College housing staff push for vaccination access
Lauren Lumpkin, The Washington Post
Feb. 14, 2021
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1of3Signs plastered on Elkton Hall on the University of Maryland campus last year remind students and families to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.Washington Post photo by Lauren LumpkinShow MoreShow Less
2of3Catholic University student Elizabeth Ulicny, left, moves into a campus residence hall in August. She is assisted by her sister Olivia.Washington Post photo by Marvin JosephShow MoreShow Less
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As colleges allow more students to live on campuses again, staff who keep dorms running say their jobs carry more responsibilities - and new risks.
Resident assistants, campus housing staffers push for access to coronavirus vaccines Lauren Lumpkin As colleges allow more students to live on campuses again, staffers who keep dorms running say their jobs carry more responsibilities and new risks. In addition to hosting virtual floor events and mediating conflicts, resident assistants, community directors and other residential staff members say they’re counseling students thinking about suicide or struggling with homesickness. In many cases, they’re also enforcing mask-wearing and social distancing and escorting their sick peers to isolation housing. While schools have made some modifications assigning students to single bedrooms, requiring negative coronavirus tests before move-in and issuing masks and other protective gear to staff members some campus housing staff members are pushing to make sure they’re vaccinated alongside other essential workers.