CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Some students at Texas A&M University Corpus Christi are running into problems with campus housing.
With the coronavirus situation in the Coastal Bend not seeming to get any better, many are choosing to do online studies. However, they are not being allowed to terminate their dorm leases.
Some share the same worry for their health, if they have to live on campus.
Matthew Valdez is an incoming freshman at TAMUCC. When he registered for his fall classes back in March, he also signed up for student housing at the campuses Momentum Village Apartments. Since then, he's decided to stay at home in Ingleside rather than risk catching the virus from a roommate or some other dorm resident.
"I tried my best to get out of it, but they told me I had to withdraw from the school in order to get out of the lease," Valdez said. "What if one of my roommates goes out and parties and doesn't follow the right social distancing, and I suffer from it?"
Valdez said he and his family have contacted the Island University, but the apartments are actually managed by American Campus Communities -- a property management company based in Austin.
They told Valdez that if he wanted to break his lease, he needed to withdraw from the university, find a replacement tenant or pay a penalty of $1,000.
"If they force everyone to go 100-percent online, they will waive the fees but since we have hybrid classes, they're going to make us live there if we signed," Valdez said.
He isn't sure what he will do at this point.
Valdez's brother Robert also chimed into the situation saying "do they care about the students' health or the students' money?" That's what this issue is coming down to," Robert said.
University Statement on Housing Lease Cancellation from Dr. Kelly M. Miller, President and CEO of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi:
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many unique situations for the campus and changes in students’ circumstances. We are continuously working through the ever-changing environment our students are facing. Each student’s situation is different and we are trying to work with each of them on an individual basis. If students are experiencing financial hardships, or their circumstances have changed, we encourage them to contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss options at 361-825-2338.
In terms of student housing, university housing properties are owned by Collegiate Housing Foundation (CHF) and managed by American Campus Communities (ACC). However, one of the advantages of living on campus is the University staff works to resolve any issues whenever possible. We are aware of this situation and are investigating possible solutions.
Islander Housing properties will be open for the fall semester. All floor plans on campus allow for appropriate social distancing, most units provide a private bathroom, and no more than two students share a bathroom in any floor plan. Routine cleaning of common spaces will occur more frequently and be tracked via a daily checklist. Signage and physical barriers will be utilized in the hallways. The staff will provide additional tools and facilitate environmental measures for further social distancing, including temporary closure of other areas (common or residential) if necessary. Each resident will also be provided a personal spray bottle of disinfectant to use as they deem necessary. Bottles can be refilled as needed.
For more information on ACC’s response to COVID-19 and to learn more about their policies, please visit https://www.americancampus.com/about-us/media/covid-19. For questions about leases, call ACC at 512-732-1000.
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
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