Communications
Communications
This is a collection of messages that have been distributed to the RIT community as updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest COVID-19 protocols can be found in the RIT Safety Plan.
Latest Communications
Mask Mandate Ends for Riders on RIT Transportation
September 8, 2022
COVID-19 Preparations for Fall Semester
August 3, 2022
New Guidelines and Updates on Return to Campus for Fall Semester
July 19, 2022
The RIT Ready Newsletter, which was distributed to faculty, staff, and students from August 2020 through May 2021, was designed to help you plan and stay organized in this evolving environment by sharing the latest information you need to stay safe, healthy, productive, and engaged.
Sign Language Translation Videos
- Commencement Masking and Reminders Message (April 29, 2022)
- Finish Line in Sight. Reminders Heading into Finals (April 28, 2022)
- COVID-19 Booster Requirement - Suspended (April 26, 2022)
- Updated Commencement Vaccination Requirements (April 15, 2022)
- COVID-19 Advisory: BA-2 variant and wastewater updates (April 15, 2022)
- Change to Indoor Mask Policy (March 17, 2022)
- Booster and Mask Message (February 23, 2022)
- COVID-19 Procedures Adjusted (February 11, 2022)
- Message on Extension of Booster Deadline (February 1, 2022)
- A message from the Provost (January 26, 2022)
- Continuing with Resiliency and Perseverance (January 7, 2022)
- Important Update: Boosters Required for Students, Faculty, and Staff (January 5, 2022)
- COVID-19 Update: Preparing for Spring Semester (December 23, 2021)
- COVID-19 Update: Have a healthy break & start to the New Year - Get tested before you return (December 10, 2021)
- New COVID-19 Event Safety Guidelines take effect on January 3, 2022 (November 21, 2021)
- Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Deadline Extended (November 9, 2021)
- Staying safe in a COVID-19 Environment (November 9, 2021)
- COVID-19 in our Community A message from Dr. Wendy Gelbard, Assistant Vice President Student Affairs (November 4, 2021)
- Take Additional Precautions as COVID-19 Uptick Seen on Campus (November 3, 2021)
- RIT/NTID: Change in vaccination and exemption requirements for RIT students (October 22, 2021)
- RIT to Require COVID-19 Vaccination for All Employees (October 13, 2021)
- RIT announces vaccination requirement for hockey games at Gene Polisseni Center (October 6, 2021)
- Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan Update (September 28, 2021)
- Changes to RIT Safety Plan Include Updated Visitor Policy on Henrietta Campus (September 7, 2021)
- Getting Off To a Safe and Healthy Start (August 16, 2021)
- RIT/NTID: Face Masks Required for All Indoor Activities on Campus (August 8, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Information for New and Returning Students (July 13, 2021)
- RIT/NTID: Upload proof of your COVID-19 vaccination (June 1, 2021)
- COVID-19 Safety Updates -- Alert level back to GREEN (May 21, 2021)
- Student COVID-19 Guidelines for Summer 2021 (May 12, 2021)
- Vaccination Protocols for Fall 2021 (May 5, 2021)
- End of Spring Semester Attestation Reminder (April 15, 2021)
- Local vaccine availability – starting tomorrow; Free shuttle ride to Monroe County location (April 14, 2021)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Site Navigation (April 12, 2021)
- Celebrating Our Graduates (April 8, 2021)
- A COVID 19 Update from Dr. Wendy Gelbard (April 1, 2021)
- 2021 CRRSAA Federal Funding message (March 30, 2021)
- An Update on Commencement (March 8, 2021)
- Student COVID-19 Testing and Compliance (February 3, 2021)
- Updates on campus health and safety during the pandemic (February 1, 2021)
- RIT Ready: Reminders and Updates for Students (January 12, 2021)
- Spring Circulation Plan and Checklist (December 16, 2020)
- A message from President Munson: Gratitude for your perseverance and resilience (December 15, 2020)
- Availability of Thanksgiving break pre-departure COVID testing (November 13, 2020)
- RIT/NTID: End of Fall Semester Checklist (November 11, 2020)
- Athletic Department Announces Winter Sports Update (November 10, 2020)
- COVID-19 Update: Alert Level Moves to Orange (November 9, 2020)
- COVID-19 Update: Edge of Orange (October 31, 2020)
- Coronavirus Update: Our Stiffest Test (October 30, 2020)
- RIT Spring Semester Meal Changes (October 26, 2020)
- RIT Spring Semester Calendar Announcement (October 21, 2020)
- RIT/NTID Remains at Yellow Status (October 19, 2020)
- RIT changing to Alert Level Yellow (October 9, 2020)
- Students: Seasonal Flu Vaccine Required by Spring Semester (September 23, 2020)
- COVID Testing Continues: Campus Alert Level Remains Green (September 15, 2020)
- A note from President Munson: Thank you for staying strong (September 1, 2020)
- Academic Continuity for COVID-related Disruptions in Learning DSO Accommodations (September 1, 2020)
- RIT Classroom Safety Guide (September 1, 2020)
- Understanding the RIT Color-Coded Alert Levels (August 14, 2020)
- RIT Student Safety Plan Training (August 3, 2020)
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January 19, 2022
![worker in a hazmat suit taking wastewater sample from a container in a manhole.]()
RIT sees progress with wastewater COVID testing program
WHAM-TV talks to Jennifer Schneider, the Eugene H. Fram Chair of Applied Critical Thinking and a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety, about RIT's wastewater testing program.
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January 19, 2022
![illustration of several hands administering vaccines to the continents.]()
CORBEVAX, a new patent-free COVID-19 vaccine, could be a pandemic game changer globally
Essay by Maureen Ferran, associate professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, published by The Conversation.
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January 12, 2022
![two side-by-side screenshots showing cleared or not cleared.]()
RIT develops SpiRIT Pass to ease entry into public events
The SpiRIT Pass website allows RIT students, faculty, and staff to show their compliance with RIT vaccination requirements to attend large, public events indoors on campus.
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December 30, 2021
![bags of KN95 face masks.]()
Livingston Co. distributes KN95 masks to its residents amid omicron spike
WHAM-TV talks to Andre Hudson, professor and head of the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, about the benefits of KN95 masks versus cloth masks.
Fall 2020 Reopening Plan
The Fall Planning Task Force—along with the Academic Planning, Infrastructure and Health Technologies, and Community Readiness committees— was formed to develop creative strategies and contingency plans to enable a safe and successful reopening for the Fall 2020 Semester. In addition to members of the RIT community, both local and national public health experts were engaged to help us develop our plans and protocols.
Federal Relief
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021
On May 11, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced emergency grants will be provided under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 for postsecondary education. The American Rescue Plan was signed into law by President Joe Biden on March 11, 2021, to speed up the United States’ recovery from the economic and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing recession.
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) of 2021
On January 14, 2021, the U.S. Department of Education announced that the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) had been made available. This COVID relief legislation, which was signed into law in December 2020, supports an expansion of emergency funding for higher education institutions to address the effects of COVID-19. CRRSAA funds have been fully distributed. This is for informational purposes only.
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law on March 27, 2020, created the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (“HEERF”) for distribution to colleges and universities to help offset costs to students and institutions resulting from campus disruptions due to the coronavirus. CARES Act Emergency Grants have been fully distributed. This is for informational purposes only.