Students interested in this option were directed to complete an online form which would include the contact information of the company or individual "contracted to pack up or remove their belongings from their residence hall."

“Once the form is completed, it is received by the student’s neighborhood Facilities team. An REHS Facilities team member will be in contact with the third-party designee within 48 hours to schedule an escorted move-out between March 24 and April 12,” the email said.

Check-out will then be done remotely, with students mailing their room keys and access cards along with a filled-out and printed residence hall form or apartment form. The keys must be received by April 12 in order to be eligible for the room and board credit, according to the email.

The email said students are responsible for finding their own contract with a moving or storage company, but suggests Two Men and A Truck as an approved MSU vendor.

"As of Sunday night, we have about 130 students using the third-party process to collect or remove belongings," REHS Assistant Director of Communications Bethany Balks said via email.

Balks said they've offered this service to students in the past with extenuating circumstances, but that was mostly for residents during winter or spring break.

"This is the first time we've had to do a more formal, documented process for a large number of students," Balks said.

If students are unable to retrieve their belongings themselves or hire a third-party to move out, they are encouraged to contact the Housing Assignments Office. 

"Overall, we recognize that this very unique situation causes very unique needs," Balks said. "We know the move-out and check-out process is different for each student, and we want to help our residents as much as we can."