Dear Resident Student,
One of the next critical steps we need to take as the University responds to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is to reduce the number of students living in our residence halls. We understand that you as students are most directly impacted by the changes to our academic and campus operations. While this can be a disappointing and distressing time, we know that as Pace Setters we unite together to be stronger.
Wherever possible, students should move out of their residence halls and return home.
We understand that not all students have alternative living arrangements available, and no student will be left in a vulnerable situation. Any student who needs to remain in the residence halls may do so.
We need to know the plan of action for all of our residential students so that we can best support your needs.
By Friday, March 20, at 12:00 p.m., all residential students must complete the Resident Student Plans for Remainder of Spring 2020 form, available at
www.pace.edu/MyHousing
.
We are also putting special processes in place to manage move-out and other procedures during this challenging time.
Checking out of your residence hall room:
- In an effort to promote social distancing during the move-out process, all students will be asked to register in advance for a time slot. After you complete the form listed above, you will need to visit www.pace.edu/MyHousing to select a move-out time. (Forms are located under “Applications and Forms” in the top menu.)
- If the time slots available for move-out do not meet your needs, please call the Office of Residential Life and Housing to request an extension and/or a new time. It is our goal to make this process as easy and safe as possible.
- Only one family member or guest will be permitted into the residence halls to help you move out.
- We will offer only an express check-out option in order to be flexible to your needs and social distancing practices. Express check-out forms and instructions are available in the lobby of your residence hall.
- When moving out, we ask that you do your best to remove all your belongings and dispose of discarded items appropriately. We ask you not to leave items for “donation,” as we do not currently have the means to gather donations. All incidental damage charges (those below $100) will be waived for this term. Cleaning fees will only be applied in cases where students leave behind an excessive amount of discarded items.
For those unable to leave campus:
- We may not be able to approve all residential students who wish to remain in on-campus housing due to limited housing availability during our remote-learning phase. If that’s the case, we will work with you to assist you in leaving campus/returning home.
- Students who remain on campus may need to relocate to a different room or residence hall. This depends upon how many students remain in University housing and recognizes the changing nature of the COVID-19 situation. We ask that you be prepared to relocate with short notice.
You will need to acknowledge the following limited services on campus:
- There will be no programming or activities of any kind on campus or in the residence halls for the remainder of the spring semester.
- Dining services will be limited for the remainder of the spring semester and will be offered only on a take-out basis during specific hours as announced.
- All common areas, including lounges and fitness rooms, will have limited capacity for the remainder of the spring semester due to social distancing. Laundry access will be available.
- For the remainder of the spring semester, no guests will be allowed into the residence halls.
- All policies within the Guiding Principles of Conduct and the Guide to Residential Living will remain in place.
- There will be reduced Residential Life and Housing staff support on campus, which may result in delays in responding to non-emergency issues. Lock-outs will be accommodated by Pace’s Security staff. Students are asked to call Security only in cases of lock-outs or emergency. Requests and issues that can wait until office hours should be directed to the Office of Residential Life and Housing during regular office hours.
How will this affect my Housing fees?
We are very much aware of the financial implications of this change for our students, and the University is analyzing options for issuing refunds or credits where appropriate. More details will be forthcoming.
For questions and support:
We know this is a difficult and challenging disruption to what you expected this spring semester. We will miss being with you on campus and the energy you bring to our community. We always look forward to how you shape the campus experience for yourself, your peers, and for us. For May 2020 graduates, we feel an extraordinary amount of sadness that you will not experience the Pace traditions during your final days before graduation and that you will spend much of your time away from your friends, faculty mentors, staff advisors, and life as you expected it to be.
We have come to respect and admire the strength of our students, which makes us stronger together. For our returning students, our next semester together will be that much stronger. For our graduating students, we hope you will join us for other opportunities to celebrate your hard work and success.
Please stay in touch and don’t hesitate to contact us. We are mindful of the unique and personal circumstances that many students and families find themselves in at this moment. We remain grateful for your support and cooperation as we work swiftly to ensure the safety and health of our students, while also allowing Pace University to respond to this rapidly evolving situation.
Contacts in the Office of Residential Life and Housing
Patrick Roger-Gordon
Assistant Dean/Director, Residential Life and Housing, New York City
Phone: (212) 346-1295
Alerie Tirsch
Assistant Dean/Director, Residential Life andHousing, Westchester
Phone: (914) 597-8777
Patrick O’Connor
Director of Student Services, Residential Life, Elisabeth Haub School of Law
Phone: (914) 422-4107
Contact Information for the Deans for Students
Marijo Russell-O’Grady, PhD
Associate Vice President/Dean for Students, New York City
Phone: (212) 346-1306
Rachel S. Carpenter
Associate Vice President/Dean for Students, Westchester
Phone: (914) 773-3351
Angie D’Agostino, JD
Dean for Students and Campus Affairs, Elisabeth Haub School of Law
Phone: (914) 422-4146
We know many questions lie ahead and we will continue to update you as this situation unfolds. For right now, we want to thank each of you personally for your patience and your fortitude as we make our way together through this unprecedented time. We will actively work towards building a virtual community and look forward to “remote living" with each of you throughout the rest of the semester.
Sincerely,
