Q&A with residence hall directors Samantha Hill and Meg Sunga
If you’re staying in a residence hall during the UCI Road World Championships (Sept. 19-27), there’s a lot to keep in mind during your stay.
For those students staying on campus during the week of the race, security will be increased. A police officer will be in the residence hall 24/7 from Sept. 19-27. Photo by Julie Tripp
Logan Bogert
Contributing writer
If you’re staying in a residence hall during the UCI Road World Championships (Sept. 19-27), there’s a lot to keep in mind during your stay. Resident Hall Directors Samantha Hill and Meg Sunga are here to answer any questions you may have:
Why did I have to pre-register my guests for the bike race?
SH: Safety and security are our top priorities. We are trying to figure out who’s going to be in the building. Basically, we don’t want people to bring in people from off the streets. So it’s trying to get an idea of not only who is going to be here but who’s supposed to be here. We will be providing the list to security and PD will be double-checking IDs to make sure people who are here are supposed to be here.
What should I do if I forgot to register my guest or I said I was bringing someone and now I’m not?
MS: They can email us. For Brandt, Samantha (sahill@vcu.edu) and for Rhoads, Meg (masunga@vcu.edu). Email us and let us know the situation and we have the ability to update the list as the weeks get closer. It’s okay to change your mind; it just needs to be communicated through email, that’s the best option.
Will there be increased security in the residence halls?
SH: Yes. Police will be in the buildings 24/7.
About how many people will be remaining in the residence halls?
SH: We have the people who have filled out the Google form that was sent out, which did not have a high participation rate. One of the reasons why we need (that number) in addition to security is so dining knows how much food to prepare and our campus partners know for campus programming.
What can students expect when they leave their residence hall before the bike race? What can they expect upon returning?
SH: We’ll do the same thing when we close for Thanksgiving and for winter break. People have more time to come back so they can come back at a time that works for them. We are not doing that check-in process, which takes a little bit longer, like getting your keys and paperwork. It’ll be more like packing a bag, parking on the street and hopping in the car. We usually do not have additional staff.
Where can residents find information on road closures?
SH: There’s the richmond.vcu.edu website. You can also sign up for daily texts that they will send out at 5:30 – 6:00 a.m. saying, “Here are the road closures and the times for the day.” The city is going to do that every day, so that’s a really good way to get information.
Can residents expect delays on mail services?
MS: We are here staffed for mail, but the conundrum is how are the mail people going to get to us? We don’t know that part yet. We’re going to be here ready for them, but how often or easily they are going to be able to come by we don’t know yet. Expect delays.
SH: The mailroom is generally open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. but during bike week will be open 4-9 p.m.
Can residents still have food delivered to their residence halls?
MS: It would depend on the time frame and road closures. They would have to call and ask first.
SH: But dining (Shafer and Jonah’s) will be open.
What else should residents be on the lookout for?
SH: We will have daily programs, like for example in Brandt we will have movie nights and game nights. There will also be other campus programs.
