The University of Nevada, Reno announced this morning it will offer refunds to students for dorms they are being forced to vacate because of COVID-19.
UNR’s email to students yesterday, saying students would still be on the hook for dorm fees, drew significant community outrage. A Change.org poll was signed by more than 8,000 people demanding what they said was a more equitable approach.
“It is unfair and irresponsible for the University to not grant refunds to the students who are being emergency evicted and will not be using school services,” the poll stated.
UNR officials this morning announced they changed their minds.
“Effective immediately, [UNR] is modifying its decision about on-campus housing for the remainder of the spring, 2020 term, to protect the health and safety of our student residents and also to reassure their families that we understand the circumstances many of them now face,” the university wrote in a statement.
UNR’s statement
The following accommodations will now be made:
- The University will prorate occupancy and provide a refund to all student residents who have been asked to stay home in order to receive remote instruction. These refunds will be processed as these residents are identified and issued within 14 days.
- Those students with extenuating circumstances who have been approved to remain in on-campus housing (for example, international students, students who are homeless, in foster situations, or from areas where travel has been ordered to cease) will continue to be responsible for completion of their rental and meal plan contracts.
- If a student resident has belongings remaining in the residence hall room after spring break, those rooms will be locked and the owner of these belongings will remove materials by May 13. One does not need to return immediately nor does one have to fill out a survey with explanation of extenuating circumstances. As always, students unable to meet the May 13 deadline should notify the Housing office by May 1 so that accommodations can be made.
- For those who purchased meal plans and cannot use them due to their absence from campus, a prorated refund will be issued for the number of weeks remaining in the term.
Residents are encouraged to call 775-784-1113 or email [email protected].
This Is Reno’s COVID-19 news coverage
City Council approves spending extra $70 million for water purification project
Reno City Council members on Wednesday approved a $70 million bond to provide additional funding for the American Flat Advanced Purified Water Project.
State announces updated COVID-19 vaccines now available
Nevadans can now get the updated COVID-19 vaccines to protect against the new strains of the disease, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday.
America’s Frontline Doctors, Nev. doctor face court defeats over hydroxychloroquine death (updated)
America’s Frontline Doctors and a Nev. doctor, Medina Culver, have faced two court losses after being sued by a Sparks man’s family for wrongful death.
Northern Nevada sees spikes in Covid-19 hospitalizations as feds end free vaccines
Across the country, there’s been an increase in Covid-19 hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and positive tests.
200,000 Nevadans will need to re-qualify for Medicaid as pandemic provision winds down
An estimated 200,000 Medicaid recipients will need to re-qualify for eligibility starting April 1 or risk losing health care benefits as Nevada begins to wind down a pandemic-era provision.
Vegas physician, America’s Frontline Doctors sued after Washoe County man died from hydroxychloroquine
The estate of Jeremy Parker last week sued the anti-vaccination, right-wing group America’s Frontline Doctors for alleged wrongful death. Dr. Medina Culver, an osteopathic physician and Instagram influencer based in Henderson, Nevada, is also named in the case.
County: Respiratory viruses pose ‘triple threat’ in community
Officials at the Washoe County Health District said the region is seeing a respiratory illness “triple threat” with cases of COVID-19, RSV and influenza on the rise.
RSV, COVID increasing across Washoe County
Respiratory illnesses including RSV, short for respiratory syncytial virus, and COVID-19 are increasing in Washoe County based on the latest case counts and forecasting from wastewater data studies.
Health District: Prepare for flu season
Flu season is starting now and it’s time to get the flu vaccine, according to Washoe County Health Officer Kevin Dick.
New COVID-19 boosters available, monkeypox vaccine event nearly full
Washoe County Health District officials this week said the new bivalent COVID-19 booster is available in the community and encouraged locals to get their dose.
