Cal Poly Pomona’s University Housing Services (UHS) has adapted to comply with COVID-19 precautions for the safety of 220 students. According to UHS, only the campus residence suites are being used to house students.
The suites include the Vista Bonita, Vista del Sol, Vista de las Estrellas, Vista de las Montañas and Vista de la Luna suites, all located near the Centerpointe Dining Commons.
According to Administrative Support Coordinator for UHS, Raquel Gomez, the suites were opened in compliance with health regulations that were set by the federal government’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agency.
“All plans made had to first be approved by the California State University Chancellor’s Office,” Gomez added.
Students that were not interested in on-campus housing during the pandemic were given the option to delay for either next semester or until classes resume with in-person lectures via the housing application website.
To follow social distancing guidelines, students will only be allowed to dorm by themselves. Reyes Luna, the director of residence life, stated that the suites come with a single room and bathroom but will allow another suite mate to share a kitchen and common area.
“This allows the students the ability to social distance and still have in-person experiences with a suite mate,” Luna said.
But for students like first-year computer science major, Thomas Ryan, his college housing experience has changed drastically from what he had first imagined.
“Without the use of common rooms and every dorm being singles only, it will probably be a lot harder to meet people,” Ryan said.
He added that COVID-19 specific training was conducted before students moved in to educate them on health and safety protocols that residents are required follow.
For students with meal plans, CPP’s Foundation Dining Services website states that dining room areas will be closed, and all food orders are to be placed through the Grubhub app. This includes orders from the Vista Market, Jones Coffee Roasters, Bronco Bucks Office and Centerpointe Dining Hall.
The health protocols allow student-residents to come and go as they please, but they are not allowed to have guests or family members on resident floors. Gatherings of other student-residents from different housing buildings on resident floors are also prohibited.
The housing department has taken into consideration the possibility of residents feeling isolated. Resident advisors and area coordinators are reaching out to students to confirm that they feel welcomed and to answer any questions they may have.
Zoe Matthews, a resident advisor for the Vista de las Montañas suite, said students are responding well to the new housing procedures. Matthews remains hopeful that the scheduled virtual events will enhance the housing experience for the residents.
“We host events differently than before,” Matthews said. “We’ve held a few virtual programs each week. Residents from all buildings are able to interact with one another.”
