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Panther Central

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions for University-owned Housing. Please be advised that answers to our frequently asked questions could change due to local, state, and federal regulations regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

Updated 12.30.21

General Questions

 

Will I have to wear a face covering on campus this year? 
  • Indoors: Regardless of your vaccination status, face coverings are required when indoors, unless you are in your enclosed private office or dwelling.
  • Outdoors: Individuals who are not fully vaccinated, as well as those who are or live with someone who is immunocompromised, should wear face coverings when outdoors and unable to maintain physical distancing. Additionally, anyone is welcome to wear a face covering outdoors based on their own comfort level.
Will I have to wear a face covering during move-in? 

Currently, well-fitting face coverings are required indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Vaccinated individuals do not need to wear face coverings when on campus outside.   

Will common spaces and fitness centers be open? 

During the shelter in place period, all common spaces will be closed.

Will I have to shelter in place before and after I arrive on campus? 

There is a University-wide shelter in place for five days before and after arrival.    

How do I find my move-in date and time? 

Please reference Arrival Spring 2022 Schedule for up-to-date information regarding your arrival date and time.   

What health and safety precautions are in place for Arrival?  

Unvaccinated students with exemptions on file must test and receive a negative test result in order to obtain access to the buildings.  All students living on campus will be required to test upon arrival to the residence halls.

What health and safety precautions are in place on campus?

Visit coronavirus.pitt.edu for current health and safety guidelines.     

How many helpers can I have for move-in? 

Only new students for the spring 2022 term will be permitted to have one guest to assist with move-in. No other guests will be permitted in the residence halls during the shelter-in-place period.

Is the university housing vaccine disclosure the same thing as the Voluntary Disclosure Form?  

No, the Voluntary Disclosure Form is for the entire Pitt community to disclose their vaccination status. Students who will be living in university housing will complete a form through the Pitt SHS portal. Click here to access the form in the Give Us Your COVID-19 Vaccination Data box.  

If I plan to live in university housing for the 2021-22 academic year, am I required to submit proof of vaccination or exemption to Student Health Service?

Yes, you are required to submit proof of vaccination or to let Student Health Service know that you will not be disclosing your status. 

Will I be prorated for housing and dining charges based on my arrival date?

We are reviewing and will evaluate once all student arrivals are complete. 

Dining Services

Where can I find current dining hours and locations? 

Find current dining hours on the Pitt Eats website. 

Can I eat at dining locations during the shelter in place period?

​No, all dining locations on campus will operate under a to-go model during the shelter-in-place period.

How do I cancel my spring dining contract?

If your plans have changed and you would like to cancel your spring term housing and/or meal membership, please follow these instructions to complete the withdrawal process. If you need to return to campus to pick up personal belongings, please indicate your request on your cancellation form. We will send follow-up details on move-out upon approval of your cancellation.  

Housing

Will guests be allowed in university housing?

  • No guests will be permitted during the shelter in place period.
  • Only new students for the spring 2022 term will be permitted to have one guest to assist with move-in.
Am I able to cancel my spring housing contract?

If your plans have changed and you would like to cancel your spring term housing and/or meal membership, please follow these instructions to complete the withdrawal process. If you need to return to campus to pick up personal belongings, please indicate your request on your cancellation form. We will send follow-up details on move-out upon approval of your cancellation.  

 

Vaccinated Students

If I have been vaccinated, will I need to test?

Yes, all students living on campus must take a COVID-19 test upon arriving to campus.

If I have been vaccinated, will I have to shelter in place?

Yes, all students must shelter in place for 5 days and have a negative COVID-19 test result before resuming normal activities on campus.

How can I submit my proof of vaccine or exemption to university housing? 

Click here to access the form in the Give Us Your COVID-19 Vaccination Data box. Choose the link Pitt SHS portal. 

If I am assigned a roommate who has not had a COVID-19 vaccine, can I change rooms? 

University Housing cannot ask students to disclose their vaccination status to their roommates or share health information. Precautions are in place for unvaccinated students who will be living on campus. If you find out your roommate’s vaccination status and need a room change, you will be added to a list of change requests. If we are unable to make a room change prior to Arrival, you will have the opportunity to change rooms after add/drop. 

If I have been vaccinated, will I have to get tested for COVID-19 before arriving at campus?  

No, vaccinated students living on campus must take a COVID-19 test upon arriving to campus, but do not need to do so prior to arrival.

Will I have to shelter in place after I arrive if I have received a COVID-19 vaccine?

Yes, all students must shelter in place for 5 days and have a negative COVID-19 test result.

 

Unvaccinated Students

Will not having a COVID-19 vaccine impact my university housing assignment? 

All students are initially assigned through the allocation process. 

If I have not been vaccinated, do I have to disclose that to live in university housing? 

Yes. You will be required to disclose your vaccine status or submit an exemption to live on campus. 

If I have not had a COVID-19 vaccine, will my campus experience be impacted/restricted? 

If you have not been vaccinated or choose not to disclose your vaccination status, you will be required to produce a negative test result before coming to campus, a negative test result 48 hours after arriving on campus and will need to shelter in place before and after returning to campus. If your on-campus test is negative, you will be permitted to participate in campus activities while wearing a face covering. Unvaccinated students will be required to wear a face covering while not in their living space. 

How will I get my test and provide results? 

 Information on testing is coming soon. 

If I return to campus before I receive my test result, will I be allowed to move into my university residence?

No. If you are unvaccinated or do not disclose your vaccination status, you are required to provide a negative test result before moving into university housing. If you return to campus without a negative test result, you will immediately move into alternate housing until you can provide a negative test result. 

What do I do if my COVID-19 test is positive?

If your test is positive, Student Health Service will contact you with next steps.

 

Covid-19 Testing Requirements

Are all students required to provide a negative test result before moving into on-campus housing?

No, only students who have not provided proof of a COVID-19 vaccination are required to shelter in place and have a negative COVID-19 test result to enter University housing.

How many tests am I required to take?

Unvaccinated and undisclosed students who will be living in University housing are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result to move into their University accommodation. Additionally, to participate in on-campus events as soon as possible, students are required to have a negative COVID-19 test 48 to 72 hours after arrival. Be sure to order two test kits to ensure you receive the test kits in advance of your shelter-in-place period. Bring the second test with you to campus.

When do I take my first COVID-19 test?

  • Unvaccinated students must complete the first test before traveling to campus.
  • Vaccinated students must complete the first test upon arriving to campus.

When do I take my second COVID-19 test?

  • Unvaccinated students must complete the second test 24-48 hours after arriving on campus.
  • Vaccinated students do not need to complete a second test.

Can I use a test from a different provider and if so, how do I share the result with Pitt?

If you have a negative COVID-19 test result from a company other than Quest, please contact Student Health Service to ensure that your results comply with University requirements.

How do I get my COVID-19 test and send the results to Pitt?

Pitt has partnered with Quest to provide students with COVID-19 tests. Follow the instructions on coronavirus.pitt.edu to receive your tests. Pitt will receive the results.

If I have recently received a negative COVID-19 test result, do I still need to take a test before returning to campus?

Yes, unless you have been tested in the last week before arrival, you must take another test. Unvaccinated students are required to follow guidance from the COVID-19 Medical Response Office and provide a negative test result before they can move into university housing.

If I return to campus before I receive my test result, will I be allowed to move into my university residence?

Only unvaccinated students must provide a negative test result before they can move into university housing. If you are unvaccinated and return to campus without a negative test result, you will immediately move into alternate housing with other students who have not complied until you can provide a negative test result.

What do I do if my test results are delayed and I have not received my COVID-19 test result prior to traveling for my assigned move-in day?

If you are unvaccinated, a negative test result is required to move into university housing. Do not depart for campus until you have received a negative test result. If you miss your scheduled move-in date due to a delay in test results, please plan to move into your campus residence on the next scheduled move-in day after you receive your negative test result.

What do I do if I have not received my test results before the last scheduled move-in day?

Only unvaccinated students need to complete a test prior to move-in. If the test is performed and sent to Quest as directed, the results should return in time for move-in. However, if you have not received results, contact Panther Central.

What do I do if my COVID-19 test is positive?

If your test is positive, Student Health Service will contact you with next steps.