College students had to make sudden plans to move back home as the COVID-19 outbreak led to campuses closing for the rest of the school year, but one southeast Iowa institution has some students still in the dorms. Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant is continuing to help a handful of students who cannot go home at this time. The university is currently housing 36 students who are either international students, do not have a home to go to, or have an abusive household. Dean of Students Dr. Becky Beckner says Iowa Wesleyan is continuing to provide food and housing for these students and agreed to let them stay through the summer, for free, if this outbreak continues. Beckner tells KCII News how students are being monitored while they stay on campus, “The expectations of the students, and they had to sign an agreement that they would remain in Henry County, they would participate in health screenings three times a week, they would socially distance, and really only gather in very small groups. If they were living with a roommate, we moved them to solo rooms. If they’ve been anywhere else, like those who were gone to spring break and came back who might have gone to New York City, or Mexico, or New Orleans, they were made to self isolate for 14 days. Their meals were brought to them in their rooms. If they show any signs of sickness at all we have set up a special house to quarantine students.” 

Beckner says the students have been very cooperative and understanding of the guidelines set by the university. Students have received various donated items from toothbrushes to laundry detergent. Beckner announced the university is collecting funds to help those students who have been directly affected by COVID-19. People can donate to this cause by contacting Beckner at rebecca.beckner@iw.edu.