Boosters Required for Students, Faculty, and Staff

Dear RIT Community,

We enter a new semester and new year with both challenges and opportunities. Our return to campus must be tempered with the reality of a COVID-19 pandemic that continues to evolve. Our plans are subject to change as we monitor the situation based on the latest public health information and guidance.

We remain committed to an in-person start for Spring Semester on Monday, January 10. Our RIT community has an extremely high vaccination rate. In fact, it is much higher than most of our surrounding communities. We aim to reduce risk further and follow strategies outlined by public health experts, including:

• The recommendation that all students, faculty, and staff — regardless of immunization status — get a PCR or Antigen COVID-19 test before returning to campus.
• Continuation of the indoor face mask mandate.
• Continuation of wastewater testing as an early detection tool.
• A requirement for COVID-19 booster vaccines. (NEW)

Recommended Testing

With the rise in cases regionally, nationally, and internationally, we encourage our university community to get a COVID-19 test before returning to campus from the winter break.

If your test is positive: Please follow the public health guidelines in the county/region where you tested and consult with your health care provider if needed. Do not return to campus until cleared by your local department of health or physician.

• Students should notify the Student Health Center of their positive test result by completing the Positive COVID-19 Test Reporting form located in the My Forms section of the RIT Wellness Portal.
• Faculty and staff should upload their positive test results to RIT Employee Self-Service, call the Employee COVID Symptom/Exposure Hotline at 585-475-6040, and notify their supervisor. 

Booster Requirement

We are requiring faculty, staff, and students to obtain a booster shot by Monday, January 31, or within 14 days of becoming eligible for the booster vaccine. 

Booster eligibility time frame varies by vaccination and may change according to available data. If you were vaccinated with other WHO-approved COVID-19 vaccines, you are most likely eligible for a booster as well. See the CDC booster shot eligibility page for more information.

Students should upload their booster information to the Wellness Portal. Employees should upload their information into Oracle Employee Self-Service. We are in the process of setting up booster vaccine clinics on campus and will soon communicate dates and times.

Events on Campus

As of this week, large-scale indoor public events will have additional safety requirements. Large-scale indoor public events are defined as any events that have the potential to host 400 people or more in one venue at one time and when non-RIT community members (local community, parents, alumni, athletics fans, etc.) are expected to be in attendance (event is marketed to the public). RIT will soon unveil a SpiRIT Pass. The SpiRIT Pass will allow current students, faculty, and staff who are compliant with the vaccine mandate prompt entry into large events (including hockey games) where vaccination is required.

Mask Mandate

Face masks are required indoors for everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status. The indoor mask requirement applies at all times, except when alone, in a private office with the door closed, in your living space, or while eating. The CDC has outlined the best types of masks to protect yourself. Make sure your mask fits snuggly around your nose, mouth, cheeks, and chin. Also, make sure your mask is multi-layered.

It’s clear we have entered a phase of “living with COVID.” Although we have tools today we didn’t have in the past, we cannot become complacent about the challenges ahead of us. I firmly believe we must balance the need for in-person learning with sound decision-making that protects the RIT community and those around us.

For updated information, review our guidelines in the RIT Safety Plan that includes the latest revisions. Please continue to refer to the RIT Ready website for additional information.

David Munson, President
munson@rit.edu

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