Pictured above: The university announced on May 6 that move-out times would be staggered based on students’ dorm populations and home addresses on file. Each move-out phase has its own registration time period through the online housing portal.
Devin Rodriguez | The Crow’s Nest
By Emily Wunderlich
Residential students at USF St. Petersburg will begin moving off campus in “staggered phases” starting on May 14.
The announcement was made in an email from Housing and Residential Education on May 6.
“Our philosophy surrounding our move-out plan is focused on an expedient move-out for our residents in the safest way possible,” the email said. “In order to accomplish a safe and balanced move-out schedule, we have established move-out timeslots based on building population and resident’s home address on file.”
Four time slots have been allotted for students based on the dorm they live in and their home address. Each time slot also has its own period for students to select a move-out time through the online housing portal. (See chart below.)
Under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step.” plan to reopen Florida, residents of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties are not yet allowed to retrieve their belongings from campus. The email said their move-out phase is to be determined but likely won’t be until after June 15.
The email said that students who are not physically on campus cannot return until their move-out date and time are confirmed through the housing portal.
“Please continue to be as flexible as these dates are subject to change based on changing conditions,” the email said.
The university has not yet decided whether in-person classes will resume in the fall. Summer classes and new student orientations will be remote, with the possibility of in-person “delivery of instruction and support services in Summer session B.”
On-campus summer housing is also suspended, but students who were granted an exception to stay through the spring will also be allowed to stay through the summer.
Since March 28, the university has not reported any new cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, on the St. Petersburg campus.
What you need to know
- Residents will have two hours to complete the “express checkout” process.
- Residents can bring no more than two people to assist them in moving out. Children and pets are not allowed, but certified service animals are permitted.
- Moving carts will not be provided, so families are advised to bring their own, if they have them.
- Residents and assistants are expected to follow CDC guidelines, including “bringing and wearing personal protective equipment (face masks/gloves), practicing social distancing and frequently washing their hands, when in the buildings.”
- Residents are strongly encouraged to follow CDC social distancing guidelines when utilizing elevators. Limiting passengers is ideal. Use a covered hand or elbow to press the buttons.
- Parking will be available in the parking garage and on Second Street S, near Residence Hall One.
- Loading zone parking will be limited to 30 minutes.
- Parking Services will not enforce parking permits on Level 1 of the parking garage.
- One-hour visitor spaces will not be enforced, either.
- Use of Disabled Parking spaces is prohibited unless there is a proper state-issued Disabled Parking placard, hangtag or license plate on display.
- Parking in numbered, labeled or reserved parking spaces will be prohibited.
For more details about how to schedule your move-out time and what to expect, see the full announcement here.
