Off Campus Roommate COVID Conversations

It is important to have conversations with those who share a living space. This guide will help set expectations to help “Protect the Hive” and avoid future misunderstandings. Students living off campus are encouraged to use the following suggestions to discuss how they (and their roommate/housemates) plan to handle situations specifically related to COVID-19. It is important that all who participate in these discussions are listening to each other openly and without judgment. Students may decide it’s best to put their expectations and needs into a document so they can refer back to the agreements made at any time.

Safety

  • Do you wear a mask when not at home? In what circumstances do you wear a mask?
  • What are your hand washing practices? Do you wash your hands when returning from being outside?
  • How have you been getting groceries? Do you clean them when you get home?
  • What does social distancing mean to you? How seriously are you taking social distancing?
  • Are you in a vulnerable population outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention?
  • Do you live in an apartment building? How are physical distancing and safety practices being addressed within the larger building?

Habits

  • What your study, work, and social habits during this time? Will you have classes online or in person when/if in-person instruction resumes?
  • How have you spent your time during the pandemic?
  • How are you staying up to date on relevant COVID-19 updates, policies, and Executive Orders?
  • What are your plans regarding dining at bars and restaurants?
  • How often do you plan to be home in the shared dwelling?
  • How often do you plan to visit or stay with family, significant others, or friends? How seriously are they taking physical distancing? Have they been exposed to COVID-19? Are they in a vulnerable population?
  • How often will you be in larger groups of people for activities like working, religious practices, clubs, or other activities?
  • Do you have any plans to travel? How and where will you be traveling? (via plane, etc.)
  • • What are your plans for staying safe during activities with larger groups of people or during travel? What are your plans to keep your roommates safe after returning home?

Roommates

  • What are our expectations with having anyone other than official roommates/ housemates in our dwelling? (Please keep in mind all relevant policies, Executive Orders, and CDC recommendations)
  • If at least one roommate is uncomfortable with having people over, are we willing to honor that?
  • If you are comfortable with having someone over, will it just be in an outdoor space? Will people wear face masks to reduce the risks?
  • Are you willing to have a chore chart for extra cleaning during this time?
  • If one of us has been exposed to COVID-19, has symptoms of COVID-19, or tests positive for COVID-19, what is our plan of action?
  • If needed, are you prepared to isolate if requested by a roommate?
  • If K College remains remote or returns to remote instruction earlier in the semester than anticipated, what are our plans?

Printables