Move-out process for residential students

Residential students,

Yesterday you were notified that Rider has made a decision to close the residence halls on both campuses with limited exceptions to further adhere to guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Our move-out processes are informed by recommendations by campus health staff.   

Students who are presently on campus
Residential students who are currently on campus and can return home are being asked to do so as soon as reasonably possible. We are requesting those that can do so to move out by noon on Friday, March 20.  

Students who are presently off campus
We understand many of you who are already off campus have belongings that remain in your room. We encourage all students to return to campus no later than Sunday, March 29, 2020, to move out of your residential room. To aid in the move-out process, you have been assigned a date and time between Thursday, March 19, and Sunday, March 29, daily 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. to retrieve your belongings and vacate your on-campus residence. This will assure your access to your belongings and assist in our need to consolidate residences as we further prepare for this pandemic response. If you are unable to return to campus to take all of your belongings with you, we will secure your residential room with your belongings until a later time when health guidance allows you to retrieve them (please note this likely will not occur until after the semester ends). Students who choose to move out of the residence hall, but may not have the ability to fully move home may want to consider local storage unit resources, including UHaul and ArkContainerRentals.

Move-out procedures
The following check-out procedures will be in effect to accommodate an expedient check-out of your residence hall by Sunday, March 29, 2020, while promoting appropriate social distancing guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure. We are working to minimize the number of students, families and move-out volunteers who are in residential facilities at any given time to comply with recommendations by campus health staff. Therefore, roommates are encouraged to communicate in advance about belongings, so they may avoid moving out at the same time. Students should limit the number of guests who assist with their move to no more than two people. Guests assisting with moves should be asymptomatic and wash and sanitize their hands appropriately before entering the residence halls.

To aid in the move-out process, you have been assigned a date and time between Thursday, March 19, and Sunday, March 29, daily 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. to retrieve your belongings and vacate your on-campus residence. Each move out shift will be an hour and a half in length. We ask and urge you to follow your assigned date and time. If you are unable to move out at this time, please be sure to complete this form to notify us of your situation so we can best accommodate and support you.

Check-out procedure
An express check-out procedure will expedite move-outs. 

• Students should limit the number of guests who assist with their move to no more than two people. Guests assisting with moves should be asymptomatic and wash and sanitize their hands appropriately before entering the residence halls.
   
• Students should pack and move belongings in as few trips as possible to minimize contact with others.
   
• For buildings with elevators, to minimize contact with others, only one resident with their guests should occupy the elevator at one time to minimize contact with others.
   
• Students should get an express checkout envelope which is available via your hall office.
   
• Trash should be disposed of in the trash rooms located on your floor.
   
• Students should take all belongings from their room as they will not be able to return to collect any items left behind. These items will be disposed of after you have left and returned your keys.
   
• Once you have completed your move, place your express checkout envelope underneath your hall office door. For students in the Greek Houses, please place your express checkout envelope in the collection box located outside of the  Community Director’s door. 
   
• Move outs should be completed between 8:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Please contact the Residence Life staff on duty at 609-273-6939 to notify them that the key has been returned.
   
• Failure to return your keys may result in a $100 lock change charge.

Students who have already completed their move out process but have not yet returned their keys, should complete this form, indicating they have moved out. Please mail all keys back in a padded envelope to ensure a safe delivery to: Rider University Residence Life, 2083 Lawrenceville Road, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648.

We also understand many of you have questions and concerns about housing and meal-related reimbursements. Additional information will be forthcoming. We appreciate your patience as we work through these considerations.

Our staff is available to answer questions and assist you. Please contact Residence Life via email at [email protected] or at 609-896-5057. We appreciate your understanding as we all work to keep our community safe.