NYU Releases Some On-Campus Dorm Assignments, Provides Housing Updates

Some students received room assignments, dorm health and safety guidelines, and more information in the latest Housing email.

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NYU Residential Life and Housing Services (RLHS) notified some students of their fall room assignment status and provided more information pertaining to move-in and health guidelines in an email sent on Tuesday.

The email informed some students of their residence halls, room numbers, and roommates, which can be accessed via NYU Global Home. Students were instructed to periodically check their application for possible roommate updates and to sign an updated Housing License that has yet to be sent.

Regarding move-in, RLHS said that it will be spaced over four days, beginning on Saturday, Aug. 29 and ending on Tuesday, Sep. 1, in an effort to allow for social distancing. Specific scheduling for each residence hall will be sent in a follow-up email.

Though some assignments were given, other students were told that RLHS was unable to provide their specific housing assignment for the semester. “As is typical each year, not all students receive housing assignment notices at the same time,” the email read, noting that RLHS is continuing to work on those assignments.

Those without specific assignments were charged an estimated housing and meal plan cost, and a few days before RLHS sent the latest email, several students reported that they found a $10,000 charge posted to their Bursar account.

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“This amount is the approximate cost of a standard double occupancy room and the default meal plan,” the email said. “Once your assignment has been made, your actual housing charges will be posted and you will have access to the Meal Plan portal to select a meal plan based on your housing location.”

Though the housing cancellation deadline for students with confirmed assignments remained the same — July 20 — those not yet assigned were also told that the no-penalty deadline was extended to Aug. 1.

The email also mentioned the assignment process and occupancy plans that were outlined in the previous housing update. With fewer beds available — due to a reduced number of students per floor — RLHS said that the assignment process had to be adjusted.

“For example, this year’s assignments allow first-year students to submit roommate preferences,” the email said of the new process. “In addition, first-year and upper class students may be living together in the same building and some upper class students may be assigned to housing facilities we are newly securing for this year.”

RLHS also detailed COVID-19 considerations that will be followed during the fall semester. Though no specifics were given regarding the New York State travel advisory for certain states and mandatory 14-day quarantine, RLHS said that an email will be sent with more information in the near future.

“We are now receiving additional guidance from state and public health authorities and planning for what this might look like for impacted students who plan to be in NYU housing,” the email read.

Students were asked to “stay up-to-date on which states are under a NYS travel advisory, make informed choices with regard to travel plans or other activities, as well as follow the latest public health advice,” which was outlined in the university’s health protocol statement sent on July 7.

The email also mentioned that prior to returning to campus, all students will be required to review rules and policies, many of which were listed in the aforementioned protocol statement, and sign their agreement.

For students sharing rooms, RLHS encouraged them to work with their roommates before move-in and create a shared contract regarding health policies. Guidance and resources for doing so will be shared before returning to campus.

RLHS reiterated NYU’s commitment to the community’s safety and the importance of individual responsibility. “In addition to the steps the University takes (testing, the required daily symptom check, contract tracing, restrictions on travel, enhanced cleaning, etc.), our own individual actions make a significant impact on the well-being of the entire NYU community,” the email read.

A webinar with more information about the move-in process and on-campus living is set to be held on Aug. 12, and will be recorded for later viewing.