This year’s Resident members will find changes both subtle and significant, and there are a handful of services that have been temporarily suspended pending future guidance. Certain aspects have been modified both to ensure a new standard of cleanliness and disinfection and reflect a heightened focus on the health and wellness of our member population. Among the new measures:

• Occupancy for this year is limited to our North building, which consists of apartments with their own bathrooms and kitchens.
• Our dormitory-style South building remains closed, along with the amenities that are usually offered but pose more risks, like on-site dining facilities, the fitness center, and other indoor communal spaces.
• All entries and exits utilize the 155 Claremont entrance, which is staffed 24/7.
• We have installed features in the entrance lobby and elevator banks to control traffic and maintain social distancing guidelines.
• Hand sanitizer stations are now available at the entrance and all high-traffic areas throughout the building.
• We have increased cleaning and disinfection frequency of all high touch surfaces to multiple times daily.
• Only current Residents and staff are allowed to enter I-House. Our policies for guests and Alumni visitors remain suspended until further notice.
• To continue minimizing risk of exposure, all I-House staff who can perform their work remotely are being encouraged to do so even as local and state restrictions continue to be lifted. These staff members continue to be available to Residents via email and phone.
• For staff on site, we have enhanced safety and well-being with personal protective equipment, modifications to working areas, as well as training standards for new protocols.
• All community members are required to wear face coverings when moving throughout the facility.
• We are constantly evaluating new technologies for minimizing risks.

In addition to the physical modifications across the facility, I-House has updated its protocols for Admission and Resident Life, many in response to the uncertainty we are all facing–of educational institutions around their ability to convene students, and of students anticipating travel restrictions as well as isolation. These include:

• We are applying more flexibility regarding length of Residency.  Applications for periods of residency that are less than the full academic year are now being considered.
• Flexibility with move-in date, with check-in as late as October acceptable. Resident arrivals are by appointment-only and being spaced out so that staff may assist Residents with check-in while adhering to adequate social distancing guidelines.
• Immediate move-in is possible for residents traveling in from airports or are otherwise required to self-isolate upon arrival in NY.
• Led by our on-site Resident Social Worker, I-House has increased its availability of Global Health & Wellness services to provide guidance on safety practices and care for the Resident population.
• Although some I-House traditions will be suspended, we will continue to host a variety of virtual programs that encourage diversity of thought, experience, and an expanded worldview.

For a brief overview of what’s in store for 2020 academic year, take a look at these Top 5 Reasons to Live at I-House.