Instructions for Personal Belonging Pick-Up

With the anticipated lifting of the Stay at Home Order in Massachusetts, we are planning to have students return to campus between May 20 and May 31 to retrieve belongings. To best manage the number of people coming to campus, students must register for an arrival time.

In order to keep the campus as safe as possible, all visitors MUST wear a cloth face covering and keep at least six feet between you and others (except for those who may be assisting you) at all times while on campus. In considering who accompanies students to campus, please limit this to only individuals that are essential in supporting the move-out. Additionally, we recommend students review the “Health and Travel Advisory” section below to make the best decision for anyone coming to campus.

Required Registration

Given our desire to limit the number of people coming to campus at a particular time, we require that everyone register for a time. Registration links were sent to students via email on May 14. Please contact [email protected].

In the registration form, students will choose an hour block that is their arrival window. Move-out does not need to be completed during that one-hour window. We are anticipating that move-out will take no more than 2-3 hours after arrival and it is important that everyone keeps to that schedule.

Overnight occupancy is NOT permitted on campus under any circumstance. If travel requires overnight accommodations, you must find housing off campus.

If You Are Unable to Return to Campus

We understand that circumstances may not allow for everyone to return to campus. If students cannot make a return, we recommend two options:

  1. Designate a friend or family member who can serve as a student’s PROXY.

    1. Work with the person identified to find a time and date that works for them based on the options in the form.

    2. Sign up for that time slot using the student’s name and email address.

    3. The student should email [email protected] and publicsafety@wheatoncollege.edu, from the student’s Wheaton email account, granting permission for their Proxy to retrieve their belongings.

    4. Students should communicate the check-in process and time selected to their Proxy.

  2. Work with an off-campus service provider. Student Moving Services (studentmovingservices.com) is a company recommended to students in the past. They can pack, store, and ship items. Students can contact them directly to coordinate needs and provide payment information. We will then work directly with the Proxy to gain access to the student’s room on campus. Please email [email protected] if students choose this option so we can work with the vendor of their choosing

IMPORTANT: Any proxy or third-party must have permission from students in order to access a room. Please email [email protected] and publicsafety@wheatoncollege.edu, from Wheaton email, so that we can comfortably provide access to a third party.

If students are unable to coordinate either option, please contact Ed Burnett (burnett_edward@wheatoncollege.edu) and he will do his best to assist students in finding alternative options.

Rules While On Campus

  • To comply with government guidance and campus policy, all coming to campus MUST wear a fabric mask and maintain six feet between themselves and others at all times. Wearing gloves is optional and we encourage the use of hand sanitizer especially after touching elevator buttons, doorknobs, and other high touch surfaces.

  • If students are still in possession of old room keys, please bring them upon return to campus. Locks have changed, so students will need to pick-up a new set, and we expect that ALL KEYS will be returned.

  • Please be respectful when entering the halls. Be mindful that some buildings are occupied with approved residents.

  • Residence Hall bathrooms should not be used. To minimize the risk of Covid-19 transmission, they are only available for approved residents.

  • The Mail Room is open Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (this does not include the Memorial Day holiday on May 25). If students need access to items in the mail room and cannot make it to campus during this time, please contact Fran Weldon (weldon_fran@wheatoncollege.edu).

  • All campus buildings are closed and locked. If students need access to another area of campus, Public Safety will be able to provide access. To do so, Public Safety must receive approval from a faculty or staff member. Faculty or staff must email publicsafety@wheatoncollege.edu to notify them of the request and their approval.

Health & Travel Advisory

If any of the following symptoms or situations pertain to students or others who may be assisting, one cannot travel to or arrive on campus. The Res Life Staff will work with you to determine an alternative, mutually convenient day and time for students to return to campus to retrieve belongings. We thank everyone for their compliance with this directive and for protecting the health and safety of our campus community.

  • Do not travel to or arrive on campus if students/others who may be assisting have any of the following symptoms:

    • Cough

    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

    • Fever

    • Chills

    • Muscle pain/body aches

    • Sore throat

    • New loss of taste or smell

    • Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea

  • Do not travel to or arrive on campus if students/others who may be assisting:

    • have recently been exposed to or had close contact (within six feet for 10 minutes or more with or without a face covering) with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, someone who is awaiting test results for COVID-19, or someone who has been advised by a medical provider or employer to be tested for COVID-19.

    • are awaiting results from COVID-19 testing or medical provider or employer has advised you to be tested for COVID-19.

    • have tested positive for COVID-19 and have not been cleared by medical provider to return to work or daily activities.

    • have tested positive and are still feeling ill: running a fever without the use of fever reducing medication and/or still experiencing symptoms.

    • live with or have close contact with someone who has been advised by medical personnel or public health officials to quarantine or isolate due to exposure to or infection from COVID-19.

    • have been advised by medical personnel or public health officials to quarantine or isolate yourself due to exposure to or infection from COVID-19.

    • are currently in quarantine or isolation.

    • live with someone who is ill now (whether COVID-19 related or not).

Additionally, if students or others who may be assisting have an underlying medical condition or vulnerability, please discuss the risks of traveling and returning to campus (where anyone may come in contact with others in community spaces) with a healthcare provider.

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