Newsletter FOSN August 4, 2020

Prepare Your Student

Student Pre-Arrival Checklist
Please be sure your student is checking off items on the Student Pre-Arrival Checklist:

• COVID-19 Individual Testing: All students are responsible for taking a COVID-19 test and providing evidence of a negative result within two weeks prior to arrival in order to circulate on campus for any reason. Students can upload test results to the Student Health Center using the COVID-19 Pre-Arrival Screening form available through the Wellness Portal (wellnessportal.rit.edu).
• COVID-19 Student Training: Students should complete the COVID-19 student training module prior to arrival on campus. The training will provide them with resources and tools to protect themselves and others.
• RIT Daily Health Screen: Students are required to complete the health screening every day, seven days a week, whether or not they are planning to circulate on campus. Students should start completing their Daily Health Screen two weeks before coming to campus (https://dailyhealth.rit.edu).  
• Required Quarantine**: Students traveling from a state or country listed on the NYS or CDC Travel Advisory lists are required to quarantine for 14 days. Students may make arrangements to quarantine on their own or, if they are a student in RIT Housing, they can participate in the university-supported quarantine program.
• Modified Quarantine: We expect all students not in a travel advisory state to engage in a modified quarantine for two weeks in their hometown prior to arrival on campus. This includes wearing a mask, washing your hands, watching your distance, avoiding large group gatherings, and limiting contact with people outside of your quarantine team. 

**Students traveling from a state or country listed on the NYS or CDC Travel Advisory lists. 

What Does Quarantine Mean?
In order to help students understand what is expected of them during quarantine, please refer to this FAQ on the RIT Ready website:

• Quarantine means that you will have to stay in your assigned quarantine housing for the duration of the incubation period: 14 days. You must monitor yourself for any potential symptoms of infection including cough, fever, chills or muscle aches, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sore throat, or new loss of sense of smell or taste. You must check your temperature in the morning and evening, and report symptoms or elevated temperature to your health care provider. We expect all students to participate in our Daily Health Screen every day, throughout the semester.

Students cannot go out while in quarantine:

• You cannot go to work or school, participate in social activities, or visit any public places. You should stay in a well-ventilated room that is your own living space in a home or apartment setting, or a single hotel room. You should not be spending in-person time with friends or family.

Flex Schedules
RIT is offering a Flex option for some courses. If this option is available for their classes, students can choose to complete all course requirements online either for the entire semester (Online Flex) or as needed throughout the semester (Full Flex). The Flex option is defined as a blended or in-person course in which the faculty member has determined that students can achieve the same learning outcomes via remote means. Students can find Flex options in SIS (Student Information System).

Deaf Culture at RIT
One of the most unique aspects of RIT is that it is home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID); more than 1,200 deaf and hard-of-hearing students study at RIT. Hearing students will interact with the Deaf community in courses, residence halls, and campus events. There are many ways hearing students can be involved in Deaf culture, including taking ASL courses and learning through No Voice Zone. Learn more in the Deaf Culture and Access Services Family Orientation video.

Campus Employment
Students seeking on-campus employment will need to produce several forms of unexpired, original identification. A driver’s license AND social security card together or a passport on its own are common acceptable forms of ID. Find a complete list of acceptable documents on the Student Employment Office website.

Staying Involved on Campus
While student life will look differently this fall, there are many benefits to staying involved on campus through clubs, student organizations, intramurals, arts, and more. Benefits of campus involvement include building friendships, better academic outcomes, and the development of “soft” skills. With over 200 clubs and organizations on campus, there is something for all interests. During Orientation, your student will have the opportunity to attend a virtual Tiger Activities Fair to explore their options. 

Today's Parent Tips

Family Orientation—Living on Campus and Deaf Culture
Along with these newsletters, we are happy to share our 2020 Family Orientation video series. Each week, we share interviews with RIT staff that will introduce you to campus resources and life on campus. We hope that these videos not only help you understand the support systems available at RIT, but open conversations with your student about what to expect in the fall.

I am happy to share two videos this week:

• Living on Campus: Hear from our Director of Residence Life about what it is like to live in the residence halls, how students can build a positive roommate relationship, how RAs work with students, and much more.
• Deaf Culture and Access Services: Deaf Culture is an important aspect of RIT culture. In this video we discuss how students can engage in the Deaf community, services available for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, and communication tips.

Family T-Shirt Sales
It is RIT tradition for parents to wear orange during Fall Convocation for New Students and Families. While this ceremony will be held virtually this year, we want to give you the opportunity to purchase an RIT t-shirt and show your Tiger Pride off at home while you watch Convocation remotely! T-shirts are $10 and must be pre-ordered on this form by August 7. You will be able to pick up your pre-ordered t-shirt on new student Move-In Days (August 12-15) between 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in the upper level of the Gordon Field House. Please enter on the lower level off of A. Leo Fox Lane and follow signs for t-shirt pick up.

Parent and Emergency Contact Information
If this is not your preferred email address, please have your student update their parent contact information at www.rit.edu/studentcontact. They should also be sure to add emergency contact information.

Visitor Policy
Please be sure to review RIT’s visitor policy. Visitors will be allowed, but all guests are expected to comply with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including completing a health screen. At this time, guests are not permitted in on-campus housing other than the one-hour move-in assistance. Visitors, including parents helping with move in, should call 585-438-5257 to access the RIT Daily Health Screen.

Ask Your Student About...

Are you interested in learning ASL at RIT?
Encourage your student to take advantage of the unique RIT opportunity to learn about Deaf culture and ASL!

How will you balance studying and a part-time job?
Studies show that having a part-time job helps students better balance their workload and succeed academically. Chat with your student about what kind of campus job they’d like and help them get started on a resume.