On March 22, the University sent out an email to students regarding moving out of the residence halls in the time of COVID-19. The email told students that they could not permit additional move-outs and have deferred future move-out appointments.

“Students who need to remain in residence halls may stay, and minimal on-campus services, including limited dining services, will remain open for them,” the email said. However, President Marvin Krislov and Provost Vanya Quiñones urged students to go home, if possible. This decree comes in response to the New York state on PAUSE executive order issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday, March 20. The order instructs all non-essential businesses must cease in-office work.

More information was given to residential students via the Pulse newsletter sent out on Monday morning. The information published on the University website said that new move-out appointments were unable to be scheduled. “When the New York State on PAUSE directive is lifted, the Office of Residential Life and Housing will contact you with information about signing up for a new move-out appointment,” said the article.

Mikayla Drab, a senior at the University and a resident of 33 Beekman, had her move-out appointment deferred due to the PAUSE order. “I had signed up for one on Wednesday, the 25, and got the email on Sunday that all move-outs after Monday were put off indefinitely,” Drab said. “I moved out on Sunday instead.” Drab told the Pace Press that only one person was allowed to help each student move. The move-outs were express checkout.

Elise Graham, also a 33 Beekman resident, had moved out the Saturday before the email was sent out. “I’m very grateful to have been able to get out in time otherwise I wouldn’t have most of the stuff I needed for class. I don’t know exactly what I would have done,” Graham said.

Graham also commented on the efficiency of move-outs. “There was no one there to make sure only a few people moved out at once,” Graham said, “even though when I asked over email the woman said they’d be ensuring not a lot of people were there at once. I saw not one person from Housing when I moved out.”

Students are able to leave their belongings in the residence halls for the remainder of the semester. If PAUSE is not lifted by then, the University will pack up and store the belongings. Students who have already moved all of their belongings out the residence halls must mail their key (if they have one) to the housing office. The address is as follows:

“NYC Housing Office, In Care of Community Coordinator” followed by the housing office address of your residence hall (One Pace Plaza, New York, NY 10038).

Those who have moved out of NYC residence halls will also receive a refund of $2,000.

All residential students must complete the Resident Student Plans for Remainder of Spring 2020 form, telling housing what their living plans for the rest of the semester are so the University can best accommodate them. Students who are staying on campus for the semester must also complete a second Registration for Students to Remain on Campus form. Both forms can be found on MyHousing.

More information on residential living during the remote learning semester can be found on the Pace website.