Return to Work and Start of the 2021 Fall Semester

As we look toward the start of the fall semester, I am confident we will continue to demonstrate care, concern, and resilience to one another as we did throughout the past year. We all deserve the chance to try to regain some sense of normalcy.

Regarding our public health policies and practices, we will continue to monitor state guidelines and rely upon the advice of public health experts to make adjustments as needed. Here are some changes as we begin a new academic year:

• Given the high rates of vaccination in our employee population, we will not require faculty, staff, or visitors to provide proof of a negative test upon returning to campus. However, we strongly encourage those who are still not vaccinated to get vaccinated. Vaccines are readily available in your physician’s offices and at local pharmacies.
• RIT supports all who may choose to wear a mask for any reason. Unvaccinated individuals should continue to mask indoors while in the presence of others and outdoors in crowded areas. We recognize some vaccinated individuals may prefer to continue wearing a mask.
• Most spaces will operate at full capacity for on-campus instruction, research, campus programs, and services. Physical distancing restrictions have been lifted. However, we support those who choose to physical distance as space permits.
• We welcome our student athletes back, and our Intramural program will be fully operational. We anticipate full capacity at both indoor and outdoor sporting events.
• Food and drink may be permitted in classrooms, labs, and lecture halls at the sole discretion of the faculty member leading the instructional activity.

Please stay up-to-date on additional changes via the RIT Ready website. We strongly encourage you to take the time to review the revised Safety Plan, which has been significantly scaled back from the past academic year. Your dedication and outstanding work have gotten us to this point and will undoubtedly lead us to another productive year for our entire campus community.

David Munson
RIT President