Spring 2020 Communication Archive
Dear students,
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is continuing planning for a healthy, safe and successful Fall 2020 semester. While a number of possibilities are still being considered for fall instruction, we are writing you today about plans for University Housing.
As you may know from previous emails, we have slowed our University Housing contract and assignment process, to make sure that the living and learning environment in University Housing supports the academic environment on campus.
Thus far, we have extended the priority deadline for contracts, removed the housing pre-requisite steps to sign up for New Student Orientation, and postponed our release of housing assignments. All of these changes have been done to give you and your family more time to determine your best options.
Today, we are announcing another change: Effective immediately, UWM will not be enforcing the residency requirement for Fall 2020 new students.
This change will have different effects, depending on where you are in the housing process.
- Students who have not signed a contract or started the exemption process will have an automatic exemption processed on their behalf. No action will be needed to become exempt. This exemption would not stop a student from signing a University Housing contract, if they decide they still want to live in University Housing.
- Students who started the exemption process but have not yet received an approval will have their pending exemptions granted without any further documentation or correspondence needed.
- Students who already signed a University Housing Contract are not affected by this change. However, they may now be able to cancel their contract, subject to the deadlines and terms outlined in it. May 31 is an upcoming cancellation deadline. Students who cancel their University Housing Contract on or before May 31 will only forfeit their $50 non-refundable portion of the deposit. The other $50 would be refunded via PAWS.
Updates to PAWS and your housing checklists may still take a few days to process.
While final determinations for Fall 2020 are still being made, it’s likely that University Housing will not be able to house as many students as previously projected. It is our intention to house as many students as possible, while staying within the guidance provided by public health officials.
If University Housing has to cancel some Fall 2020 contracts, more information about that process, timeline, and effects will be emailed when it becomes available.
With all of these options, students are encouraged to choose a living arrangement that is most conducive to their health, well-being, safety and learning, whether that be living in a family home, on-campus in University Housing, or renting off-campus this fall. We know many students call Milwaukee their home, and the Neighborhood Housing Office is a great resource for students who wish to live off-campus in the neighborhoods around UWM.
There is no rush to find housing in Milwaukee. You can wait until decisions are made on fall instruction to make a housing decision appropriate for your family and your personal situation. Incoming UWM students considering living off-campus this fall should attend the Neighborhood Housing Office session during orientation. For individualized advice and support, schedule a virtual meeting with a trained NHO staff member to discuss off-campus options and learn more about living on Milwaukee’s east side.
In an effort to help you prepare for the Fall Semester, UWM will be removing the Housing Checklist Items from the path to matriculation for Fall 2020 admitted students. Along with the prior suspension of placement testing requirements, this means that incoming students will be able to register for New Student Orientation and classes as soon as they have paid their $150 enrollment confirmation deposit.
The Housing Checklist Items will still be indicated in students’ PAWS To-Do List and must still be completed prior to the fall semester. To complete the Housing Checklist, incoming first-year students must:
Sign a University Housing contract on www.uwm.edu/myhousing and pay the $100 housing deposit at www.PAWS.uwm.edu, or
Submit a request for exemption (https://uwm.edu/housing/wp-content/uploads/sites/175/2019/10/Exemption_2021w.pdf) from the UWM Residency Policy with required documentation and have the exemption approved by University Housing staff.
Please note, even though the Housing Checklist Items have been removed from the matriculation path, it may still be in your best interests to complete the University Housing Contract by the June 1 priority deadline. This change in policy does not change the assignment lottery process for determining rooms. If you have a specific roommate or living learning community that you would like, you should still complete your contract prior to the June 1 priority deadline.
In addition, University Housing will not be releasing room assignments on the originally published date of June 5. Instead, it will hold assignments until UW System and UW-Milwaukee have determined the nature of fall instruction.
As a campus, we strongly support the idea that living in University Housing provides a strong social and academic foundation. In fact, we know that on average, students who live in University Housing perform better academically than students who do not. This change in process is aimed at giving you time and flexibility in making housing decisions.
We saw this spring that our University Housing department is much more flexible and understanding of the challenges presented by COVID-19 than many off-campus landlords, who continue to charge rent even though students moved out during Spring Break. Should the campus be able to return to face-to-face instruction or a hybrid model during the year, students will strongly benefit from living in a University Housing community. Also, please be aware that signing an off-campus lease does NOT qualify you for an exemption from the UWM Residency Policy.
Students who previously signed a housing contract but no longer plan to attend UWM, or who have changed their mind about living in University Housing and prefer to commute from home, should complete a contract cancellation form at https://uwm.edu/housing/secure/residence-hall-contract-cancellation-form/. Students who cancel on or before May 31 may still recoup $50 of their $100 deposit. Cancellations submitted on or after June 1 forfeit their entire $100 deposit.
If you have any questions about the Housing Contract process, please email university-housing@uwm.edu.
We are quickly approaching the end of the traditional contract period for UWM Residence Halls (May 16) and Kenilworth Square Apartments (May 31).
This email covers details related to the move-out process, as well as information about how to request a summer extension of your Approved COVID-19 Accommodation.
Due to the concerns related to COVID-19, University Housing will be using an adapted move-out process. While we understand students’ and families’ desire for a quick move-out process, we ask that residents follow this process to ensure an orderly and safe experience.
This adapted express checkout process will lessen interaction between individuals. We also will have a two-guest limit for entering the residence halls to move belongings. If other guests come to help, please know they will have to wait outside.
YOUR MOVE-OUT TIME/DATE
You may sign up for a move-out date/time at the following websites. The times offered are structured to ensure we can maintain optimal social distancing. Please click on the name of your building to be connected to the available times.
Kenilworth Square Apartments
Purin Hall
Sandburg
All residents have three hours to move out of their room. To have the most efficient move-out possible, please consider the following:
Visualize your room and have a plan for the supplies you need and how you will pack.
Be prepared with boxes/bins/bags to pack your belongings. You can organize things after returning home.
If you brought a mini-fridge, empty it and tape it shut for transport. Once it’s in your car, place it on towels, as you may get a large amount of condensation while driving home.
If you have a mini-fridge or loft rental:
Mini-fridge: clean out, unplug, and leave the door open.
Loft: de-loft your bed, and fold up the loft kit. Leave the folded loft kit under the bed.
For clothing hanging in your closet, consider keeping clothes hung up and wrapping a trash bag around them instead of packing them individually. You can then hang them right up when you get home.
For bedding, consider vacuum-seal bags or trash bags with air pushed out to conserve space.
Know that like any move-out, we have space allocated at the entrance of each building to donate any unwanted items, such as futons, clothing, and unopened food).
Honestly prepare those helping you move about your room condition. Is it messy? Have you accumulated more belongings since move-in?
We understand the move-out process can be emotionally charged, and this is a stressful situation. The more planning that can be done before arriving to campus, the smoother your experience will be.
PARKING
To ease the burden on parking near University Housing buildings, please bring the fewest number of vehicles possible. It is also your responsibility to obey all parking signs.
Kenilworth Residents
If you have a monthly Kenilworth Parking pass, please use the second floor of the Kenilworth Garage to move-out. If you do not have a monthly parking pass, please use the first floor of the Kenilworth Garage to move-out. The entrance to the parking garage is on Farwell Avenue.
Purin Residents
Please use street parking on Kenwood Boulevard and Downer Avenue for the move-out process. Please note, you are responsible for obeying all parking signs and meter restrictions.
Sandburg Residents
We ask that Sandburg residents park in the Circle Drive. For any vehicles that do not fit, please park on Maryland Avenue instead. The Sandburg Garage upper level is closed due to renovation. If you wish, the Sandburg Garage lower level is still available, but not easy to navigate for your move-out.
Summer Extension Process
Residents with approved COVID-19 Accommodations for Spring 2020 may request an extension of their current accommodation into and/or through the summer. The deadline for these extension requests are fast-approaching. Please review the information below immediately.
You are receiving this message because some member(s) of your suite/apartment left belongings of some degree of value in your Residence Hall or Kenilworth Square Apartment room/suite/apartment. This email details the process for you or one of your roommates/suitemates/apartment-mates to claim the belongings in a socially distanced manner, and then coordinate distribution to the proper owners. This email is being sent to all individuals who may be the rightful owner(s) of the abandoned property.
The room/suite/apartment in question is: please email us for specifics. Please note, the items left may have been in the common areas, and not your specific bedroom. These notices are being sent to all residents who had access to the area.
You, or another resident of your room/suite/apartment must sign-up for a time to pick-up the belongings at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0448a8ab28a0f85-admin.
Pickup times are being offered on two dates between now and June 5, so you can pick a time that makes the most sense for you.
Due to the process at the storage location, you MUST sign up for a time in advance.
On the day/time that you sign up for, please proceed to UWM’s University Services and Resource Building (USRB) located at 4090 N 1st Street, Doors W6 and W7. This building is located about a block north of the intersection of 1st and Capitol Drive.
When you arrive at the USRB, please park where indicated near doors W6 and W7. A University Housing Staff member will be there to meet you and explain the process for loading your belongings.
Anything left unclaimed after the last pickup day will be classified as abandoned property, and either donated or destroyed.
If you do not want whatever items may have been left, please reply to this email and specify that in writing.
Dear Panthers,
On behalf of UWM University Housing, I wanted to thank you for the patience and understanding you have shown as we continue to work through many issues presented by COVID-19 Coronavirus. As you know, University Housing has suspended all contracts, except for those students who have an approved COVID-Accommodation. We continue to work on moving-students out. If you haven’t signed up for a move-out time, please refer to our Move-Out Instructions email on March 20, 2020.
One of our most frequently asked questions over the last few weeks relates to the processing of refunds for the time lost on the contract for our residents in the Residence Halls and in Kenilworth Square Apartments.
A multi-department committee has been working diligently on the process for these refunds to occur, keeping in mind the UW-System guidance (https://www.wisconsin.edu/news/archive/uw-system-to-offer-prorated-room-and-board-refunds/) that all refunds would be processed and distributed by the end of the Spring Semester.
We are pleased to inform you that we expect to complete the processing of account credits by the end of April, if not sooner. At that point, any student accounts that have a credit balance will be issued a refund check mailed to their address in PAWS. We’ve included many frequent questions at the bottom of this email.
We are still finalizing the exact dollar amounts that each student will have credited to their account, as this varies based on building, room type, and meal plan usage. When your account has been credited, you will receive an additional email with the specific details of your amount credited.
Once again, thank you for your patience.
Dear Residents,
Due to the concerns related to COVID-19, University Housing will be using an adapted move-out process. While we understand students’ and families’ desire for a quick move-out process, we ask that residents follow this process to ensure an orderly and safe experience.
For Spring 2020, University Housing will be using an adapted express checkout process to lessen interaction between individuals. We also will have a two-guest limit for entering the residence halls to move belongings. If other guests come to help, please know they will have to wait outside.
YOUR MOVE-OUT TIME/DATE
You may sign up for a move-out date/time at the following websites. The times offered are structured to ensure we can maintain optimal social distancing. Please click on the name of your building to be connected to the available times.
- Cambridge Commons
- Kenilworth Square Apartments
- Purin Hall
- RiverView Residence Hall
- Sandburg East
- Sandburg North
- Sandburg South
- Sandburg West
SPECIAL NOTE FOR CAMBRIDGE COMMONS AND RIVERVIEW
We are staggering move-out, with Cambridge Commons and RiverView going first. Those residents must be completely moved out by March 27. If you are a Cambridge or RiverView resident and can’t sign up for a time that would work, please complete this form at: www.uwm.edu/housing/adminpackup. The deadline to submit the form is March 24, at 11:59PM.
All residents have two hours to move out of their room. To have the most efficient move-out possible, please consider the following:
- Visualize your room and have a plan for the supplies you need and how you will pack.
- Be prepared with boxes/bins/bags to pack your belongings. You can organize things after returning home.
- If you brought a mini-fridge, empty it and tape it shut for transport. Once it’s in your car, place it on towels, as you may get a large amount of condensation while driving home.
- If you have a mini-fridge or loft rental:
- Mini-fridge: clean out, unplug, and leave the door open.
- Loft: de-loft your bed, and fold up the loft kit. Leave the folded loft kit under the bed.
- For clothing hanging in your closet, consider keeping clothes hung up and wrapping a trash bag around them instead of packing them individually. You can then hang them right up when you get home.
- For bedding, consider vacuum-seal bags or trash bags with air pushed out to conserve space.
- Know that like any move-out, we have space allocated at the entrance of each building to donate any unwanted items, such as futons, clothing, and unopened food).
- Honestly prepare those helping you move about your room condition. Is it messy? Have you accumulated more belongings since move-in?
We understand the move-out process can be emotionally charged, and this is a stressful situation. The more planning that can be done before arriving to campus, the smoother your experience will be.
PARKING
To ease the burden on parking near University Housing buildings, please bring the fewest number of vehicles possible. It is also your responsibility to obey all parking signs.
Cambridge Residents
Please use street parking along the building for move-out. Please make sure not to block driveways or fire lanes.
Purin Residents
Please use street parking on Kenwood Boulevard and Downer Avenue for the move-out process. Please note, you are responsible for obeying all parking signs and meter restrictions.
RiverView Residents
We ask that you park at the Pick N Save lot while you pack your belongings, and then when you are ready to load your vehicle move it to the RiverView Circle Drive.
Sandburg Residents
We ask that Sandburg South Tower residents park in the Circle Drive. Sandburg East/North/West residents, please park in the garage. While garage spaces are available and preferred, oversized vehicles (7-feet or taller, extended cab trucks, trailers, etc) will not fit, and should park on Maryland Avenue instead.
Additional Instructions
Your instructions/checklist for move-out day will be in your University Housing mailbox, with a key envelope. Please review that as soon as possible so you can start planning for your move-out day. Electronic versions can be downloaded here:
General Checklist | Student Checklist
Information for Illinois Residents
University Housing is aware that effective March 21, residents of Illinois are under a shelter-in-place order. If you are an Illinois resident who has been living in Cambridge, RiverView, or Sandburg South Tower, and are unable to return to campus to move out, please complete the form at: www.uwm.edu/housing/adminpackup. If you are an Illinois resident who has been living in different residence hall at UWM, we suggest you sign up for a move-out time after April 7. If you have additional questions, please email university-housing@uwm.edu.
Dear Residents,
First, please allow me to thank you for the patience and understanding you and your families have shown as we’ve continued to respond to this ever-changing situation.
As you may have seen in the Chancellor’s message this afternoon, University Housing will be closing soon (except for those residents who are approved to stay), which will result in a suspension of contract for most of you.
The rest of this email contains many important details, so please read it thoroughly.
If you are currently living in University Housing (on-campus during the Spring Break), please prepare to move-out as soon as possible. You must be moved out of University Housing no later than Friday, March 27.
If you aren’t currently on-campus, please do not return to campus at this time.
Our primary goal at this time is to empty the buildings of all residents while maintaining social distancing. There will be more information coming for residents currently away from campus with instructions on how to come back and move-out. Our move-out process will be very regimented, and students are expected to abide by the guidelines put in place.
Residents Who Are Interested in Remaining in University Housing During Spring 2020
While we will have very limited space available for residents who must remain on campus, we strongly discourage residents from pursuing that option. We know that some students may not have an easily accessible permanent home to go to. Residents who still need to find a temporary living situation should exhaust all other alternatives before requesting a COVID-19 Accommodation, including consulting friends, family, and classmates about potential living arrangements. Residents who have an approved accommodation will likely be moved into one building, and have very limited campus resources, as we have seen most offices and services on campus announce that they are closing indefinitely. If residents have no other housing option, complete a request form at https://uwm.edu/housing/covid19accommodation/.
Cart Availability
During move-out, many of you may want to use University Housing carts. While we will clean the carts at the end of each day, you should still plan to bring items with you to disinfect carts prior to your own usage. In addition, if you want to cling wrap belongings onto the cart, please bring your own wrap.
Rough Outline of the Move-Out Schedule
- Current On-Campus Residents Move-Out.
- Residents with permanent addresses in WI are scheduled to move-out.
- Residents with permanent addresses in IL are scheduled to move-out.
- Residents from all other states/countries are scheduled to move-out.
Instructions with full move-out details and schedules will be emailed out in the next few days. PLEASE DO NOT COME TO CAMPUS PRIOR TO YOUR SCHEDULED MOVE-OUT TIME.
Housing Billing Update
Dear Residents,
As part of University Housing’s response to the COVID-19 virus, we will be implementing a Restricted Guest Policy, which will go into effect Wednesday, March 18 at 8am, and remain in effect until further notice.
Under the Restricted Guest Policy, only current University Housing residents, employees who work in University Housing residence halls, and emergency personnel will be allowed to enter University Housing residence halls.
Guests (including non-housing UWM staff, Milwaukee County Transit staff, and GoRiteway Shuttle Drivers) will not be able to access University Housing residence halls and should plan to use other community or campus resources instead. The UWM Student Union will be the next closest location that has a convenience store, restrooms, and accessible hours.
In addition, both the University Housing Tour Program (uhmktg@uwm.edu) and the Guest Housing Programs (stay@uwm.edu) have been temporarily suspended.
Exceptions to the Restricted Guest Policy will be made for individuals who are assisting a current resident with move out. If moving out (either temporarily or permanently), each resident will be allowed up to three registered guests. These guests will be expected to obey all registered guest policies (obtain a GuestPass, present a valid state issued photo ID, be escorted at all times, etc.). Additionally, approved guests will be provided a single-use guest wristband upon check-in.
Due to the high volume of individuals living and working in our communities, we kindly ask that all individuals experiencing symptoms of any of any illness, or those who have knowingly been exposed to others experiencing symptoms of illness, actively avoid the UWM University Residence Halls at this time.
If you have any questions about the Restricted Guest Policy, please contact your building’s Service Desk. (Cambridge: 414/935-6900; RiverView: 414/229-3595; Sandburg/Purin: 414/229-6123)
Finally, as a reminder, if you plan on staying in University Housing at any point between now and April 10, please complete the form at www.uwm.edu/housing/covid19.
Dear Residents,
As part of University Housing’s response to the COVID-19 virus, we are encouraging you to avoid inviting guests into Kenilworth Square Apartments (or severely limiting, when possible).
In addition, both the University Housing Tour Program (uhmktg@uwm.edu) and the Guest Housing Programs (stay@uwm.edu) have been temporarily suspended.
Due to the high volume of individuals living and working in our communities, we kindly ask that all individuals experiencing symptoms of any of any illness, or those who have knowingly been exposed to others experiencing symptoms of illness, actively avoid all UWM University Housing buildings at this time.
If you have any questions about the guidelines, please contact your building’s Service Desk. (Kenilworth Desk: 414/229-0512).
Update from University Housing Regarding Coronavirus COVID-19
Dear University Housing Residents,
As you have been informed via the Chancellor’s emails of March 10 and 11th, UWM Spring Break has been extended to March 15-29, with additional remote instruction occurring from March 30-April 10. Please know that the Housing Leadership Team has been diligently working on a plan of action and how that will impact our students, staff, and families.
As of this time, University Housing will not be closing, and resident contracts have not been terminated or suspended
- For the next four weeks, we encourage students to heed the Chancellor’s message and temporarily leave campus to help limit the campus population. While on spring break, we hope that all students partake in safe practices before returning to campus, such as • Be considerate by not traveling to areas with confirmed COVID-19 cases (including scheduling new travel that takes advantage of deeply discounted fares, as those relate to areas that may be heavily impacted by COVID-19)
- Wash hands frequently
- Avoid sharing food or drinks with other
- Cover any coughs or sneezes with tissues or your elbow
- Avoid contact with people who are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, fever, cough, or shortness of breath
- Please stay at home if you are sick. The CDC guidelines are here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html. Contact your health care provider if you develop COVID-19-like symptoms, including fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
If you plan on staying on campus anytime between March 15 and April 11, please complete the form at www.uwm.edu/housing/covid19. This will allow University Housing and other campus partners to properly plan for the students who will be staying.
For those who plan on staying on campus in the next four weeks, please know there will be limited resources, including staffing, dining, and access to common spaces (and it’s possible that some of these resources will be offered in only one University Housing location). Access to academic support areas and computer labs in University Housing will not be restricted. For the two weeks of Spring Break, the only dining location open in University Housing buildings will be the Sandburg Restor, which will be open 10am-4pm, Monday-Friday. Dining hours beginning March 30 have not yet been determined.
If you would like to terminate your University Housing Contract, please review your Contract Guidebook, which can be downloaded at www.uwm.edu/housing. Students who terminate their University Housing Contract while remaining enrolled in courses will be responsible for 100% of charges until they move out, and eligible for a 15% refund the remainder of the contract period. Students who terminate their contract will forfeit their assignment. In the event in-person classes resume in April, students who had terminated their contract would need to arrange their own housing for the remainder of the semester (returning to University Housing will not be an option).
Over the course of the next few weeks, Housing Leadership will continue to monitor the status of COVID-19 and campus decisions and will make decisions accordingly, which may include limitations of guests.
If you are a current student-employee (or Resident Assistant) working for University Housing, please continue to follow your work schedule, and look for communication from your supervisor with more information by the end of the week.
Please know that University Housing is taking this situation very seriously, and we will continue to make thoughtful and informed decisions that will best serve all of our students.
FROM THE DESK OF ARCETTA KNAUTZ, DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY HOUSING
Dear Cambridge Commons Residents,
Earlier this afternoon, you received an email from Chancellor Mone about a potential COVID-19 case involving an employee who works in the UWM Foundation. Since the UWM Foundation is located within a wing of Cambridge Commons, I wanted to reach out to provide you some additional information.
We appreciate your patience as our University Housing Leadership Team works with members of campus leadership to finalize details specific to students living in University Housing. The Chancellor indicated that you will receive further information regarding University Housing by Friday, and we will definitely meet that expectation.
First, it is important to note that while the UWM Foundation offices are located inside Cambridge Commons Residence Hall, these offices and employees are not centrally located in residential areas. UWM Foundation staff members utilize different spaces within the building as well as different entrances which has mitigated the potential impact on you, our residents.
Second, out of an abundance of caution, we are taking some proactive measures, including closing the Restor+ and shared bathrooms located near the UWM Foundation/Restor+.
Third, while additional plans related to UWM’s extended Spring Break are being finalized, we recommend that when students leave for Spring Break, they bring home vital belongings, electronic devices, medications, and other items that may be needed during or beyond the two-week duration.
We currently have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 with residents in the residence halls.
While we understand there is a lot of uncertainty and fear surrounding the COVID-19, know that we have been, and will continue to work diligently to support our community – including you.
Additional information may be found at:
- UWM COVID-19 website: https://uwm.edu/coronavirus/
- CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
University Housing will be in contact with residents of all University Housing buildings with further information and updates as the situation develops.
Most importantly, please remember the steps you can take to help prevent the spread of this and other viruses:
- Wash your hands vigorously with warm water and soap (for at least 20 seconds).
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, or at the very least your elbow.
- Clean commonly used surfaces frequently.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Don’t share food or drinks.
- Stay home if you have any flu-like symptoms.
If you have any general questions about influenza or the coronavirus, or are sick and need medical advice, please call the Norris Health Center at 414-229-4716.
Sincerely,
Arcetta Knautz
Director, UWM University Housing