For Students

This communication provides guidance on the move out process for students living in the on-campus residence halls: Goodwin-Kirk, Stalnaker, Crawford, Carpenter, Herriott, Jewett, and Morehouse. 

Important Dates

Friday, May 8, 2020 through Sunday, May 24, 2020
Students will move out of their residence hall.

Moving out of your residence hall

Please know we are all trying to do our very best in protecting the safety and welfare of our students and campus community. We are adhering to state and federal guidelines. 

Students will be able to move out of their residence hall beginning May 8 with all move-outs to occur by May 24. Students will sign up for a two-hour move out time slot through the Housing & Meal Plan Selection Portal. Each two-hour time slot will be limited to five students per residence hall, with the exception of Goodwin-Kirk which we will limit to ten students per time slot. Time slots must be reserved no later than noon on May 7.

Time slots will be made available each day as follows: 7–9 a.m., 9–11 a.m., 11 a.m.–1 p.m., 1­–3 p.m., 3–5 p.m., and 5–7 p.m. You must move out only at the time you sign up for. Do not travel to campus until it is time for your assigned move out time slot. Hall access will only be granted during your designated move out time slot.

Only one healthy person (with no fever, cough, or respiratory symptoms) may assist you. Please be mindful that we still have students living in the residence halls. Everyone will need to practice social distancing and Drake staff will not be able to assist in move out.  

You and anyone assisting you with your move out or pick up MUST wear a protective mask while moving out/in the public spaces while on the Drake campus. You will need to provide your own mask(s). Should you arrive and not have one, you will not be permitted in the residence halls. This expectation is from the recent guidance from the Polk County Health Department and Drake’s Face Mask Requirement policy. Please continue to keep a minimum of 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover or mask is not a substitute for social distancing.

Students/parents/guests will NOT be able to spend the night(s) in their room for the move out period. 

Important Note About Fraudulent Move Out Solicitations
Please be aware that the University has not endorsed or is not working with any third-party company for move-out or shipping services. It has come to our attention that some students and parents have received fraudulent or misleading solicitations regarding move out and shipping services who falsely suggest a connect to Drake. We encourage you to review any such offers or communications carefully.

Please note that as of April 16, 2020, Governor Reynolds has not issued an executive order that would prevent a move out process as outlined above. If the Governor were to issue such an order that prevents access to the residence halls, we will issue additional communication via e-mail regarding move outs at that time.

To Sign-Up for your Move-Out Time Slot

1. Login to my.drake.edu  
2. Click the fork & knife icon to open the Housing & Meal Plan Selection Portal
3. Click on Move Out Time Slot Form tab
4. Choose the Academic Year 2019–2020 Term, Save & Continue
5. Sign up for your Move Out Time Slot, Day and Time

We require that residents sign up for their move out time slot no later than May 7, 2020 so that University staff can plan accordingly for residents’ anticipated arrival. Should individual circumstances change, residents are able to cancel and reselect another move out time slot from the move out time slots available following the steps outlined above. Due to federal, state, and local guidelines, it is not possible to have everyone move out during the final weekend. With that in mind, please make every effort to register for the earliest time slot available that works with your schedule. We also strongly recommend roommates communicate with one another and not register for the same move out time slot to reinforce social distancing.

Express Checkout

When students arrive for their assigned move out time slot, they will complete the express checkout process as described below:

1. Follow the instructions noted on the Express Checkout sheet located on the back inside of the resident room door.
2. Remove all belongings from your room.
3. Lock your windows and room door.
4. Take your room key (and mailbox key where applicable) and place it in the Express Checkout envelope that will be on the back of your residence hall door labeled with your name.
5. Deposit your room key (and mailbox key) in the return location, indicated by signs in the lobby.
6. Your room will be checked by University staff for damages after you check out. If there are damages, you will receive a follow up email with information.

Reminder about Bikes and Vehicles

All bikes and vehicles must be taken home with you when you move out of the residence halls. If bicycles are left on campus, they will be removed by Drake Public Safety and donated.

Preventative Measures

An express checkout process was developed so students do not have to interact with anyone at the hall front desk. Keys are also being placed in the Express Checkout envelope and turned into a designated mail slot.

Students and their guest are also designated a two-hour time slot in order to move items out of their room. This will assist the team in accounting for the number of residents and guests in the building, in the elevator, and parking. Additionally, volunteers will not be present during move-out. It is recommended you bring boxes and packing materials with you. Please note there is no student storage available on campus. 

We ask that only person occupy the hall elevator at a time. This measure will naturally reinforce social distancing.

Spaces such as restrooms are being cleaned and disinfected per the University’s standard protocol, with more attention being paid to commonly used touchpoints like elevators and door handles.

Hand sanitizer stations are available in the main lobby areas near residence hall entrance doors. Restroom facilities are also available for you to wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after you have been in a public area. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Additional Information Regarding Keys

If following your move out you forgot to leave your Express Checkout packet (with room key and mailbox key where applicable) in the drop box located in the residence hall lobby, you still need to return them.

Please write the student’s name, ID number, and room number on a piece of paper and tape any hall and mailbox keys to that paper. Place in a secure soft-sided envelope for mailing. Should the envelope arrive empty, the charges for the lock changes would be applied to your Student Account.  

Keys must be received no later than Tuesday, May 26, 2020 in order to avoid having a $50 room lock change fee (and $5 mailbox lock change fee where applicable) being assessed to your Student Account.

Any residence hall keys not returned by a student will result in that student being assessed the appropriate fees to their Student Account. Late keys after the May 26 date will not be accepted.

Please mail keys to:

Randy E. McMullin
Office of Residence Life
Drake University
2875 University Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50311

For Non-Residence Hall Drake University Keys: Non-Residence Hall key returns can be done at the blue drop boxes located at the Student Services Center and Public Safety. Please fill out an envelope provided at these locations and leave keys in the drop box.

If you would like to discuss individual concerns not addressed above, please contact the Residence Life Office by email at housing@drake.edu.

Student Counseling Services

Student Health Services

Student Disability Services

Recreational Services

Student Support Center

Tutoring Services

Academic Achievement

College/School Dean's Office

Professional and Career Development Services

Student Financial Planning

Student Inclusion, Involvement, and Leadership (STIIL)