Dear Resident,
As many of you know, yesterday Governor Newsom issued a statewide “Stay at Home” order effective last night. Based upon information we have received regarding this order, we want to update you, as a student living in campus managed housing.
The governor supports our effort to house students for whom this is their best and only housing option. All other students need to check out of the residence halls for the remainder of the spring semester.
For those students who need to stay in on-campus housing, the campus will continue to maintain services for safety and security, as well as dining services through a grab-and-go meal format. We ask that you submit a formal request to stay in on-campus housing through this online form . Over the weekend, we will work with you to consolidate students into fewer buildings instead of being spread all over campus, yet maintaining low occupancy in spaces by seeking to place you in a room by yourself, with no adjustments to room rates.
For on-campus students who are still in the process of checking out, the governor’s order allows you to return to your permanent place of residence. We ask, however, that you work with family and friends to expedite your move-out by Saturday, as we support the public health implications of the order to “stay home.”
If you have already left campus for break, but left items in your room, please contact Residence Education . We will work with you to coordinate an appropriate time in the future to return to Merced and pack up those items. It is important for you to follow the check out information so we can begin the process of providing relief for your room and meal plan charges.
For students who wish to stay in Heritage Apartments through the remainder of their contract, you may do so. Our plan is to credit you for the meal plan so you do not need to come to campus for meal pickup, but use the kitchens in your apartment.
Earlier this week, we sent information regarding relief from your room and meal plan charges.
Please note that the campus will still operate our Basic Needs services. As we move to remote operations, please complete the Food Pick-up Form to schedule pick up of pre-packaged food boxes. Emergency funds may be available should you find yourself in a fiscal crisis.
Additionally, UHaul is offering free 30-day storage to any college student during this time and Enterprise Car Rental is lowering their age to rent a car from 21 to 18 and waiving the young renter fee for rentals until May 31. This may provide students with an affordable resource.
Please let feel free to let us know how we can best support you during this uncertain time. Your well-being and success continue to be our priority.
Take care,
Charles
Charles Nies, PhD
Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
