • Elevators and stairwells. Please use stairs rather than sharing an elevator with more than four passengers.
  • Laundry rooms. Maximum four people in the laundry room at any one time. Please practice physical distancing while doing laundry in the laundry room, leaving six feet between you and others.
  • Tailgating. Residents may enter the building only by tapping their valid UAMS ID. It is your responsibility to ensure that visitors do not follow you inside. 

PROVIDE EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

  • Each resident must verify the emergency contact information they provided at check-in. Also, please review and edit your emergency contact information on your GUS account.
  • Update your personal contact information on your GUS account to ensure that you receive critical notifications from your college, program, or department.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS

Students on and off campus are instructed to self-monitor their health. A hotline was established for screenings or questions regarding COVID-19. The phone number is 800-632-4502. You can also contact Student & Employee Health at 501-686-6565 or visit https://uamshealth.com/university-healthcare/student-and-employee-health/.

SHARED RESPONSIBILITY & SUPPORT SERVICES

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT COMPLY

It is our intention to provide students with a positive on-campus experience while abiding by all local, state and federal protocols. The plans outlined in this document may change as we continue to monitor and respond to recommendations and guidelines from appropriate authorities. However, at this time it is important that everyone adhere to these directives for your own wellbeing and for the wellbeing of those around us–other students, faculty, and staff, and our community area neighbors, especially those who are immune-compromised, or otherwise vulnerable to COVID-19. 

Failure to comply with the expectations above may result in a disciplinary referral to your college, program, or department—including immediate removal from campus housing.

QUESTIONS

For questions relating to campus housing or student life, please call 501-686-5850.