Move In August 2020
Move-in for 2020 will be significantly different than in past years. An overview of the August 2020 opening is available here.
A couple of things to keep in mind as you consider move-in:
- If you are moving in early and are with a group (for instance, KU band, or ROTC) you will receive information from the program. Decisions about how to request an early move in by an individual are not established yet.
- Housing has a limited number of hand carts available for move in, but it may be helpful to bring your own cart or collapsible wagon if you have one.
- Before you arrive, check whether household insurance covers your belongings. Student Housing insurance covers buildings only. Several companies offer policies specifically for students in on-campus housing.
We recommend you continue to look back at this page for announcement of changes. Students should also be sure to monitor their KU email accounts, as announcements will be sent directly to them.
Frequently Asked Questions for start of fall 2020 semester.
Last updated July 10, 2020.
In order to provide necessary physical distancing, move-in will occur over a longer period of time than in previous years. Move-in appointments will be required. During the week of July 6, each resident received an email with a sign-up link to reserve a move-in day and time for your arrival to campus.
To help reduce the amount of residents moving in at the same time in some of our larger buildings, we will offer an early staging period for residents who are within a reasonable distance (about a one- or two-hour drive) to Lawrence. The move-in scheduling link will offer you a staging appointment between Aug. 7-15. You may unpack during your appointment and leave your belongings in your locked room. You will then return to Lawrence for the fall semester after 5 p.m. Aug. 21.
If you are unable to travel to Lawrence in early August to set-up and stage your room, you will select from available move-in times just before fall classes start. You will arrive in Lawrence for move-in and stay for the fall semester. Full move-in details are still being finalized,
The process to schedule – or change – the staging and move-in appointment is similar.
- Use your KU online ID and password to enter the myKU portal. Turn off pop-up blockers.
- Select "Services."
- Click “Login to Housing” button.
- Click “Schedule or Change Move-In Time” and follow the instructions to either schedule time, or change a time you’ve previously selected.
You must first submit your photo online for your ID no later than August 3. Your ID will be at the front desk of your building when you check in. You will still need to show a photo identification (i.e. driver’s license, passport, or other photo identification) to receive your room key and KU ID.
Due to changes in the KU academic calendar, most students will be required to leave Student Housing facilities just prior to Thanksgiving when all buildings shift to limited operations and the semester concludes through on-line instruction. Only students with extenuating circumstances will be allowed to stay in Housing facilities during and after Thanksgiving. A registration process to stay after Thanksgiving will be established. Students who are returning for the spring 2021 semester will be permitted to leave their belongings in their rooms over the extended break period. For students who leave at Thanksgiving, a prorated credit for part of the fall semester housing charges will be provided. Plans are still being finalized for the fall housing credit.
Yes. For a spring-only semester contract, cancel your 2020-2021 housing contract by July 15 (to avoid the cancellation fee). Then, when the “spring only” contract is available online – typically in November – sign an online contract for the spring semester. You will receive a different room assignment for spring based on space availability.
Housing will remain available for those students who need to continue living on campus. For students who decide to move out, refunds will be given. Additional information is available in your housing contract terms under the “Cancellation by the University” clause.
If KU decides to only offer online classes between July 15 and the start of classes, Student Housing will review and adjust the $750 contract forfeiture. The amount of adjustment remains to be determined.
If a student is only taking on-line classes only and chooses not to live on campus, they can appeal for a contract cancellation.
It will depend. KU Student Housing is committed to having housing available to any KU student who needs to live on campus to complete their coursework, but will also need to limit our operations based on university guidance. Certain academic programs and students who meet certain criteria will be allowed to stay in KU Student Housing. However, the majority of students will need to return home if it safe for them to do so.
Contact KU Student Housing (785-864-4560) or housing@ku.edu to arrange a move-out appointment.
To reduce the possible spread of COVID-19, KU Student Housing will implement the following policies and protocols:
- Face coverings or masks will be required in Student Housing facilities when outside the individual’s room, suite or apartment. This expectation is for all students, staff, and guests.
- We will increase the cleaning and disinfection frequency of common “high touch” areas, including elevator buttons, exterior door handles, and community restrooms throughout each day.
- We will place signage in public areas, including elevators and floor lounges, limiting occupancy to a specific standard.
- Shared community spaces such as laundry rooms and floor lobbies will be furnished with cleaning supplies and instructions for students to disinfect the space or equipment before and after every use.
- We reserve the right to amend guest visitation policies to restrict (or prohibit) non-residents from entering KU Student Housing facilities.
Yes. Face coverings or masks will be required in Student Housing facilities when outside the individual’s room/suite/apartment. This expectation is for all students, staff, and guests.
Students who fail to wear a face covering or follow other public health directives will be asked to comply, and then may be held accountable in the student conduct process—which can included removal from housing.
No—not at the start of the academic year due to concerns with COVID-19. After move-in and through at least Sept. 8, no guests or visitors are allowed inside any KU Student Housing building. This includes parents, siblings and guardians. Only residents assigned to a specific building will be allowed in that building. This is to protect the on-campus housing community as the fall semester begins.
Students will be responsible for bringing personal cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer, and other disinfectant products for use within their room. Additionally, we will increase the cleaning and disinfection frequency of common “high touch” areas, including elevator buttons, exterior door handles, and community restrooms throughout each day. Shared community spaces such as laundry rooms and floor lobbies will be furnished with cleaning supplies and instructions for students to disinfect the space or equipment before and after every use.
A limited number of rooms are being set aside in KU Student Housing in order to provide quarantine and isolation space to residents who are being tested for or are already confirmed positive for COVID-19. The use of appropriate physical separation will be as directed by Watkins Health Services or other health authorities in Douglas County. We highly recommend students stay on campus during the academic year to help reduce the possibility of coming in contact with someone who has COVID-19.
Quarantine, for those who have no symptoms but were exposed, will likely occur in a student’s room. Alternative arrangements will be made for students whose residence has a community bath and based on guidance from health officials. A quarantined resident will typically need to stay in their room for 14 days, while monitoring their symptoms. Symptoms may appear between 2-14 days after exposure. Students may leave the room for essential operations (i.e., meals, laundry) but they must wear a mask at all times and maintain a six-foot distance from others.
Self-isolation location will be determined by KU Student Housing in consultation with KU’s Watkins Health Services or other Douglas County health authorities. KU Student Housing will have isolation space for residents. For residents relocated for self-isolation, they may leave belongings in their room, but will need to pack enough personal items for a 14-day stay. Students will receive instruction about the process from KU Student Housing professional staff or a student may choose to isolate at their permanent address if they are able to safely travel there. KU Student Housing and KU Dining have an agreement that allows residents to order food from your dining plan for delivery. If you do not have a dining plan and need to isolate due to COVID-19, information about meals will be shared with you.
Students will self-monitor. If they are symptomatic, students should call Watkins Health Services at 785-864-9500 for instructions on COVID-19 testing, mitigating symptoms, and other health protocols. Health care expenses and any communication regarding the students’ condition will be handled by Watkins Health Services, not with KU Student Housing.
Possibly. Guidance about whether a student is considered a “close contact” to a person who has tested positive will be determined by KU’s Watkins Health Services or other Douglas County health authorities. No additional measures would be required of the other students on the floor if they were not considered a close contact, other than continuing to follow expectations regarding wearing a face covering, washing hands frequently, monitoring their health for COVID-related symptoms, and practicing physical distancing when outside their room.
Consult with Watkins Health Services, 785-864-9500. If the student believes they are experiencing symptoms, Watkins can issue instructions on health protocols such as physical distancing, wearing a mask, washing your hands often with soap or hand sanitizer, and cleaning surfaces.
Yes. We are currently finalizing a process for scholarship hall students to pay for additional dining dollars on their KU ID card. Dining plans and rates are available here.
Yes. Students will still have the choice to live with their selected roommates or suitemates. Roommates will be treated as a single household and, for this reason, will not be required to wear a mask inside their room or suite. Student room assignments may change to other floors or buildings to reduce the number of residents using community restrooms.
Yes. Although most single occupancy rooms are full, a limited number have been reserved by KU Student Housing. Priority for those spaces will go residents who require a single room because of documented medical need that has been approved by University Academic Support Centers. Because of building configurations, singles are not available in every community.
If you need assistance with a special medical need, please establish a file with the University Academic Support Center, Student Access Services. You will need to include a description of the housing accommodation plus documentation of your need. Contact information: University Academic Support Center, 22 Strong Hall, 1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Lawrence, Kansas 66045. Phone: 785-864-4064. Fax: 785-864-2817.
