Ohio State Move-In underway with new precautions in place

A crush of cars, students and staff at residence halls at The Ohio State University has been replaced with a quiet calm as the 2020 move-in process for autumn semester gets underway.

As thousands of students make their way back to the campuses of Ohio State, move-in day traditions are different as the university begins a new academic year in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In order to encourage physical distancing so we don’t have massive crowds of people at any one time, move-in, instead of a one- or two-day exercise, is now stretched over 12 days,” said Dave Isaacs, communications manager with the Office of Student Life. “We’re limiting the number of students who can move into any given hall at any given time.”

Residence hall openings will be staggered over the 12-day period. Students are scheduling a move-in date and time to ensure a limited number of students move onto each floor of each building at a time.

Second-year health sciences major Lauren Kohler said she felt the move-in process was safe and efficient.

“The crowd size is definitely way smaller. It feels safe. I feel like everybody’s been social distancing,” she said. “It’s not crowded at all, actually. There’s us and then five other people inside.”

In addition to the expanded move-in period, students were asked to limit the number of people assisting them to one or two people. Students and those helping them move were asked to wear face masks as well as perform temperature and COVID-19 symptom checks before arriving on campus.

A limited number of move-in volunteers are on-site to direct traffic and answer questions, but will not assist students with moving belongings. Moving carts are available and staff are cleaning the carts after each use. 

“We have people who are sanitizing the carts after every use and lining them up for the next group of people,” Isaacs said. “We have building protocols for sanitation and cleanliness on the inside. A great amount of attention has been given to those health and safety efforts.”

“They’re making sure that we know that they’re taking this very seriously, as they should,” said Sydney Stark, a first-year student from Springboro.

Angie Kohler, Lauren’s mother, said her daughter was ready for the new semester to begin.

“She’s ready to be back. It’s time for them to come back. We still need to go about our daily lives – we just need to be more careful.”

The Office of Student Life has more information on move-in at the University Housing website. Parents and students can find updates on return-to-campus requirements and guidelines for those living on campus or working and studying from home at the Safe and Healthy Buckeyes website.