FAQ: Trinity's Housing and Dining (2020-2021) Archives

Yes, on-campus housing is being offered in a de-densified model. Students can view their assignments under the “My Housing” section of their student portal.  There are new residence life guidelines for Spring 2021.  All residential students will need to sign-off on these guidelines through the “Student Life Forms” section of their student portal before moving in. Residential students will also participate in required residence hall meetings upon return regarding the new guidelines.

Detailed information about Spring 2021 will be emailed directly to residential students and posted to the Residence Life webpage before Christmas. Residents will be asked to sign up for a specific move-in timeslot in advance. January 15 and 16 have been designated as the official move-in days; freshmen are advised to select a move-in slot on Saturday, January 16. Those who must move in after January 16 will have opportunity to schedule a move-in appointment for a later date. Some student athletes & nursing students may be required to move-in before January 15 for their programs. Information about signing up for a move-in time will be sent to these students directly.

Our move-in days will allow for a limited number of people to move in per hour, per building. The move in process will be as contactless as possible, while still offering hospitality and clear directions. Students will be allowed to bring a maximum of 2 adults to assist with their move-in.

Before returning to campus:

• Students will be required to self-quarantine for 10 days prior to arrival.
• Students will be required to confirm that they are in good health and have not been exposed to someone with COVID-19 symptoms within the last fourteen days.
• NEW: Students will be required to submit documentation of a negative COVID test result taken within 5 days prior to their arrival on-campus.
• Students will also need to sign off on the Covenant of Care, the release of liability as well as the other student life forms to confirm their readiness to abide by community expectations in advance of their move-in.

Upon arrival to campus, students and their guests may have their temperatures scanned to confirm they are fever-free (temperatures must be below 100.4 to be permitted to move-in).  Everyone will be required to wear facial coverings and follow physical distancing & hand washing rules.

We are strongly encouraging students to pack light. Every residential student should plan to bring a thermometer for daily screening, additional personal cleaning supplies for your residence hall room, a good supply of washable masks (at least 10), hand sanitizer, Tylenol, and a personal water bottle. We also anticipate a large number of outdoor activities, so we strongly recommend all students bring their own portable “bag” chair or lawn chair for outdoor events and warm, winter clothing for outdoor winter walks and activities. Finally, in the event that students should have to unexpectedly quarantine, we recommend keeping a supply of favorite snacks, drinks, and food items on hand. Quarantine meals are available to students, but we recognize some students appreciate access to additional options.

Throughout the semester, residential students will be required to request permission to travel. Residential students will receive information directly from their Area Director regarding this process. Residential students are expected to abide by the Covenant of Care and avoid unnecessary gatherings and travel that may cause safety risks for themselves or other members of the Trinity community.

Trinity remains committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Fair Housing Act.  Students with disabilities who believe they may qualify for accommodations are welcome to email Laura Davalos with their accommodation request.

Trinity’s custodial service cleans the public spaces and hallways in the residence halls.  Students are expected to regularly clean and sanitize their individual suites and bedrooms.  Additional cleaning protocols will be communicated to residential students upon arrival.

Overnight guests will not be permitted. Outside visitors will not be permitted in the residence halls apart from move-in day. Residential students will not be permitted to visit other suites or rooms for at least the first part of the semester. We will revisit these guidelines regularly and hope to relax them as the semester unfolds.

Trinity Christian College cannot require residential students to remain on campus at all times. There is no established curfew for Trinity students, but the college does advise caution and expects all students to avoid any unnecessary gatherings or travel that could pose safety risks for themselves or others. Residential students who do wish to travel or participate in a gathering must go through the process to request approval. Students are strongly encouraged to minimize travel and continue to practice all necessary health and safety behaviors while off campus.

Students who live together are considered “family units” that can have close contact in public spaces on campus. This applies to roommates/suitemates/housemates. Athletics teams are not family units, however athletic teams are permitted to have close contact during scheduled team/sport activity. Family units may have close contact in public spaces, but not in classrooms. All people must social distance and wear face coverings at all times in classrooms.

Residential students will have safe access to their meal plans. Dining Services will only serve a limited number of students at a time in the Dining Hall and BBC in order to allow for increased distancing and cleaning. There will be limited self-serve options (food will be served by staff), and students will be guided through the process with signage. There will also be “grab and go” options from the BBC and the dining hall. Students will be able to utilize their meal plans for all of these options. The Dining Hall will accept meal swipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner. The BBC will accept meal swipes for all students on the 75-block plan as well as students on the 130, 190, and 225 plans who have back-to-back classes during meal periods. Masks will be required around food service areas and may only be removed while seated & eating in a designated eating area.

Residential students who are in quarantine either due to their own COVID-19 symptoms or due to exposure will be able to access their meal plan and receive meals delivered to their room.

Certain areas of campus are identified as Designated Eating Areas – these are the only areas on campus you may eat. In classrooms and other public spaces, you may remove your mask quickly to take a drink. Stay hydrated! Designated eating areas include: Molenhouse Student Center, West Lobby of Ozinga Chapel, North Side 2nd Floor ArCC, BBC, Dining Hall. Students may also eat in their residence hall room or outdoors. Staff/faculty may eat in their offices.

Yes, all members of the campus community including faculty, staff, and all students are required to self-screen on #CampusClear every day you are on campus.

Yes, commuters may travel back and forth from their off-campus residence and employment for class. Commuters will also be able to use designated eating areas and common spaces on campus.

Throughout December and January, a team of staff is working to reconfigure spaces on campus for students to hang out in. Examples include freeing up distanced seating in the Grand Lobby and Molenhouse Student Center for student use. We will be adjusting the hours of facilities on campus and communicating this information to students through signage and email closer to the start of the semester.

We will notify commuters in January if we have space available for commuter meal plans. Designated eating areas will be identified and advertised as the semester begins.