There are specific instructions for students moving into housing for the first time in Spring 2025 (i.e., students returning from abroad), who will need to officially check in, get their keys, etc., as well as students who will be returning to the same rooms they occupied in the fall. Encourage your Deacs to read the email carefully.
Please urge your Deacs to use their best judgment as to when they can safely return to campus.
Good idea: make a medicine kit for your Deac
If you had not done this before the fall semester (or if your Deac is returning from abroad), you may want to equip them with some essential items for when they get sick. It’s winter, they will get sick at some point! Here are some suggestions of what a good medicine kit might contain:
Basic first aid supplies
thermometer
Band-Aids
antibiotic ointment
gauze pads
eye drops
ice pack that can stay in their freezer
heating pad (or warmies that can be put in microwave)
A & D ointment helps with chafing
Over-the-counter medicines
pain medicine/fever reducer (Note: Deacon Health also has over-the-counter medications that students can purchase if needed)
benadryl/antihistamines
cold and cough medicine
cough drops
digestive meds (anti-diarrheal, heartburn, etc.)
Other items
A supply of any prescription medications they take regularly (may transfer RX to Deacon Health or get re-fills)
A supply of replenishing drinks (such as Gatorade)
Food they could eat in the room when not feeling well: things that don’t require a lot of preparation (soup, crackers, granola bars, apple sauce pkt, etc.). Those could sit, untouched, in a container in their closet or under the bed so they’d be ready when your Deac needs them (and does not want to have to go to the Pit to get lunch or dinner).
Liquid IV Hydration or many other brands (powder to put in water to help hydration)
At-home COVID test(s)
Masks (in case of COVID)
Moist Wipes for the bottom (do not flush)
If you do not have a chance to get such a kit together before your Deac heads back to us, this might be a good task for them to do to get off campus when they have a break.
