Update for winter: President Schill has announced plans for winter term.
The residence halls will be open and we welcome our first-year, transfer, and returning students who plan to live with us.
University Housing is committed to providing a high-quality, safe, and supportive home for our students. With the current COVID-19 pandemic, these values are even more important than before.
At the guidance of the state and health authorities, we have been working hard on a comprehensive plan. As we look forward to welcoming new and returning students, we know you have questions about what living in the residence halls will look like this year. This page has resources and information that will help you prepare for move-in and life on campus.
In addition to our increased cleaning protocols and guided signage to remind students how to stay safe, we will also be relying on our students and staff. As incoming Ducks you have a lot of power to act responsibly—for your own health and for the health of everyone in the community.
We will keep this page updated as decisions are made. If you have questions, please email housing@uoregon.edu or you can call or text us at 541-346-4277.
Frequently Asked Questions
UO COVID-19 Information
Overview of Our Health and Safety Protocols
Quarantine and Testing Information
All residence hall students will be required to have a COVID-19 test and negative result before moving into their residence hall room.
Students and their families or guests will also be asked to quarantine together while they wait for results.
We recommend limiting your exposure to others or large groups in the weeks leading up to your testing and move-in dates.
Here are some details we have emailed you:
Testing and Sign Up
You can sign up for your testing and move-in time in your My Housing portal. All residence hall students will be tested again 3–7 days after their first test.
When traveling to Eugene, please remember to wear your mask in our community in compliance with state guidelines.
We ask that you please arrive early to Eugene and show up at your testing location at your assigned time.
We are using the self-collected nasal swab test, which is noninvasive and not considered painful.
Travel and Check-In
You and your family or guests should plan to quarantine at your home, a hotel, or other location while waiting for test results.
If this is a challenge for you, please indicate so in My Housing to see how we can assist you.
Quarantine with Your Family
After your test, you and your family or guests must quarantine while you wait for your results. This is very important for you and our entire community.
We will provide some fun ideas for passing the time while you wait, as well as suggestions for food delivery.
Results and Move-In
Once we receive your results, you will be sent a text message with a link to log in to your MyUOHealth portal to see your results.
If your test result is negative, you will be able to move into your room at your designated move-in time.
You will be allowed up to two guests to assist you with your move-in.
If your test result is positive for COVID-19, the UO Case Management team will work directly with you to explain your options and provide support and care.
We have dedicated isolation space on campus and our team will help you get situated in that room for the recommended period of time before you transition to your permanent residence hall room.
Our team will bring you meals, check on your health, and provide as much support as we can while you get healthy.
You will not be alone.
For more details about the move-in process, please see our move-in page.
Prevent the Spread: What You Can Do
Practice safe physical distancing: Stay six feet away from others
Wear a mask outside your room: Protect yourself and others
Beat the disease: Stay home if you are sick
Clean hands are critical: Wash with soap for 20 seconds
Residence Hall Prevention Efforts
Residence Halls
The occupants of each room are considered a living unit.
Rooms will be doubles and singles.
Furniture will be configured to maximize separation between residents where feasible.
Daily cleaning and surface disinfecting of residence hall rooms is done by residents; cleaning supplies—including EPA-registered disinfectant—are provided.
Community bathrooms will be deep cleaned and sanitized by custodial service, with additional daily general cleaning and sanitizing of touch points. We strongly encourage students to enhance our cleaning efforts by wiping down surfaces you have touched in the bathrooms after use.
Ensuite bathrooms will be cleaned daily by residents. EPA-registered disinfectants will be provided in central locations. Housing and custodial staff will inspect and clean once per term.
Common Areas
Cleaning and sanitizing of touch points and surfaces seven days a week. All high-touch surfaces will be wiped down as often as possible.
Signs will promote the use of face coverings; physical distancing in all lounges, kitchens, lobbies, laundry rooms, and elevators; and to promote handwashing. We will provide laundry instructions.
Common areas like lounges and study spaces have been modified with appropriate furniture and maximum capacities for appropriate physical distancing.
Public bathrooms will be cleaned and sanitized daily; touch points will be sanitized multiple times per day using EPA-registered disinfectants. We strongly encourage students to enhance our cleaning efforts by wiping down surfaces you have touched in the bathrooms after use. Paper towels from touchless dispensers and EPA-registered disinfectants are provided.
Dining
Dining facilities will remove self-serve food options and provide packaged or made-to-order food. Residents can pay using their UO ID and avoid direct contact in the checkout process.
All dining staff and guests are required to wear face coverings at all times in our dining venues (except while eating).
Guest areas will have physical distancing cues or signs to help maintain six-foot distancing. There will be reduced seating capacity. We will use a sign system to indicate when tables are clean and ready for use.
All dining venues are continuously cleaned and disinfected throughout the day by a dedicated team. We are following all recommended CDC and Lane Country Health Department protocols for food businesses and strict sanitation practices for all areas to keep things clean, sanitized, and safe. Hand sanitizer will be available throughout our dining venues.
How Ducks Live
Whether we are in the middle of a pandemic or not, we want you to have an outstanding UO and on-campus residential experience. Living on campus provides a great springboard to your success, friendships, and connections. Our incredible Residence Life team, including resident assistants (RAs) and community directors who live in the residence halls, will be there to support you in person and virtually. We have an amazing (and award-winning) residence hall government and the Residence Hall Association to provide leadership and programming for residents.
Here are some of the things you have to look forward to:
Faculty Engagement
Faculty in Residence and Faculty Fellows will create a wide variety of social and intellectual programs for residential students for the fall. These have included political debate parties, yoga & meditation sessions, community service events, bike programs, dinners with prominent guests, photographing the stars, and many other events intended to develop out-of-classroom relationships with undergraduate students.
Signature Campus Events
A hybrid of in-person and virtual events connected to the University of Oregon student success domains (positive experience, well educated, socially responsible, and career ready) to engage our first-year students from Week of Welcome until finals week.
Academic Residential Communities/Residential Communities
A cohort of students living in proximity (a wing/floor) connected by an academic interest, social identity, or passion. These students take at least one course together (weekly seminar) and share co-curricular experiences led through a Resident Assistant, Program Coordinator, and Faculty Director.
Resident Assistant (RA) Engagement
The RA works through a residential curriculum with specific learning outcomes and facilitation guides to assist students through their first year (or beyond) at UO. These staff also support facilitating social connections and expectations for our students, and are there to help 24-7.
Hall Council
Hall council provides residents with the opportunity to plan peer-led programs and events to increase a sense of belonging and community. These will be smaller in nature due to physical distancing.
Educational Messaging/Newsletters/Visuals/Marketing:
The residence hall environment is a place with vibrant messaging about our priorities around learning and community at UO.