COVID-19 Resources

Dear Allegheny Students and Families:

We are very excited to welcome students back to campus on February 18–19 for the start of in-person learning! This email includes important information that will help you prepare for move-in.

We want to make the move-in process go as smoothly as possible for our students and families. We appreciate your cooperation and support as we do everything we can to ensure the health and safety of the Allegheny community as Module 2 begins. Please review this email carefully and contact us at deanofstudents@allegheny.edu with any questions.

There is a lot of information here, so here is a quick checklist of what students need to do THIS WEEK to prepare for returning to campus:

COVID-19 Testing Requirements

All students who plan to return to campus, both those living in campus residences and those living elsewhere but who may be present on campus for any reason, MUST provide proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test before arrival on campus. We strongly suggest that all students take the College’s test rather than other tests. Please complete the Student Information Form by January 29 to convey your ability to complete the at-home test. You will be able to update the form after the 29th if needed.

In early February, students will receive a link in their email from Inspire Diagnostics to order an at-home COVID-19 test kit; please complete this order as soon as you receive the email. ALL STUDENTS SHOULD SWAB THEIR NOSES AND DROP THEIR TEST KITS AT A UPS DROP SITE ON FEBRUARY 15. Testing on February 15 will provide students and families the most accurate and timely information regarding possible positive cases. Starting the semester with as few positive cases as possible is a key element of our successful reopening. While we anticipate that students will receive their test results throughout the day on Wednesday, February 17, families should be prepared to stay home until their test results are returned.

Please see this update from the Allegheny College Health Agency for more information, including instructions for students arriving from outside of the U.S. We anticipate that if students follow the instructions and return the at-home test on February 15, results will be returned to students by February 17. While we understand that this creates issues and anxieties for families to not be able to solidify plans, we believe this is the best way to ensure that students are safe to return to campus. We ask for your patience as we all wait for test results to be returned.

Some considerations for your travel preparations:

• For students traveling by plane or traveling long distances, please choose a Friday, February 19, move-in time.
• When scheduling a move-in time, plan for retrieving items from storage, purchasing personal items, and completing local errands PRIOR to testing. After testing, students will be expected to go directly to the residence halls for move-in and quarantine. If you need assistance with storage items, please complete this form.
• We anticipate that the weather could be cold and possibly snowy/icy, and the sun sets around 5:50 p.m. Please come prepared to be outside in potentially inclement weather, and if your move-in appointment is after 5:30, you may need flashlights.

Do not travel to campus without proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test; you will not be allowed on campus. The ACHA will work closely with students who may not receive results from their at-home test in time to move in on February 18 and 19.

Move-in Process for February 18 and 19

All residential students are required to sign up for a move-in day and time in Housing Self-Service. Because every student will be tested for COVID-19 when they arrive on campus, a limited number of time slots will be available on each day. (Don’t worry — plenty of spots will be available, but if you need to move in on a specific day, do not delay in signing up!) Please sign up for a move-in time by February 12, 2021.

Commuter students will receive a separate communication regarding testing time slots for February 18 and 19. Please pay attention to your email so you can sign up for your testing time!

Here’s what to do when you arrive:

• If you have items in storage, you need to go to storage to obtain your items first. If you are unable to get to your storage facility (e.g. students on the shuttle) please complete this form.
• Head to the Wise Center at your scheduled move-in time for your COVID-19 test.
• For the health and safety of everyone, we ask that you come into the testing area on your own and rejoin in your car anyone who accompanied you to Allegheny after you have been tested and have picked up your room key at the testing site.
• After your test is completed, you may proceed to your residence hall and move in. A map is available here with the routes to follow to residence halls after testing.

To protect the health and safety of our guests and community, only one family member or friend will be allowed to accompany you into your residence hall.

There will be limited staff available to assist with move-in, so pack your belongings so you can carry them to your room.

As in the fall, face coverings are required for all individuals on campus, and you should maintain appropriate physical distance.

Expectations for Spring Semester Module 2

Your commitment to health and safety was key to the success of the fall semester, and we are confident that the campus community will again do everything possible to uphold the Gator Pledge. Students will be required to remain on campus until the campus quarantine period is complete (approximately March 4). Please come to campus prepared to stay on campus until March 4, 2021. Requests to leave campus for urgent situations during the quarantine period should be submitted to this form.

We wish you all the best as you complete your Module 1 course — and we are looking forward to seeing our students on campus in just a few short weeks! Again, please contact us at deanofstudents@allegheny.edu with any questions so we can personally assist you.

Dean of Students Office