Students Return to Campus to Gather Belongings
May 18, 2020
This year, Andover is offering students one of three options: pack and ship, pack and store, or in-person move out.
After the COVID-19 pandemic forced the entirety of Spring Term online, the administration made plans for students to retrieve their belongings from campus.
In an effort to promote the health and safety of the Andover community, campus buildings were first closed on Friday, March 13. Students were granted access only to retrieve essential items such as governmental issued identification or medicine.
In an email sent to the student body on Tuesday, May 5, the administration announced a plan for students to retrieve their belongings ahead of summer break. According to the email, students could choose one of three options depending on their circumstances: move out, pack and store, or pack and ship.
The move-out option will give students the opportunity to sign up for a three-hour time slot in the morning or the afternoon to empty their dorm rooms. Only two people are allowed to pack up a room, and they must bring their own masks and gloves. Additionally, students and families must honor their allotted time window and practice social distancing.
Students who cannot come to campus can instead elect to have their items packed and stored in the Snyder Center until the 2020-2021 academic year, or have their items packed and shipped through Collegeboxes. All items will be packed by the Andover facilities team at no additional cost to students.
Students will also be able to retrieve mail and packages, as well as musical instruments. Day students will have the opportunity to gather items from their lockers in George Washington Hall and athletic facilities.
According to an email from Jennifer Elliott ’94, Assistant Head of School for Residential Life and Dean of Students, Sanctuary will be granted to students who are found to be in the possession of illicit items or substances. However, Sanctuary will not be an option if the school discovers a dangerous weapon or evidence of drug distribution.
“Our teams will handle your belongings with care and professionalism. If in the course of clearing campus spaces and collecting student items, we find something that could potentially violate our school rules, the student will be granted Sanctuary unless the item(s) found suggest a potential for harm to others such as distribution of drugs or a dangerous weapon,” wrote Elliott.
Elliott encouraged students to reach out to their cluster dean with questions or concerns regarding the moving process.
