‘Back on the Bricks’: Housing and Dining Services

College of Charleston leaders during virtual town hall meeting for students and families on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, offered more details regarding protocols for housing and dining services for the fall 2020 semester, as outlined in Back on the Bricks: The College of Charleston Plan for Fall 2020.

“We certainly see our housing and dining experiences as the foundation for student success,” said Alicia Caudill, executive vice president for student affairs, during the town hall. “This is your home. This is where you eat. This is where you sleep. This is where you make connections – and, in this new and changing world, I hope that you have confidence that we are doing everything we can to keep this experience as safe, but also as meaningful, as we can, given all the parameters we have to work in.”

The College continues to monitor conditions regarding the coronavirus pandemic. As of July 22, CofC was still planning to welcome students back to campus for in-person classes on Aug. 25, but Caudill said that could change in the coming days depending on local, state and national trends regarding the spread of COVID-19 as well as guidance from state and federal health officials. On July 28, 2020, the College announced that in-person instruction would be delayed until Sept. 14. Classes will begin in an online environment on Aug. 25.

Campus leaders from the Office of Campus Services, the Department of Residence Life, Student Health Services, Dining Services and Facilities Management also participated in the town hall, providing details about what students and parents can expect in terms of safety measures and procedures in residence halls and dining halls.

Below are some specific details shared about each area. For more information, visit the Residence Halls and Dining section of the Back on the Bricks plan.

Residence Halls

Students will not be required to undergo COVID-19 testing prior to returning to campus. Students will be required to complete a COVID-19 symptom checklist when they move into campus housing.

Occupancy of residential buildings will be reduced by about 35 percent to allow for physical distancing and reduced occupancy in communal areas such as shared bathrooms.

Common areas in residence halls as well as common building kitchens will be closed.

Face coverings are required at all times while on campus. Students will be asked to wear face coverings in residence hall lobbies, interior hallways and elevators.

Move-in will be carefully coordinated. This will allow for a staggered move-in schedule to reduce crowding in elevators, stairways and hallways, and it will provide time to clean and disinfect high-traffic areas in between each move-in time slot. Residents are asked to bring no more than two people with them to assist with moving in.

Dining

Liberty St. Fresh Food Company, City Bistro and Marty’s Place will be open and providing a full complement of meal choices. Self-service buffet stations in these locations will be eliminated and to-go food options will be increased.

All retail locations, except for those in the Stern Food Court, will be open, including Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and Einstein Bros. Bagels. Chick-fil-A and Einstein Bros. Bagels will have reduced menu options in compliance with the latest brand standards in order to expedite service and reduce wait times.

Indoor seating will be reduced in all locations to conform with best practices and physical distancing guidelines. Due to the size of some locations – such as City Bistro, Chick-fil-A, Einstein Bros. and Starbucks – there will be no indoor seating; however, seating will be available in the outdoor courtyard areas at those locations.