Relocating and Housing Concerns in the Fall (CVID19)

[bragierrnot]

I'm an MSW student that accepted an offer to Portland State but lives in DC. I'm worried because I feel like now is the time when I should be starting to find an apartments/make living arrangements, but I don't want to commit to something when there is the possibility that classes are going to be online this fall term. Is anyone else in a similar boat? Has anyones program/school discussed this topic? I know it's too soon for programs to be making concrete decisions .

[kcux2020]

I'm in the same boat - live in DC currently (near parents / with SO) and I wouldn't want to move to my school's location unless it's definitely on campus. I've asked my school a couple times, but they haven't made a decision nor know the timeframe that they would release a decision. It's very stressful!

[2019edhopeful]

I'm currently abroad and moving to the greater Boston area. I leased an apartment for July because it met all our needs (I have a husband and two kids moving with me). I know it's a big risk because borders may not even be open by July 1, but it seemed too stressful to have no housing lined up. If I were single, I would definitely apply for campus housing and write to them requesting some flexibility. I think a lot of housing offices will be willing to work with students given the current crisis.

[you'll_never_get_to_heaven]

I have similar concerns, however it does not seem like campuses will remain closed. 

Arizona president: "We have launched antibody testing for the county and will soon begin antibody testing 250,000 health care workers and first responders for the state of Arizona in partnership with the Governor’s Office. Next, we will test our own students, faculty and staff. We are expanding our diagnostic testing capability for COVID-19 infection. In short, we are working with local and national experts to create best-in-class strategies to reopen the campus. Our plan is to Test, Trace and Treat to present our campus community a flexible and adaptive teaching and learning environment."

Brown president: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/26/opinion/coronavirus-colleges-universities.html

[HopAlong]

Hey there!

I'm in a very similar situation. I am imagining the additional challenges with starting a grad program alone in a studio/1 bedroom apartment during the winter. I emailed the graduate coordinator and they said a decision about online or in-person classes will be made in July. While I understand, I don't want to wait that long to put a deposit down on an apartment. I already found places I like!

I think I have to email my faculty mentor and ask if she expects me to move and be ready to go by the start of Fall 2020. Or ask if I can delay things a bit if the university is leaning toward online classes.