Adapting to Coronavirus Guidelines at ‘Gator Pond’ – with Lupita ‘Pete’ Morales

Student Housing Matters

When the Coronavirus shut down college campuses across the US, most student housing facilities closed as well. But what do you do if the majority of your residents are not from the US and may not have the option to simply go home? How do you continue to serve students and stay connected with them when you’re required to stay at least six feet apart?

Lupita ‘Pete’ Morales is the Assistant Director of Housing Operations at the Campus Corner Apartments at Green River College in Auburn, Washington. She oversees operations for the 340 students living on campus, 179 of whom have remained on campus through the COVID-19 shutdown. Pete is committed to building a diverse and equitable community in an environment where 80% of the residents are international students.

On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Pete joins guest host Alton Irwin to discuss her team’s response to Coronavirus. She describes the diverse population of international residents she serves, weighing in on why she advocated to keep student housing open and what innovative strategies her team is using to stay in touch with its residents. Listen in for Pete’s insight around how the GRC team is navigating social distancing guidelines and learn what customer service, communication and cleanliness processes they plan to continue even after the pandemic is over.

Topics Covered

Pete’s role as AD of Housing Operations at Green River College

The diverse population of international students at Green River

What Green River leadership did to plan for COVID-19 in February

The Instagram account Pete’s staff is using to stay in touch with residents

What processes Pete’s team plans to continue once the crisis is over

How Pete’s team navigated move-in/out with social distancing guidelines

Why Green River student housing advocated to stay open

How Pete’s staff communicates with students who are learning English

How a typical day in Pete’s office looks different right now

What Pete’s team is doing to improve customer service to residents

Connect with Pete

Green River College

Pete on LinkedIn

Gator Pond on Instagram

Connect with Leigh Anne & Alton

Student Housing Matters

Student Housing Matters on Facebook

Student Housing Matters on Twitter

Capstone On-Campus Management

Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

Alton on LinkedIn

Email [e-mail]