Dear Students:
Due to the volume of requests and given current mandates, the University staff is making every attempt to return student belongings. Governor Cuomo’s latest announcement of the closure of educational centers through the end of June prompted the University administration to initiate the beginning stages of our move out process. The current situation in NYS is very fluid and the University is receiving information which requires timely decisions based in the best interests of our students. We have received responses to affirm and to decline packing and shipping student belongings.
We have heard from a number of students that you would like the University to ship your belongings. The University is making plans for staff to pack and ship your items as soon as possible. A staff member will contact you via video call when they pack your belongings to ensure the right items are packed and to maximize your comfort about this process. Please understand this process will take some time, but University staff will work diligently on packing and returning property as quickly as is feasible.
We have also heard from students that some are concerned about employees packing and moving your belongings. At this time, if students do not consent to employees packing and shipping their belongings, the University will make every effort to hold student belongings in their residence hall rooms. It is possible that in some circumstances, for health and safety reasons, the University may need to pack and relocate student belongings. Students will be informed if this is necessary. The University will store all items until the state is free of restrictions and it is safe to return to campus.
Each summer, the University has some residents that, for various reasons, need to remain on campus. Since the meal plan is not operational during the summer months, these students must reside in campus apartments. Therefore, it should be noted that empty rooms in some residence halls will be used.
Please understand that the University continues to be under State and Local orders allowing only essential workers on campus. At this time, only essential personnel and approved students are permitted to be on campus property. A decision on when students and families can return to campus will be based on State and Local directives. We thank you for the patience as everyone works during this challenging time.
If, after reading this announcement, you wish to make any changes to your submission, you may do so at this link.
Brian Grant
Vice President of Enrollment and Student Advancement
*Previous Announcement Below*
Dear Students:
Thank you for the diligence, patience, and perseverance demonstrated during the past weeks. Over this time, the University has worked on solutions for students to retrieve their personal belongings. With local and state mandates restricting travel as well as access to campus, we have been unable to allow students and families to come to campus. With that being said, the University has recently piloted a “pack, ship, and store” program with some success with the help of the Athletic Department staff. Based on this trial success, the University is moving towards this process for all students. All shipping will be paid for by Clarkson and items that cannot be shipped home will be stored on campus.
Students are requested to complete this form as soon as possible but no later than Friday, May 8, 2020 at noon ET to inform the University if they would prefer their belongings to be packed and shipped or packed and stored on campus. The University will store student belongings until NYS on PAUSE Act is lifted and the options become known. Students will be informed about the process to retrieve items in storage at a later time.
The University is abiding by staffing levels set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This process will take time. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated while we work diligently to get your items to you as quickly as possible.
Some important features of this process are listed below:
- Students may select to have their belongings shipped to their home address on myCU or stored on campus. All shipping will be paid for by the University.
- University staff will video call students while packing to identify personal items.
- Students with minor violations of the Code of Student Conduct will be given amnesty and items found in violation will be disposed of.
- Larger items (e.g. TVs, refrigerators, microwaves, vacuums, furniture, oversized desktop computers, etc.) will be labeled and stored on campus until students return or a time becomes available to let visitors on campus.
We realize our students, like many of your peers around the nation, have waited patiently for their personal belongings. While we originally hoped that operations would resume in the Spring, that is currently not the case. The University is actively working with the local and State representatives to return to campus in the Fall. All residence halls need to be fully emptied for health and safety reasons to perform cleaning and scheduled necessary maintenance.
We realize there will be questions and look forward to working through these with you. Best wishes on finals. Thank you again for your patience.
Sincerely,
Brian Grant
Vice President for Enrollment & Student Advancement
