For what he lacks in limb and brain, 鈥淧illbert,鈥� the automatic vial-dispensing robot, makes up for in efficiency and intelligence. In about 30 seconds, he can count and label a student鈥檚 prescription with precision, choosing from 108 different medications stored within his sturdy frame and dispensing through nine windows.

Pillbert frees pharmacists to spend more time with patients, educating them on how to take their medications properly, outlining special directions and precautions, and explaining how the medications can improve their health.

Located on the first floor of the Student Health Services building on 麻豆原创鈥檚 main campus, the pharmacy allows听 students to conveniently obtain prescribed medications during the same visit with their doctor. Last year, pharmacists filled almost 40,000 student prescriptions.

For his efforts, Pillbert earned an 鈥渙utstanding鈥� performance review in his first year, says Hetal Patel, pharmacy manager at Student Health Services.

鈥淚t is accurate, and it streamlines the workflow for us,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t has not failed or been inaccurate at all in a year and a half. Pillbert contributes to our efficiency and enhances the quality of care we provide 鈥� all with zero undercounts, overcounts or instances of mislabeling. Ultimately, that makes us more available to the students, and we can engage in more meaningful interactions with them.鈥�

The six-foot-tall robot has 54 compartments on each side stocked with the pharmacy鈥檚 most prescribed drugs, including antibiotics. 听To help pharmacists, Pillbert听first creates a label, then uses a camera to identify each medication and an internal mechanical arm to count and dispense the correct number of pills into a bottle.

On average, it takes about three minutes to count, label and verify each medication. Pillbert saves pharmacists nearly 40 hours of labor a week, according to a Student Health Services analysis, and assists with 80-100 prescriptions a day.

鈥淚t used to be a bottleneck if someone had five prescriptions,鈥� Patel says. 鈥淏efore Pillbert, dispensing multiple prescriptions may have slowed services for others who were waiting to receive a smaller order, such as simple antibiotic prescriptions. Now it can be processed promptly as Pillbert can process multiple prescriptions simultaneously and deliver through one of the nine windows.鈥�

While Pillbert handles the mechanics of counting and labelling prescriptions, Patel says that he and his colleagues remain responsible for checking for patient allergies, interactions between drugs and other contraindications and precautions for overall patient safety.

鈥淔or routine medication refills, he takes away inefficiencies, time-consuming tasks and human error,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e get more time to check refill histories and ask patients questions like, 鈥楬ow is the medication working for you? Do you have any questions or concerns about the medications?鈥� Those details make a big difference.鈥�

As 麻豆原创 grew and Student Health’s patient load increased, Patel saw the need to make the pharmacy more efficient. However, the technology, cost and capabilities for robotic systems weren’t aligned with the pharmacy’s needs until 2023. That鈥檚 when Patel and his colleagues were inspired to purchase the Kirby-Lester KL-108 automatic vial dispensing robot the following year.

To celebrate the new technology, Student Health Services held a naming contest for the robot and even made him his own 麻豆原创 ID card and cartoon photo.

Pharmacists perform routine maintenance on the robot when the pharmacy is closed.

鈥淭aking care of him is pretty easy,鈥� says Binita Patel, a Student Health Services pharmacist. 鈥淚t takes seconds to refill and replace the cassettes.鈥�

Patel says that although Pillbert is a machine, he has integrated smoothly into the team and is an essential part of the pharmacy.

鈥淗e鈥檚 a great addition to our team,鈥� she says. 鈥淗e never complains, and he always shows up.鈥�

Eating Disorder Awareness Week is Feb. 24-March 2.

Multidisciplinary treatment is the standard of care for eating disorders, says Caiti Bradbury, a licensed mental health counselor with CAPS. To provide this support, 麻豆原创 has an Eating Disorder Management Team (EDMT), which includes professionals like Bradbury, as well as medical providers, dietitians, therapists, psychiatrists and, sometimes, substance abuse clinician from SHS and CAPS.

SHS, CAPS and the EDMT aim to empower students to seek education, support and treatment as they are comfortable and ready to do so.

鈥淎ny treatment advice we provide is always a recommendation, not a requirement. If you decide after that meeting that you aren鈥檛 quite ready to pursue treatment, you鈥檒l have acquired some knowledge of how to get started when you are ready,鈥� says Rebecca Kuerbitz, a primary care provider with SHS and EDMT member.

Here Bradbury and Kuerbitz share insight on eating disorders and how students can get help.

What are some common eating disorders and their symptoms?

Rebecca Kuerbitz (RK): Eating disorders are defined as a persistent disturbance of eating behavior that impairs health or psychosocial functioning. The most common are binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder and disordered eating that doesn鈥檛 fit into other categories. Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of binge eating in which the person eats a large amount of food in a short period of time accompanied by feeling a loss of control overeating with some distress (like disgust, guilt or depression) after the binge.

Bulimia nervosa, like binge eating disorder, involves recurrent episodes of binging but binging is followed by a compensatory behavior such as purging, excessive exercise or misuse of medications like insulin. Compensatory behaviors are typically influenced by a person鈥檚 concern about their body shape and weight.

Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by restriction of caloric intake that leads to a low body weight. It is accompanied by an intense fear of gaining weight and distorted perception of body shape.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a more recently recognized eating disorder that involves food restriction and/or avoidance due to anxiety about certain foods. This leads to low body weight and nutritional deficiency but is not due to fear of weight gain or distorted perception of body shape or weight. Often people with ARFID will have only a few different foods that are comfortable eating.

How prevalent are eating disorders? Are some types of eating disorders more common than others?

RK: There is a lifetime prevalence of eating disorder of 8% in women and 2% in men.

Caiti Bradbury听(CB): The most common diagnoses are anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder among college students. ARFID, although less common, has become increasingly prevalent in recent years.

What are some common misconceptions about eating disorders?

CB: One major myth is that eating disorders are simply about food, when, in reality, they stem from deeper emotional and psychological issues, such as control, self-esteem and past trauma. Another misconception is that only women are affected but eating disorders impact people of all genders. It鈥檚 also not true that everyone with an eating disorder is underweight 鈥� disorders like bulimia and binge eating can occur in people of all body sizes. Some believe eating disorders are a choice or a temporary fad or are solely about appearance, but they are serious mental health conditions that require professional treatment and can be lethal. The idea that those with eating disorders are seeking attention is also false; most individuals hide their symptoms due to shame and guilt. Furthermore, recovery isn鈥檛 simply about gaining or losing weight, as eating disorders are long-term conditions requiring ongoing treatment, even after physical health improves. Many also think eating disorders are rare, but they affect millions of people across all demographics. Finally, while media and societal pressure can contribute, eating disorders are influenced by a combination of genetic, psychological and environmental factors.

What should students who are seeking help with eating disorders expect from the treatment process here at 麻豆原创?

RK: They can expect compassionate care from therapists at CAPS, nutritional guidance from our registered dietitian, medical care to address any health concerns by one of our primary care providers and psychiatric care from our Behavioral Health providers, if needed.

What advice would you give to students who are hesitant to seek help for an eating disorder, or for family and friends who want to support someone in need?

CB: To family and friends, I鈥檇 say don鈥檛 be judgmental and avoid comments or criticisms about one鈥檚 physical appearance and eating habits. For those in need, there is no shame in seeking help. You deserve to have a life you can feel proud of and enjoy without feeling consumed by thoughts of food or body image.

Students who are struggling with eating disorders are encouraged to set up an or . Join SHS and CAPS for , a celebration of self-love with photo booths, ask a dietitian and FreshU, and more, Feb. 26 at Ferrell Commons 10 a.m.-noon.

Overall, online sports betting continues to surge in popularity, with a projected revenue of $100 billion in 2023, according to the American Gaming Association. Among college students, a 2023 survey revealed 60% of students gambled illegally and one in five used financial aid to support their habit.

The lure of 鈥渂ig wins鈥� and advertising that promises low-risk fun is often the starting line, says Stephanie Spies, director of Wellness and Health Promotion Services at 麻豆原创.

鈥淧eople only talk about their wins; they don鈥檛 discuss the losses,鈥� Spies says.

That culture of silence and the social nature of sports betting contribute to a lack of stigma, particularly as compared to something like substance abuse. When sports betting gets out of control, it鈥檚 easier to hide than other addictive behaviors until it鈥檚 too late, says Karen Hofmann, director of 麻豆原创鈥檚 Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

鈥淚f you鈥檙e failing at it, no one is aware,鈥� Hofmann says.

Developing a habit typically comes incrementally. For instance, a few bets and wins with friends over the March Madness season can still become problematic. That鈥檚 particularly the case when paired with other stressors like midterms, says Jennifer Calame, assistant director of Substance Use Disorder Services at 麻豆原创鈥檚 Student Health Services.

鈥淪tudents feel like it鈥檚 not a problem because they don鈥檛 do it all the time,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut that doesn鈥檛 mean it can鈥檛 become problematic.鈥�

There are several signs that sports betting is out of control, including:

• Financial issues: Inability to pay bills, frequently asking for money
• Neglecting responsibilities: Skipping classes, staying up late to gamble, missing work
• Relationship issues: Irritability, compulsive behavior, lying

Hofmann encourages anyone experiencing issues with sports betting to reach out and seek help. It can feel overwhelming, but there are ways to cope and make better behavioral choices. Calame reinforces that message and would applaud any student with the courage to seek assistance.

鈥淭here is still hope for you,鈥� she says.

For immediate help, call or text the National Gambling Hotline: 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537). For free counseling, reach out to Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 407-823-2811.

Learn more here:

The work can help health care workers implement strategies for prevention and response.

Recent research indicates that a significant number of college students are at a heightened risk of experiencing intimate partner violence. It is estimated that up to 50% of college students may experience one or more types of dating, sexual or stalking violence.

Furthermore, screenings for IPV are uncommon and not standardized across university settings, while those used and practiced in general healthcare settings often do not meet the needs of college students, says Bethany Backes, an assistant professor in the Violence Against Women Faculty cluster initiative.

That鈥檚 why she鈥檚 helping lead a new study, 鈥溾�� to improve 麻豆原创鈥檚 ability to identify and support college students who are experiencing violence in their relationships.听The project received initial funding by the听Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation.

鈥淎 lot of college campuses don’t use screenings and if they do, they are not relevant to college students,鈥� Backes says. 鈥淗owever, it is recommended that screening happens for people 14 and older, and college is a great place to screen because you have a population, a young adult population, and that typically is when the onset of certain types or forms of interpersonal violence first occur.鈥�

The project is currently in a pilot stage in which students who have appointments at the Student Health Services can opt to fill out the screener.

鈥淥ur collective goal is that we create something usable that can be implemented beyond Student Health Services settings, such as being used, for example, by college athletic trainers or in college counseling centers,鈥� Backes says.

The data gathered will help researchers and Student Health Services improve efforts to assist students who are experiencing abuse in their relationships and educate them on resources, Backes says.

Students who are willing to participate in the project will remain anonymous and will not have anything linked to their medical files.

The project encourages students, whether or not they decide to participate, to reach out and talk about their relationships if they have any doubts or concerns.

鈥淚 think it’s really important for students to get resources, or to learn about resources because sometimes it’s just knowledge transfer.鈥� Backes says. 鈥淪o, they might not seek out victim services right away, or they might not seek them out the next time, but they start to be aware that there are services like this on campus.鈥�

This year鈥檚 medical school physician awardees and their respective honors are:

• , nephrology, Premier
• , rheumatology, Top and Premier
• , rheumatology, Top and Premier
• Diane Davey, pathology, Top
• , general surgery, Premier
• , internal medicine, Top and Premier
• , dermatology, Premier
• , dermatology, Premier

Douglas Meuser, a sports medicine specialist at , was also honored as a Top Doc.

Awardees are nominated by their peers. The Top Doctors list is compiled by Consumers鈥� CHECKBOOK, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. The Premier Doctors list is a peer review study, conducted exclusively for Orlando Magazine by an independent research company.

鈥淲e are grateful to the community for this honor,鈥� says Deborah German, 麻豆原创 vice president for Health Affairs and dean of the College of Medicine. 鈥淧roviding extraordinary patient care to the community while we train the next generation of healthcare leaders and create scientific discoveries to improve health is the core of our mission.鈥�

The donation is the first major programmatic gift to the AHSC since it was created in 2018 and will support the 麻豆原创 Genius Innovation Challenge, a new initiative designed to promote synergy through interdisciplinary approaches and solutions.

Bringing together the College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Health Professions and Sciences, and Student Health Services, the AHSC was conceptualized as a nexus of interdisciplinary education and training with the health-focused academic and clinical units within 麻豆原创 in close physical proximity on the 50-acre Lake Nona campus. The campus is part of the Lake Nona Medical City developed by the Tavistock Group and includes 麻豆原创鈥檚 new teaching hospital, the 麻豆原创 Lake Nona Hospital. Nemours Children鈥檚 Hospital and the VA Medical Center are nearby and, along with other facilities 鈥� both existing and planned 鈥� provide additional opportunities for collaboration.

The Elizabeth Morse Genius Foundation was established in 1959 and supports the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art in Winter Park, Florida, along with educational and other non-profit organizations that work to improve the quality of life.

The 麻豆原创 Genius Innovation Challenge aligns with the foundation鈥檚 goals through its focus on an interprofessional approach, bringing together researchers, clinicians and students from various academic disciplines and professional fields to foster innovation and holistic healthcare.

Health literacy allows you to be empowered about your health and medical care. If you are health literate, you can find key messages, understand those messages, act on the information you receive and remember that information so it continues to impact your behavior. But a study by the U.S. Department of Education found that 36 percent of people 鈥� more than 1 in 3 鈥� scored as 鈥渂asic鈥� or 鈥渂elow basic鈥� in terms of their health literacy. That means they might be able to circle a date on the calendar for their next clinic appointment but could not understand directions such as 鈥淭ake one tablet every 12 hours with food鈥� on their prescription bottle. People over age 65, those with lower socioeconomic status and education, and those whose first language is not English are at the highest risk for health illiteracy. That makes health literacy the biggest social determinant of health 鈥� those who cannot access health information have the poorest health outcomes.

Don鈥檛 think problems with health literacy could never happen to you. Studies show that 3 to 5 percent of college-educated adults have poor health literacy. Why? Those of us lucky enough not to have a chronic health condition may not have much experience with visits to healthcare providers, the medical jargon they can use, and the hand-outs of instructions we often receive after a visit. Plus, going to the provider can be stressful 鈥� you鈥檙e unsure what鈥檚 wrong, you don鈥檛 feel well, you鈥檙e anxious. Those emotions can impact your understanding of what you鈥檙e being told. College students often have limited health literacy because their parents took the lead in handling their healthcare needs before they left home. Parents asked all the questions, filled out all the forms and told their child when and how to take prescriptions. As one student recently told a Student Health Services provider, 鈥淲hen I filled out my medical history form, I had to call my dad. The only thing I could fill out was my name and address.鈥�

What鈥檚 the solution? First, if you鈥檙e a patient, don鈥檛 leave your healthcare appointment without having answers to these three questions:

1. What鈥檚 wrong with me?
2. What do I have to do to take care of this problem?
3. Why do I have to do this? (What happens if I don鈥檛 take the action you鈥檙e recommending?)

Healthcare providers also play an important role in this effort. Are your handouts, website and marketing materials simple in terms of words and images? Or are they complex, wordy, overwhelming? Also, pay attention to the three cues that a patient isn鈥檛 understanding what you鈥檙e saying: Your patient asks no questions, asks too many questions or says nothing and leaves it to their companion 鈥� spouse, partner, child 鈥� to ask the questions.

One way providers can improve their patient communication is with the 鈥渢each back鈥� method. After you tell a patient what you need them to do, ask them to tell you in their own words what they are supposed to do at home to care for their health problem. If they don鈥檛 give the right or complete answer, reteach the information and ask again. Research shows the 鈥渢each back鈥� process adds less than a minute to most patient encounters and achieves tremendous improvement in patient satisfaction and adherence to prescriptions and other therapies, while reducing re-visits to the clinic and negative health outcomes. Teach-back is such a powerful tool that a study is currently underway on its use and effectiveness at Student Health Services. Results are expected soon.

Dealing with COVID-19 鈥� and any health condition 鈥� is scary and unsettling. But it鈥檚 even more frightening if you can鈥檛 get 鈥� or understand 鈥� what you need to do to get better. That鈥檚 why we need to work together to improve health communications and health literacy.

Since the spring, 麻豆原创 听has听worked听with the Florida Department of Health in Orange County to conduct contact tracing in COVID-19 cases with听links听to the campus community.

It soon became clear there was a need for more contact tracing.听Over the summer, a call went out to听麻豆原创听undergrad students in听health-related programs inviting them to become registered volunteer contact tracers.

More than 700 students applied for the unpaid positions, says Jascinth Lindo, associate professor of nursing听who helped coordinate听the effort to recruit 麻豆原创 student听volunteers.听鈥淲e were not surprised that so many Knights were interested in helping their fellow Knights during this challenging time.鈥�

The听six students 鈥斕鼶ePaz, Hannah Arias, Sarahi Monsalve, Xuxa Major, Desiree Rivera and Alex Zamora 鈥� applied and became听registered听volunteer contact tracers to amplify听麻豆原创听efforts to stop the spread of the disease.

The students received听training from the DOH regarding听contact tracing processes, privacy and confidentiality protocols,听and also听had to pass a background check听before they could begin talking to patients, who are not just听麻豆原创 employees and students, but a broad range of individuals who live within听the 麻豆原创 area.听Each student听committed听to volunteering听10 hours a week听conducting contact tracing.

When the Orange County Health Department receives notification of a positive test in听the 麻豆原创 area, the information is uploaded onto a database听from which听DePaz听and the other student tracers are then assigned patients.

When Xuxa Major听calls听patients听to听tell听them听they have tested positive for听COVID-19, she听anticipates their reaction.

鈥淭hey听almost always听tell me they听鈥榙on鈥檛 have time for this,鈥欌�澨齭ays Major, a senior biomedical sciences听student.

鈥楾his鈥� being听the 14-day isolation period that accompanies a positive test听and the听process of establishing where each patient has been and identifying听others they鈥檝e听had听close contact with听so that contact tracers can听help encourage those at risk to also get tested.

Receiving a phone call from one of the contact tracers is not the only way听someone听is notified,听but it could be the most important way,听Major says.听鈥淭hey are also emailed, but students never check their email,鈥� she says with a laugh.

Major was inspired to become a contact tracer because she听knows the impact of large-scale devastation. She experienced听the听2010听earthquake听in Haiti,听her childhood听home, which听resulted in听an estimated听250,000听deaths.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 want anyone to go through听anything听like that,鈥� Major says.

As听a result of her听experiences听with听devastation and loss, Major says she tries to听approach each patient on her list with compassion听and understanding.

Often, after the initial shock of learning they have tested positive for the virus, her patients express regret and guilt听when听remembering places where they may have听encountered someone who had the disease, or听for听spreading听it听to听others before finding out they were positive.

鈥淚 get it,鈥� Major says. 鈥淚 tell them that I鈥檓 a student, too. I want to go out, I want to see my friends. I鈥檓 tired of staying inside every day.鈥�

The student tracers then reach out to the people with whom the patient may have听had contact with, and they inform them听of what to expect and what precautions to take.

When Major talks to听patients, sometimes they are asymptomatic.听Other听times,听they are already feeling sick. Her role is not to provide medical advice, but听to direct听them听to听various services available to听students on campus, which include things like听Wellness Meal Plans, a three-meal a day plan for students who have already purchased a meal plan, and counseling services from .

Rivera, who is also a student volunteer contact tracer, echoed some of Major鈥檚 sentiments.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very personal for me and for the students,鈥� she says.听鈥淪ometimes, they are reluctant to share what they think might be embarrassing details, but听we听assure听them that everything is held in confidence听鈥斕齩ur goal is simply to protect the community.鈥�

Rivera,听a communication sciences and disorders student,听has听spoken with patients of all听ages听and all walks of life. She听sees the experience as beneficial to her future career as听a speech-language pathologist.听Some of听her clients may include survivors of COVID-19,听who can face challenges with breathing,听speaking and swallowing after听ventilator use,听and听her clinical training will help play a role in their听physical听recovery.

鈥淚t鈥檚 been surprising to see how far-reaching this has been,鈥� says听Rivera. 鈥淚 think that 麻豆原创 students have banded together as best we听can,听and we will continue to Charge On.鈥�

Some of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are听similar, making it hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Flu and COVID-19 can both result in serious illness, including illness resulting in hospitalization or death.

鈥淕etting vaccinated is not only for our individual health, but also for the health of our community and families,鈥� says Assistant Professor Kai McKinstry, a Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences virus expert. 鈥淭he very young and the elderly are at most risk when it comes to the flu, so it鈥檚 important that we all do our part to help protect ourselves and these vulnerable populations.鈥�

McKinstry says the flu is a problematic virus because it鈥檚 constantly changing, which is why we need to get a new vaccine every year. Backed by funding from the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health, he is working on developing a once-in-your-lifetime flu shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that anyone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, get a yearly flu vaccine. According to the CDC, September and October are good times to get vaccinated, but be mindful that as long as flu viruses are circulating, you can still get vaccinated in January or later.

The flu vaccine cannot give you flu illness, as the vaccine is made with inactivated viruses which are not infectious, or with proteins from a flu virus. Common side effects may include soreness, redness and/or swelling where the shot was given, a low-grade headache, fever, muscle aches, nausea and fatigue. These symptoms are mild and short-lasting.

鈥淭he way any vaccine works is that it may take up to two weeks for your body to mount an immune response and generate the antibodies that are going to be protective,鈥� McKinstry says. 鈥淪o if you have it early, it gives your body a chance for your body to build immunity, and that鈥檚 the name of the game.鈥�

McKinstry says it鈥檚 anyone鈥檚 guess how COVID-19 will affect flu season. He is hopeful that reduced tourism in Central Florida 鈥� which contributes to the spread of the flu 鈥� and practices society has implemented such as physical distancing, face coverings and frequent hand washings could help curb the spread of the flu.

Still, he stresses the importance of getting vaccinated as another preventative measure we all should be taking this year.

Remember to armor up with a face covering before arriving for your flu shot. For more information regarding the flu and flu vaccine during the pandemic, visit the CDC鈥檚 website.

Where to get your flu shot

Flu shots are covered by student health fees, so all 麻豆原创 students with a valid student ID can receive their flu shot through Student Health Services, no proof of insurance necessary.

Faculty and staff are welcome to get vaccinated through Student Health Services. Your in-network insurance card must be on file so Student Health Services can bill your insurance, with charges filed as part of your preventative benefits coverage.

To get a flu shot, patients can request to be vaccinated as part of their scheduled in-person appointment, or via walk-up accessibility outside of the Health Center.

Student Health Services offers flu shots to students, faculty and staff on the main campus via a mobile flu cart. To make receiving a flu shot as convenient as possible, you can tweet @麻豆原创HealthCenter to request the cart come to your location or you can use Twitter to find the the Mobile Flu Cart’s location on campus in real time.

This is a new initiative to help bring the vaccine straight to students, faculty and staff around campus. In a press conference on Sept. 21, the deans of 麻豆原创鈥檚 College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and the College of Health Professions and Sciences, along with Student Health Services, showed off the new initiative and collectively received their flu shots.

Student Health Services will hold its first drive thru flu shot event Oct. 7 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. as part of the annual Healthy Knights Expo. Students, faculty and staff will be able to meet the various well-being partners on campus, receive healthy campus resources, and get their flu shots all while remaining in their vehicle and maintaining a physically distant experience.

Faculty, staff and students who are established patients with 麻豆原创 Health can receive a flu shot. 麻豆原创 Health, which accepts most major insurance providers, is accepting new patients at its Lake Nona and East Orlando offices. Call 407-266-3627 to schedule an appointment.

As in years past, Student Health Services will be offering mobile flu shot clinics at 麻豆原创鈥檚 main campus as well as the satellite campuses in order to make it as easy and convenient for all students to get their flu shot. Dates, times, and locations for these clinics can be found on , which is updated frequently as more dates are confirmed.

Not close to campus? Search this CDC-recommended website to find another location near you.

WAIT! 鈥� Before you head to one of the university鈥檚 10 residential communities, there are some new requirements 鈥� including move-in appointments 鈥� because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

鈥淢ove-in is starting over two weeks earlier than normal and students must sign up for a move-in arrival time,鈥� says Tamara Jones, associate director of Housing and Residence Life. 鈥淭he maximum number of residents checking in per day is approximately 700, spaced out in two-hour increments. This is to allow for physical distancing.鈥�

Check-in at the main campus will be drive-through, but not at the campuses downtown or at Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Classes resume Aug. 24, and residents can move in Aug 8-23 after making an appointment.

through the . To make an appointment, residents first must have received their room assignment and must have acknowledged the COVID-19 housing addendum for safety precautions. Check-in at the main campus will be drive-through, but not at the campuses downtown or at Rosen College of Hospitality Management.

Before arriving for move in, residents must also pre-register for COVID-19 testing. Instructions are on the move-in page of housing鈥檚 website.听The Student Health Services will conduct tests on the main, downtown and Rosen campuses in conjunction with听Aventus听BioLabs. Students will receive communication on test-site locations prior to arrival. Testing will be administered in the form of a 听nasopharyngeal (nose) swab and results are expected in two to four days.

There will be no out-of-pocket costs to students for the COVID-19 tests. 麻豆原创 will bill students鈥� insurance, and if insurance does not cover, 麻豆原创 will cover the cost of the test.

Occupancy in all 麻豆原创 Housing units has been trimmed by 484 beds this year, with about 7,600 students from more than 30 states to live on campus this fall, says Jones.

Students may bring no more than two people to assist with moving in, and everyone must wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing. All staff and residents will be required to wear face covering at all times unless in your assigned room.

Greek housing students moving into campus houses that are managed by Housing also need to sign up for move-in appointments once they have a room assignment. Instructions are being sent to those students this week. Greek residents must follow the same move-in procedures.

International students and others unable to return immediately for the regular move-in will be able to indicate they need a delayed move, which is available on the move-in website. The student still must have a room assignment to request the delay.

Students will be responsible for the full rental amount, but they will be able to keep the room they reserved and move in at a later time, Jones says.

Housing officials are recommending that students leave large furniture or excessive decorative items at home this year because few surfaces and objects make spaces easier to keep clean.

After moving in, students should remain in their on-campus residence and begin a relative quarantine, only leaving their rooms for food deliveries or pickup until they receive their test results. These measures will help reduce any potential exposure after a resident is tested and helps to provide a more accurate sense of COVID-19 infection status.

Also following move-in there will be a virtual community meeting for residents to meet resident advisors and neighbors and learn about events in 麻豆原创 Housing and on campus.