Residence Life

Dear Student Name,

We appreciate your understanding as we planned for your return to campus to remove your residence hall or apartment belongings. The Office of Residence Life has been carefully organizing this process to ensure the process is safe, efficient, and accommodating for our students and their families.  We have put together these instructions along with a series of frequently asked questions to assist you in this process. 

Move-out Appointments

Dates and times students can return to campus are by appointment only.  In order to minimize the number of people on campus at a given time, each building has a window of days available for appointments, with a limited number each day.  To ensure appropriate social distancing, roommates and suitemates should not sign up for the same appointment times.  Please connect with your roommates and suitemates to ensure you are not arriving at the same time.  Students who show up on campus without an appointment time will not be allowed to participate in the self move-out process. The phased move-out schedule is below:

Before making an appointment to participate in the move out process, please review the following guidelines to ensure that you are selecting the proper move-out process that is intended for you:

Students Participating in the Self Move-Out Process

For our students that live within 300 miles of campus, or those students that live beyond 300 miles that still plan to come to campus. You must schedule your move-out appointment by Friday, May 29th at 11:59 p.m. EST by clicking the Appointment Scheduler link.  After your appointment has been scheduled, you will receive arrival instructions from the Office of Residence Life with specific instructions. 

• If you do not have an appointment time, do not come to campus.  Only those students with scheduled appointments will be allowed to enter campus. 
• Students who miss their self-move out appointments can contact Residence Life to see if another appointment is available. If no appointments are available we will default to pack and store at your expense.
• During self-move out, students must remove all belongings from the room. Anything left behind at the conclusion of the appointment will be donated or discarded.
• Students may bring up to 2 helpers to assist with the move out process (only 1 person in addition to the student can enter the building, however). All will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times.
• Students who do not take action regarding removal of their belongings by the end date (for building of residence) listed above will have their items donated or discarded.

Seton/DePaul (select students) Baggage Claim

Those Seton and DePaul students who were notified their belongings were moved to storage in the month of March will not need to return to their apartments.  Rather, those students will schedule an appointment for the Seton/DePaul Baggage Claim.  Please follow the Appointment Scheduler link and select, “Seton/DePaul Baggage Claim” for available dates and times by Friday, May 29th at 11:59 p.m. EST.  Distribution will take place in the University Center. 

Students who do not take action to remove belongings by the end date listed above will have their items donated or discarded.

Packing, Storage, and Shipping Vendor

For students living 300 miles or more from campus, we wish to make you aware of our packing and shipping service provider, TSI.  TSI has 30 years of experience in the shipping, moving, and logistics businesses based out of the Northeast, with capabilities in all 50 states.  For 25 years, they have been the Preferred Shipping Partner for the UPS Stores.  TSI is currently assisting a number of schools nationally with their student residence hall packing services. 

Below is the process that we will use at St. Johns to assist TSI so that eligible students’ items are handled professionally and that extreme attention to detail is taken in all cases.

1. Registration:  TSI will have a unique landing page specifically for St. Johns to collect all the pertinent details of their move.  This is a highly automated process.
2. Scheduling on-site:  TSI will work collaboratively with the university administration to determine what buildings will be serviced, how and when they will be let into rooms and where equipment can be placed on the campus to insure safety but also reasonable logistics. 
3. In Room Packing:  TSI will use local professional organizers with tremendous attention to detail and customer service to engage the students one on one for a video chat experience.  At that time, the organizer will review the room with the student(s) to clarify what are their belongings.  The technology records the interaction and saves that video for further review to protect all parties should there be a discrepancy on what services were to be performed on what items.   The organizer will then pack all the boxes at that time, label boxes and adhere shipping labels to boxes that are being shipped.
4. Mover Work:  Later that day or the next day a moving crew will come to the room.  They will prepare any large items that could not fit into a standard size box.  They will remove all boxes and items from the room and transport them to the appropriate location for shipping or storage.
5. Return of Items:  TSI will return items to students’ new residence assignment from storage (if they are returning to campus housing in the Fall). In addition, for students not living in University managed properties in the Fall movers will transport the items from storage to the desired destination, including off campus locations within 3 miles of campus.

Eligible students who indicated they cannot come to campus will receive a separate communication in the coming days with registration information, and pricing information for the services.  Note, the University will cover packing and storage fees for students (through the end of August), however shipping costs outside of 2 boxes will be subject to additional fees.

If you have any questions, please contact your Residence Director using the contact information below.

Be well,

The Office of Residence Life

Will I have advance notice before I can come to campus to pack up?

Yes. You can expect advance notice of at least five to seven days of the first appointments to return to campus. Our tentative date to begin having students return to campus by appointment is on or around June 1st. This will allow you to plan ahead and make the necessary travel arrangements. The move-out process will continue by appointment throughout the month of June.

Will I have my choice of day and time to check-out?

You will have a choice of appointment days and times. However, there are limited times for each day. Students will be able to schedule an online check-out appointment, allowing for staggered arrivals that will facilitate social distancing and reduce the density of people on campus. We expect the online check-out period to last several weeks, including both weekday and weekend options.

Can I bring a friend or family member to assist me?

Yes. Students will be able to bring one friend or family member to assist them. This will help us minimize the number of people on campus at a given time. Please note: anyone coming to campus cannot be symptomatic for COVID-19 or have been directed to self-isolate due to exposure to someone who is positive.

What safety measures will be in place to protect me and my family?

We all will take measures to protect each other. Students and family members will be expected to wear personal protective equipment (i.e. gloves and masks) while on campus at all times. We ask that you come with masks and gloves, as very limited supplies will be available on campus. We will space out appointments and practice social distancing of 6 feet or more while you are on campus and minimize direct contact with University personnel. In order to care for the entire community, you will need to wear personal protective equipment the entire time you are on campus. Anyone who fails to comply with these requirements will be required to leave campus.

What if conditions in New York City change?

If conditions in New York City change, we may be required to postpone any previously scheduled move-out appointments.

Will there be equipment to help me move out quickly and efficiently?

We will have a limited number of sanitized moving carts available for you to sign out and assist you in the move-out process. In an effort to expedite the process, we encourage you to bring dollies and hand trucks to support your efforts. Bring boxes, large bags, etc. to pack belongings as these items will not be provided.

Will I need to arrange pickup of my rented Micro Fridge unit from University Logistics?

The Office of Residence Life has made arrangements for your unit to be picked up by the vendor prior to move-out. This will be one less task for you to manage. This process will be supervised by University personnel.

My items were packed and stored off-site (Seton and some DePaul students only). What can I expect?

My items were packed and stored off-site (Seton and some DePaul students only). What can I expect?

Items stored off-site will be returned to campus for pickup. You will be able to come to campus by appointment to retrieve your items and sort through common area items you may have shared with your roommates.

What if I do not live close enough to return to campus for my belongings?

Students who live more than 300 miles from campus will have the option to authorize St. John’s to use a professional mover to pack a limited number of boxes for either storage or shipment. More information will be provided about this option in the coming days.

Who is eligible to participate in the pack/store/ship program?

If you are an undergraduate or graduate/law student who lived in a residence hall or University-managed apartment for the spring 2020 semester and live more than 300 miles from campus, then you are eligible to participate in this program. Eligible students will need to choose between these options: students cannot both move themselves out and use the pack/store/ship option. You must pick one.

I am an international student. What are my options?

International students continuing their studies at St. John’s in the fall who are currently out of the country should pick the pack and store option for your belongings. International students who are graduating and who are out of the country should indicate that to us in the Residence Life COVID-19 Check-out Survey. We will then work with you to determine the best options for you.

Can I stop by my room to “pick up a few items” before my scheduled check out time?

Because we must limit the number of people on campus, unfortunately we will not be able to accommodate requests to come to campus outside scheduled appointment times.

What about room keys?

If you still have your room keys, you must bring them with you and turn them in at check-out. If you turned in your keys in March when you left campus, we have them and will make sure your room is opened for you to pack your belongings.

What about items I do not want to pack?

As in past years, unopened non-perishable food will be collected and donated to local food pantries. Students can also choose to donate clean clothes, school supplies, clean linens, etc.

I have rental books in my room to return to the Campus Store. What do I do?

If you need a rental book extension, please contact the store manager at [email protected]. Any applicable late fees will be waived. For more information, please see the rental book FAQ.

Do I have to be present for my move-out appointment?

Yes, unless you have an approved proxy (see next question).

Can I have a friend or family member collect my belongings?

It is preferred that students come to campus themselves to collect their belongings. If that is not possible, students can submit the name of a proxy who can come to campus in their place to collect their belongings. If that proxy is the student’s roommate (student that lived in their bedroom, not their suitemate), that collection can occur during the roommate’s scheduled appointment time. If that proxy is not the student’s roommate (ie. a family member, suitemate or friend), those appointments will be scheduled at the end of our process. The Office of Residence Life will reach out to you with move-out instructions. If you plan to use a move-out proxy, please compete the Move-out Proxy form.

Can my roommate pack up my valuables for me before the packing company arrives for other items?

If you choose to have your roommate do this, please complete a Move-out Proxy form.

Can I have a move-out company that I hire retrieve my belongings for me?

Access to the residence halls will be limited. We will not be able to accommodate moving/storage companies that students have hired in general. However, if that moving company arrives with you to campus, one person from that company can enter your room to assist you during your appointment time. You must be with them at all times and they must follow our expectations for social distancing and wearing masks and gloves.

Since only one additional person is allowed in the building at a time to assist me with my move, can that person be rotated?

Yes. All persons assisting must have masks and gloves. One person must remain with the vehicle, the other person may go with the student into the building.

Who is eligible for packing, storage, and shipping options offered by the University?

Spring 2020 resident students who stayed in University managed properties and live 300 miles or more from campus and international students who cannot come to campus to retrieve their belongings. This option is not available to students who live closer than 300 miles.

If I am eligible for shipping, how many boxes will the University pay for? What if I have more?

The University will pay for up to 2 boxes per student. Students will be responsible for paying the shipping costs for additional boxes. However, the packing of the boxes is covered by the university.

How can I get items from the Resident Hall Mailroom?

The Resident Hall Mailroom will be open from June 1 to June 22 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Student should arrive at the Residence Hall Mailroom with their StormCard.

You must make an appointment online after your move out appointment window. This appointment will allow you to send packages, pick up mail, parcels and packages. We are limiting the number of people entering the building. We request only the student picking up or sending items arrive at the Residence Hall Mailroom. Make an appointment here.

What about my mail if I cannot come to campus to retrieve my belongings?

If you cannot come to campus, by July 6 you can request your mail be forwarded by sending an email request to [email protected] from your @stjohns.edu account. If you do not send an email request by July 6, any mail and packages not picked up will be returned to sender after that date.

What should I do with my University owned laptop if I need to return it permanently?

If you are not planning to register for the Fall 2020 semester and a resident student with an confirmed return date to campus, you will need to return your laptop while on campus so your account can be appropriately credited for the return.

Can I take home my laptop, and mail it into the University at a later date?

If you are not currently registered or are not planning to register for the Fall 2020 semester, unfortunately you will be required to return your laptop today. A box will be provided in the Lobby of your Resident Building along with copies of the form at the bottom on this document.  Please fill out the SJU Laptop Return Form and place in the box with laptop.  A receipt will be emailed to you.

If you did not bring it with you, you can mail it and the power adapter to:

St. John’s University, Laptop Support Center
8000 Utopia Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11349

Can I buy the laptop?

We have recently initiated a Laptop BuyOut program for those students leaving the University. If you would like to buy out your existing agreement, and have ownership transferred over to you, please sign the Academic Computing Initiative BuyOut Agreement form, and fill out the form on www.stjohns.edu/LaptopBuyOut.

What about my data that is on the laptop?

If you are not planning to return to St. John's, it is recommended that you back up your data to an external location. This can be done to a USB drive, External hard drive, or online cloud storage. Free cloud storage can be found from one of these companies:

• OneDrive – 15Gb free, accessible via any Microsoft (Hotmail, Outlook, etc): www.onedrive.com (how to)
• Google Drive – 15Gb free, accessible via any Gmail account: drive.google.com (how to)
• iCloud: www.icloud.com (how to)

When a student is no longer active, and not registered for classes, eligibility for an St. John's-associated Microsoft Office 365 account is discontinued.  This includes access to OneDrive, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. To access your current St. John's OneDrive, please visit www.stjohns.edu/OneDrive (how to download your files).

If I am not returning to SJU for the Fall, and I return my laptop now, will I be able to get another laptop if I return in another semester?

As part of the Academic Computing Initiative agreement, when a student leaves the University, they are opted out of the program.

I am not leaving the University, but my laptop needs repairs.

If your laptop is at home, you can submit the following form, and someone will contact you with remote assistance: www.stjohns.edu/ITremote.

If you have your laptop with you, please fill out www.stjohns.edu/ITremote, advise your RD. A box will be provided to you, in order to get the box to the Laptop Support department. Please label the box with your Ticket number – an automated email will be sent to you shortly after submitting the form. Once it is processed, a technician will contact you.

Can you ship me some items in advance of my move-out appointment?

No. We cannot accommodate individual requests earlier than your appointment time. If you are eligible for packing, storage, shipping services, all of your items will be packed at the same time.

Can I come to campus to move-out my belongings prior to my appointment time window?

No. We cannot accommodate individual requests earlier than your appointment time.

I am unable to come to campus during my building’s scheduled appointment days/ times. What are my options?

It is strongly preferred that students come to campus themselves to collect their belongings. If you live over 300 miles from campus, you will be eligible for the packing/storage option. We will send you the information on those services. If you do not live over 300 miles from campus, you may select a proxy to pack your belongings for you by completing the Move-out Proxy form.

Is it possible for the University movers to relocate my items to my own storage unit?

No. The packing and storage option is limited to the facilities covered under our agreement with the moving company.

What if it rains on my scheduled date? Will the University reschedule?

Move-out will occur rain or shine. Please bring umbrellas or ponchos in the event of inclement weather.

I am a resident of Seton or DePaul and my items were packed up and moved a few weeks ago to an off-campus storage location. How and when can I obtain those items?

Seton and DePaul baggage claim will take place in the University Center (located adjacent to Belson Stadium) from Wednesday, June 10 to Friday, June 19 by appointment. Please follow the Appointment Scheduler link to schedule an appointment. Schedule your appointment on the calendar, “Seton/DePaul Baggage Claim.”

What if my plans change over the summer and my belongings are in storage?

Individual appointments will not be able to be accommodated. The University will have items brought to campus before school starts and you will be able to come to campus to retrieve them.

I am an international student; what should I do about my belongings?

Returning international students should select the pack and store option (details will follow). Non-returning or graduating international students should contact our office to make Individual arrangements for your belongings.

I have already moved out all of my belongings. What should I do with my keys?

If you cannot schedule an appointment time to return to campus with your keys, please mail your keys back to us. To do so, please wrap your keys in a paper envelope containing your name and your X-number. Place that package in a padded envelope. The keys should be wrapped inside the envelope prior to packaging to ensure they stay together during the shipping process. Improperly packed keys will open up during the shipping process. The mailing address is below. We will send you a confirmation email when your keys have been received. You are responsible for returning your keys to the University, so please take measures to insure your package at the post office.

Office of Residence Life
8000 Utopia Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11439