Easy Ways to Keep You and Your Roommate Safe During COVID-19
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 10, 2020) — University of Kentucky Campus Housing is preparing the residence halls for your return. Each room will be deep cleaned and ready for students to move in upon arrival. Plexiglass shields are being installed at front desks and all administrative offices. In addition, signage is being installed to help students navigate buildings safely and easily.
However, once you move in it is your responsibility to do your part in protecting you and your roommates. Here are some easy ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 – starting with where you live.
Wear a mask. Masks will be required unless individuals are alone in a room, eating, drinking or exercising or when it interferes with required curricular activities. Your wellness kit will provide two masks, fitted with the UK logo.
Cleaning. Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces such as doorknobs and shared spaces. Follow the Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting to develop, follow and maintain a plan to perform regular cleanings on surfaces to reduce the risk of people's exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19. Disinfectant wipes will be provided in your wellness kits.
Wash your hands. Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is essential. You can sing the UK Fight Song while you wash your hands! No soap and water handy? Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Hand sanitizer will be provided in student wellness kits and throughout campus buildings. Make sure your hands are dry after using hand sanitizer before you touch objects.
Do your Daily Screening. All faculty, staff and students must do a daily self-assessment for possible symptoms. UK will provide and require a technology-based application for daily symptom checks and self-attestation.
Discuss Visitation. Make sure you discuss visitation options both you and your roommate are comfortable with. Updates to UK’s visitation polices can be found here.
Physical Distancing. All members of the university community will be required to practice physical distancing. Specifically, individuals should be at least 6 feet apart unless required by specific curricular activities. Appropriate signage will be placed throughout campus to guide traffic in high-density areas.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.