Stop the Spread of Germs!

With cold and flu season upon us, it is important for us to do what we can to help stop the spread of germs. Keep these tips in mind to help keep our RIT community healthy:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Cover your mouth and nose with tissues when you cough or sneeze
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay away from others as much as possible when you are sick
• Avoid or minimize contact with sick people

Need a flu shot? RIT is partnering with Wegmans to provide on-campus flu vaccine clinics for RIT students. Stop by the flu vaccine clinic on Wednesday, Nov. 3 in Fireside Lounge between 8 a.m.-4 p.m. to get your flu shot. Walk-ins are welcome!

If your insurance is not accepted by Wegmans, you can get the vaccine at the Student Health Center for $20.

Change in COVID-19 Vaccination and Exemption Requirements for RIT students

As recently announced by the university, COVID-19 vaccination and exemption requirements have changed for RIT students. The university revised the religious and medical exemption process and will no longer accept philosophical exemptions. If you are planning to return to RIT for the spring 2022 semester, you must be vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit a medical or religious exemption for approval. 

If you do not comply with the revised RIT guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination, you will not be permitted to be on campus or allowed to take any classes. More information, including frequently asked questions, about the changes can be found on the RIT Ready website.

Stick to your workout, even when you don't want to.

Have you ever started an exercise routine, but a few days in skip it to hang with new friends or relax instead? If so, chances are the next day you're feeling tired and, again, skip the gym. Why is it so easy to stop an exercise routine we just started? Ryan Rhode Ph.D., director of Behavioral Medicine Lab at Canada's University of Victoria, provides some tips for breaking this cycle:

• Find an activity you truly enjoy
• Make exercise entertaining - watch TV or listen to music while on the treadmill or bike
• Bring a buddy along or start the plan with someone else - we are more likely to remain successful when we have an accountability partner
• Try to remove any barriers – pre-plan your schedule the night before 
• Schedule time to exercise, literally put it in your daily routine

Each week, we are sharing a financial wellness tip to help you make the connection between financial management decisions, your overall wellness, and student success. Money touches every aspect of our lives, and a lack of financial literacy can cause unnecessary stress and negatively impact our mental and physical health.

Spring Enrollment and Financial Literacy Education 
Shopping carts for the spring semester opened up last week, and registration for classes next semester will open up next Monday, Nov. 8. Check SIS for your enrollment appointment time and any holds on your account that may need to be addressed prior to registration. Financial holds may prevent you from registering, so it is important to take care of them now!

As you are planning your spring semester schedule, consider the following electives available to you to help expand your financial literacy skills:

• Personal Financial Management (FINC-120)
  This class examines financial decisions people make in their personal lives, including personal taxation, housing and mortgages, consumer credit, insurance and retirement and estate planning, and also reviews the common financial investments made by individuals, including stocks, bonds, money market instruments, and mutual funds.

• Financial Fitness (WHWS-8)
  This online Wellness Education course will teach you how to become financially fit by providing a foundation about important topics that include: the time value of money, budgeting, taxes, credit (good debt vs. bad debt), buying vs. leasing a car, banking, housing, financing college and much more. You will learn tools on how to best manage your resources and gain a basic understanding of the complex world of personal finance.

Friendly reminder: the FAFSA for 2022-2023 opened on Oct. 1! If you haven’t already filled this out, please do so now!  Students receiving federal financial aid must do this annually.

For additional events and event information, go to rit.edu/events.