Tech modifies fall move-in for virus safety

Louisiana Tech University students will be able to move into campus housing for the fall quarter on Sept. 4-8, but the process will look much different than normal.

The university sent out guidelines to incoming residents Wednesday detailing the move-in format, which has been heavily adjusted to promote health and safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

Each student must register online for a move-in appointment during one of the available hour-long time slots.

Each residence building will only allow a certain number of appointments per time slot in order to maintain social distancing.

Appointment booking will open Wednesday.

Residents must arrive within their booked window; no early or late move-ins will be permitted. And only two other people will be allowed into the residence to help a student move in.

One parking space will be reserved per student and only for one hour. Any other vehicles or u-hauls will have to park elsewhere.

A residential staff member will meet students in the parking lot and scan their QR code that will have been emailed to them. Then students will receive instructions and their room keys.

Tech staff are asking parents and other helpers to linger as little as possible after the hour-long time slot.

“We want all to feel welcome and to give you time to get settled with your family, but please be mindful of the challenges we face during this pandemic,” the guidelines read. “If you have concerns, please reach out to our staff.”

Staff will clean common surfaces between move-in time slots. There are six slots per day.

Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided to residents, and Tech strongly asks that all who arrive on campus wear a mask.

Several dining locations on campus will open when move in starts.

New students must first visit the Tech Express office to get a photo taken for their ID, which is needed to access dining.

Tech Table, the university’s cafeteria, will not open until Sept. 8.

For the full guidelines, as well as a list of recommended items to bring to campus, go to latech.edu/life-on-campus/ residential-life and click on “move-in 2020.”