See @James_S_Murphy’s thread, and my thread of concerns about November & December #HigherEd travel.

So far I don’t think the *logistics* of mass departures in November have been included in any colleges’ reopening plans. 1/ https://twitter.com/james_s_murphy/status/1289365824017281024

Most of this migration needs to happen again just before Thanksgiving (for schools who are going online-only then) in a much more concentrated timeframe. There’s no way to social distance that much return travel, unless colleges mandate a multi-week departure. 2/

Historically colleges have not assigned move-out dates, but maybe the limited amount of ground transportation will force the departures to be spread over time. 3/

While parents may have driven to campus for move-in, students have typically used public transportation for holiday travel. With fewer buses, and shuttles to airports, at reduced density, more parents may have to be driving, increasing migration further. 4/

A far safer strategy, if not being online to begin with, is to have all single rooms and allow students to stay in residence through all of the holidays, right into spring semester. 5/

That’s what we’ll advocate for our kids. Re-envisioning college as moving to that town or city, to stay put until the virus is dramatically reduced. 6/

And being responsible members of that new town or city, acting carefully to protect all members of the local community. 7/7

All this relates to housing being a much bigger factor in the viability of the in-person instructional model and residential coming-of-age experiences than anyone realized prior to the pandemic.

The format of bedrooms in relation to bathrooms, the availability of refrigeration and microwaves (apparently there’s a nationwide shortage of mini fridge/microwave units, needed now that meals are take-out!)

Whether off-campus housing is primarily shared rooms and shared bathrooms, or single bedrooms with a private bath for each bedroom (which initially shocked me but turns out to be a vital advantage now)

How the construction of the housing was funded, debt levels, staffing & maintenance costs, lease terms.

And has anyone talked about the logistics of having to do arrival testing and quarantine all over again in January? In bitter winter weather?