TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Some say Florida State University didn't do enough to prepare for reopening amid the coronavirus pandemic, but FSU says the necessary resources are there for everyone who needs them.
Rogers Hall and Salley Hall still have students living in the dorms this fall, though not permanently.
They have been turned into quarantine quarters for anybody who catches COVID-19.
"I got tested and I was positive so now I'm here and I just do schoolwork and watch Netflix," said Sarah Burns, a sophomore at FSU and one of 84 students staying in Rogers Hall right now.
She says she's not having any symptoms but came in contact with the virus from her friend's roommate.
"I was like, 'Okay, here we are,'" Burns said.
In Salley Hall, there are another 20 students in isolation.
FSU says they've tested more than 11,000 students as of Sept. 4, with a current total of 839 students on campus and 14 employees testing positive. That's a positivity rate of about 7.32 percent.
Burns says she appreciates being able to stay on campus, but conditions aren't perfect.
"It's good that we have somewhere to go if we do test positive, although the circumstances aren't that great," said Burns. "The dorm isn't the best but also there's no one working here so there's no one we can go to if something goes wrong."
Students must have a dining plan to get meals delivered or order from restaurants that deliver and front the costs themselves.
For students who don't have a dining plan, Madison Social says they want to help.
The restaurant is asking people to reach out to them and they will figure out a way to get food delivered.
Burns says she could see the possible frustrations after the university health center closed over the holiday weekend.
"I feel like if I was actually sick, I feel like it would be a lot worse," Burns said.
FSU says their telehealth services are open 24 hours and encourage students and staff to get tested through them, not another location, so they can offer those living on-campus a room at one of the two Halls.
"We're trying to do our best with this," said Shannon Staten, the executive director of FSU Housing. "We're trying to provide an area where students could be comfortable and wait out their isolation period. There are a lot of online resources for them so if they feel sick, telehealth is available for them."
Florida A&M University has similar rules in place for students.
FAMU says any student on-campus who tests positive or has been exposed to the coronavirus may be moved to another hall for a mandated quarantine time.
Students will stay there for a minimum of 14 days and must have a follow-up negative test.
