A sudden change in plans
Due to the current plan allowing first years and on-grounds residents the opportunity to return to Charlottesville beginning this week, announced Aug. 28, UVa decided last-minute to reallocate four on-grounds residential areas as quarantine spaces.
UVa emailed students who planned on residing on-Grounds in the International Residence College (IRC), Shea Language House, as well as Johnson, Malone, and Weedon Houses that they would need to be reallocated to new housing.
The rationale UVa explained in an email to on-grounds residents, is that anticipated capacity was already low in the newly converted quarantine housing areas, therefore students affected by the housing changes could be easily reassigned.
New UVa quarantine spaces
As a result, students were given little time to make a decision on whether they wanted to break their on-grounds lease at no cost, or be reassigned to a new space.
Students, if they chose to remain on-grounds, were re-distributed to other on-grounds residences not full to capacity. Students were allowed to rank remaining options, and while rankings were placed into consideration, they were not guaranteed. Affected residential advisors (RA) were also reassigned accordingly.
Uncertain times call for many changes
UVa continues to grapple with the possible far reaching consequences of the pandemic as cases have risen at the university. With the possibility of even more rising as an upcoming second wave of students plan their return to grounds, the extent of the effects are not yet known. Nor is it certain whether the increased quarantine space will be needed, as much remains to be seen.
Questions about UVa quarantine space to discuss on Ohlelo:
- Should UVa have given affected students more time to consider their new housing choices?
- Was it fair to reallocate student housing, especially so last minute, and could UVA have found other alternatives?
- How do you think students will be affected and will many choose to stay in their housing contracts?
- What, if any, future steps do you think UVa will take, and what will they be in response to?
