Students will not be able to live in UC Berkeley’s International House, or I-House, in the fall and potentially for the remainder of the 2020-21 academic year.

The decision, made by the board of directors in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was unanimously approved July 17 and will protect the health and safety of residents and staff, according to a message to the I-House community. The decision will also avoid a potentially disruptive shutdown in the middle of the academic term in case of an outbreak.

Given the many common spaces in I-House, including communal bathrooms and dining areas, the board felt that the house quarantine capacity would quickly be overwhelmed if one or more residents tested positive for COVID-19.

I-House has been working with the campus housing office to offer alternative housing options to residents who were planning on living in I-House in the fall, according to the message. Although campus housing applications have closed, campus will accept applications from and house any resident who indicates they were registered with I-House for the fall.

Current I-House residents will continue to have access to I-House and its services until their contract ends Aug. 15.

Check back for updates.