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
Change in vaccination and exemption requirements for RIT students
October 22, 2021
RIT to require COVID-19 vaccination for all employees
October 12, 2021
RIT Announces Vaccination Requirements for Hockey Games at Gene Polisseni Center
October 5, 2021
Updated Training Module Available for Infectious Disease Exposure Prevention Plan
September 24, 2021
COVID-19 protocols adjusted for student-athletes
September 23, 2021
A message about the New York State HERO Act
September 17, 2021
Changes to RIT Safety Plan Include Updated Visitor Policy on Henrietta Campus
September 3, 2021
Getting off to a safe and healthy start
August 16, 2021
Face Masks Required for All Indoor Activities on Campus
August 4, 2021
RIT Ready Newsletter
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many changes to the way we learn, live, work, and share in our community. The RIT Ready Newsletter, distributed to faculty, staff, and students through Message Center, is 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
- 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)
Latest News
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September 14, 2021
![illustration of the coronavirus.]()
New RIT visual modeling of coronavirus leads to discovery of behavior of second cellular ‘touchpoint’
WROC-TV features research by Gregory Babbitt, associate professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences; Patrick Rynkiewicz ’20 (bioinformatics and computational biology), ’21 MS (bioinformatics); Professor André Hudson, and Associate Professor Feng Cui.
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August 27, 2021
![vial of Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.]()
Do I need a booster shot if I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine? A virologist answers 5 questions
The Conversation asks Maureen Ferran, associate professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, about the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine. This article was republished by PBS Newshour and the Houston Chronicle, among others.
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August 16, 2021
![students wearing masks sitting at desks in a classroom.]()
Classroom experience expected to incorporate more traditional learning this fall
When classes begin Aug. 23, university administrators expect students will enjoy a more traditional fall semester, albeit one with masking requirements. Most classes will be held in person and related academic activities will resume.
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June 20, 2021
![KCBS radio On Demand logo.]()
The Mix and Match Approach Could Be the Way to Vaccinate Every Country Against Covid-19
KCBS Radio talks to Maureen Ferran, associate professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, about how to speed up the COVID-19 vaccine rollout around the world.
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June 17, 2021
![syringe in foreground and logos and names of different vaccine producers in the background.]()
A mix-and-match approach to COVID-19 vaccines could provide logistical and immunological benefits
Essay by Maureen Ferran, associate professor in the Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, published by The Conversation.
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June 15, 2021
![RIT Ready graphic.]()
Vaccination Updates: On-Campus Clinic Set for June 23
RIT is hosting a free on-campus vaccination clinic for the Johnson and Johnson vaccine Wednesday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Campus Center, Bamboo Rooms. Students, faculty, and staff ages 18+ are eligible to participate.
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June 1, 2021
![screenshot of 19 people on a Zoom videoconference call.]()
RIT seniors use mathematical modeling to explore COVID-19 questions for policymakers
Mathematical modeling has been a powerful tool for policymakers grappling with COVID-19 to help predict how targeted actions can impact the rates of infections, minimize the risk of exposures, increase recovery rates, and much more. Fifteen seniors who took the Senior Capstone in Math course this spring put their modeling skills to the test to help officials evaluate past policies and predict future outcomes.
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May 21, 2021
![logo for RIT Ready.]()
COVID-19 Safety Updates: Alert level back to GREEN
RIT’s COVID-19 Alert Level has returned to Green, meaning the prevalence of the virus in our community and on campus is low. We should all be proud of this accomplishment as we finished the academic year strong. As we begin our transition to summer, it is imperative that we adhere to safety protocols and remain vigilant.
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. RIT is currently reviewing the requirements to distribute funds to students and will have more information in the coming months.
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.