

IU International Students Petition to Stay in On-Campus Housing amid COVID-19 Situation


IU International Students Petition to Stay in On-Campus Housing amid COVID-19 Situation
The Issue
We, the International Students at Indiana University Bloomington who are currently living at on-campus residence halls and apartments, are devastated and upset to be given a short notice that most of the on-campus housing will be closed as of March 20, yet we are not certain when we are able to come back. This is especially difficult for those who live with family members and young children. We appreciate the university’s concern over and commitment to protecting the overall health of the IU community.
However, many of us are from coronavirus-stricken countries/regions that are on the U.S. CDC travel restrictions list. Neither do we have immediate access to local housing that can ensure high levels of hygiene and disinfection over the COVID-19 situation, nor are we confident in going back to our homeland that is already in this overwhelming plague.
While the university is working hard to shape up a move-out policy and a petition avenue, we are uncertain what those top-down options will be available to us. We, hereby, are proactively calling on the Indiana University Residential Programs and Services (RPS) to consider and address our following questions and concerns:
- Provide us a housing policy with clarity that ensures stability in a relatively long term.
- Ensure enough on-campus housing spots for us to petition for.
- Make sure the on-campus housing is adequately staffed to keep it clean and disinfected and maintain the mailing/delivery services.
- Keep a coordinated registry of students who remain in on-campus housing for future monitoring of on- and off-campus activities.
- Ensure stable Wi-Fi so we can be kept updated on the evolving COVID-19 situation.
- Provide stay-in students a space to study and work.
Victory
The Issue
We, the International Students at Indiana University Bloomington who are currently living at on-campus residence halls and apartments, are devastated and upset to be given a short notice that most of the on-campus housing will be closed as of March 20, yet we are not certain when we are able to come back. This is especially difficult for those who live with family members and young children. We appreciate the university’s concern over and commitment to protecting the overall health of the IU community.
However, many of us are from coronavirus-stricken countries/regions that are on the U.S. CDC travel restrictions list. Neither do we have immediate access to local housing that can ensure high levels of hygiene and disinfection over the COVID-19 situation, nor are we confident in going back to our homeland that is already in this overwhelming plague.
While the university is working hard to shape up a move-out policy and a petition avenue, we are uncertain what those top-down options will be available to us. We, hereby, are proactively calling on the Indiana University Residential Programs and Services (RPS) to consider and address our following questions and concerns:
- Provide us a housing policy with clarity that ensures stability in a relatively long term.
- Ensure enough on-campus housing spots for us to petition for.
- Make sure the on-campus housing is adequately staffed to keep it clean and disinfected and maintain the mailing/delivery services.
- Keep a coordinated registry of students who remain in on-campus housing for future monitoring of on- and off-campus activities.
- Ensure stable Wi-Fi so we can be kept updated on the evolving COVID-19 situation.
- Provide stay-in students a space to study and work.
Victory
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Petition created on March 16, 2020