A conversation on Living with COVID-19

From adjusting the way we study, play, and interact with one another to responding to ever-changing regulations, we have all had to change our lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Words and phrases we may never have heard before have entered our lexicon: pandemic, endemic, social distancing, breakthrough cases.

So how do we manage and make sense of it all? Join our panel of experts for a candid conversation about how we continue to keep our community safe and what the future may look like.

Participants:

• Andrea Miglani, MD, Emergency Medicine Medical Director (SMH/URMC)
• Wendy Gelbard, MD, Associate Vice President, Wellness (RIT)
• Lindsay Phillips, MD, Medical Director, Student Health Center (RIT)
• Jennifer Schneider, ScD, CIH, Fram Chair & Professor, Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management & Safety Department (RIT)  

This event will take place Friday, November 19 at 1 p.m via Zoom webinar. The Zoom webinar will have limited availability and is open only to RIT students, staff, and faculty. ASL Interpreters will be available. You must use your RIT email address to sign in to the session. The session will be recorded and available for replay.

Please submit questions for the panelists here. 

Counseling and Psychological Services Workshops and Outreach Groups

Did you know workshops and outreach groups are offered at different points throughout the semester to provide additional support to RIT students? It is important to note that workshops and outreach groups are not a psychotherapy service, and instead are supportive and educational opportunities for connection. You do not need to be connected to Counseling and Psychological Services for treatment to attend these sessions.

Check out the workshops being offered this semester below and stay tuned for more opportunities in the spring!

We want to wish the RIT community a happy and healthy Thanksgiving break!

The university will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 and will re-open on Monday, November 29, 2021.

The RIT Department of Public Safety will remain open 24/7 and can be reached at 585-475-3333 or via text at 585-205-8333. For emergencies, please call 911.

View the Thanksgiving Break Guide for information about campus programs, service schedules, dining location hours, travel information, and things to do in the area.

Final Exam Test Accommodations

Students who have test accommodations through Disability Services and plan to take final exams at the Disability Services Office Test Center must schedule exams before the end of the day on Wednesday, November 17. Exams can be scheduled using the MyDSO Student Portal.

Questions? Contact the Disability Services Office Test Center at dsotest@rit.edu.

Smaller goals for BIG results.

As we near the end of the semester it's no surprise that to-do lists, class assignments, the desire to hang out with friends, and other life events feel more pressing. Whether you are looking to finish a group project, exercise more, or decrease your stress, having larger goals can sometimes keep us from making the progress we want to make. 

According to Rodney K. Dishman, Ph.D. professor at the University of Georgia, the best way to ensure your sustained commitment is to aim for smaller, incremental successes. These can help give you direction and you'll be rewarded frequently with a sense of accomplishment. As you meet more of the smaller goals (finishing part of a project, or a few hours to hang out with friends instead of a whole weekend) your dedication will increase, helping you to ultimately reach your larger goals in the end.

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.

Withdrawing from a Course

RIT recently announced the course withdrawal deadline has been extended to Monday, Nov. 22. This extension provides extra time to meet with your instructors and to continue to try to successfully fulfill your class requirements.

If you are considering withdrawing from a course, discuss your plans with both your academic advisor and financial aid counselor before taking any action to fully understand the impact of your decision. 

If you choose to withdraw, a “W” grade will appear on your transcript. Although this grade carries no credit and does not affect your GPA, you may need to repeat the course to fulfill your academic requirements. This could have a potential impact on your graduation timeline, as well as a financial impact. For example, it could change your Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress, which affects your eligibility for federal financial aid programs like grants, loans, and work-study. This is why you are highly encouraged to meet with your financial aid counselor before making the decision to withdraw from a course.

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