Student Belongings Procedure & Options

Dear Cardigan Families,

Now that we have grown more comfortable with distance learning, we’d like to begin to answer another significant question: what’s the plan for student belongings still on campus? This will be a large undertaking, but we are confident that our collective efforts will result in a safe, secure, and thoughtful process. Below, we outline the various options we can provide and the steps that we will take to ensure the proper care of all student belongings:

1. Pre-packing Zoom meeting: Beginning the week of April 20, Cardigan faculty will reach out to students and families to schedule a Zoom meeting. They will plan a time to meet (ideally with both roommates present for those in doubles) and determine what belongs to whom in each dorm room. During these Zoom meetings, the faculty/staff member will take photos and document belongings. They will appropriately label possessions for each student, and students will be able to designate items for trash or donation.

*Students should think about other items that may be stored elsewhere on campus (e.g. athletics, music, etc.), and we will include supplements from the health center if applicable.

2. Packing: Cardigan faculty will carefully pack belongings and safely store items. The options for dorm item retrieval are outlined below. Students and families should communicate their preference (a, b, or c) during their pre-packing Zoom meeting:

a. Pick-up: If government restrictions are lifted and it is safe to return to campus, students will be able pick up their belongings by appointment. At present, we do not know when or if this will be possible, but we will communicate retrieval times and procedures as soon as we can.

b. Free Storage: Students returning to Cardigan for the 2020-21 Academic Year may leave their possessions over the summer and retrieve them when they arrive on campus in September. Non-returning students may also store items on campus to be retrieved at the end of the summer and before attending their next school. There is no charge for storage.

c. Ship: Graduating and non-returning students may request that we store their belongings and ship them to their new school (once their school is ready to receive items). Shipping will be at the family’s expense, and families are encouraged to pick up their child’s belongings, if possible. If returning students need items shipped home before next school year, they can explain those details during their pre-packing Zoom meeting.

Please note: If in the course of packing a student’s belongings, Cardigan discovers an item that violates a major school rule, we will confiscate the item and inform parents appropriately, but there will be no further disciplinary response from the school. We encourage students to speak to their advisor or another trusted adult in advance if there is something illicit in their room.

We understand that this is a sensitive and important endeavor, and we are committed to meeting each student’s needs while respecting and safeguarding the health and security of our greater community. We thank you for your patience and cooperation throughout this ongoing process. While we hope to answer many questions during advisory, please feel free to reach out with additional concerns.

Sincerely,

Nick Nowak
Director of Student Life
nnowak@cardigan.org