Sunday, Mar 22, 2020
Dear Students,
We appreciate your flexibility and understanding as Rider University’s response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve in response to federal and state guidance. The governor of New Jersey issued an additional executive order on March 21 outlining further guidance on limiting large group gatherings, promoting social distancing, expanding work-from-home scenarios, limiting non-essential travel and encouraging residents to stay at home when possible.
You’ve received official Rider University messages communicating our plan to offer remote and alternative instruction beginning Monday, March 30, and continuing for the duration of the spring semester including exams. In alignment with this decision, it was previously communicated that residence halls will be closing on March 29, 2020, to promote the health and well-being of students. Many students have already moved off campus.
We understand that each of our residential students and families have their own concerns related to this outbreak, so we want to extend maximum flexibility at this time. We want to hear from every student regarding your plans.
If you are currently residing on campus, you are encouraged to proceed with your move-out plans. If you need to (re)schedule your move-out time, please fill out this form. If you have an extraordinary situation that will require you to remain on campus, please submit this Spring Closing Exemption form for consideration. Exceptions will be granted for very limited unique situations.
If you are currently residing off campus and want to move out of the building, you have been scheduled an individual move-out time that is informed by social distancing guidance to limit exposure during your return visit to campus. At this time, we will continue to execute the move-out procedures previously communicated, to be completed by March 29, 2020. Please check your email for your personally assigned time and communicate with us if you have a request to reschedule your check-out time. The March 18 email from Residence Life provides details about the express check-out procedures that will expedite move-outs and reduce risks of exposure.
If you are currently residing off campus and have concerns about returning to campus to move out of the building, please submit this Spring Closing Exemption to request to leave your belongings in your room. We will continue to communicate with you to coordinate options to later retrieve your belongings.
If you have already completed the move out process but have not yet returned your keys, please complete this form, indicating you 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.
Our staff is available to answer questions and assist you. Please contact Residence Life at [email protected] or 609-896-5057.
We realize that your Rider residence is your home away from home and that the notice of residential closure is a significant disturbance. We, too, wish we were in a place to support the on-campus experience you imagined for this semester. We hope you’ll consider returning to campus housing for the 2020-21 year and have the opportunity to enjoy a full year living on campus. We will communicate the extended room selection process and timeline shortly.