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News about coronavirus in Florida and around the world is constantly emerging. It's hard to stay on top of it all but Health News Florida can help. Our responsibility is to keep you informed, and to help discern what’s important for your family as you make what could be life-saving decisions.

College Students Move Into Dorms With Stricter COVID-19 Safety Protocols In Place

USF freshman Fernanda Kolanian, 17, arrives at USF
DAYLINA MILLER/WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA
USF freshman Fernanda Kolanian, 17, arrives at USF

Masks, social distancing, handwashing, hybrid classes. As college students move in to their dorms in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, they must learn to follow a host of new protocols that university leaders hope will be enough to prevent closures and mass quarantines due to COVID-19.

Rolling a metal cart as he wrapped up his move-in day this week, University of South Florida freshman Matt Williams said he was glad to see some of the safety measures in effect.

“I like how they are making some classes online. I think that is useful,” Williams said.

“Some classes need to be in-person, like my chemistry lab, so I’m fine with that. And they are operating at like 50 percent capacity. I think they are handling it the best way they can,” he said.

USF freshman Fernanda Kolanian, 17 DAYLINA MILLER/WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA
USF freshman Fernanda Kolanian, 17

At USF St. Petersburg, dean of students Jacob Diaz said about 400 students moved in this week on a staggered schedule to maintain social distancing.

“Students have been very compliant. They come to campus, they are wearing their masks inside our spaces and they are being thoughtful about distance between the next person,” Diaz said.

Every new resident had to come in with a negative test result for COVID-19. Testing is available on-site at the USF campuses in Sarasota, Tampa and St. Petersburg.

However, turnaround time in the area tends to take 48-72 hours on average, and depends on the lab performing the tests.

The university has set aside dorm rooms for students who may need to isolate if they get sick. New signs are posted, advising students to wash hands and wear masks.

Matthew Williams throwing garbage away DAYLINA MILLER/WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA
Student Matthew Williams said he was glad to see safety measures in place

USF freshman Fernanda Kolanian said her parents gave her lots of health advice when they dropped her off.

“They have definitely talked to me about washing my hands and sanitizing all the time and keeping my distance,” she said.

“They are more scared than I am. I’m more excited about everything and I want to get to know people.”

Cars waiting to unload DAYLINA MILLER / WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA
Move-in times were staggered to avoid crowding.

Diaz said that seeing other universities, like Notre Dame and UNC Chapel Hill, halt in-person classes due to a surge in coronavirus cases was worrying.

“When I hear of other campuses wrestling with challenges, it always seems to be connected to larger student gatherings happening,” Diaz said.

“The lesson learned for me has been, I don’t think we can communicate enough daily about the importance of staying apart,” he added.

"We are also telling -- encouraging -- them, don’t gather together in groups that you normally would have in the past, right? And we know that that’s hard.”

USF classes begin Monday. About 60 percent of classes are virtual, about 20 percent in person, and the rest hybrid.

“We have our protocol in place. And I think we're just all hoping that folks stay safe,” Diaz said.

usf_move_in4dm.jpg DAYLINA MILLER / WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA
Seats are roped off to promote social distancing

USF freshman Fernanda Kolanian, 17
DAYLINA MILLER/WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA /
USF freshman Fernanda Kolanian, 17

Student Matthew Williams said he was glad to see safety measures in place
DAYLINA MILLER/WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA /
Student Matthew Williams said he was glad to see safety measures in place

Move-in times were staggered to avoid crowding.
DAYLINA MILLER / WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA /
Move-in times were staggered to avoid crowding.


Seats are roped off to promote social distancing
DAYLINA MILLER / WUSF PUBLIC MEDIA /
Seats are roped off to promote social distancing

Copyright 2020 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7

Kerry Sheridan is a reporter and co-host of All Things Considered at WUSF Public Media.
Daylina Miller is a multimedia reporter for WUSF and Health News Florida, covering health in the Tampa Bay area and across the state.