Western welcoming 30 per cent fewer students to residence this year

Thursday marked the start of a residence move-in season like no other at Western University.

Under normal circumstances, roughly 5,300 students would cart their clothing, school supplies and mini fridges into dorm rooms over the span of two days.

But this year, to allow physical distancing measures because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the process is spaced out over five days.

"Our residences are de-densified," said Chris Alleyne, the university's associate vice president of housing and ancillary services. Turning many double rooms into single rooms is just one of the things that makes residence life different this year, he said.

Common spaces and high touch surfaces are being cleaned more often, food inside the dining halls is staff-served instead of self-served, and there's also a strategy in place for accommodating students who may test positive for COVID-19.

"We have secured a location outside of residence should we need to move someone and deliver food to them multiple times a day," he explained. "We would take the direction of the health unit to make sure that student is supported."

And not everyone has decided to move into residence.

Alleyne said the university's residence buildings are operating at 70 per cent capacity with many students opting to do their online classes from home instead.

A shared responsibility

Alya Bhatia and Sofia Sergio however, said they weren't willing to give up the first year university experience. The two friends, from Hamilton, are sharing a room together.

"You kind of have to take it upon yourself, to make things safe," said Bhatia.

Sergio said Western is doing what they can to make the campus safe for students.

"That helped my parents be a little bit less nervous for me," she explained. "I know people who are staying home completely. To me, having that first year experience is really important, in person. Meeting new people. I really wanted to do that."

The health and safety of the community is a shared responsibility, said Alleyne.

"There's a lot of education in working with our students to understand that they have a part to play in taking care of themselves, taking care of each other, and taking care of the community," he explained.

Feeling confident

Nick Stranges is the third of three siblings to move into Western University, and both his parents attended the school as well.

"I'm not too worried about COVID-19," said his father, Rick Stranges. "We took precautions at home, and we've told him about safe distancing and wearing a mask. I think he'll be okay. As long as there are no wild parties."

Ria Bhanot, on the other hand, is the first of three siblings to head off to university.

"I have a double room to myself, so that's good," she said. When it comes to concerns about COVID-19, Ria said she's taking precautions and she trusts Western.

"I feel confident about it."