Move-Out FAQs for Residential Students

As College of Charleston students prepare to vacate residence halls due to the coronavirus pandemic, here are some answers and information to questions students and parents may have in the coming days. On-campus residents will need to move out, if possible, by Monday, March 23, 8 p.m. or apply to stay.

RELATED: Find out what measures CofC is taking during the coronavirus pandemic.

What is the process for moving out of the residence halls and houses?

All residential students are required to complete the move-out form emailed to them Thursday, March 19, no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 20. In this form, students are required to select from the following:

Choose a move-out time between March 20 at noon and March 23 at 8:00 p.m.

Indicate that they cannot get their items by March 23 and will need to be contacted next week to schedule an alternative date and time to get their items later in April.

Apply for an extenuating circumstances exemption requesting to stay on campus beyond 8:00 p.m. on March 23. An extenuating circumstance means they have no other option for housing but to remain in campus housing until the conclusion of their final exams.

They will need to provide details of their request for an exemption.

Extenuating circumstances may include:

International students who do not have another place to go and cannot return to their home country

Students who are homeless

Students who have a family health situation

Other (e.g., it is unsafe to return to your home)

If students are granted an exemption, it is likely they will be relocated to another room in a residence hall for safety and building access control. They will also not have visitation. “Grab and Go” meals will be made available for them to pick up from one location during designated times.

Students who request an exception to stay on campus will be notified of the College’s decision to grant or deny the request no later than 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 21.

What if I stayed on campus during Spring Break?

Students who stayed on campus during Spring Break are allowed to stay until March 23 and must move out during their form-selected time slot for move-out. This form was emailed to residential students Thursday, March 19.

How do I retrieve my personal items during the March 20-23 move-out period?

Students are required to complete the form emailed Thursday, March 19, to notify us of your plans. The initial time slots available to move out are Friday, March 20, noon-8:00, Saturday and Sunday, March 21-22, 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., and Monday, March 23, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Students who cannot pick up their items during those time slots but can come at some other time before 5:00 p.m., Monday, March 23, will be allowed to do so.

Please do your best to honor your scheduled time slot. This ensures we minimize the number of people in the residence halls at any given time. Please also continue to practice social distancing during the move-out process, and please limit the number of friends or family who help you, especially inside the building. Finally, limit the number of people in elevators; use the stairs if you are able.

A limited number of carts will be available and we encourage you to bring your own if possible. Please also bring your own sanitizing wipes and gloves for your own use, and to wipe down any shared carts when you are done.

All College of Charleston surface parking lots will be available to you and will not be ticketed. Additionally, the St. Philip Street Garage (PG) will be open for your use, free of charge.

Upon arriving on campus for move-out:

Please park your car first.

Pack your belongings.

Remove all trash and perishables from your room

Check out of your room. Residence Life staff will provide instructions onsite for returning your keys.

Move your car to the loading area near your residence hall or house and load up.

Wipe down your cart and return it to the lobby. (You will need to bring sanitizing wipes with you.)

Visit emergency.cofc.edu to find additional information regarding move-out for residential students.