As Michigan State University has adjusted its operations to the COVID-19 outbreak, the department of Residential and Hospitality Services has been working to ensure the safety and health of students.
Assistant Director of Communications Bethany Balks has been at the forefront of the department’s response. “Residential and Hospitality Services leadership has been meeting almost daily since the university response to COVID-19 began,” Balks said. “Leaders have reviewed guidance from the university, county health department, state and national government to inform our decisions.
“As RHS is a critical division to maintain housing and dining for students, it’s important that we maintain safe and healthy living and working environments. It’s a large team effort to address the coronavirus concerns, from facilities to operations to residence education to culinary services.”
One of the primary concerns for Residential and Hospitality Services has been facilitating the move-out process for students opting to leave their residence halls.
“We’ve been able to be flexible and adaptable,” Balks said. “We have been able to implement new practices, like express checkout, that allow students to move out faster and staff to have less physical contact.
“Additionally, we’ve created new processes like remote checkout to accommodate residents that have left and would have a hard time returning.
