An update from the Ready and Resilient Committee on what incoming students and their families can expect when moving into campus in the fall.
Dear Elon Class of 2024 Parents,
We are excited to welcome you to the Elon family! Staff and faculty across campus are working to ensure a vibrant fall semester on campus, focusing on the health and safety of all members of our community. This email is designed as the first in a series of emails to share important information as we finalize preparations for welcoming all students and their families.
Your Student’s Arrival Time
On July 1, your student will be receiving an email with information about their Health Check-In (and move-in) time slot, so be sure to follow up with them. In the meantime, below are updates on our comprehensive Ready & Resilient plans for the fall.
First stop: Schar Center Health Check-In
Upon arriving on campus, and before heading to a residence hall or office on campus, all incoming and returning students and family members must first go to Schar Center to complete the Health Check-In. Time slots for Health Check-In, allocated across three sessions on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15, will be shared with new students July 1 via their Acorn account.
At the Schar Center, students and family members will have their temperatures checked. Students will show proof of COVID-19 testing and immunizations, completion of required health training and signing of the Healthy Elon Commitment. Students and families will receive relevant instructions for this entire process in the coming weeks.
Residence Hall Move-In
After the Health Check-In, students and families will be directed to drive to their assigned residential neighborhood for move-in. Once there, you will be directed to an unloading zone and then instructed to park your vehicle before helping your student move into their assigned residence hall. To assist with physical distancing, time slots are structured so that no more than a quarter of residents on a floor will move at a time.
Limits on Family Members
In order to increase physical distancing, incoming students will be allowed a maximum of two family members accompanying them.
Parent and Family Events during Orientation
Parent and family orientation will be held virtually this year. However, before leaving campus, families are invited to attend a physically distanced program in Alumni Gym, offered directly after move-in. This event will provide family members with the opportunity to hear from senior administrators and ask questions before departing campus.
COVID-19 Testing—Details Forthcoming
To participate in fall semester at Elon, all students, faculty and staff must complete COVID-19 testing before arriving on campus. There is no need for you to do anything at this point. More details about testing in advance of arrival (including deadlines, processes and the non-invasive and easy to self-administer test kits), as well as plans for random testing and testing of symptomatic patients, will be shared soon. Students and families should limit exposure in the two weeks before coming to campus, to ensure a strong and healthy opening to the school year.
Health Screening App
Our Information Technology team is finalizing a health screening app that will be used daily by students, faculty and staff. The daily screening app will ensure we are all monitoring our health and know how to respond if symptoms appear.
Required Training
Later in July, all students will be provided with links to required trainings about COVID-19, campus guidelines and practices that support a healthy campus this fall.
Committing to Keep Elon Healthy
As a prerequisite for living and learning at Elon this fall, all students, faculty and staff will be asked to sign a commitment to taking care of themselves, taking care of each other, and taking care of the Elon community. This shared commitment aligns with the principles in the Elon Honor Code and is a required expectation of all members of our community this fall.
Information Line—Starting Monday, July 6
Starting Monday, July 6, a special information line will be available for parents and students to call with questions regarding Ready & Resilient resources. You can call the Ready & Resilient Information Line during business hours, Monday through Friday at 336-278-2020. As always, you can send your questions via email to Ready2020@Elon.edu.
New Policy on Face Coverings
Everyone on campus is required to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when indoors. Face coverings are also required outdoors when six-foot physical distancing cannot be maintained. Students and parents should read the full policy, as well as exceptions and accountability, and students should come to campus with numerous washable face coverings.
Residence Halls
Residence Life has created a common set of social norms for living on campus this fall. Read the new Residence Life policies regarding residential visitation policy, room changes, healthy habits and cleaning standards.
Dining Hall Procedures
Dining operations have been completely redesigned to provide physical distancing, new serving stations and removal of self-service options. New menu items and the new Burger Joint have also been developed. All items will continue to be served in disposable containers. Retail dining will also add mobile ordering and to-go options. Read more about our dining hall procedures here.
Next up: Housing assignments, Class Schedules and More
Housing and roommate assignments as well as class schedules will be shared with your student via email on July 23.
We know you need information about fall semester and will share our next Ready & Resilient update on July 22. Questions? Do not hesitate to contact our hotline at 336-278-2020 (starting July 6), check the Ready & Resilient website or email Ready2020@Elon.edu.
Jeff Stein
Chair, Ready & Resilient Oversight Committee
Elon University