Tag: university move-in

HOW BC IS PLANNING ON REOPENING IN THE TIME OF COVID-19

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I’m guessing at this point in time, almost all of you have dealt with Covid-19 in regards to work or school, so I thought I’d offer what my school is doing to balance safety with college life.

After what I assume is much debate, Boston College is allowing in-person classes and is allowing students to live on campus. This is great news for me because I find online learning to be much more difficult, not to mention that without other students around I have less motivation to do work. With that said, I will have online classes in addition to in-person and hybrid classes, but because I will be surrounded by other students who also have online classes, I think I will find focusing much easier than I did at home. The basic understanding is that if a class can be in-person it will be, but if there are too many people or the professor or TA isn’t comfortable in-person, then a class will be online.

In addition to managing classes and fixing classrooms to be equipped for hybridization (when one group of students is online while another is in class simultaneously), the administration also has to set up move-in and dorm protocols. Not much changed in terms of dorms, aside from a few buildings being all freshmen, when before some sophomores lived there too. Forced triples however were suspended this year, which I think is so lucky for the incoming freshman, as the fear of a forced triple is THE WORST. For the Newton campus, there will be increased shuttles so students can get to class on time even though buses have to follow social distancing rules. One quick note on buses is that last I heard, the grocery shuttle will not be operating in the fall due to more buses being needed for the Newton route. The other two issues with dorms are reduced elevator capacity, and that some dorms have communal bathrooms. I won’t be living in one of those dorms so I don’t have any additional information, but I’m guessing people will be encouraged to wear masks when possible, and may not be able to leave their toiletries in the bathroom. That’s just my guess though!

In terms of moving in, BC has scheduled everyone for a move-in slot, which will follow a strictly regimented routine. First, if a student has a parent/guardian/sibling/friend helping them move-in, the student will be dropped off at Conte Forum for Covid testing, and once that is done, they will pick up a meal slip. From there they will walk to their dorms where their (let’s just say family member) family member has dropped off their stuff. The student will then pick up their bag of 4 meals from a location near them, which also has important residence hall info such as the dorm door codes. While this is happening, the family member will drive over to the residence hall and either unpack everything and go park, or unpack and wait for the student before moving everything in. It is a bit unclear whether or not the car stays outside the hall during the entire move-in process as there will be carts that people usually take straight to your dorm, but we will have to see what happens due to Covid restrictions. Once everything is moved in, students will unpack with their family member, and once that is done, the family member leaves, and the student quarantines until their test result returns negative. It it returns positive…well, you will probably be moved right into quarantine housing! If a student does not have someone helping them move in, they will just leave their stuff at a gate outside of Conte, and then move it over themselves/with a cart. Nota bene: BC has said a student is only allowed one person to help them move in.

Before I address the whole dining situation, I would like to report that my friend moved in early, and sent me a picture of what her meal bag contained: A couple sandwiches, grilled chicken with quinoa, a bagel, peanut butter, cream cheese, a cookie, a brownie, a salad and dressing, an orange, an apple, hummus, pretzels, baby carrots, a couple bars, a hard boiled egg, and chips. While that’s not the best thing ever, there are good, healthy options, so I think I will manage to survive. Plus BC brownies are to die for, so I am now much more excited at the prospect of my quarantine meals!

What BC is doing for food is organizing the dining halls with reduced seating and a one way line for buying items. What we know so far is that some of the dining spots will not be open because the new guidelines use more staff members, and each of the main dining halls (Lower/Corcoran, MacElroy (Mac), and Stuart) will have the same meals as each other. The menu will rotate on a three-week schedule, and the menu will be available to scan while you wait in line. The Rat will have to go items, Addie’s might be mobile order only (? unclear?) and Eagles will have the same daily menu as Mac, and it will be open for lunch and dinner. HOWEVER! The one thing that I think will keep me not eating chicken with two sides every day is that GET Mobile, i.e. mobile orders, will be offering more custom made menu items, which I hope will include bowls and salads from Eagles. The downsides of mobile ordering is that you have to go pick it up (no delivery), and you can only get a friend’s food if they send you their receipt for proof. It is also slightly frustrating that the GET Mobile orders will take about 30 minutes (on average) to get ready, so I will probably be ordering food during class so that I can grab it when I want it without anything getting cold! Lastly, it is important to note that BC will be trying to put out more outdoor seating, in order to make up for reduced indoor seating. This is great for the fall and spring, but I’m not sure if there are any plausible ways to increase communal eating spaces for the winter.

The last piece of adjusted college life will be participating in clubs and such. Unfortunately, we do not know too much about activities with regards to reserving rooms, but it has been encouraged to make everything virtual. My smaller clubs are hoping to do some outdoor meetings, although I think that everyone will try to do that, so I’m not sure how that will go. BC has announced that the activities fair will be virtual this year, but I think that will make joining clubs very difficult for freshman, as you wouldn’t get the same vibes online that a club has in person. Additionally, tryouts for improv clubs or dance teams will be very different as well…I can’t wait to see how that goes!

Some final notes are that the gym will be open, so I look forward to meeting with friends there to work out, but I’m not sure if classes will be run. Additionally, the libraries will be open both for studying and for those in zoom classes, but food and drink will not be allowed because they require you to take off your mask. As far as testing goes, BC will be conducting random testing after the initial test, and students will be required to self-monitor. If you end up testing positive, BC will move you to quarantine housing where you will be taken care of, unless you decide to go home, which is encouraged for those who live close enough to do so. I’m not sure how you are supposed to get your stuff if you do test positive, so, as my sister’s school recommended, I will probably pack a ‘quarantine bag’ with daily essentials, to make moving into quarantine housing easier in case it is needed – I hope it isn’t!

All in all, campus will be very different this year, but I hope that we will be able to make it work safely and successfully! Despite some of the adjustments being annoying or frustrating, I am so grateful to be going back, so each time I lament the dining hall options or am frustrated with online classes, I will try to remember that BC is trying it’s best to make the year as great as it can be!

Disclaimer: I don’t own the BC Logo

WHAT TO REMEMBER TO BRING TO COLLEGE WHEN YOU’RE IN A SUITE

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Congratulations, you made it through room selection! But now the school year is approaching, and you don’t know whether or not you should bring a full-size vacuum, who is responsible for the Keurig, or if you should bring your whole mug collection. Worry not, with this guide on how to manage moving into a suite, you will get a list of things you may or may not need, as well as a downloadable spreadsheet to help you and your friends figure out who is doing what, a shopping list for those items you may need to restock every once in a while, and a chore chart template!

1.) Brita and Brita Filters

Some people find that at college the water is not to their liking. While all schools follow strict guidelines for their tap water, you may find it useful to purchase a Brita. A Brita is a portable water filtering pitcher that is easy to use, and it is also easy to change the filter, which you should do every once in a while. While I personally don’t mind drinking the tap water, I do have friends that swear by their Brita’s, so it’s up to you if that’s something you want to bring!

2.) Coffee pot/Keurig/Tea Kettle

Depending on your dorm set-up you may have a stove or may be reliant on electric appliances. Whatever the case, make sure you have the equipment you need to stay hydrated (read: caffeinated). For those of you like myself, that do not have a stove but are avid tea drinkers, I would recommend getting an electric tea kettle! You can find a relatively inexpensive one (under $20) with retailers like Target and Amazon. Not to mention, you could also make simple soups with boiled water! One final note is that no matter which appliance you have, make sure everyone in your room knows how to use it and clean it. I would recommend a ‘you use you clean’ policy for anything like this, including dishes!

3.) Trash Cans

Easy to overlook, trash cans for the common space/kitchen and bathrooms are a must! It would be so annoying to have to go to your bedroom every time you needed to throw something out, so make sure someone brings a trashcan (and trash bags!) I would recommend putting the trashcans on a chore chart, just so nothing is sitting there for too long, especially if food is being thrown out!

4.) Microwave/Fridge

Some schools offer a rental program for microwaves and mini-fridges, but sometimes people prefer to bring their own. Because these are likely to be shared, unless someone had one from a previous year or had one passed down, I would recommend splitting the cost. It is also important to share cleaning of both, because no one wants someone else’s expired food taking up room! This is definitely something for the chore chart!

5.) Dish stuff

Yay, you finally have a sink in your room to wash your dishes! But wait, what dishes will I have?! As dishes are something that you may want to share or keep separate, this is very important to discuss with everyone. Make sure to remember silverware and cups or mugs too! It may be helpful to have one person bring all the plates and silverware, while everyone individually brings mugs – just figure out what works for you, and likewise figure out if everyone will clean their own dishes or if it will be a chore for one person. It is also important to remember a drying rack, dish soap, and a sponge or brush to help you scrub, so make sure to coordinate that as well!

6.) Hand Soap and Hand Sanitizer

This one is pretty simple! I would recommend hand soap at each sink (including the kitchen sink), and to have a large communal bottle of hand sanitizer in the common room so that it is available to everyone, including visitors! Just remember to restock as needed.

7.) Couch covers

Couch covers are a great idea for a communal space because they are easy to clean! They keep the furniture safe, and can simply be washed in a washing machine when dirty, which is something that cannot be said for a couch cushion. Basic couch covers can go for under $20, so they are pretty budget friendly, especially if everyone chips in!

8.) Bath Mats

Unless you are planning on wearing flip-flops in the shower, a bath mat is something that your bathroom needs! This is an easy one because anyone can bring a bath mat, and if it needs cleaning, it can just be thrown in with the next person washing their sheets! I would recommend each bathroom having two bathmats, in case one is in the laundry when someone needs to shower. It is a simple rotation, and the clean one can be hung in the bathroom or folded on the back of the toilet until it is needed!

9.) Vacuum(s)

Freshman year, my roommate and I had a small hand-held vacuum and kept our floor clean with that, but in a suite (mine will have 8 people), it may be more realistic to get a full sized vacuum. This is something to discuss with your roommates, so one person isn’t responsible for buying the vacuum and microwave, while someone else is solely responsible for stocking up on dish soap. If someone has an extra vacuum in their house, great, but if not, this might be one to split the cost of. It also makes sense for someone to bring a handheld vacuum too though, just in case you spill crumbs on the couch or your bed!

10.) Iron (and ironing board) or Steamer

For those of us that do not like walking around in wrinkled clothing, an iron or steamer could be a lifesaver. Both electric irons and portable steamers sell for under $20, and both are user friendly! I would consider whether you’d have an an ironing board or open space to lay an item on (for ironing) versus just holding a hanger up (for a steamer). Personally, I prefer a steamer, but to each their own!

11.) Toilet Paper and Paper Towels

Simple enough, but a word of advice – ALWAYS have extra. You do NOT want to run out of toilet paper, so I would recommend always putting it on your shopping list, so it become a habit to think about before going to the grocery store or campus mini-mart.

12.) Cleaning supplies

This is a rather long list, but it includes sanitizing (Lysol/Clorox) wipes, a toilet brush, sponges, and bleach or a cleaning spray for the sink, toilet, and shower. Some of this stuff can be shared if your room has multiple bathrooms, but make sure to coordinate who is bringing what, and make sure to restock every once in a while! Also, MAKE SURE to keep the toilet sponge separate from the sink and shower sponges! I would recommend color coordinating!

13.) Coat hooks

One great part about a suite or apartment is that there is a coat closet, but it may also be useful to hang coat hooks near the door, so your main winter coat is always easy to access. Personally I keep my giant coat on a hook, while I’ll keep my lighter coats in my own room or in the coat closet, just so I won’t have to rifle through six other black coats in a dark closet while making sure to not knock over the vacuum when I’m running late!

14.) TV or Projector

While a TV is more of a luxury item, if you plan on having friends over or planning movie nights, it may be a must. This is definitely something to check in with your roommates about, so that everyone can chip in if needed. A great alternative is a projector, so if you usually stream, you don’t have to worry about connecting to a TV provider. It is also useful because no one wants someone knocking their TV over by accident, and a projector may be easier to put away when not in use.

In case you want to stay extra-organized, here is my spreadsheet template to help with who’s bringing what. Just share it with everyone and have them fill out their name. Delete what you don’t want, add more rows if necessary, and make sure each bathroom has everything it needs! I also included the beginning of a shopping list so you would remember to restock, as well as a chore chart example and template to help you and your roommates stay organized. The chore chart is set for 8 people automatically, but just make a copy and then adjust to your number of roommates and your room’s necessary chores as needed!

Packing/Organizing Spreadsheet

Restock Shopping List

Chore Chart Example

Chore Chart Template