2020-2021 Covid-19 Related LightHouse Commons Information

These updated and enhanced policies, procedures, and safety protocols are not meant to hamper a Buccaneer’s residential living experience but have been designed, through careful considerations and recommendations, to help ensure that we are providing the safest possible environment to live, learn, and grow during the upcoming academic year.

What Needs to Be Done Before Movie In?

You must sign AND send in all required e-documents before arriving to Fall 2020 Move-In:

• 2020-2021 Electronic Housing Contract
• 2020-2021 Electronic Housing Contract Addendum
• Emergency Housing Planning Form

Note: These e-documents will be directly to an assigned students FSW email account.

As an on campus housing resident, you are strongly encouraged to undergo clinical testing for COVID-19 through a recognized testing procedure of your choice before move-in. The following link provides a search tool to find local testing sites in your area: COVID-19 Testing Sites Search Tool. The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Department has extended guidance that all forms of public and private insurance, including self-funded plans, must cover costs associated with FDA-approved COVID-19 tests.

We also request that you read the CDC strategies to keep you safe and healthy while living in close quarters with others.

Sign Up Now to Secure Your Time to Move-In

Assigned students must complete the Fall 2020 Move-In Sign Up by Friday, August 7th to reserve your 1-hour move-in appointment during Fall 2020 Move-In. Be sure to use your personal cell phone number so we can contact you on move-in day. Move-in is completed by appointment only. Appointments are available during the following times:

Wednesday, August 19 – Thursday, August 20:  9am-5pm

Friday, August 21 - Saturday, August 22:  9am-6pm

If you cannot move-in during the times above, an alternate move-in time must be reserved by emailing housing@fsw.edu from your FSW student email. Alternate move-in times will be offered August 24 – 28; however, it is important to remember that the first day of classes is August 24. You will not be permitted to move-in without an appointment.

The Day You Move-In (Fall 2020 LHC Move-In Map Attached)

• You may only bring 2 people to help you move-in. All move-in helpers will be subject to the temperature check and COVID-19 questionnaire in Stop #1 (below).
• Moving carts will not be available, so please be sure to bring your own moving cart or items with wheels that can help make your move much easier in the hot Florida weather.
• Everyone will be required to wear face coverings.

• When you arrive on campus, proceed to our waiting lot behind building U, just across the street and south of LightHouse Commons (parking lot #11), and remain in your car until you receive a text informing you to start your move-in process.

  • You will be texted through the mobile number you used when signing up for your Fall 2020 move-In time.
• After receiving the text, drive to the LightHouse Commons Driveway, turn left through the staff parking lot, and proceed to the LightHouse Commons Front Awning.

• Stop # 1: Temperature Checks

  • You and anyone who will be helping you move-in will get a temperature check. To enter the building, temperatures must be below 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit. Everyone will also complete a brief questionnaire regarding potential exposure to COVID-19. As the student resident, you must be able to answer NO to the following questions before being cleared for move-in, and any move-in helpers must be able to answer NO to enter the building.

    • Have you recently traveled or returned from abroad?
    • Have you been in contact with someone with COVID-19?
    • Have you recently tested positive for COVID-19?
    • Have you been exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 as defined by the Center for Disease Control such as: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose.

• Stop #2:  Park & Proceed to Check-In

  • After passing the temperature check, you will drive behind LightHouse Commons and park in the back parking lot. At this time, you can proceed on foot into the LightHouse Commons Courtyard (follow the signs).

• Stop #3:  Check-In and Receipt of Buccaneer Welcome Move-in Packet

  • Your Buccaneer Move-In packet will include your room and mailbox keys, BUC Card (if applicable), Room Condition Report, and LightHouse Commons Policies, Procedures, and Enhanced Safety Protocol Reminders.

What if I Have a High Temperature or Have Had Recent Exposure to COVID-19 at the time of Move-In?

You will be asked to quarantine for two weeks prior to move-in to LightHouse Commons (your room assignment will be held for you while you quarantine) if you:

• Have a temperature higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit;
• Recently traveled abroad;
• Have been in contact with someone or have recently tested positive for COVID-19;
• Are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 as defined by the Center for Disease Control such as: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, congestion or runny nose. This is not an exhaustive list of symptoms. More information is available on the CDC website here: Symptoms of COVID-19.

What Are My Alternatives If I am Not Allowed to Move-In?

• Since you will not be permitted to move-in to LightHouse Commons if you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have had a positive COVID-19 test within the last two weeks or are exhibiting outward symptoms listed above, you must plan to quarantine off campus at your own expense.
• If needed, the Hilton Garden Inn (near the Lee Campus of FSW) may be an option for you.
• If you do not meet the requirements for move-in, the Dean of Students Office (239) 985-3448 is a resource for you to discuss any support or assistance you may need. (Your room assignment will be held for you while you quarantine).  At a later time, you can reschedule another Fall 2020 Move-In time.
• If you should choose to cancel your room assignment prior to the start of classes, the charges for your housing will be removed from your account; however, you will lose your application fee and/or deposit.

I am a Buccaneer traveling from abroad, is there anything I should consider?

• The Office of Housing & Residence Life recommends that assigned residents traveling from abroad arrive to the United States 14 days prior to Fall Move-In to self-isolate.
• Residents are encouraged to self-isolate at a location off campus. However, if a resident does not have an option to do so, they can request to self-isolate at LightHouse Commons. Additional housing fees will apply.
• Requests to self-isolate at LHC can be emailed to housing@fsw.edu. Completion of a request form and documentation of international travel may be required.
• Residents who are approved to self-isolate in LightHouse Commons will need to be fully financially cleared for Fall move-in (tuition, fees, and housing paid in full) to be granted access to LightHouse Commons.

Note: The below policies, procedures, and safety initiatives may be reevaluated as the semester progresses should CDC Guidelines, Federal and Local Government recommendations, and College recommendations permit.

• Updated Buccaneer Guest Policy (Day and Overnight)

  • No day or overnight guests will be permitted in LHC.

    • Friends and Family will not be permitted to wait in the lobby areas of LHC for residents.

      • Individuals can wait for residents outside of LHC under the front awning or the back parking lot/courtyard.
    • Residents who have/require a home health aide must work with Adaptive Services to provide documentation and a schedule of when those individuals will need to enter LHC to assist a resident. This is the only exception to the Guest Policy.
    • Under no circumstances, beyond the home health aide as described above, will guests, day or overnight, be permitted.

• Keeping our Buccaneers Safe through Enhanced Health and Safety Protocols

  • Limited space, should it be needed, has been identified within LightHouse Commons should a resident need to self-isolate due to a positive test for the Coronavirus.

    • If a student has tested positive for the Coronavirus, the Office of Housing & Residence Life should be notified at housing@fsw.edu.

  • Training on public health measures along with signs/symptoms identifiers of COVID-19 for individuals that work in LightHouse Commons.

    • Posters throughout LightHouse Commons for:

      • Frequent and proper handwashing reminders;
      • Covid-19 prevention;

      • Social distance reminders.

        • Includes markings and directional signage throughout common spaces.

  • Students will be required to wear a face covering throughout all common ares of LightHouse Commons (i.e. hallways, elevators, lobbies, Rec Room, Pool, lounges, etc.).

    • When residents are meeting/interacting with LHC staff face coverings are required.

      • Staff will follow College recommended guidelines when interacting with residents (i.e. wearing face coverings as necessary).
    • Residents are not required to wear face coverings while in their suites.
  • Hand sanitizer will be available throughout all common areas of LightHouse Commons.
  • Enhanced cleaning protocols in all common areas and high touch surfaces.

• Living-Learning Programming & LightHouse Commons Amenities Updates

  • A New Voyage: Virtual Living-Learning Programming

    • As part of the residential experience, it is the goal of the Office of Housing & Residence Life to provide programming to help students live, learn and grow outside of the classroom. Due to current CDC Guidelines and Recommendations, most of these programs, at least for Fall Semester, will be virtual. However, there will be a few surprises along the way to reward residents for their “virtual” participation.

  • Buccaneer Amenities Updates

    • Pool: will be open at a reduced capacity.

      • Chairs, loungers, and tables will be unavailable for use.
      • At least 6 feet of social distancing should be adhered to when using the pool and pool deck

    • LHC Fitness Center: will be open at a reduced capacity.

      • Some equipment may be unavailable (i.e. free weights, yoga mats, etc.).
      • Buccaneers are required to spray/wipe down equipment before and after each use.

    • Recreation Room: will be open with reduced capacity to use ovens.

      • Pool table and video game equipment may be unavailable.
    • Study Rooms: Will be open with limited capacity and social distance markings.
    • Main Lobby and 3rd Floor Lounge: Congregation will not be permitted and social distancing must be adhered to.
    • Volleyball and Basketball Courts: Will be open with capacity monitored by the Office of Housing & Residence Life and Campus Police Department.

• All Buccaneers are encouraged to devise a short notice departure plan

  • Please make sure you are continuously thinking of a plan to leave Lighthouse Commons should an unexpected closure occur for such instances as pandemics (i.e. Covid-19), natural disasters (i.e. Hurricanes), etc. Having a well thought out plan in these rare instances will help reduce overall stress levels should you be faced with a sudden closure that requires you to vacate LightHouse Commons.

• Refund Policy for Early Closure

  • Buccaneer’s will not be eligible for a refund of housing rental rates and fees should LHC close, access is restricted during the Housing Contract, or if the Housing Contract length is reduced/adjusted.

• FSW Return To Campus Taskforce (ReConnecT)

  • This task force provides guiding principles for the reopening of the College to Buccaneers and their Families.

• CDC Guidelines for Higher Education Institutions

  • The Center for Disease Control provides great resources for Buccaneers and their families to help diagnose symptoms, treatments, etc. This information was used as  guidance in developing the updated policies, procedures, and enhance safety protocols for LHC.

• American College Health Organization Higher Education Reopening Guidelines

  • American College Health Organization has provided recommendations for institutions of Higher Education to consider in their reopening plans, including housing. These recommendations, much like the CDC guidelines, were used as guidance in developing the updated policies, procedures, and enhanced safety protocols for LHC.

• Lee County Health Department

  • Local resource for Buccaneers and their Families that provides information on symptoms, best practices, testing sites, etc.

FSW and the Office of Housing & Residence Life are committed to providing and supporting a safe and healthy environment for students to return to on campus housing during this unprecedented time. While the above information is intended to provide our current plan, additional modifications may be needed and implemented as the academic year progresses as we learn more on potential impacts of Covid-19 within LHC as well as the FSW community as a whole. FSW and the Office of Housing & Residence Life will always strive to keep residents informed in a timely manner with information about specific health and safety guidance that is important for the LHC community.