Penn State will allow international students with extenuating circumstances to move into on-campus housing starting January 4, according to the university’s Global Programs office.

International students who need to return to campus must be tested before returning. Those without a negative test will go into isolation on campus. Students returning before February 15, the university’s target date to begin in-person learning, may be placed in a temporary room.

Off-campus students who are planning on returning to the community would also be required to get tested. 

Exemption for return before February 15 will be done on a case-by-case basis, and the requests can be submitted through eLiving. For the use of rooms outside the semester period, there will be an extra charge.

Penn State reiterated that “all students are strongly discouraged from returning to campus, off-campus locations, and group dwellings” before February 15.

While Penn State’s Directorate of International Student and Scholar Advising still doesn’t have access to exact dates or how to access on-campus housing, it said it’s committed to informing the students as soon as they find more information.

In the meantime, international students with concerns can submit their questions on i-start or schedule 15-minute meetings with international student advisers through Starfish.