Coronavirus updates: Housing, campus operations, continuing coursework

Official federal, state, and local response and guidance on dealing with the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing rapidly as the outbreak progresses. We will do our best to keep you informed of what you need to know regarding RIT’s response. We remind you that your best resource for that information is our dedicated website, www.rit.edu/coronavirus. Please check this website on a daily basis, which includes updates to Frequently Asked Questions.

In today’s update, we will give the latest information on:

• Housing
• Campus operations, including what is open and what is closed
• Continuing coursework for students and faculty

Housing

Students residing in university housing must vacate their assigned space no later than April 5, and preferably before that. Those with extenuating circumstances, who cannot leave and have no safe place to go, should indicate that in their Spring Residential Plan in order to make arrangements.

RIT has requested that all students fill out the Spring Residential Plan on the mylife portal where they can indicate when they will be on campus to retrieve their belongings and so that we can know where students are residing for the remainder of the spring semester.

For the latest answers to questions about move-out procedures, go to Frequently Asked Questions on Housing.

Campus operations

While RIT has closed spaces that invite large groups of people, including the Student Life Center, Red Barn and Global Village retail areas, many campus services will continue this week, but often on modified hours of procedures. A current list of such services, including dining, transportation, mail and package retrieval, library and credit union services, is available online.

RIT’s Student Health Center will be open this week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students feeling unwell should call 585-475-2255 to make an appointment. A nurse is on-call after hours and can reach our physician for urgent questions. Students will be screened over the phone regarding recent travel and symptoms. Non-urgent care is also available, but for your convenience and safety, it’s best to call first.

A call center has been set up to handle a variety of questions. The number is 585-475-3500 or 1-833-323-0002, and it operates from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (EST) seven days per week. A webform is also available to direct questions to the Call Center.

Continuing coursework for students and faculty

RIT has made academic continuity a priority so that no student’s academic progress is hindered by the virus outbreak. We previously announced no in-person instruction for the remainder of the spring semester, with plans to transition to alternative methods on Monday, March 23.

Each college is holding training (using remote technology and/or safe social distancing) this week to help faculty prepare courses for this change.

Faculty have been told to notify students of their specific course delivery plans no later than Friday, March 20. The academic calendar remains the same, with final exams running April 29-May 6 and final grades due by May 8.

For more information

Please know we recognize these are unprecedented, challenging and stressful times. RIT is doing its best to provide you with information and answers in a timely matter, with health and safety, and academic continuity being our immediate priorities. For additional questions, please consult the Q&A section of www.rit.edu/coronavirus. If your question is not answered there, use the dedicated call center at 585-475-3500 or 1-833-323-0002, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST, or send an email to coronavirusresponse@rit.edu.