The Student News Site of University of New Hampshire

The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire

The New Hampshire

Follow Us on Twitter

27 students evicted from housing for COVID-19 protocol noncompliance

There were 27 evictions from University of New Hampshire (UNH) housing between Nov. 6 and Nov. 11, according to an email sent by Senior Vice Provost for Student Life Kenneth Holmes.  

Director of Residential life Ruth Abelmann says that most evictions this past semester were coronavirus (COVID-19) related: “There have been more evictions this year and this is due to students who have not been compliant with the UNH COVID testing expectations.”  

Abelmann also commented on what COVID-19 related evictions she has seen this semester. She said, “I have seen students being evicted because they have missed three or more COVID tests, and also noncompliance for not wearing a mask.”  

Interim Director of Housing Victoria Perkins disagreed that there have been more evictions this semester than previous years, saying, “Housing is only aware of housing-related violations (violations of the Student Code of Conduct could occur anywhere on campus), but in general there have not been more evictions this year; except in the case of the type of evictions that are unique to this year in that they involve non-compliance with the COVID testing protocols.”  

Perkins also thinks that the majority of students at UNH have done well this year despite the pandemic, “Students have been remarkable this year with behaving responsibly and taking care of themselves and each other during the pandemic.”  

Most of the time evictions are imposed for two semesters and then a student is welcome to return to on-campus housing, and in some cases a student might be evicted for only one semester. Those decisions are up to the Community Standards office. Students evicted in the first semester because of three or more missed test will be on probation when they return to campus. If they continue to miss tests in the spring they will be evicted again for the semester.  

Perkins explained, “Students are given a finite time frame in which to move out if they are evicted… In some circumstances if the alleged violation is very serious, a student could face immediate interim eviction until the case could be fully resolved through a hearing.”  

Per the Room & Board Agreement, a student is not entitled to a refund of housing if they are found responsible for violations of the Student Code of Conduct that led to them getting evicted. 

After a student is evicted the university works with students to make reasonable arrangements.  

UNH has eviction resources that students can use if they are evicted from on-campus housing. The UNH Eviction Resource page where students can find these resources states, “While we set high standards and hold students accountable when they violate more serious violations, we still want every student to be as successful as possible when the hearing process ends.”  

Students can find tips for finding off-campus housing, both on- and off-campus resources and other general information regarding university housing evictions here: https://www.unh.edu/ocs/eviction-resources.  

Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

All The New Hampshire Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *