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Housing

Our housing operations are committed to following all baseline guidance issued by the State of Washington Department of Health. In order to assure the safety and wellbeing of all members of the Northwest University community, these guidelines are required for students who choose to attend class in-person or reside on campus.

Face Coverings

Per Governor Inslee’s higher education proclamation from June 2021, all students and employees are required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine unless they have been granted an exemption. Residential students who are not vaccinated must wear a mask indoors unless they are in their room or apartment.

Households

Households will only be implemeted on an as-need basis. If needed, all residential students will be assigned to a household. For apartments, a household consists of your roommate and apartment-mates. For residence halls, residents will be assigned to a household with 3-4 neighboring rooms.

Density

All residence halls and apartments have returned to standard density for the 21-22 academic year. Facilities used for housing due to de-densification (ex. Red Lion Hotel and Firs Apartments) last year will not be utilized for traditional undergraduates.

Guests and Visitors

Standard visitation and guest policy has returned. Unvaccinated guests are required to wear a face covering indoors. Residential students are responsible for their guests and their compliance with University policy.

Isolation/Quarantine

The University has designated specific housing units to be utilized for students to quarantine if they have potentially been exposed or to isolate if they are confirmed to have COVID-19.

Definitions

  • Quarantine: Quarantine refers to separating people who have been, or may have been, exposed to COVID-19, but are not showing signs of illness. Quarantine may also be a requirement of international travelers or of select groups based on state or federal public health guidelines. Quarantine means you stay home and away from others for the recommended period of time in case you are infected and are contagious. Quarantine becomes isolation if you later test positive for COVID-19 or develop COVID-19 symptoms.
  • Isolation: Isolation refers to separating people who have been confirmed or suspected COVID-19 case to prevent contact with others and to reduce the risk of transmission to others. Isolation means you stay home and away from others (including household members) for the recommended period of time to avoid spreading illness.

Quarantine and Isolation for Residential Students

  • Based on CDC guidelines, students who are vaccinated do not need to quarantine if they are a close contact of someone confirmed with COVID-19. However, they should monitor symptoms for 14 days, stay home / self-quarantine, and get tested if they develop symptoms.
  • If an unvaccinated residential student is determined to be a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, the student will be required to quarantine. They must remain in their designated quarantine location for the determined period of time required by public health recommendations.
    • The student may return home for the duration of quarantine if they can do so safely and without coming into close contact with others. However, students are not required to quarantine off-campus.
    • The Housing Office and Wellness Center will coordinate with that student to assure their housing location is suitable for quarantine. The student may be asked to relocate to a more suitable quarantine location on-campus.
    • During quarantine, the student should regularly monitor symptoms and, if possible, take a COVID-19 test.
    • The student must complete a Notification Form.
    • The student may receive a phone call from a King County Public Health official or personnel from NU Wellness Center for the purposes of contact tracing. The student is expected to comply with all requests for information from public health or NU health officials.
    • If, during quarantine, a student displays symptoms of illness or tests positive for COVID-19, the student must report that to the NU Wellness Center who will then report it to Public Health – Seattle & King County. The student will be required to relocate to a designated isolation unit (if they did not do so previously).
  • If a residential student is confirmed to have COVID-19, the student will be required to relocate to an isolation unit regardless of vaccination status. Isolation is mandatory and if the student fails to comply, they may be subject to involuntary detention pursuant to public health authority (RCW 70.05.070). The student must remain in their designated isolation location for the determined period of time and until they are cleared by public health or a medical professional. They may participate in classroom and community functions remotely, but not in-person.
    • The student may return home for the duration of isolation if they have been cleared by public health and can do so safely and without coming into close contact with others. However, students are not required to isolate off-campus.
    • The student may receive a phone call from a King County Public Health official or personnel from NU Wellness Center for the purposes of contact tracing. The student is expected to comply with all requests for information from public health or NU health officials.
    • The Housing Office and Wellness Center will coordinate with that student to assign a safe and suitable isolation unit. The student will likely be asked to relocate from their current housing assignment.
    • In accordance with public health guidelines, the university cannot transport a student to their isolation location.
    • During isolation, the student should regularly monitor symptoms and consult with medical professionals. Student Development and Wellness Center personnel will check-in with students in isolation units. More information and emergency signs of when to get help can be found here: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/COVIDexposed.pdf
    • The University will deliver meals to students in campus quarantine or isolation units if they are on the University meal plan. Students who are not on the meal plan can pay for meal delivery through The Caf. Refunds will not be offered for missed meals if the student decides to quarantine or isolate off-campus.
    • Off-campus students are not eligible for quarantine or isolation on-campus. They can consult with the NU Wellness Center and Public Health – Seattle & King County Public to find a safe and accommodating location if they cannot quarantine or isolate at home.