A follow-up message to the University community<\/a> offers more details about changes to the start of the 2022 spring semester and campus operations. Those changes include:<\/p>\n\n\n \t
\n\nOriginal message: December 23, 2021<\/h4>\nAs many of our students begin their winter break, we want to share preliminary plans and new requirements for the spring 2022 semester. We are encouraged by our experience this fall, but at the same time, we\u2019re aware that the infection rates in Rochester and around the country\u2014especially with the rapid emergence of omicron\u2014could worsen before the start of the semester, requiring a next-level set of plans and responses.\n
Updates and guidance for spring 2022<\/strong><\/h5>\n
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COVID-19 vaccine booster now required for all students<\/h3>","content":"Research shows vaccination remains the single most important tool for preventing severe COVID illness, and the CDC notes that COVID-19 boosters help broaden and strengthen the protection against omicron and other variants. Given the threat of the omicron variant and recent surges in COVID cases in the Rochester region, we have now determined that all students must receive a COVID-19 booster when eligible as a condition of enrollment; eligibility is determined by CDC guidance<\/a>.\n\nPlease note:<\/strong>\n
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Special guidance for study abroad students<\/h3>","content":"All University students who will be studying abroad in the spring 2022 semester are required to get the COVID-19 booster prior to departure, if eligible. Starting in the summer of 2022, there will be no COVID-19 vaccine exemptions for University students studying abroad. Given the rapidly changing landscape for entry and continued residence in various countries, all students studying abroad in spring 2022 are strongly recommended to get the COVID-19 vaccine prior to departure.\n\nIf you are a student planning to study abroad in the upcoming semester and have questions about the vaccination or booster requirement, please contact abroad@rochester.edu<\/a>.","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"covid-test","css_class":"","title":"
COVID-19 test required for residential students arriving\u00a0<\/span>on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>campus for s<\/span>pring 2022<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>","content":"All residential (on-campus) students will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test when returning to campus. This testing requirement applies to all residential undergraduate and graduate students on all campuses, including first-time students.\n\nWe strongly recommend that students fulfill this requirement by getting a COVID diagnostic test (with printed results) 24-48 hours before arriving on campus.<\/strong> Students should be prepared to show valid proof of their negative test result to University officials.\n\nAdditional details will follow on the process for residential students to show their negative test result upon arrival to campus for the spring semester.","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"prepare","css_class":"","title":"
Students, faculty, and staff: Be prepared for things to change<\/h3>","content":"Experience also tells us that a spike in COVID cases can force us to make changes to the ways we conduct our teaching and learning. Therefore, we ask that students, faculty, and staff continue to stay flexible with their plans and expectations. If we experience a surge in our infection rate, we may need to pivot to remote learning for a period of time. We may also need to limit in-person extracurricular activities for a time and expand our quarantine and isolation resources.\n\nFaculty should be prepared to provide virtual learning and classroom support to any student who finds themself unable to attend classes due to COVID restrictions.<\/strong>\n\nAlthough faculty and staff are not required to receive a booster at this time, we strongly encourage everyone in the University community to get a booster shot when they are eligible to do so. Vaccination, boosters, and masking are the strongest defense against the virus and its variants and the best and most responsible way to protect everyone in our community.<\/strong>","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"flu-shot","css_class":"","title":"
And finally: Get your flu shot<\/h3>","content":"Students, faculty, and staff are also strongly encouraged to get their flu vaccination this season. Receiving a flu shot is even more important now during the COVID-19 pandemic because symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are similar, and it can be difficult to immediately distinguish which virus an individual may have. Individuals are encouraged to get the flu shot through one of the following ways, and it can even be received at the same time as a COVID vaccination:\n\nPharmacy walk-ins. With most all health insurance plans, there is no cost when you visit a pharmacy such as CVS, Walgreens, or Wegmans to receive a flu shot.\n\nVisit your primary care doctor. Your family doctor(s) should have available the vaccine for you and your family. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone ages 6 months or older, and a high-dose vaccine may be available to individuals ages 65 years or older.\n\nWe are closely monitoring the public health situation on campus and in Monroe County more broadly, and will send an update to you the week of January 3 with any changes to policies or operations based on circumstances at that time.\n\nWe thank you for your continued patience in these uncertain times, and join with you in looking forward to a healthy 2022.\n\nSincerely,\n\nSarah C. Mangelsdorf<\/strong>\nPresident and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor\n\nSarah Peyre<\/strong>\nInterim Provost","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"}]},"yoast_head":"\n