COVID-19 Information for Residents

The Residential Living Requirement was reinstated for the 2022–23 academic year.

Along with the reinstatement of the Residential Living Requirement, we are anticipating that housing capacity will return to normal levels. However, changes in government guidance or other developments may necessitate an adjustment of these plans. More information will be provided when available.

While we anticipate being able to welcome all students back to campus in the fall, we will need to continue to monitor developments before students can reserve specific spaces. To avoid having students sign-up for spaces that may not be in use or need to have reduced density, returning student housing sign-up will be delayed until more concrete class delivery and housing density information is known. Regardless of how the process is conducted, room and roommate preferences will be honored as availability allows.

New students who submit their application materials by June 1 will be notified of their housing on July 15, as expected.

Gwinn Commons Dining Hall is operating under normal seating density and self-service conditions. Please follow all posted signs.

With student safety in mind and in alignment with guidance from Washington state and King County, the Residential Guidelines have been revised. Information may be updated from time to time, including based on new guidance. Residents are expected to abide by these guidelines (in addition to those that always exist for students). Students who are unwilling to abide by these expectations will be subject to the Student Accountability Process and may lose the privilege of living on campus.

SPU staff may instruct residential students to isolate in specific units on campus if they are exhibiting symptoms associated with COVID-19, or may instruct residential students to quarantine in their on-campus units if they may have been exposed to COVID-19 but are not exhibiting symptoms. Students quarantining in an apartment may be required to remain in the apartment for two weeks or more.

Likewise, placing a residence hall floor in quarantine may mean that no student may leave the floor for two weeks or more. SPU staff would work with students in isolation or quarantine to address academic and other living needs, but students who do not follow quarantine and isolation instructions will be subject to the Student Accountability Process and may lose the privilege of living on campus.

Students who have been asked to isolate or quarantine in a designated campus location can find information about this process and available resources here. For guidance about when isolation or quarantine may be required, see the SPU Isolation/Quarantine Protocols. 

We Are In This Together

The choices that each of us make can have lasting impacts on the people we encounter, connect with, join for classes, and live alongside. Students are expected to work together for the health and safety of the whole academic community.

As a part of our efforts to ensure that all members of our campus are safe, residential students and those taking classes on campus are asked to self-quarantine for ten days (and ideally up to 14 days) immediately prior to arriving to the University. This should include the following:

Limiting contact with others and staying home as much as possible, as well as following recommendations for physical distancing and facial coverage if outside the home during this time.

Monitoring your health each day, being sure to note any unusual symptoms that cannot be attributed to another health condition.

As you may be aware, the symptoms of Covid-19/Coronavirus can include the following:

• New cough
• New shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever over 100.4
• Muscle pain
• Headache
• Sore throat
• Loss of taste or smell
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

If students test positive for COVID 19 or experience COVID-19 symptoms within the TEN days prior to coming to campus or are in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 within the TEN days prior to coming to campus, students are asked to not come to campus and contact Health Services to discuss a plan for next steps.

Details about fall quarter move-in will be provided when available.

All students are encouraged to put together a “care kit” that includes the following items:

• Reusable face coverings (view SPU’s face covering guidelines). It is recommended that you bring more than one to allow for washing in between uses (or some disposable face coverings for back up).
• Personal care kit: Hand sanitizer, thermometer, tissues, over-the-counter products (e.g., Tylenol, throat lozenges, tea, etc.).
• Small first aid kit.
• Prescription medications: If possible, having an additional month's supply is recommended.

Students should also be sure to have access to their medical insurance card and make sure that their emergency contact information in Banner is up to date.