VASSAR MOVE OUT - May 16th to July 12th, 2020
A message from Dean Luis Inoa [Wednesday, May 6th]:
Dear Students and Families,
Thank you for your grace and patience. We want to acknowledge how unique and difficult this moment has been and will continue to be. Your flexibility, resilience, and kindness has made all the difference in preparing to move forward. While creating this plan we took into account feedback that we got from our students/families and we also prioritized our core principles; safety, flexibility to fit many different people’s needs, and financial support for our community.
Please read thoroughly and carefully. There is a lot here.
Do take care of yourself and your loved ones. Be safe.
In Community,
Dean Luis
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- FAQs about Moving Out
- FAQs about Storage & Moving Companies
- FAQs about Retrieving Belongings On Campus
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Via VSA: Roughly $95 will be offered directly to you to assist with the additional financial burden caused by our sudden leave from campus. This credit may go toward all move out costs, including packing companies, storage costs, and travel to and from campus. All currently enrolled students are eligible, and you will receive further information about how to claim this credit shortly (if you have not already).
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CARES ACT: Students eligible for support from the federal government’s CARES Act would have received an email with the subject line “CARES Act Student Cash Grants” from Dean Wendy Maragh Taylor. Travel and moving/storage expenses due to the campus disruption are eligible expenses. The application is due Wednesday, May 6, 2020. If you are not eligible for the CARES Act grant and have a financial hardship, please request assistance for the moving/storage expenses here.
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On-Campus Storage: For students who can not return to campus to move on their own, the college will cover the cost of on-campus storage for students working with one of the two companies listed (found in the move-out from a distance). We will not cover the cost for storage if you choose to utilize the company's storage facilities. Their prices are available through their contact information listed below.
- Students and their families will have from May 16th to July 12th to remove their belongings from the rooms. In order to prioritize safety for all of our community members (including those that work/live on campus and those that are visiting to retrieve belongings), moving out in-person will require students to register for a time slot on Eventbrite. For students choosing to move-out in person, here is the link to reserve your time slot: Eventbrite
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Please wear a face mask or covering for the duration of your time on campus while you occupy public spaces. This includes corridors and lobbies within the residential Houses.
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The time slots will be 6 hours for the residential houses and 12 hours for the apartments and Ferry. Each House and apartment area will have a maximum capacity per time slot to keep population density low and safe for all.
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You (the student) and no more than two guests are allowed to come to campus to support the move.
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If you are a student relying on another student/individual to move you out, you will still need to sign up for a timeslot. You will then need to send an email to the ROC@vassar.edu, with the person cc’d, confirming the arrangement.
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Given the need to maintain as safe an environment as possible for all, especially those most vulnerable, we do not have the capacity to let students stay overnight.
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For the sake of time and safety, students will only need to worry about clearing their rooms and apartments and NOT cleaning them. We will handle the cleaning of the rooms once students have left.
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Lastly, we ask that once you are moved out that you return your key to the Residential Operation Center, located on the first floor of Main.
We are partnering with two companies to assist families with moving out from a distance: College Truckers and McCollister's. Families are not limited to these two services, however, storage will be free of charge if you are utilizing one of the two companies to store your belongings in the temporary on-campus storage facility for the summer.
Once you confirm who you are working with, the companies below will contact us to schedule time to access to your room.
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Burgandy Plan: $175 to pack. Fall drop off service included. Additional cost to store in their facility. Additional cost for shipping.
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Gray Plan: $275 to pack. VC will cover the cost of on-campus storage and fall drop off service. Storage only, NO shipping available.
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Please see below for more detailed information about what is covered. College Truckers Info Sheet Link.
- Vassar will cover the cost of on-campus storage, but not for storage utilizing the company's facilities.
How do I return my key if I'm moving out from a distance?
Mail your room key in a padded envelope* to:
Vassar College
124 Raymond Ave. #710
Poughkeepsie NY 12604
Note: Seniors, Class of 2020, you can also send along your post office key.
*We have a higher success rate of keys being returned successfully when padded envelopes are used.
In order to qualify for this opportunity, students should currently
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be in the identical co-op, suite, or apartment space to which they’ve already received an assignment for the fall;
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be in a single room to which they agree to remain for the fall;
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be in a non-single to which they and their roommate(s) agree to remain for the fall; or
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[NEW OPTION] be in a non-single room to which they and others--who are now properly moving out of their rooms--agree to return for the fall. All interested in this option should send an email to housing@vassar.edu within one week of receiving this information.
Please note that all options require that all beds in the destination room be filled.
If approved to remain in your current room, please note that you will not be charged for storage and your room will not receive any maintenance (with the exception of emergencies) until you return.
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Students who chose this option can still sign up for a time to come back to campus to retrieve personal items and clean up their rooms.
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Here is the link to reserve your time slot: Eventbrite
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Students who have thus far submitted invalid Room Rollover requests have been notified.
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New requests are reviewed each weekday morning and while confirmation of Room Rollover permission will be provided prior to the end of the week, you can be confident that permission will be granted if you’ve not been notified that your request is invalid.
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Recycle, Donate, Throw Away
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During the move-out process, Residential Life and the Office of Sustainability will provide specific collection points for garbage, recyclable materials, and donations to reduce the environmental impact of this year's move-out. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and resource limitations, the Office of Sustainability will have a Pseudo-SWAPR option this year. Signs will clearly list the limited items accepted for donation and where they are being collected in the residential houses. Accepted items are limited to books, cookware, hangers, and mini-fridges/electronics. If you have items not listed you would like to donate or that you do not want to throw away, you should look into local donation centers that are still receiving drop offs. We are unable to accept any other items at this time. Other items left at this site will be discarded at the Office of Sustainability’s expense, reducing our ability to continue this service and host events like SWAPR next year. Thank you for your cooperation.
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Rented Books
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Rented textbooks must be returned before leaving Campus this Semester. The college store is officially closed but we do have a drop box outside of the Store front entrance from 10am-1pm Monday - Friday, as well as a drop box at the ROC, 1st floor Main (please be sure to fill out the accompanying form). Please contact us at collegestore@vassar.edu with any questions.
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If you have your textbook with you at home, the College Store has partnered with UPS who will be sending an email to you with a return label. Please print out the return label and place it on the box that includes all of your rentals. Include a note in the box with your name, student ID and a contact phone number. These must be returned to the store no later than June 20, 2020.
If you are moving out from a distance and your textbooks are in your room on campus, more information will be made available by the College Store soon about how to coordinate the collection and return of your books.
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Other Equipment
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We recognize that students may also have equipment and materials in non-residential spaces. We are working with a variety of departments on coordinating how these items can be retrieved. Please see the below information about coordinating the retreival or return of belongings from the Art Department, Music Department and Athletics.
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Lastly, we are here to help
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We know that the options listed here do not cover every circumstance or unique situation. Contact your House Advisor over email to help you make your plans and evaluate our options to address your needs. Find your House Advisor’s contact information here: https://residentiallife.vassar.edu/staff/
Frequently Asked Questions (a Google Doc version of all FAQs can be found here)
Q: How do I sign up for a time slot to move out in-person?
A: You can sign up for a 6 hour time slot for residential houses or a 12 hour slot for apartments and Ferry via Eventbrite registration. Links are listed on this document: Eventbrite registration for moving out in-person.
Q: Something came up and I can no longer make the date/time I reserved for move out. Is there a way for me to switch to another day?
A: Contact your House Advisor. They must cancel your existing reservation in Eventbrite and then you can reserve a new time and date via your Eventbrite link.
Q: What precautions and expectations will be in place to adhere to social distancing and CDC guidelines during on-campus move out?
A: There are several move out policies we have in place to minimize risk to students and families while they are on campus:
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We ask that everyone wears a face mask or nose and mouth covering for the duration of your time on campus while you occupy public spaces. This includes corridors and lobbies within the residential houses.
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Our custodial partners in Facilities Operations (845-437-7270) will be treating the interior and exterior of our residential buildings with an electrostatic disinfectant regularly.
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We are limiting the number of people moving out each room to one (1) student and no more than two (2) guests.
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The time slots will be 6 hours for the residential houses and 12 hours for the apartments and Ferry. Each House and apartment area will have a maximum capacity per time slot to keep population density low and safe for all.
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Given the need to maintain as safe an environment as possible for all, especially those most vulnerable, we do not have the capacity to let students stay overnight.
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For the sake of time and safety, students will only need to worry about clearing their rooms and apartments and NOT cleaning them. We will handle the cleaning of the rooms once students have left.
Q: Will Vassar provide me with any materials for packing?
A: We will be providing large, sturdy garbage bags to use. Everything else is a student’s responsibility.
Q: Can I have a friend or family member pack up my room for me?
A: Yes. Follow the steps below to reserve a time for a friend to move you out and gain access to your room.
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Step 1: Sign up for a time slot using your Eventbrite link.
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Step 2: Email roc@vassar.edu stating your name, House, room number, your friend's name, the date/time your friend is coming, and that you give your friend permission to enter the room for this purpose.
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Step 3: Have your friend visit the ROC (open during business hours, 7 days a week) and ask for help to get into your room. The ROC will be able to verify permission via your email and help from there.
Q: What do I do with my key? and my mailbox key?
A: For your room key:
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If you are moving out in person, please drop off your room key at the ROC.
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If not, please mail in a padded envelope to 124 Raymond Ave. Box #710 Poughkeepsie, NY 12604.
For your mailbox key:
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Keep your mailbox key if you are not graduating.
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Seniors, place your mailbox key in your mailbox and close the door behind it.
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For seniors moving from a distance and unable to return their mailbox keys in person, please mail your key back in a padded envelope to 124 Raymond Ave. Box #602 Poughkeepsie, NY 12604.
Q: If I am rolling over my assigned room, do I still need to return my key?
A: No, you should hold onto your key until you return to campus.
Q: I left something in my friend’s room in another House. How do I get access to their room?
A: Email the House Advisor from that house to submit a request. If the request is approved, they can help coordinate a time to be let you into that building and keyed into their room. Your friend must be CC’ed and give approval. If the request is not manageable for us to accommodate, you will be instructed to coordinate the return of your belongings with your friend.
Q: Will there be the options to recycle or donate items through SWAPR?
A: Due to COVID-19 restrictions and resource limitations, the Office of Sustainability will have a Pseudo-SWAPR option this year. Signs will clearly list the limited items accepted for donation and where they are being collected in the residential houses. Accepted items are limited to books, cookware, hangers, and mini-fridges/electronics. If you have items not listed you would like to donate or that you do not want to throw away, you should look into local donation centers that are still receiving drop offs. We are unable to accept any other items at this time. Other items left at this site will be discarded at the Office of Sustainability’s expense, reducing our ability to continue this service and host events like SWAPR next year. Thank you for your cooperation.
Q: What is the best way for me to dispose of trash or items that I cannot donate?
A: If you have large amounts of items that will be thrown away, please do your best to bring them to dumpsters located on campus rather than filling the small trash bins in hallways.
FAQs about Storage & Moving Companies
Q: How much does it cost to have my belongings packed and stored in the temporary on-campus storage trailers?
A: We have partnered with College Truckers. The Burgandy Plan costs $175 for packing your belongings only. You may utilize their storage facilities or their shipping services at the price listed by College Truckers The Gray Plan costs $275 to pack and store your belongings in our temporary on-campus storage trailers (this service includes returning your items to your room at the start of next term. You may reach out at hello@collegetruckers.com, or by calling 646-553-4441. Visit their website at collegetruckers.com. McCollister’s is offering comprehensive services. Visit U-PASS VASSAR to learn more about their services and pricing.
Q: I have packed and labeled my own belongings in my room. I need to move them into Vassar storage. Do I need to pay the same price for packing/moving/storage?
A: As of now, you must utilize a moving company in order to take advantage of on campus storage. The pricing for the moving companies to already packed belongings into on-campus storage is as follows: College Truckers is charging $100 total andMcCollisters is charging $125 room to container and $85 from container to fall room assignment.
Q: I’m trying to decide whether to utilize either College Truckers or McCollister’s. What additional ways have the partnered moving companies offered to assist with the moving process?
A: College Truckers is going to Facetime/video chat you as they pack up your room. McCollister's labels every box with the complete contents for your reference and convenience.
Q: I have hired one of the partnered moving companies to pack and store my belongings, but my key is in my room and my door is locked. How can I make sure they get access to my room?
A: The affiliated moving companies we have suggested to you will work with us directly to gain access to your space to pack your belongings. You do not need to worry about the space being locked.
Q: I have selected the College Truckers’ Gray Plan (packing items and storing them in on campus storage for the summer). However, what would happen to my stored material if classes did NOT resume in the fall? Would I have the opportunity to pick her things up or could they just get stored until classes resumed?
A: If you have a fall assignment, we would drop off the things in that room prior to the start of the fall semester. If classes are unable to resume in the fall - your items would stay in the room until you return.
Q: I have illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia in my room, what will happen if I have a company pack my room up for me?
A: Vassar will not be working with any company to identify such potential violations. We will be requesting no notification to the college if such items are found, nor will related allegations to any student result. Questions about this policy may be directed towards rihorowitz@vassar.edu.
Q: How do I get my things from academic buildings? (i.e. musical instrument, athletic gear, art supplies)
A: Music and art - The Music and/or Art Department have compiled a list of students to send to the Card Office, which should grant you swipe access to the appropriate building(s) to retrieve your belongings. If you believe you need access but might not have been on the list, contact the Music and/or Art department directly.
Athletics - Those of you who have apparel/equipment/etc. for a) pick-up from locker rooms; or b) return to the equipment room/coaches will also have three options for pick-up and/or return:
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Option 1. Pick-up and/or return items when you return to campus in the fall – please email athleticfacilities@vassar.edu indicating this is your preference
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Option 2. Pick-up and/or return items in person during res life move out – please click on one of the links below and follow the instructions there to sign up for a time. The link are grouped by month.
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Option 3. Pick-up and/or return items via a moving service in conjunction with res life move out – please email athleticfacilities@vassar.edu indicating this is your preference
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If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to athleticfacilities@vassar.edu. Thanks, everyone!
Q: My car is on campus, can I leave it over the summer?
A: Yes. If your car is not already parked in South Lot and space on campus is needed during the summer, it is possible that it will be moved to South Lot. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Safety and Security at (845) 437-5200.
Q: Am I able to check my mailbox and collect packages while on campus?
A: Students will have their swipe access turned on for their House and Main Building during their move out time to make it possible for them to check their mailboxes. The Mail Room window will not be open. Please email mailroom@vassar.edu with any questions or concerns. Central Recieving will be open Monday through Friday 8:00am - 12:00pm and 12:30pm - 4:00pm. Please email receiving@vassar.edu with any questions or concerns.
Q: How do I return my textbooks due back to the College Store?
A: We are coordinating with the College Store (collegestore@vassar.edu) to have several options available for returning your textbooks:
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If you are moving out in person, please drop your books off at the collection box outside the ROC, 1st floor Main (please be sure to fill out the accompanying form).
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If you have your textbook with you at home, the College Store has partnered with UPS who will be sending an email to you with a return label. Please print out the return label and place it on the box that includes all of your rentals. Include a note in the box with your name, student ID and a contact phone number. These must be returned to the store no later than June 20, 2020.
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If you are moving out from a distance and your textbooks are in your room on campus, more information will be made available by the College Store soon about how to coordinate the collection and return of your books.
