Move-in period for the new semester at Florida A&M University got underway today.
Residence halls reopened early Monday morning after being closed for more than two weeks.
Usually, the Student Government Association would help students settle into their dorms, but things are a little different this semester.
“Unfortunately due to COVID, SGA didn’t have the opportunity to assist in helping people move in this semester,” YuKwon Toney, a freshman senator and SGA member, said.
Instead, students are allowed to have a maximum of two guests help them with moving in.
To keep everyone safe and support social distancing, move-in day will continue through Sunday, Jan. 10.
In order to return to residence halls, students must get tested for COVID-19 within five days of their move-in day and their results must come back negative.
Students must email their test results to the student health center prior to returning to campus. Residence halls will then provide the student a move-in date and time. Temperatures will also be checked upon arrival.
If students return without being cleared by student health services, they will be required to stay in a designated alternative residency until they are cleared.
If the student has not been tested before coming back to their residence hall, they will be ordered to get tested at Bragg Stadium or at any Tallahassee COVID-19 testing site.
Despite the new policy, many students said they were thrilled to return to dorms.
“I was excited to move back on campus, I got my freedom back,” Isiah Hughes, a freshman, said.
Residence dining halls have also reopened for regular operating hours, which will allow students to have some social time with their peers.
The cafeteria and food court hours vary throughout the day. Hours of operation can be found on www.metzfamu.com
Last semester, the university issued a campus-wide curfew requiring students who lived on campus, to be in their dorms by 10 p.m. on weekdays, and midnight on the weekend. As of now, no curfew has been set for the new semester.
“I am relieved that the new protocols were put into place to keep us safer. I do hope that we are able to have more campus events this semester,” Joniah Cannon, a freshman, said.
Students are ready to make the best of the semester in spite or FAMU’s new procedures and guidelines.
For more information about the university’s COVID-19 guidelines visit FAMU.edu