Living on Campus

Quarantine and Isolation While in the Residence Hall

Quarantine and isolation are essential components of reducing the risk of spread of COVID-19. Below you'll find important information you will need while quarantining or isolating. We also have staff available to assist you. You can contact your residence advisor (RA), or, if you need immediate assistance, you can contact each building’s residence advisor on call or Campus Security.

162 N. State St. Residences
Security: 312.846.2100 (24 hours)
RA on Call: 312.502.4409 (6:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m., Monday–Friday, 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday)

Jones Hall
Security: 312.516.5300 (24 hours)
RA on Call: 312.502.4038 (6:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m., Monday–Friday, 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday)

The Buckingham
Security: 312.535.0405 (24 hours)
RA on Call: 312.502.4434 (6:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m., Monday–Friday, 24 hours on Saturday and Sunday)

Definition and Expectations

Quarantine and isolation help limit the spread of COVID-19 by keeping individuals away from other people after being diagnosed with COVID-19 or coming into close contact with someone who has COVID-19. If you are isolating or quarantining, you must stay in your room and avoid common areas of your building—including the hallway, elevators, and lounge spaces—until your quarantine or isolation period ends.

Taking Care of Yourself 

Staff will check in with you every few days. We encourage you to keep busy and plan to:

  • Keep up with your social network and remain connected to family and friends
  • Bring comfortable/familiar items from home (photos, decorations, etc.)
  • Plan your time: keep a schedule, work on assignments, and engage in activities
  • Exercise and mediate 
  • Engage in SAIC digital content (Visiting Artists Program, Gene Siskel Film Center, John. M Flaxman Library) at saic.edu/students

SAIC’s Wellness Center, including Counseling Service, is aware of the quarantine and isolation requirements and is available to meet with students virtually. You can contact them to schedule an appointment. For after-hours urgent situations, call 312.499.4271 to speak with a counselor on call.

Food and Meals 

Students should bring groceries if at all possible. Once they are moved in, students have two options for ordering food:

Meal Plan: Food for Thought, our food service partner, can deliver meals to students’ rooms Monday through Friday. Students have the option to use their meal plan to order for delivery around 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Meal plan food delivery should be ordered by sending an email to saicmgr@fftchicago.com. Students need to place their order no later than 8:00 p.m. each night. Only students who are in quarantine or isolation should use the delivery service. To see the menu, utilize the Transact Mobile Ordering app.

Grocery Orders: The second option is for students to place an online grocery order to have delivered to their residence hall between 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. When the items arrive, staff will pick them up from the lobby, knock on your door, drop the item off outside of your door, and then leave. Go here to sign up for a time for staff to deliver your items and then order the items on your own to be delivered as close to the window you signed up for as possible. In the residence halls, we recommend ordering directly from Mariano’s (333 E. Benton Place) via Instacart, Target (1 S. State Street) via Shipt, or Jewel-Osco (550 N. State Street) direct from the store for groceries or pharmacy. Grocery delivery may not include alcohol.

Because we are offering these two options, and because students cannot leave their room to accept deliveries, we will not be able to facilitate restaurant and other food deliveries.

Quarantine Essential Items

Here is a brief checklist of items you may want to consider bringing to your quarantine and isolation space if that is different than your permanent space:

  • Enough clothing to last you 10 days
  • Sheets, pillows, blankets, towels
  • Kitchen items: plates, bowls, cups, glasses, silverware (consider disposable) 
  • Toiletries: soap, toothpaste, toilet paper, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, shaving supplies, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, hairdryer
  • Glasses/contacts
  • Medical supplies: thermometer, cough drops, pain reliever, medication (regularly taken and for cold symptoms)
  • Face coverings
  • Cleaning supplies (e.g., disinfecting wipes and sprays)
  • Wallet, purse, credit card, cash
  • Cell phone and/or laptop/iPad
  • Chargers
  • Identification (e.g., driver’s license, passport) and credit card/bank information

Facilities and Services

Laundry

During quarantine and isolation, students may not be able to access laundry facilities. Students should plan ahead and bring enough clothing so as not to need to do laundry during their quarantine or isolation period. If laundry is necessary, fill out the service request form here.  It will take at least three days for your laundry to be completed, so please plan in advance. A staff member will reach out to you to discuss specific next steps.

Trash and Recycling 

Staff can provide you with some large trash bags when you begin quarantine or isolation. If you need a trash pick up, fill out the service request form here. Staff will reach out to you to identify a time to leave your trash in the hallway, likely the morning of the next business day. For the cleanliness of the building, please do not leave your trash in the hallway without making prior arrangements.

If you need additional trash bags, fill out the service request form here. 

Mail

Residence Life staff will hold mail at the mailroom until your quarantine period has ended. If you are expecting urgent mail or an urgent package, click here and request it be delivered to you. 

Fire Alarm

If the fire alarm goes off, evacuate the building. Follow appropriate physical distancing and wear your face covering.

Facilities Issues

If you have a time-sensitive or urgent facilities concern (e.g., flood, power outage, etc.) that needs to be addressed prior to the end of your quarantine, contact Campus Security at 312.516.5300.

Medical Care and Support

If a student needs non-urgent medical advice or care, contact SAIC Health Services at healthservices@saic.edu or 312.499.4288 during business hours, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If faculty or staff need non-urgent medical advice or care, they should contact their primary care provider.

If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or Campus Security at 312.899.1230. Signs that you may be in need of emergency medical assistance related to COVID-19 include:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion
  • Inability to wake or stay awake
  • Bluish lips or face