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UnionWest Resident Updates for Fall 2020

July 8, 2020

As UCF begins a phased return to campus, we continue to prioritize our community’s health and well-being, in accordance with guidance from the state and public health officials. While we all continue to face challenges from COVID-19, it is critical that we take care of ourselves and each other. In accordance with UCF’s Return to Campus Plan, we are providing you with updates and additional information on many of the items discussed related to UCF Housing and Residence Life. The following email is lengthy, and we ask that you read it carefully.

Required Addendum

UnionWest will be open to students in the fall, and all residents will be required to acknowledge an Addendum to their Housing Agreement. This Addendum must be completed by Friday, July 17, 2020.

Please follow the steps below to review and acknowledge the Addendum:

  1. Log In: Log into the Housing Portal and click on “Addendum to 2020-2021 Housing Agreement – Action Required.”
  2. Review: Carefully review the Addendum. We recommend reading this with family or others involved in decision-making regarding your housing arrangements.
  3. Select Option: Select one of the two options:
    1. Acknowledge Addendum – Your 2020-2021 Housing Agreement will stay active.
      If your Housing Agreement is in a Submitted or Waitlisted status, we will continue to consider it for Confirmed status in the order in which it was originally received.
    2. Cancel Agreement – Your 2020-2021 Housing Agreement will be canceled. The current cancellation fee of $250 will be charged. If you made the $250 prepayment at the time of application, it would cover the $250 cancellation fee, and no additional fees will be charged.
  4. Email: You will receive an email verifying the option you selected. If you selected to acknowledge the Addendum, your email will include the text of the Addendum for your records. If you opt to cancel, your email will include verification that your Agreement has been canceled.

Please make sure to read the remainder of this email before making your decision about the Addendum acknowledgement. This Addendum must be completed by Friday, July 17, 2020.

Fall Updates and Changes

Details about what residents can expect in the fall were shared last week. Highlights include:

  • Residents can expect limits on the use of spaces and amenities, including restrictions on visitors and access to community spaces.
  • UnionWest will remain at traditional occupancy.
  • We strongly encourage you to consider what your plans will be should you test positive for COVID-19 while living at UnionWest. There will be designated isolation spaces, based on availability, for UnionWest residents who test positive for COVID-19 and are unable to return to their permanent residence. In the event of a positive test, units will undergo necessary disinfection, and roommate(s) will be provided guidance.
  • UCF will move to remote instruction after Thanksgiving. Residence halls, libraries, study spaces, and dining services will remain open for student use. Residents who choose not to stay in their housing during this time will still be responsible for the terms and conditions of their housing agreement.
  • All residents must be mindful of their personal behaviors and accept responsibility for doing their part to keep themselves, their roommate(s) and others healthy. Everyone will need to tackle some personal inconveniences, take personal responsibility, and adopt the health measures necessary to promote a culture of health and well-being.

UCF Housing Plans to Remain Open During Remote Instruction

UnionWest plans to stay open to residents, even if UCF transitions to fully remote instruction at any point. While the fall will undoubtedly look different, there will be engagement opportunities through student organizations, events, and other activities that will be held both virtually and face-to-face to help bring you together with your UnionWest community.

Move-In

We are developing a phased move-in plan that is in accordance with appropriate guidelines. Move-in will begin as early as August 8 and will be completed by August 23, with move-in appointments limited by floor and/or community to reduce physical interactions. Move-in appointments will be made via the Housing Portal later this summer.

During the move-in period, residents will be tested for COVID-19. While you are waiting for your test results, residents will need to continue practicing six feet of physical distance, wear a face covering, and stay away from public gatherings and away from others until test results are received. Additional information on testing will be provided in the coming weeks.

Residents should expect a mostly virtual move-in process, with no more than two guests permitted. Additional information regarding move-in appointment sign-up and procedures will be communicated to residents via email and will be available in the move-in module in the UCF Mobile app.

We remain fully committed to your success and well-being this fall. We will keep you regularly updated via email and the UCF’s coronavirus website.

Housing and Residence Life