Housing, storage and checkout information for students

March 19, 2020

Greetings students,

As you have heard, Augustana will be moving to distance learning for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. Our goal is to facilitate a checkout process that is orderly and keeps groups on campus to a minimum.

Please read over this information carefully before you call or email. In anticipation of many phone calls and questions that may delay response time, we will post answers to frequently asked questions online.

If you are currently on campus and cannot leave until the end of the semester

You may stay in your on-campus housing for the rest of the school year. You will once again need to sign up to stay until May 25 by logging in to housing.augustana.edu and completing the application for Spring 2020. Meal service will continue to be available on campus and you will continue to be billed for housing. Please note that after other students have left, some of you may be asked to move to different buildings on campus.  

If you are currently on campus and able to leave

We ask that you check out as soon as possible. There is no need to sign up for a departure time. Once your room is empty and clean, please return your key to the Office of Residential Life in Andreen Hall (open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday). If you need to leave outside of business hours, please contact the CA on-call (number is posted at each front desk). 

If you are currently away from campus and want to check out

Please log in to housing.augustana.edu and select a checkout appointment time under Assignments. Two-hour appointments will be available from Friday, March 20, until Thursday, March 26. It is important that you arrive during your appointment time. We are offering a limited number of spaces available in each building per time slot to prevent crowds in the buildings as people check out. 

If you are anyone in your household is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please do not return to campus to check out. Instructions for checking out later in the spring are below. 

As a result of the newly imposed restrictions limiting the size of gatherings, meal service at the Gerber Dining Center will only be available to those students who signed up for spring break housing.

If you cannot find an appointment time that works for you

You can return to campus to check out after March 27. Please email residentiallife@augustana.edu with the date and time that you plan to arrive, and we will respond with instructions.

 I’ve already moved my things out. Can I mail my key back?

Yes, you can mail your key to Augustana College Residential Life, 639 38th St., Rock Island, IL  61201.

Please clearly print your (student’s) name, building and room on a slip of paper and wrap it around the key in the envelope. We highly recommend that you use a padded envelope, or secure the key to the inside of the envelope with tape so the key does not tear a hole in the envelope.

Email us at residentiallife@augustana.edu with “Express checkout” as the subject of the email. Please send the key before May 25, or we will need to charge a $75 fee to change the lock.

Packing up

Please bring your own boxes, and no more than two helpers. Also be sure to practice social distancing — no less than 6 feet between people — while on campus. When you arrive, you should park in parking lot nearest your building and move your vehicle to the entrance loading zone only when you are ready to load. Coordinate with your roommate so that you do not pick the same checkout appointment.

Be aware that we will not have volunteers available to carry things, and will not have carts or dollies available. You should come ready with any supplies you will need. 

How to check out during your appointment

Once your room is empty and clean, just bring your key to the designated area. Detailed instructions will appear in your housing.augustana.edu portal during your selected checkout appointment time.

Express checkout (available until April 1)

For those who need to leave at a time that staff are not available to assist, key envelopes will be available at all residence hall desks. After your room is empty and clean, you can seal your keys in the envelope, and clearly print your name, building, and room on the envelope. Drop the key envelope in the book return outside of the Gerber Center Dining Hall, and email residentiallife@augustana.edu from your Augie email account with “Express checkout” as the subject of the email.  Express checkout will only be available until April 1.

Mail forwarding and packages

Any USPS mail delivered to campus will be forwarded to your home address at no cost. Mail cannot be forwarded to international addresses. For any packages delivered by carriers other than the USPS, students can purchase a shipping label online to have packages mailed home. Please contact mailingcenter@augustana.edu for assistance with this process.
  
Options for storage

Any students who live more than 400 miles from campus can store up to three boxes on campus in Erickson or Swanson. Detailed information and forms to request storage.

Several local storage companies are currently offering discounts to college students.

Credits and refunds

Augustana will provide prorated refunds or credits for room and board fees for those who do not remain on campus during spring semester. More information and details will be provided by the Business Office by the end of the week.

I have items to donate. Is there a way to do that?

Unfortunately, due to the quick turnaround with planning, we are not able to collect donated items as we normally do at closing time. If you have items to donate, please seek out lcal Quad Cities service organizations such as Goodwill. If you have unopened, non-perishable food items, you can leave them at your hall desk to be donated to the Campus Cupboard.

Can I leave my things in my room and come get them in May?

Yes, you can keep your key and leave your things on campus. Please log in to housing.augustana.edu. Use the Spring 2020 application to indicate that you are leaving your things here, but will not be staying on campus.

Note that if you choose to check out after April 1, you will need to arrange a time by emailing us at residentiallife@augustana.edu. You will need to plan to depart during normal business hours. The last day for a checkout will be at noon Monday, May 25.  Be aware that the college does not assume any responsibility for personal property that is left in campus housing.

Can I return to campus housing if on-campus activities resume during the spring semester? 

While classes will remain as distance learning for the duration of the semester, you are welcome to return to campus if it is decided that face-to-face activities may resume during spring semester. You are welcome to return to campus and reside in campus housing if it is determined appropriate for the college to resume face-to-face activities. If some activities resume, returning to campus will be an option, but not a requirement. You may move out and return to campus and move back in or you can choose not to check out and return, if permissible at a later time, or coordinate a check-out at a later time.

Details regarding housing costs associated with returning or leaving belongings in housing until a decision is made about the possibility of returning will be shared in a separate communication regarding refunds.

I live in a TLA and have a lease that begins on June 1

If you want to leave your things in your TLA and move them to your rental property on June 1, you may do that. Please log in to housing.augustana.edu and complete the Spring 2020 application to indicate you are leaving your things here, but will not be staying on campus. Be aware that the college does not assume any responsibility for personal property that is left in campus housing.

We will sincerely miss having you on campus for the rest of this school year. Thanks for your patience as we work through some very challenging circumstances. We’re looking forward to seeing you all again when it is safe to return.

Sincerely,

Your friends in the Office of Residential Life