Austin-Based Student Housing Provider Takes COVID-19 Precautions

AUSTIN, TX — Officials at the American Campus Communities student housing facility on Monday detailed the thoroughness of their process in keeping the facility safe in light of the coronavirus.

American Campus Communities evaluated every angle of its off-campus living communities to create a first-of-its-kind resident responsibility and disinfection program designed specifically for higher education resident housing, officials said in a prepared statement.

• In collaboration with RB, the makers of Lysol, American Campus has set new standards and protocols to help equip residents and employees with proper actionable steps to cleaning
  • NOTE: The Environmental Protection Agency recently approved several Lysol products as the first to test effective against the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Based on a comprehensive touchpoint analysis for each building, American Campus Communities also made updates to its communities to reduce as many touch points as possible, especially in common areas.

The reason for the protocol is to provide actionable, effective measures toward giving peace of mind to students and their parents, officials said. To that end, officials said the program integrates comprehensive cleaning standards and touchless preventative measures to adapt to updated environments in which to live, work and study.

Austin-based American Campus Communities serves 135,000 college students across the country, including at six of its University of Texas at Austin communities: The Callaway House,The Castilian, Crest at Pearl, 26 West, Texan & Vintage and The Block.

Among tangible signs of the thorough process:

• Touchpoint analysis, used to create and adhere to a more touchless community wherever possible
• Clean & Confident room seal marking that each unit has been thoroughly disinfected.
• Antimicrobial clings to ward off bacteria and viruses.
• Physical distancing signage reminders placed throughout common areas.
• Employees in PPE (personal protective equipment) preparing for move-in day.
• Disinfection wipe stands and hand sanitizers.