ECU move out process underway

East Carolina University has begun the move out process for all residence halls due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The university is still on an extended spring break and will transition to online classes next week.

Beginning this morning, students began removing everything from their dorm rooms and turned in keys to Campus Living staff.

Some freshmen students this morning said it was sad to be moving out with the help of mom & dad.

"Well today we are moving out and I was expecting to come back a week ago and start my classes but now we are homeschooled and having to move out of our dorms," said student Sam Stich. "It's been kind of sad."

Dorms will close at 3 pm next Wednesday and the university plans to move any student who can’t leave campus into a single residence hall.

"It's a big pain but it also scary because we don't know where these sick people are coming from," said parent Timothy Neal. "Getting in the elevator and all seemed like the college didn't prepare too much for this."

For any students who cannot make it to campus, the university says Campus Living will secure those rooms for the remainder of the semester.

Campus Living staff will go into those rooms to throw away all items in the refrigerator/ freezer. A second move out process will be scheduled for May 1.

East Carolina University says it will shut down residence halls next Wednesday due to the coronavirus outbreak. One will remain open for those students who remain.

Spring break for the university was extended this week as ECU prepared to hold most classes online.

Students had been asked not to return to campus during this transition.

ECU says they will close the dorms at 3:00 p.m. on March 25th and that any students that remain will be consolidated into one residence hall.

The university said right now there are between 350 and 450 students living on campus.

• The ECU move out process for all residence halls will begin Thursday, March 19 at 8 a.m. and conclude on March 25 at 3 p.m. Students will remove all items from their room and turn in their key fob to Campus Living staff before leaving campus.

• For students who are unable to return to campus and move out before March 25 at 3 p.m., ECU Campus Living will secure those rooms for the remainder of the semester. Campus Living staff will go into those rooms to remove and dispose all remaining items in the refrigerator/freezer for health reasons. In addition, a second move out process will be scheduled after May 1 for those who aren’t able to return to campus between March 19-25.

• Specific details regarding the move out process will be announced on Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m. Please check your ECU email account for that message.