FAQs and Resources for Off-Campus Students

THERE IS STATE GUIDANCE, CITY OF BURLINGTON GUIDANCE AND UVM GUIDANCE. WHICH ONE DO I NEED TO FOLLOW?

Regardless of what the state or the city implement, as a UVM student you are required to follow UVM guidance. Unless and until this is changed, you are required to hold up your end of the agreement and follow the Green and Gold Promise.

On April 6th, Governor Phil Scott released the Vermont Forward: Roadmap to Reopening plan. The state has deemed that the education sector (including higher education), health care, athletics/organized sports and youth summer camps will operate under their own rules, not the state’s guidance. Therefore, as Vermont begins to reopen, UVM’s requirements for students, faculty and staff may be more stringent than what the state or the city of Burlington currently allows. Students are required to adhere to UVM’s guidelines and to the Green and Gold Promise even in situations when state guidance is less restrictive.

(Updated: 04/21/21)

I LIVE IN OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING. WHAT RESTRICTIONS DO I NEED TO FOLLOW?

If you travel outside of Vermont: Traveling outside of Vermont for non-essential purposes is a violation of the Green and Gold Promise. If you choose to disregard your promise and travel outside of Vermont for a non-essential purpose, you are required to get tested within three days of returning to Vermont. You may not return to campus or attend any in-person classes or university events until you have received a negative result. If you are not showing any symptoms, you may come to campus ONLY to obtain a COVID-19 test but must leave immediately after and not return until you receive a negative result.

If your out-of-state travel is considered essential travel as defined by the State of Vermont, you are still required to test within three days of returning to Vermont, but you are not prohibited from coming to campus or attending in-person classes.

If you travel within Vermont: Traveling within Vermont is allowed as long as the travel is either essential travel or the travel does not result in a violation of the Green and Gold Promise or UVM’s multi-household gathering rules. Traveling within Vermont for an allowable purpose does not require you to obtain a test within 3 days of your return.


UVM has developed this simple infographic (pdf) outlining the quarantine requirements for off-campus students.

 

Gatherings: Governor Scott’s phased reopening plan allows higher education to operate under its own COVID guidance. Our guidelines for gatherings have been more stringent than the state’s, but with COVID cases decreasing among students, on April 28 UVM changed the requirements related to off-campus multi-household gatherings to be more closely aligned with State of Vermont guidelines. UVM defines an off-campus household, including those residing in Redstone Apartments and Lofts, as a single housing unit (apartment or house) with single or multiple tenants. Current UVM guidelines for off-campus gatherings are:

The University of Vermont defines an off-campus household, including those residing in Redstone Apartments and Lofts, as a single housing unit (apartment or house) with single or multiple tenants. Specific guidelines include:

  • Fully vaccinated* individuals and households are now able to gather with other fully vaccinated individuals or households.**
  • Unvaccinated households may get together with one other unvaccinated household and as many vaccinated individuals and households as they wish.
  • Students who allow visitors into their household are encouraged to keep a contact journal of those visitors and must be open and honest with contact tracers.
  • Facial coverings/masks are not required but are strongly encouraged, and you should remain 6 feet apart.

*Fully vaccinated means it has been 14 days since your final vaccine dose. The day you get your shot is considered Day 0.

  • For a two-dose vaccine, you are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after you received your second dose.
  • For a single-dose vaccine, you are considered fully vaccinated 14 days after receiving your one dose.

**Use your judgment for “as many vaccinated individuals and households as they wish” so that your gathering size is appropriate for your neighborhood, does not disturb your neighbors’ peace and safety, and observes the Burlington Noise Ordinance, which is in effect 24 hours a day with quiet hours between 10 pm and 7 am.

Face coverings: The State of Vermont and the University of Vermont continue to strongly encourage facial coverings; review facial covering requirements here. Facial coverings are to be worn in both indoor and outdoor spaces (for example, businesses, public buildings, parks, hiking trails) and in group living settings (for example, in long-term care facilities, nursing homes, apartment and condo complexes), and other places where it’s not possible to stay at least 6 feet away from people you don’t live with.


People with COVID-19 can spread the virus through respiratory droplets produced when they cough, sneeze, sing, talk, or breathe. They can spread the virus even if they don’t have any symptoms. Masks protect others around you as well as offer some protection to you. Wearing masks is one way we can help slow the spread of COVID – in addition to staying at least 6 feet away from people you don’t live with and other prevention steps.


(Updated: 05/05/21)

STUDENT HEALTH AND SAFETY EXPECTATIONS

The Green and Gold Promise: All students are required to read, understand, and comply with the Green and Gold Promise, an agreement to responsibly protect their health and the health of others and to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other risks to our community’s health.

Please note that the Promise requires students to follow all UVM safety requirements as well as UVM gathering restrictions.

Students also must acknowledge that this Promise is a condition of their ability to participate in the academic year 20–21 and utilize university facilities.

The Code of Student Conduct contains charges for failure to take health and safety seriously, including preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.


(Updated: 04/21/21)

CAN MY PARENTS OR FRIENDS TRAVEL FROM OUTSIDE OF VERMONT TO HELP ME MOVE IN OR OUT OF MY OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING?

In ordinary times, Vermonters are pleased and proud to welcome visitors. However, as we do our best to reduce the impact of COVID-19, it is important to note that a person picking up a student from campus is mixing two households. While contactless pick-up is being implemented for on-campus students, off-campus students must take extreme caution to stay physically distanced from one another during move-out from an off-campus location and must further take steps to protect roommates or others living in the same building/dwelling.


Parents/friends traveling from outside Vermont to help with the move-out of an off-campus student are further required to adhere to Vermont’s out-of-state travel restrictions and either be fully vaccinated or obtain a negative test result within 3 days of their travel into Vermont.

(Updated: 04/20/21)

I'M A STUDENT WHO LIVES OFF CAMPUS AND HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT MY HOUSING, RENT, LEASE, ETC. DURING THIS TIME.

If you are having difficulty paying for your rent:

The following are UVM and local resources for landlord-tenant concerns:

If you need to and are allowed to sublet, here are some tips.

Share your subletting needs:

Get good information about the subletting requirements and process:

(Updated: 02/05/21)

I’M LOSING INCOME AS A RESULT OF COVID-19. WHAT RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP MAKE ENDS MEET?

If you have lost income as a result of COVID-19, the following are Vermont resources that may be helpful:

For University resources:

For City of Burlington updates: Visit the city's Burlington Resource and Recovery Center.  There you will find updates on rental and utility hardship initiatives.

For State of Vermont updates: go here and look under Relief for Individuals, Families, and Businesses.

(Updated: 02/05/21)

I’M CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING ENOUGH NUTRITIOUS FOOD RIGHT NOW. WHERE CAN I TURN FOR HELP?

If you are feeling food insecure or have trouble getting enough nutritious food right now, you may be eligible to receive a 3SquaresVT benefit. You can apply online — special details are considered for college students. To find out more and get help applying, dial 2-1-1, text ‘VFBSNAP’ to 85511 or email 3SVT@vtfoodbank.org. Refer also to Vermont Foodhelp, a resource guide for 3SquaresVT from Hunger Free Vermont.
The City of Burlington’s COVID-19 Food Access Resources has information and links to programs and food shelves in the area.

Rally Cat’s Cupboard: UVM’s on-campus pantry is open.  Follow @rallycatscupboard on Facebook for current hours and supplies.
The pantry is located in the Hills Agricultural Science Building, behind Marsh Life Sciences; use the Carrigan Drive entrance. If you need assistance, are unable to make it during these times or have an emergency in between openings, don’t hesitate to contact them at cupboard@uvm.edu or (802) 299-1976.

Also find other food shelves in the Burlington area on the City of Burlington's COVID-19 Food Access Resources page.

(Updated: 02/05/21)

I’M CONCERNED ABOUT ROOMMATES AND GUESTS NOT FOLLOWING COVID-19 REGULATIONS

Talking to your roommates about COVID-19 safety within your household can be difficult. Below are some tips we hope will help.
 
Get ready...

  • Choose a good time and place to talk and don’t wait to have the conversation.
  • Think about what has happened from your perspective and theirs. One of your roommates may be an essential worker, have a compromised immune system, or know someone who has been infected by the virus.
  • Understand the impact the conflict is having on you, your roommates, and your community. Not following Vermont COVID-19 precautions may cause future outbreaks, deaths, and further restrictions. Click here to see the most up to date CDC COVID precautions.
  • Open by identifying issues & finding common ground. You are in this together.

Talk it out…

  • Avoid blaming, fault-finding and making assumptions.
  • Listen to everyone’s perspective before moving to solutions.

Problem solving…

  • Move to problem solving when the issue is clear and agreed upon.
  • Brainstorm solutions and express what you are committed to doing to keep everyone safe (for example: wiping down common areas, washing hands frequently, and limiting number of guests so that you fulfill the COVID regulation of keeping 6 feet apart.)
  • Check-In with each other to see if your household is fulfilling their commitments and have another conversation if not.

Having these conversations can feel awkward at the start but many people who have had these conversations report feeling much more comfortable in their household after they are done. Below are some tips and action steps for managing your household through COVID-19.

Managing Your Household Through COVID-19.

  • Put up signage about COVID-19 regulations at your house that you can point to for guests and refer to when issues arise with roommates.
  • Don't become a magnet for activity: if people know your place has a party every weekend, you can almost guarantee strangers will feel free to enter your home.
  • For those of you who have moved your socializing outdoors for social distancing, just be mindful of the impact on neighbors and of Burlington's Noise Ordinance. Click here for Burlington’s Noise Ordinance information
  • If neighbors let you know your activities have negatively impacted them, discuss with your roommates what you might do differently and how you might make amends with the neighbor.

(Updated: 02/05/21)

List of Resources By Sector

FOOD

RENT AND HOUSING

UTILITIES

TRANSPORTATION

IDENTITY-SPECIFIC RESOURCES

  • Mosaic Center for Students of Color
  • CAPS counselor drop-in hours are still available remotely. To schedule an appointment call (802) 656-3340
    • UVM Caps for resources for veterans, emergency hotlines, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, eating disorders, and many others
  • Office of International Education. Main phone contact 1-802-664-0053
  • Prism Center is still offering one-on-one meetings. Email prism@uvm.edu for more information.
  • ACCESS office can work with students on accommodations and you can contact them directly at access@uvm.edu
  • Spectrum Vermont – Serving youth 12 to 26, drop-in is still open through their to-go food program. M-F 12 to 1 and 5 to 6 at their temporary location 191 Bank St. Burlington, VT. Visit their website for more information on Spectrum supportive housing and counseling services.
  • Outright Vermont - has transitioned to online groups, for more info check out their website or email them at info@outrightvt.org

HEALTH AND CONNECTION

(SOMEWHAT) LOCAL THINGS TO DO

MISCELLANEOUS

(Updated: 02/05/21)