Housing and Residence Life responds to COVID-19

Housing and Residence Life will continue to operate for students, faculty and staff who do not reside in the Rio Grande Valley. Individuals who have local homes are highly discouraged to return to the dorms at this time, according to a UTRGV official.

“Housing is a sanctuary for many students for a variety of reasons,” said Residence Life Director Sergio Martinez. “Some students have home insecurity. There might be other issues that we’re not aware about where they can’t return home for whatever reason.”

Out of the 800 UTRGV residents, roughly 325 are not from the Valley, according to Martinez.

Housing and Residence Life is taking precautionary measures recommended by several entities and has increased its sanitation practices and is working closely with campus Facilities Planning & Operations, he said.

“I think the biggest thing that we’ve been implementing in our area has been different social distancing measures,” Martinez said. “From training our desk assistants, to student assistants, to professional staff on how to operate under these unprecedented times.”

Asked to explain what social distancing is, President Guy Bailey replied, “Social distancing simply means that you need to keep about six feet between yourself and other people.”

Bailey recommends visiting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website for more information.  

According to a Facebook post on Monday, UTRGV Dining has implemented modified service locations and hours.

“Campus will not shut down,” Bailey said. “You will be able to go to the library, computer labs. What we’ll do is ensure that those spaces are cleaned every day and sanitized.”

Martinez said meal plans are still in effect for residents of both campuses. However, due to county and city declarations of emergency, residents are advised to pick up their orders and take it home.

The department has sent a survey asking residents about their intentions of staying.

“I have about 400 responses so far, and 90% of those responses said that they intended to continue living on campus through the spring semester,” Martinez said.

Communication graduate student Brittany Claramunt said she feels uncertain about returning to her dorm amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Claramunt lives outside of the Valley and returned home for the break. 

“I’m not 100% sure if it’s worth going back and living there for the two months that are remaining,” she said.

On Tuesday, University of Texas System Chancellor James Milliken sent a letter to the presidents of the eight UT institutions stating, “Students who have paid for residence halls, dining plans, and other specific, related campus services they cannot use will be reimbursed or credited for unused portions.”

Claramunt said she would like to return to her dorm because she pays for it, but is aware of the letter sent by the chancellor. 

“That’s great, but I am not 100% sure on whether it’s good to be [on campus] even though we’re going to be, not necessarily quarantined, but we’re just going to be following the rules of not congregating in areas of more than 10 people,” she said.

Asked if a refund will be issued to residents who decide to not occupy their space for the remainder of the semester, Martinez said the department is reviewing its policies and will decide what is in the best interest of its residents.

“It’s hard to anticipate a refund amount,” he said. “The way we prorate things is we get a total time period for the year and divide it by the time used by the student. And, the difference would be, potentially, what they would get a credit for, if they qualify for a checkout or authorization for a lease.”

Residents are advised to email home@utrgv.edu with any questions or concerns.

–Victor G. Ramirez contributed to this report.