UT Austin offers emergency housing for students, releases guidelines

AUSTIN, Texas - UT Austin is offering emergency housing to those students who may find themselves trapped amid the coronavirus outbreak. 

According to the university, students who may not have alternative housing options during the coronavirus outbreak may be eligible to receive emergency housing from UT Austin's Housing and Dining. Emergency housing will include supplemental room spaces and a meal plan for use at the Cypress Bend Dining Hall through May 20. 

RELATED: UT Austin releases instructions for students living on campus, affiliated housing

"For students who do not have another option, University Housing and Dining may be able to provide emergency housing through May 20. Emergency housing will be in supplemental room spaces and include a meal plan for use at the Cypress Bend dining hall," UT Austin's website said. 

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Students must provide evidence of one of the following circumstances in order to qualify for emergency housing: 

• The student’s permanent residence is outside of the United States, and the student is unable to travel to that country.
• The student’s academic department has deemed that a required academic activity (e.g., internship, practicum, clinical work) will continue and that the student is required to remain on-site for that. And, the student’s current housing will not be available after March 30.
• The student has personal circumstances preventing them from returning home and the student’s current housing will not be available after March 30. Some examples include: The student is an independent student The student is part of the foster care system The student does not have a permanent address The student’s home community is quarantined and they are unable to travel back Returning home would represent a health and safety threat to the student or individuals who live at the student’s home Returning home will prevent the student from accessing their courses remotely because of insufficient internet and technology capabilities
• The student is an independent student
• The student is part of the foster care system
• The student does not have a permanent address
• The student’s home community is quarantined and they are unable to travel back
• Returning home would represent a health and safety threat to the student or individuals who live at the student’s home
• Returning home will prevent the student from accessing their courses remotely because of insufficient internet and technology capabilities

Documents may be requested to support the reasons for emergency housing, the University says. 

The University has also set forth rules and expectations for those who will receive emergency housing:

• Desk services will be limited.
• Students in emergency housing will be limited in their travel in and out of the residence hall.
• No equipment check-outs will be available, including kitchen equipment.
• Lounges will not be open and there will not be residence hall programming.
• No visitors or overnight guests will be permitted.

Students in self-isolation or quarantine will be housed in self-contained spaces off-campus and will be provided with non-perishable and microwavable food items, the university's website stated. 

University staff will also be available to help support students in emergency housing and will be working out of the San Jacinto Residence Hall. 

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