Off Campus Living

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COVID-19 Resources for Off-Campus Students

COVID-19 is impacting our community in many ways. Keep up with recent University developments at the Safe Campus website. We will continue to add resources below as we find them. Please continue the use of non-pharmaceutical interventions (washing hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizer when soap/water is not available, covering your sneeze or cough, staying home when you are sick) and make good choices about social distancing.

Food Shelves

State of MN food assistance information and additional links for getting food help right now.

Restaurants

Resources for Working and Learning Off Campus (Internet Access and Academic Help)

Housing

Eviction Suspension - Governor Walz announced a suspension of evictions as of March 24 through the peace time emergency. Please don't think this means you shouldn't pay your rent. You signed a legal binding contract that you would pay your rent in full and that still stands. If you are thinking about breaking your rental contract, check your lease for any breakage fees you may incur. If you have a two month penalty for breaking, and you have a two month notice with five months left in your contract ending in August, you'll want to give notice by March 31 to save one month's rent. After that, there may be no financial benefit to breaking the lease. Please contact your landlord directly to discuss your options and explain any extenuating circumstances. While no eviction proceedings can be initiated now, that does not mean they can't be initiated later on when the peace time emergency is lifted if you are in default of your contract. An eviction on your record down the road could prevent you from securing rental housing in the future. Avoid it if at all possible. Instead, talk with your landlord about a possible repayment plan.

Funding

Student Emergency Funds - contact your Academic Advisor or One Stop to begin the application process and share what your needs are.

Low-Cost/Community Clinics (Health Support)

**If you think you have COVID-19, please call before going to any health care provider**

Additional Resource Pages to check out:

Clean and disinfect

  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

To disinfect:
Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. Use disinfectants appropriate for the surface.

Options include:

  • Diluting your household bleach.
    To make a bleach solution, mix:
    • 5 tablespoons (1/3rd cup) bleach per gallon of water
      OR
    • 4 teaspoons bleach per quart of water
    • Follow manufacturer’s instructions for application and proper ventilation. Check to ensure the product is not past its expiration date. Never mix household bleach with ammonia or any other cleanser. Unexpired household bleach will be effective against coronaviruses when properly diluted.
  • Alcohol solutions.
    Ensure solution has at least 70% alcohol.
  • Other common EPA-registered household disinfectants.
    Products with EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens (pdf) claims are expected to be effective against COVID-19 based on data for harder to kill viruses. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., concentration, application method and contact time, etc.).

  • For soft (porous) surfaces such as carpeted floor, rugs, and drapes, remove visible contamination if present and clean with appropriate cleaners indicated for use on these surfaces. After cleaning:
  • If the items can be laundered, launder items in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and then dry items completely.
  • Otherwise, use products with the EPA-approved emerging viral pathogens claims (examples at this link (pdf)) that are suitable for porous surfaces

Complete disinfection guidance

Linens, Clothing, and Other Items That Go in the Laundry

  • Do not shake dirty laundry; this minimize the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.
  • Wash items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items completely. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
  • Clean and disinfect hampers or other carts for transporting laundry according to guidance above for hard or soft surfaces.

Put a household plan into Action:

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Resource information compiled by a great network of Academic Advisors and other resources at the University (thank you for sharing) as well as information from the CDC.gov site.