Spring Planning

All students are required to complete the Spring Circulation Plan to notify RIT of your intended plans for the Spring 2021 Semester. In addition, there are several steps students need to take before arriving on campus for Spring Semester.

 Sign language interpreted video on the Spring Circulation Plan and Checklist

Spring Circulation Plan

All students are required to complete the Spring Circulation Plan. The Spring Circulation Plan applies to all students, no matter their Spring 2021 plans (co-op, online classes, etc.).

By completing the Spring Circulation Plan on the MyLife Portal, you are notifying RIT of your intended plans for the Spring 2021 Semester. Your responses will determine the required action steps that you must complete.

“Circulating” on campus means you will be on campus during the spring term for any reason (including but not limited to classes, laboratory work, meetings, dining, socializing, using RIT services such as the library, etc.).

Here is a summary of what you might expect as you complete the Spring Circulation Plan:

You will be prompted to complete the Spring Circulation Checklist. Your customized Spring Circulation Checklist can be viewed on the MyLife Portal. This customized checklist will provide you with:

  • An RIT contact who is available to support you in completing all requirements.
  • A list of RIT requirements including a status indicating whether you have completed each item.

You will be prompted to complete an Attestation that you will not be circulating on campus at this time. If your plans change and you need to come to campus, please cancel your attestation via the MyLife Portal. You will receive a prompt to submit a new Spring Circulation Plan indicating that you plan to be on campus.

Spring Checklist

Here’s what new and returning RIT students need to do before arriving on campus in the spring.

 Download a PDF of the Spring Checklist

  • COVID-19 Test
    You are required to complete a COVID-19 test and provide evidence of a negative result before circulating on campus. The test must be administered on or after January 7, 2021. Learn more about test requirements.
  • Seasonal Flu Vaccine
    You are required to receive a seasonal flu (influenza) vaccine and submit proof prior to the first day of classes on January 25, 2021. Learn more about the flu vaccine requirement.
  • NYS Travel Requirement
    You are required to comply with NYS Travel Guidelines. Please continue to monitor the NYS Travel Guidelines as they change frequently. RIT is offering an RIT Coordinated Travel Quarantine Program for those who are interested. Learn more and sign up.
  • COVID-19 Student Training
    If you did not complete the COVID-19 student training module in the fall semester, you must do so prior to your arrival on campus in the spring. The training will provide you with resources and tools to protect yourself and others. Learn more about the COVID-19 training requirements.
  • RIT Daily Health Screen
    You are required to complete the Daily Health Screen every day, seven days a week starting two weeks before you enter campus for the spring semester. Learn more about the Daily Health Screen.
  • Student Contact Information
    Your contact information is used in the event of an emergency. Review and update your contact information, including permanent address (i.e. home), current/local address, cell phone number, emergency contact person(s), and contact information for any family relationships (i.e. parent, spouse, other relatives).
  • Immunization and Health History Forms
    All students who will be on the RIT campus for the first time (including new students and those who started their RIT career online in the fall) must complete the five required health documents located on the Wellness Portal: immunization record, health history, tuberculosis screening, treatment authorization, and insurance plan. Learn more about immunization and health history requirements.

Spring Semester Calendar

RIT classes for the Spring Semester will begin Monday, Jan. 25. The semester will include three “recharge” days and one reading day before final exams. The recharge days have been incorporated into the calendar to give students and faculty additional break days throughout the semester to account for eliminating spring break. The last day of classes for the semester will be Wednesday, May 5, with final exams running May 7-13. Commencement is scheduled for May 14-15 (format to be determined).

 Go to the academic calendar
 Sign language interpreted video on changes to the academic calendar

Flu Vaccine Requirements

RIT is requiring that students, faculty, and staff who will be on campus for any reason receive a seasonal flu vaccination by the start of Spring Semester. We encourage all to get the vaccine as soon as possible.

 Learn more about flu shot requirements
 Sign language interpreted video on flu vaccine requirements

Dining Updates

RIT Dining will make changes and enhancements for the Spring 2021 semester while continuing to place an emphasis on cleaning, sanitation, and safety procedures.

 Learn more about dining changes
 Sign language interpreted video on dining changes

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

Multiple COVID-19 vaccines have been provided with Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Federal Drug Administration. Health officials in the state of New York have full confidence they are safe and effective. While RIT strongly encourages a COVID-19 vaccination, the university is not requiring immunization at this time.

Learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines

Frequently Asked Questions

If your plans change and you need to come to campus, you must cancel your attestation via the MyLife Portal. You will receive a prompt to submit a new Spring Circulation Plan indicating that you plan to be on campus and you will receive a detailed list of requirements that must be completed before you arrive. In addition, you will be required to participate in the Daily Health Screen and weekly student COVID-19 testing.

If you enter campus and have not been approved to circulate on campus for the spring semester, you will be referred to Student Conduct.

Undergraduate students will be able to select a satisfactory/pass/no pass option and graduate students can select a satisfactory/unsatisfactory/no pass option, for up to two courses. Faculty will post all grades, at which point students can determine if they wish to opt for alternate grading. That decision can be reversed until the student’s degree is certified. After degree certification, students can appeal to switch the grade from one mode to another. If a student electing the alternate grading option receives a failing grade, that grade will not be calculated into the student’s grade point average.

The summer 2021 term is scheduled to begin May 26.

Spring break was eliminated to limit student and faculty off-campus travel. The three recharge days, which are spread out over three months, have been incorporated into the calendar to help students cope with the loss of spring break and continued stress surrounding COVID-19.

RIT plans to host in-person commencement ceremonies in May, but given current state regulations it is unlikely guests will be able to attend. All ceremonies will be live-streamed for viewing by family members and friends. More information is available on the Class of 2021 website.

Spring Planning Task Force

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold, RIT is proactively planning for the future while remaining flexible as the situation continues to evolve. The Spring Planning Task Force is charged with development of creative strategies and plans for RIT to continue to conduct its missions in education and research.

Chair: David Munson, President

Members:
Karen Barrows, Chief of Staff, President’s Office
Nicole Boulais, Associate Vice President, Student Support, Programs, and Services
Gerry Buckley, President of NTID
David Burns, RIT Board of Trustees
Enid Cardinal, Senior Advisor to the President for Strategic Planning and Sustainability
Phil Castleberry, Vice President, University Advancement
Lisa Cauda, Vice President and Secretary
Cathy Clarke, Web Developer, NTID, Staff Council Chair
Bobby Colon, RIT General Counsel
Jacob Ellis, Student Government
Bob Finnerty, Chief Communications Officer
Carmie Garzione, Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs
Wendy Gelbard, Associate Vice President, Student Wellness
Ellen Granberg, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Jeff Harris, RIT Board of Trustees
Vanessa Herman, Vice President, Community and Government Relations
Clyde Hull, Professor, Management, SCB, Academic Senate Representative
Keith Jenkins, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion
Sandy Johnson, Senior Vice President for Student Affairs
John Moore, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Management Services
Ian Mortimer, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Associate Provost for Adult and Online Education
Jim Myers, Associate Provost for International Education and Global Programs
Jo Ellen Pinkham, Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
Ryne Raffaele, Vice President for Research
John Trierweiler, Vice President for Marketing and Communications
Howard Ward, Associate Vice President for Auxiliary Services
Jim Watters, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration
John Zink, Associate Vice President, Global Risk Management Services