DINING & HOUSING
Dining
NEW 1/20/21 What dining options will be available this Spring?
Lawrence Dining Hall (with options for grilled food, sandwiches, salads, entrees, desserts and more), Chick-fil-A, the Village P.O.D., and Good Uncle will be open for the spring 2021 semester. Status of the food trucks parked on Church Street are determined by the owners of the food trucks, not the University.
Starbucks will be closed as of 2/19/21
For the more information for all dining locations, please visit their FAQ page.
What meal plans are offered this semester?
All meal plans and pricing can be found on myWCU or our campus dish website: www.westchester.campusdish.com
What is Good Uncle?
Good Uncle is a food delivery service that has chef-created meals for students to pick up at various drop points around campus. They have a wide range of offering including healthy salads, baked pasta dishes, and ice cream. Students can purchase their meals on the Good Uncle App. Flex can now be used for Good Uncle. We have also added the use of two meal swipes at the Village POD to purchase a Good Uncle meal.
NEW 1/20/21 What are hours of operation for each dining venue?
Lawrence Dining Hall
Monday – Sunday from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm; closed for cleaning every day 3:30 – 4:30
pm.
Chick-fil-A
Monday – Friday from 11:00 am –7:00 pm; Saturday from 11:00 am – 7:00 pm; closed Sunday;
closed for cleaning every day 3 – 3:30 pm.
Good Uncle
Monday – Friday from 5:00 pm – 12:00 am; Saturday from 12:00 pm – 2:00 am; and Sunday
from 12:00 pm – 12:00 am.
The Village P.O.D.
Monday – Friday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Sunday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; closed Saturday.
Starbucks
Closed as of 2/19/21.
What extra precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of the diners?
To comply with safety and health guidelines, the dining experience in all venues will
be different, including restricted seating, modified menu options, and use of technology
for ordering and payment. In addition, all dining halls will follow the below guidelines:
Face masks & Health Screenings
A face mask will be required to enter any of our dining facilities and all dining
staff will be required to wear a mask. In addition, dining staff are also required
to be temperature checked daily, and to take a health screening prior to their shift.
Cleanings
Rams Head will be closed once each day for cleaning and sanitation. In all dining
halls, there will be extra and frequent cleanings of all surfaces and items that are
at higher risk of contamination (door handles, light switches, condiment stations,
etc.)
Social distancing
Students will be required to practice social distancing throughout each of our dining
locations. Decals will be placed on the floor and at each station to ensure 6ft distances.
Kiosks in Rams Head will be pulled from the counters and placed 6-feet apart along
the walls.
Seating
- All tables and chairs will be removed from Rams Head Food and no seating will be available.
All food from Chick-fil-A will be placed in to-go containers for students to take
out and eat at their leisure.
Only 5 people will be allowed inside of the Village P.O.D. at once.
Additional Precautions
- There will be increased availability of hand sanitizer, ‘no-touch’ service options, and targeted signage with communication to promote good hand hygiene.
- Plexiglass barriers will be placed in all appropriate areas.
- The majority of self-serve areas (food, beverages, utensils, etc.) will be eliminated for the time being, with the exception of fountain beverages, cereal, hand-wrapped fruit, and areas with packaged items and bottled beverages. Students will be able to get their own beverages.
- Disposable silverware, to-go containers, and all condiments will be individually packaged with each meal.
Will there still be meals available for students with special dietary requirements?
Absolutely. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options are available as custom orders in Lawrence Dining Hall. We encourage students to talk specifically with the District Chef or a manager about other dietary requirements so they may be addressed individually.
Where can I find additional information including meaI plan costs?
You can visit Dining FAQ page and myWCU for more information.
ON CAMPUS HOUSING SPRING 2021
How will WCU Residence Life and Housing and USH determine who will get housing for spring 2021?
Priority Housing will be given to students who are in the following categories: Promise Program students, proven hardship cases, academic placements (i.e. student teachers, clinical placements, and internship sites), students with in-person engagements and challenging home learning environments.
I am a current WCU student and have not applied to live with USH or Traditional housing previously and would like to apply for spring 2021 housing, how do I apply?
Unfortunately, at this time housing is not accepting additional applications for the spring. Please visit the Off Campus and Commuter Student section below for alternative options for housing.
Are there testing requirements to live on campus?
Yes. See Testing Information section above.
TRADITIONAL HOUSING SPRING 2021
If I’m currently living on campus, am I allowed to stay?
Current fall 2020 students in Traditional Housing (South Campus Apartments and College Arms Communities) may remain on campus. However, to remain on campus you will need to complete a Housing Intent Form in MyHousing (linked in MyWCU) by Monday, November 30, 2020, by 11:59 p.m. to confirm your spring 2021 plans.
What if I canceled my housing for the fall semester but need it for the spring semester?
If you completed 2020-2021 Occupancy Agreement but canceled for the fall semester and would like spring housing, visit MyHousing (linked in MyWCU) and complete the Housing Request Form by Monday, November 30, 2020, by 11:59 p.m. You will be notified about the status of your request no later than Friday, December 18, 2020. For the health and well-being of our students, all residents will be placed in single bedrooms at our South Campus Apartments and College Arms Communities.
Traditional Housing has 20 vacancies for the spring. To be considered for Traditional Housing, visit MyHousing (linked in myWCU) to complete the Housing Request Form by Monday, November 30, 2020, by 11:59 p.m.
USH AFFILIATED HOUSING SPRING 2021
Who is being considered for housing in spring 2021?
USH can accommodate a total of 620 students on campus this spring. For the health and well-being of our students, all residents will be placed in single bedrooms at our South Campus apartment communities (Village and East Village). To be considered for USH Affiliated Housing you are required to have a previously completed lease agreement and visit the USH Resident Portal to complete the USH Housing Intent Form by Monday, November 30, 2020, by 11:59 p.m.
What steps do I need to take if I had a USH 2020-2021 signed lease agreement?
We are asking all USH residents to visit the USH Resident Portal to complete a Housing Intent Form by Monday, November 30, 2020, by 11:59 p.m. You can choose from four options:
- Request Spring 2021 Housing Only
- Request Spring 2021 and Academic Year 2021-2022 Housing
- Request Housing for 2021-2022
- Opt-out from On-Campus Housing
If a student completes a spring 2021 Housing Intent form in either Traditional Housing or USH Affiliated Housing and it is not approved, what happens?
If a student is not approved for spring 2021 housing, they will have the option to complete a Housing Intent Form for 2021-2022 academic year or to opt out from future housing communications.
When will I be notified that I have been accepted for on-campus housing for spring 2021?
You will receive an email on or before December 18, 2020, informing you of your housing status.
Will I be able to get a parking permit for South Campus?
All approved students living in the South Campus Apartment Complex, The Village Apartments and the East Village Apartments can apply for a semester parking pass through West Chester University Parking Services. All questions regarding parking on campus should be directed to WCU Parking Services. WCU Parking Services will provide the specific parking passes available for Spring 2021.
If I don’t have a vehicle, how can I get to North Campus?
West Chester University offers shuttle service for students to travel between North and South campuses.
Am I required to have a meal plan?
No, students residing in the apartments (Village, East Village, SCAC and College Arms) are not required to have a meal plan. Every apartment has a kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher and stove. However, meal plan options are available for your convenience.
If I purchase a meal plan, what options are available to me?
WCU and its dining services partner, Aramark, are committed to adapting our operations to ensure students who will be on campus in the spring have safe access to a variety of dining options.
TRADITIONAL HOUSING FOR 2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEAR
Who is guaranteed housing for fall 2021?
West Chester University will guarantee housing to currently enrolled first year students with previously completed occupancy/lease agreements if they complete the application and occupancy/lease agreement by Friday, February 5, 2021 with either Traditional housing or USH Affiliated Housing. This guarantee is based on opening fall 2021 with double occupancy rooms.
Who qualifies as a current first-year student that would be guaranteed on-campus housing for fall 2021?
To qualify as a current first-year student, the student must have been admitted for Fall 2020 and is currently taking Fall 2020 courses at West Chester University.
Will on-campus housing be available for other class standings for fall 2021?
The housing guarantee for fall 2021 is only for currently enrolled first-year students with previously completed occupancy/lease agreements. After accommodating current first-year students, priority consideration will be given to our incoming first-year students and then current sophomores with a previously completed 2020-2021 application and occupancy/lease agreements. Students must complete their Housing Intent Form for the 2021-2022 academic year by November 30, 2020 in order to be considered. Housing for upperclassman is not guaranteed. Any housing for upper-class students will be based on opening fall 2021 with double occupancy rooms.
Will housing be offered to incoming first-year students for fall 2021?
Yes. Incoming first-year students for fall 2021 will receive communications about housing in February 2021.
How can I apply for fall 2021 housing with WCU Traditional Housing (University-owned) if I am a current first-year student?
Current first-year students with a previously completed 2020-2021 application and occupancy agreement must complete a Housing Intent Form for the 2021-2022 academic year in MyHousing (in MyWCU) by November 30, 2020. The occupancy agreement must be signed by February 5, 20201.
How can I apply for fall 2021 housing with USH Affiliated Housing if I am a current first-year student?
Current first-year students with a previously completed 2020-2021 lease agreements must complete a Housing Intent Form for the 2021-2022 academic year using the USH Resident Portal by November 30, 2020. If you resided in USH housing during any term of 2020-2021 academic year or are new to housing, you will be required to pay non-refundable application fee for 2021-2022.
I am a current WCU student and have not applied to live with USH or Traditional housing previously and would like to apply for 2021-2022 academic year, how do I apply for housing?
At this time we are not accepting new applications from current WCU students for the 2021-2022 academic year. Additional information will be forthcoming in the spring regarding WCU on-campus housing. Please visit the Off Campus and Commuter Student section below for alternative options for housing.
USH AFFILIATED HOUSING FOR 2021-2022 ACADEMIC YEAR
Will I be guaranteed housing for the fall 2021 term and what is the process?
While there are no guarantees, our goal is to accommodate as many students as possible. Current first-year students in particular, with a previously completed 2020-2021 lease agreements, will be given priority consideration for the 2021-2022 academic year. We will review all Housing Intent forms and contact students starting in January. You will be asked to sign a new lease agreement for 2021-2022. If you resided in USH housing during any term of 2020-2021 academic year you will be required to pay non-refundable application fee for 2021-2022.
Will I get the same room assignment for the 2021-22 academic year?
We cannot guarantee that you will receive your previous housing assignment. However, once we assign rooms, we will offer a room change period prior to the start of the fall semester.
Can I be guaranteed the same roommates as previously assigned?
Although we cannot guarantee roommate requests for the fall, we will do our best to accommodate your request.
What will happen with my $200 non-refundable application fee paid from the 2020-2021 lease term?
The application fee paid to USH for affiliated housing remains non-refundable. If you paid a $200 non-refundable application fee and did not live with USH during the 2020-2021 term, you will not be required to pay another $200 non-refundable application fee for the 2021-2022 academic year.
I am a current WCU student and have not applied to live with USH or Traditional housing previously and would like to apply for 2021-2022 academic year, how do I apply for housing?
At this time we are not accepting new applications from current WCU students for the 2021-2022 academic year. Additional information will be forthcoming in the spring regarding WCU on-campus housing. Please visit the Off Campus and Commuter Student section below for alternative options for housing.
LIVING ON CAMPUS SPRING 2021
Are there guidelines for living on campus?
Yes. Students living on campus will be required to follow the guidelines outlined by West Chester University and federal, state, county or local governmental agency.
On Campus Housing – COVID Rules and Regulations:
- Face Coverings – Requirement of personal face coverings/masks in common areas for visitors and students.
- Social Distancing – Students will need to practice 6 feet of safe social distancing.
- Amenities – Building amenities will have reduced occupancy to maintain social distancing guidelines.
- Family Unit is defined as a group of students who share an apartment, suite, or bathroom.
- Guest Privileges are suspended. After you have completed your move in, to protect the residential community, guests will not be permitted.
This means that you are not to visit any other apartment and you are to have no guests in your apartment. To ensure all have the same understanding, a guest is defined as anyone who is not officially assigned to your unit. Should any resident be documented for willingly ignoring the University’s guidelines that you signed and agreed to follow, the University reserves the right to temporarily remove you from campus housing until your conduct matter has been resolved.
Ongoing monitoring of the health and safety of the community will occur continually. We expect if guest privileges are reinstated, residents should expect strict limitations, which will be communicated at that time.
Because of the overriding concern for the health and safety of our community, WCU reserves the right to amend, modify, delete, or add new and additional rules and regulations to the use and care of the facilities in furtherance of those health and safety concerns. Such amendments will be emailed to residents and posted within the residential facilities.
What happens if I get sick?
If a student is symptomatic, the student will need to call Student Health Services for guidance and/or an appointment with a provider. Services are available by appointment only: 610-436-2509. If a student is symptomatic and is tested for COVID-19, the student should self-report by completing the designated University form. Students will be provided the option to self-isolate in University-designated locations. In addition, we are asking all residents to have a quarantine ready bag. Please see link for suggested items. Also, there will be a separate charge for isolating on campus with USH. Please note: If a student must return home, they will be permitted to return to on-campus housing once being cleared from the medical provider. Chester County Health Department (CCHD) will be notified. CCHD has been responsible for conducting contact tracing and notifying individuals who may have been exposed.
What steps are both WCU Traditional Housing and USH Affiliated Housing doing to keep on-campus housing clean?
In an effort to ensure the well-being of our students, high traffic areas and touch points will be cleaned more frequently. Building common areas and amenity usage will be modified to ensure we remain in compliance with federal, state, local, and University guidelines. All students and staff will be required to follow the guidelines. These and all other guidelines will be posted throughout our communities and they must be adhered to at all times.