Over the next two weeks, 4,500 students will move into on-campus housing at the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston Campus. Unlike previous years, the move-in process this fall will take nearly two weeks, as the University puts in place a plan to spread out the arrival of students onto the campus to mitigate the potential spread of the COVID-19 virus.

Students from states with a higher than 5 percent positivity rate or who are traveling from an international location are scheduled to move in Aug 24 and 25, allowing for move-in time, COVID-19 testing, and a 14-day quarantine before classes begin. Students from these states, or those who test positive, will be placed in designated isolation and quarantine spaces either on campus or in two local hotels.

The remainder of the students will move into on-campus housing on pre-scheduled dates and times between Aug. 29 and Sept. 7. About 500 students will be tested and move into on-campus housing daily.

In their allotted time, students will get tested and move into their rooms. Each student move-in is limited to two helpers to assist them within a four-hour timeframe.

All persons (students and helpers) arriving on campus for move-in must wear a face covering the entire time, and will have to complete the University’s daily health attestation to confirm they are symptom free and cleared to come onto campus for move-in.

After move-in, helpers must vacate the building and there is NO visitation in the residence hall by family members or by other students not residing in the same residence hall. With the exception of move-in, visitation or entrance to residence halls by family members or students not residing in that residence hall will not be permitted. Family members or other visitors may interact with resident students OUTSIDE of the residence hall as long as they wear a face covering and adhere to physical distancing and other health and safety directives.

Residence hall visitor policy

Students will be permitted to visit with other students from the same residence hall in certain public areas (e.g. lounges, hallways) as long as groups are small, masked and physically distant. Students can also safely have one other student (from the same hall) visiting them in their room.

Students are not permitted to enter different residence halls to visit and must only be within their assigned residence hall. Parents or friends may visit students OUTSIDE of the residence hall or drop things off, but are not allowed in the building after move-in day.

All visitors must complete a COVID-19 symptom self-assessment prior to coming to campus and should be prepared to present the email confirmation they receive upon request.

We are excited to welcome students back to the Kingston Campus. #rhodytogether