George Washington (GW) is enlisting JK Moving to use video chat to identify and pack students’ belongings. These belongings will then be stored until the next academic year.
GW officials announced earlier this month that students were required to move out of their residence halls by March 20. Unless, they qualified for six exemptions after GW moved all classes online for the rest of the semester amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Officials announced Friday, March 27, that residents in the District and International houses and Munson and Thurston halls will be the first wave of students to participate. This is an unprecedented packing system which will take place between March 30 and April 5.
Video Chat Packing Services
Students will work with the moving company via video chat to distinguish which belongings are theirs. The movers will tag and box essential items like credit cards, prescriptions and passports. These specially labeled boxes will be immediately shipped to students, according to the email.
“Please know that we are doing everything we can to protect your health and safety and store your belongings securely” the email stated. “While we know the situation is not ideal, the steps we are taking are in direct response to the social distancing and stay at home guidelines in the District of Columbia and elsewhere across the nation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Furthermore, the Moving company employees will box up textbooks and other academic materials left in each room. GW Mail and Package Services will retrieve and mail the boxes after contacting students for payment details. GW staff will return books rented from the campus store or a GW library, according to the email.
“We are trying to do the best we can under extraordinary circumstances to get our students the items that are absolutely necessary,” the email states.
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