COVID-19 Messages to the Community

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We are pleased to announce that the University will hold an on-campus vaccine booster clinic this month. The University encourages all members of the community to receive a booster, if eligible.   

The clinic will be held Thursday, Sept. 29, from 12–7 p.m. in the ambulatory level of the Robins Center. Participants may choose the latest Pfizer or Moderna booster, which include protection against the current variants.

When considering your eligibility and which booster to get, we encourage you to review helpful information on the CDC’s website. There is no charge for the vaccine booster.

Buford Road Pharmacy will staff and operate the vaccine clinic. All current students, staff, and faculty eligible for a booster may participate in the clinic, but appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, click here. The link is specific to the clinic being offered at the University. The deadline to schedule an appointment is 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 26. At that time, appointments will be closed.

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

• You will be able to select your appointment time and preferred booster using this link and will be asked to provide your name, email, and phone number.
• If possible, print, complete, and bring with you the requested vaccine screening form, available here, prior to your appointment.
• The vaccine booster is being provided at no cost, and insurance is not required. If you have insurance, please bring a copy of your insurance information to your appointment.
• Please bring a printed or electronic copy of your COVID-19 Vaccination Record card.

If this clinic does not fit your schedule, COVID-19 boosters are readily available through many health care providers and pharmacies. For information on where to obtain a vaccine or booster, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov.

Dear members of the Spider community, 

The start of the fall semester is upon us. Campus is already buzzing with excitement as students move into their residence halls, and we prepare for classes to begin Monday.

This message includes important reminders relating to the health of our community as we kick off our fall semester and work together to provide an outstanding educational and co-curricular experience.

COVID-19

The University is in the Green Stage of our physical distancing framework. We have successfully operated in this stage, which recognizes a “living-with-COVID-19 normal” while maintaining some of our best practices, since March 2022. The information below details the key elements of our COVID-19 response planning for the fall.

TESTING

The University will continue to provide self-test kits at no cost to members of our campus community this fall. Self-test kits are available to any student, staff, or faculty member who is experiencing symptoms or concerned about a potential exposure. You may pick up one self-test kit at a time when needed. Each box contains two tests. If you have been contacted by the University’s contact tracing team, you may pick up two boxes of self-tests for a total of four tests.  

Self-test kits are available in the following locations: 

• URPD Communication Center in the Special Programs Building, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
• Center for Student Involvement, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., beginning Aug. 22.

REPORTING POSITIVE TESTS

• Students must report their positive test by using this form.
• Faculty and staff should please e-mail hr-health-screens@richmond.edu to report positive test results.

ISOLATION PROTOCOLS AND CLOSE CONTACTS

Students, faculty, or staff who test positive for COVID-19 will be required to isolate for at least 5 full days. The University has isolation housing for students who live on campus. 

• More information regarding the University’s isolation protocol for students is available
• More Information regarding the University’s isolation protocol for staff and faculty is available here.

The University will continue to conduct contact tracing. Students, faculty, or staff identified as close contacts of someone on campus will be contacted and given follow-up instructions by the University’s contact tracing team via email, so please check your email regularly and remember to be patient and cooperative with our contract tracers as they work to support you.

Consistent with the most recent guidance from the CDC, students, faculty, or staff identified as close contacts are not required to quarantine, regardless of their vaccine status. We are requiring that close contacts:

• Wear a mask indoors for 10 days following exposure;
• Monitor themselves for symptoms of COVID-19; and
• Test on days 1, 3, and 5 post exposure.

More information on our protocols for close contacts is available here.

MASKING

Universal masking is not required, though anyone is welcome to wear a mask. Faculty and staff may require all students to wear a mask in their classroom, lab, or office, but they must notify students of this requirement in advance. Students are required to comply with direction from their instructors or staff to wear a mask.

High-quality masks are available at no cost at the following locations:

• URPD Communication Center in the Special Programs Building, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
• Center for Student Involvement, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 12 a.m., beginning Aug. 22.

VACCINES

COVID-19 vaccines are an effective tool to combat COVID-19 and help protect our community. Unless granted an exemption, all students, faculty, and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

If you have not already done so, please report your vaccine status to the University.

• Incoming, returning, and law students can report their vaccine status through the Immunization Form available in their Student Health Center portal.
• MBA and SPCS students should report their vaccine status by completing this form.
• Faculty and staff should report their vaccine status by completing this form.

If you are fully vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to consult with your health care provider to get a booster or second booster, if eligible, as data shows boosters protect against serious illness and hospitalization.

MONKEYPOX

As we notified you last week, the University is also monitoring a multi-country outbreak of monkeypox, first identified in May 2022. We are working with and following guidance from local and national health experts. More information and an FAQ about monkeypox can be found here.

CLASS ABSENCES DUE TO ILLNESS

Students should notify their instructor of any class absences as stipulated by the instructor. Instructors have a variety of means of supporting students who may miss classes due to illness. Students should not expect to attend in-person classes by virtual means (i.e., “blended” classes). Except for select SPCS courses that have been specifically designed for blended teaching, our experience has shown that teaching simultaneously to both in-person and remote students often degrades the student learning experience and increases absentee rates.  

SPIDER HEALTH REPORT

To keep our community informed about important health information during the fall semester, the University will share a Spider Health Report via SpiderBytes each Friday morning. This weekly community health update will include data on COVID-19 cases on campus, as well as other health information. The Spider Health Report will replace the COVID-19 dashboard. We will also continue to update the community, as needed, with stand-alone communications. 

Thank you in advance for your part in caring for our community. We are looking forward to a great semester. 

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development  

Carl Sorensen
Senior Associate Vice President for Human Resources 

Dear Colleagues, 

The excitement and energy of a new academic year is just around the corner. I’m writing today with important reminders related to the University’s COVID-19 response as we prepare to welcome students to campus and begin our fall semester in just a few weeks. 

We will open the fall semester in the Green Stage of our physical distancing framework, which the University has been successfully operating in since March. This stage recognizes a “living-with-COVID-19 normal” while maintaining some of our best practices for COVID-19 response that have served us well throughout the course of the pandemic, from the availability of COVID-19 tests and high-quality masks to building systems enhancements, including increased outside airflow and installation of bi-polar ionizers, and UVC filters.

The information below details the main components of our COVID-19 planning as it relates to the start of the fall semester. 

COVID-19 LEAVE 

Any remaining COVID-19 balances held over from the spring 2022 semester will remain available for employees to use through Dec. 31, 2022. COVID-19-related leave could include testing positive for and/or recovering from symptoms of COVID-19, receiving a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, caring for a family member with COVID-19, or quarantining due to a COVID-19 exposure. Employees should consult with their supervisor about using COVID-19 leave. Please check BannerWeb for all your leave balances.

TESTING

Faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 should please email hr-health-screens@richmond.edu to report positive test results or if developing possible symptoms. Employees who are identified as a close contact should follow these decision trees for additional information. If you are identified as a close contact of someone within our campus community, a University contact tracer will follow up with you directly and provide further instructions. 

Self-test kits are available on campus at no cost to any student, staff, or faculty member who is experiencing symptoms or concerned about a potential exposure. Self-test kits are available at the following locations: 

• Center for Student Involvement, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• URPD Communication Center in the Special Programs Building, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

VACCINES

COVID-19 vaccines are an effective and critical tool to combat COVID-19 and help us protect ourselves and our community. Unless granted an exemption, all students, faculty, and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The University’s vaccine policy is available here. 

You must also report your vaccine status to the University. If you have not already done so, faculty and staff should report their vaccine status by completing this form. 

If you are fully vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to consult with your health care provider to get a booster or second booster, as emerging data shows COVID-19 boosters are providing enhanced protection against infection and serious illness. If you have not already done so, please update your records by reporting any booster(s) that you have received. We are hoping to host a booster clinic on campus sometime during the fall semester. 

MASKING

Our current policy remains in place. Universal masking is not required though anyone is welcome to wear a mask. Faculty and staff may require all students to wear a mask in their classroom, lab, or office, but they must notify students of this requirement in advance. Students are required to comply with direction from their instructors or staff to wear a mask. High-quality masks are available at no cost at the following locations: 

• Center for Student Involvement, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• URPD Communication Center in the Special Programs Building, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Additional resources for employees specifically related to COVID-19 are available on the HR website. We are monitoring conditions on our campus and will adjust if needed. 

Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of the University community and our educational mission, and I wish you a great rest of the summer and start of the fall semester. 

Sincerely,  

Carl Sorensen
Senior Associate Vice President for Human Resources 

Dear students,

We are delighted to welcome you to campus as either a new or returning student in the coming weeks. Though some of you have been on campus for summer term classes, research, internships, or athletic practice, it’s just not the same when our entire Spider community is not together, and we are looking forward to the start of the fall semester in just a few weeks.

We are writing today with some important updates and reminders as it relates to COVID-19.

Our goal for the upcoming academic year is to provide an outstanding educational and co-curricular experience for our students. Doing so will require all of us to follow simple, commonsense protocols regarding COVID-19. As much as we wish the pandemic were over, it is not. However, by following reasonable and sustainable COVID-19 protocols, we can foster our shared commitment to the health of the campus community while providing a robust, in-person experience for students.

We will open the fall semester in the Green Stage of our physical distancing framework, which recognizes a “living-with-COVID-19 normal” while maintaining some of our best practices for COVID-19 response that have served us well throughout the course of the pandemic. These include the availability of COVID-19 tests and high-quality masks, as well as building systems enhancements, including increased outside airflow and installation of bi-polar ionizers, and UVC filters.

The information below details the main components of our COVID-19 planning as it relates to the start of the fall semester.

TESTING

We strongly recommend that all students test for COVID-19 and receive their test results before traveling to campus. If you test positive, isolate, and do not return to campus until six days after the date of your positive test (e.g., if you test positive on Aug. 15, you cannot return to campus until Aug. 21). In such case, please email your deans at the email addresses below, and they will provide guidance.

• Westhampton College: wcdean@richmond.edu
• Richmond College: rcdean@richmond.edu
• Law School: asklut@richmond.edu 

Once you return to campus, you must wear a mask for 10 full days following the date of your positive test.

Once you arrive on campus, and throughout the semester, self-test kits will be available on campus at no cost to any student, staff, or faculty member who is experiencing symptoms or concerned about a potential exposure. Self-test kits are available at the following locations:

• Center for Student Involvement, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• URPD Communication Center in the Special Programs Building, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

REPORTING POSITIVE TESTS

During the fall semester, students are required to report positive COVID-19 test results by using this new form. Returning students: please note, this reporting process is a change from last year. The form provides an efficient way for students to report and upload an image of their positive test, report the date of their test and the date their symptoms started, and list their close contacts. Once completed, the form will automatically route to our residence life, contact tracing, and student health center teams, and those offices will follow up with students as needed. If you test positive, you will be required to isolate, and you should also email your college dean and your professors. We are maintaining isolation spaces on campus that will be available to our students should they need to use them.

Students identified as close contacts will be contacted and given follow-up instructions by the University’s contact tracing team via email, so please check your email regularly. We are continuing the test-to-stay approach we adopted during the spring of 2022, which is detailed here.

MASKING

Our mask policy remains in place. Universal masking is not required though anyone is welcome to wear a mask. Faculty and staff may require all students to wear a mask in their classroom, lab, or office, but they must notify students of this requirement in advance. Students are required to comply with direction from their instructors or staff to wear a mask. High-quality masks are available at no cost at the following locations:

• Center for Student Involvement, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• URPD Communication Center in the Special Programs Building, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

VACCINES

COVID-19 vaccines are an effective and critical tool to combat COVID-19 and help us protect ourselves and our community. Unless granted an exemption, all students, faculty, and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. The University’s vaccine policy is available here.

You must also report your vaccine status to the University. Incoming, returning, and law students can report their vaccine status through the Immunization Form available in their Student Health Center portal. MBA and SPCS students should report their vaccine status by completing this form. 

If you are fully vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to consult with your health care provider to get a booster or second booster, as emerging data shows COVID-19 boosters protect against serious illness and hospitalization. We are hoping to host a booster clinic on campus sometime during the fall semester.

We are monitoring conditions on our campus and will adjust policies and practices if needed. Our most important reminder to you is to continue to practice caution — especially should you begin experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, including congestion, runny nose, and sore throat — and care for your fellow Spiders. If you experience these or other symptoms, please take a test right away and wear a mask until you know the results.

Please enjoy the remainder of your summer, and we look forward to seeing you on campus soon. Take care of yourself, and let’s care for one another.

With Spider Pride, 

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development 

Latrina Lemon, M.D.
Medical Director, Student Health Center

Dear Students,

While many of you are away from this campus this summer, many students remain for summer term classes, research, internships, or athletic practice.

This message details an important update to the University’s process for reporting COVID-19 test results. Starting today, students who are on campus, or who test positive within 10 days of their scheduled return to campus, should report positive COVID-19 test results by using this new form. A link to this form is available on the University’s COVID-19 Response website.

The new form provides a more efficient way for students to report and upload an image of their positive test, report the date of their test and the date their symptoms started, and list their close contacts. Once completed, the form will automatically route to our residence life, contact tracing, and student health center teams, and those offices will follow up with students as needed.

Students who are away from Richmond for the summer are not required to report a positive test at this time. More information regarding reporting positive tests will be provided closer to the start of the fall semester.

Students identified as close contacts will be contacted and given follow-up instructions by the University’s contact tracing team. These instructions will include information about required testing and how to report test results. Please be on the lookout for emails from covid19support@richmond.edu.

Please remember, students are required to report positive tests, accurately report their close contacts, and cooperate with the contact tracing process. Those identified as close contacts are also required to report test results. Therefore, it’s paramount you open and respond to these emails.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this important update to the University’s COVID-19 response planning.

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

While our campus is much quieter following the end of the spring semester and Commencement, our staff, as well as many faculty and students, remain on campus working and serving our community, conducting research, engaging in summer projects, participating in summer term classes, or working out with their athletic teams.  

We are writing today with an update on an increase in COVID-19 cases in our local community. According to the CDC, Henrico County and neighboring Chesterfield County have moved from low to medium community transmission, while the City of Richmond remains at low transmission. In areas with medium community transmission, the CDC recommends the following:

• If you are at high risk for severe illness, talk to your healthcare provider about whether you need to wear a mask and take other precautions.
• Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.
• Get tested if you have symptoms.

At this time, we are not modifying our COVID-19 protocols. We are monitoring conditions and will make adjustments if needed. This status change in our local community is an important reminder to continue to practice caution — especially should you begin experiencing symptoms, including congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. If you experience these or other symptoms:

• Take a test right away, and
• Wear a mask until you know the results of your test.
• If you test negative but continue to experience symptoms, test again in 24 hours.

Self-test kits are available on campus at no cost to any student, staff, or faculty member who is experiencing symptoms or concerned about a potential exposure. Self-test kits, as well as high-quality masks, are available at the following locations:

• Center for Student Involvement, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• URPD Communication Center in the Special Programs Building, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

Thank you for continued care for our community, and please take good care.

Sincerely, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost  

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty, 

We write today with several important reminders as we close in on the final days of our spring semester.

We have recently experienced an uptick in COVID-19 cases on our campus. This increase is consistent with what we are seeing in our region and the nation largely due to the Omicron BA.2 variant. So far, this variant does not appear to cause severe illness, as the cases we are seeing among our campus community members are resulting in mild illness. For students, the transmission we are seeing is primarily among roommates, suitemates, and small groups of friends. 

We expected to see ups and downs in COVID-19 cases, and while this recent uptick does not require us to alter our COVID-19 response at this time, it’s an important reminder to continue to practice caution — especially should you begin experiencing symptoms.

For added protection, during this increase in cases, consider masking when inside with other people for extended periods of time, such as when taking exams or meeting with colleagues, and take a test right away should you experience symptoms. Symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to symptoms of seasonal allergies and common colds, including congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. If you experience these or other symptoms:

1. Take a test right away, and
2. Wear a mask until you know the results of your test.
3. If you test negative but continue to experience symptoms, test again in 24 hours.

Self-test kits are available at no cost to any student, staff, or faculty member who is experiencing symptoms or concerned about a potential exposure.

Self-test kits are available through the end of this week at the following locations:

• The University’s on-campus testing clinic, located in the Special Programs Building, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Center for Student Involvement desk, located in Tyler Haynes Commons, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Beginning Sunday, May 1, self-test kits will be available in the following locations:

• Center for Student Involvement, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• URPD Communication Center in the Special Programs Building, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

We wish you all the very best during exam week and as we approach Commencement. Stay well.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost  

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students, 

As we find ourselves just a few weeks from the last day of classes, final exams, and Commencement, I’m writing today with several important reminders.

First, as you may have seen on the COVID-19 community dashboard, we have recently experienced an uptick in COVID-19 cases on our campus. We expected to have ebbs and flows in cases, and this increase is consistent with what we are seeing in certain regions across the nation. This increase in cases is a reminder that we should all remain aware of the presence of COVID-19, and to exercise caution, especially should you begin experiencing symptoms.

Symptoms of COVID-19 are very similar to symptoms of seasonal allergies and common colds, including congestion, runny nose, and sore throat. If you experience these or other symptoms, please get tested right away and wear a mask until you know the results of your test. If you test negative but continue to experience symptoms, test again in 24 hours.

The University has been providing self-test kits at no cost to students, staff, and faculty this semester and will continue to do so. Self-test kits are available to any student, staff, or faculty member who is experiencing symptoms or who is concerned about a potential exposure to someone with COVID-19. You may also pick up a free self-test before you leave campus for the summer in case that’s useful for your travel or arrival at your summer destination. 

You may pick up a self-test kit at the following locations:

• The University’s on-campus testing clinic, located in the Special Programs Building, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Center for Student Involvement desk, located in Tyler Haynes Commons, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

My very best to you all, and stay well.

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students and Colleagues,

We write to you today with what is sure to be welcome news for our campus community. For the first time in more than two years, we will be moving to the Green Stage of our Physical Distancing Framework, effective March 28, with the exception noted below. The Green Stage of our framework relaxes many of the restrictions of the prior stages but recognizes a new living-with-COVID-19 normal. 

This change is possible because of our community’s rigorous commitment and active participation in adhering to our campus health protocols and high vaccination rates in our campus population. While we recognize that COVID-19 is not going away, we have reached a point where the case numbers on campus and in the local community are relatively low and well within our capacity to manage. 

Key changes to campus protocols in the Green Stage include:

• Meetings, events, and gatherings may be held with no COVID-related attendee size restrictions;
• The University’s pre-COVID visitor policies for on-campus housing are reinstated;
• Third-party events may be held on campus; and
• Visitors will be welcome back to all dining locations, libraries, and University Museums. 

In order to allow for a smooth transition after a two-year hiatus, we will delay welcoming family and community members back to the Weinstein Center for Recreation and the Well-Being Center until May 2, 2022. Please consult the Physical Distancing Framework for a complete description of the changes associated with the transition to the Green Stage.

A few things, however, are not changing as we move to the Green Stage.

The current mask policy will remain in effect. The University continues to support the decision for individuals to wear masks if they choose, instructors will continue to have discretion to require masks in their classrooms, and faculty or staff who are meeting with students or colleagues in private offices or small conference rooms may require the attendees to wear a mask.

We will also maintain our isolation and contact tracing protocols and on-campus COVID-19 testing clinic for the remainder of the semester, and we will continue to provide self-test kits at no cost to students, staff, and faculty. If you are experiencing symptoms or are concerned about a potential exposure to COVID-19, you may pick up a free self-test kit at the following locations:

• The University’s on-campus testing clinic, located in the Special Programs Building, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Center for Student Involvement desk, located in Tyler Haynes Commons, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Students, faculty, or staff identified as close contacts by the University’s contact tracers will be given instructions on how and when to test.

While we celebrate a return to a more familiar Richmond experience, we continue to recognize the impact of the challenges we have faced and, at times, the pain we, and those we love, have experienced during the pandemic. We would like to close this message by calling attention to an event our Office of the Chaplaincy is hosting later this month as we mark the two-year anniversary of the emergence of COVID-19. 

“Loss and Resilience: A Community Gathering to Mark the Second Anniversary of COVID-19” will be held on the University Forum on Thursday, March 31, at 5 p.m. This 30-minute gathering will include poetry, music, and other reflections as we honor those lost during the pandemic and reflect on our weary resilience as a community. All are welcome.

The work we have done together over the course of the past two years has been nothing short of remarkable. Due to your dedication and resolve, we are now able to move to the Green Stage.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students,

I hope you are enjoying the remaining days of a restful, restorative, and fun spring break. We’ve all worked so diligently together this semester, and I’m proud of what we are accomplishing together.

We remain encouraged by the trajectory of COVID-19 cases on our campus, which have been on a steady decline since the end of January. To keep this momentum going, I write today with a few friendly reminders as we return to campus next week — please monitor your symptoms carefully and take advantage, if needed, of the easy testing options available to you.

MONITORING SYMPTOMS

The warmer temperatures as we close in on the beginning of spring are welcome; however, spring can also bring seasonal allergies and other illnesses. Symptoms of COVID-19 can be very similar to symptoms of allergies or other illnesses. Please carefully monitor your symptoms and err on the side of caution if you are not feeling well, especially following the ten days after the return to campus from spring break travel. If you are experiencing symptoms that may be associated with COVID-19, please take a self-test or get tested before going to classes.

COVID-19 TESTING

The University is maintaining our on-campus COVID-19 testing clinic for the remainder of the semester and will continue to provide self-test kits at no cost to students, staff, and faculty. We are now expanding access to those self-test kits. Any student, staff, or faculty member who is experiencing symptoms, or who is concerned about a potential exposure to someone with COVID-19, may obtain a free self-test kit. You may pick up a self-test kit at the following locations:

• The University’s on-campus testing clinic, located in the Special Programs Building, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Center for Student Involvement desk, located in Tyler Haynes Commons, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Please note that students, faculty, or staff identified as close contacts by the University’s contact tracers will be given instructions on how and when to test.

Thank you for the continued great care you are demonstrating by monitoring your health, testing quickly at the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, reporting positive tests promptly, and complying with isolation and quarantine requirements.

My very best to you all,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Colleagues,

We remain encouraged by the trajectory of COVID-19 cases on our campus, which have been on a steady decline since the end of January. To keep this momentum going, I am writing today with a few friendly reminders — please monitor your symptoms and take advantage of the easy testing options available to you. 

MONITORING SYMPTOMS

Please carefully monitor your symptoms and err on the side of caution if you are not feeling well, especially as many in our community prepare to return to campus from spring break travel. The warmer temperatures as we close in on the beginning of spring are welcome; however, spring can also bring seasonal allergies and other illnesses. Symptoms of COVID-19 can be very similar to symptoms of allergies or other illnesses. If you are experiencing symptoms that may be associated with COVID-19, please take a self-test or get tested before coming to work.

COVID-19 TESTING

For the rest of the semester, the University will maintain the on-campus COVID-19 testing clinic and continue to provide self-test kits at no cost to students, staff, and faculty. We are now expanding access to those self-test kits. Any student, staff, or faculty member who is experiencing symptoms, or who is concerned about a potential exposure to someone with COVID-19, may obtain a free self-test kit. You may pick up a self-test kit at the following locations:

• The University’s on-campus testing clinic, located in the Special Programs Building, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Center for Student Involvement desk, located in Tyler Haynes Commons, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. 

Please note that students, faculty, or staff identified as close contacts by the University’s contact tracers will be given instructions on how and when to test.

Thank you for the continued great care you are demonstrating by monitoring your health, testing quickly at the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, reporting positive tests promptly, and complying with isolation and quarantine requirements.

Your efforts so far and your continued commitment will help us all keep the spring semester on track and productive.

My very best to you all,

Carl Sorensen           
Senior AVP for Human Resources

Dear Campus Community,

As the Omicron wave recedes, it is time to reassess our approach to COVID-19. It has been a long and difficult two years, but as a community we have navigated these challenges through a shared commitment to our collective health and well-being and by being responsive to changing conditions. The steep decline in COVID-19 cases on our campus and in our community now allows us to modify some of our COVID protocols while maintaining other interventions that have and will continue to serve us well.

MASK POLICY UPDATE

Effective Monday, Feb. 21, the University will no longer require universal masking in all indoor locations.

Masks will continue to be required in certain situations, as listed below:

• Students, faculty, and staff who are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, test positive for COVID-19, or who are identified as close contacts are required to wear a mask according to these rules.
• Students, faculty, and staff must wear a mask in the Student Health Center, the on-campus testing clinic, and Sports Medicine.
• Instructors will have the discretion to require masks in their classrooms, and students must comply with an instructor’s direction to wear masks.
• Faculty or staff who are meeting with students or colleagues in private offices or small conference rooms may require the attendees to wear a mask.
• Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged, but not required to wear masks when being served in dining locations.
• The University may require masks in certain work settings where distancing is difficult or applicable regulations require masking.
• Students, faculty, and staff must wear a mask on public transportation, including University shuttles.

Please see the University’s mask policy for more information.

We understand that this change in our mask policy will be welcome news to many, but that others will disagree with making such a change. We assure you that this decision was made after careful consideration and with a sincere commitment to the best interests of our campus community.

Our COVID-19 case rates have declined sharply, and, although we expect case rates will continue to fluctuate as COVID-19 becomes endemic, we have and will maintain the resources to respond to those cases. There is widespread evidence that the Omicron variant causes milder illness in most people, and that has certainly been our experience over the last month. Our campus community is also highly vaccinated and boosters are readily available. Even without required universal masking, individuals can mitigate against the risk of transmission and serious illness by being vaccinated, getting a booster, and wearing a high-quality mask. As result, we have concluded that the best course of action is to support voluntary masking with those exceptions noted above.

Masks have been and will continue to be an important part of our mitigation strategy. We continue to strongly support individual decisions by members of our campus community to wear a mask, and the University will continue to maintain a supply of high-quality masks available at no cost to students, faculty, and staff.

MODIFICATIONS TO QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS

Effective Feb. 21, we will modify our quarantine protocol for students identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19. As you will recall, individuals identified as close contacts and who have not been vaccinated and boosted are required to quarantine for five full days. We recognize how disruptive it is for students and faculty when students are placed in quarantine. To mitigate this disruption, we will adopt the "test-to-stay" approach that health experts have recommended for K-12 students. Under this approach, close contacts who are asymptomatic will not be required to quarantine if they agree to test every day during what would be their quarantine period and test negative. Students who test positive will then go into isolation. The University is not changing its isolation protocol for students who have tested positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS REMAINING IN PLACE

We recognize that COVID-19 is not going away and that we will be living with it in some form for the foreseeable future. Our approach to COVID-19 will continue to evolve, but, for now, we are maintaining most of the protocols and interventions that have served the campus so well, including the following:

• COVID-19 Testing. We will maintain our on-campus COVID-19 testing clinic and will continue to provide self-test kits at no cost to students, staff, and faculty.
• Response to Positive Tests. We will continue to support those in our community who test positive for COVID-19. We will maintain our isolation and quarantine spaces for students and will continue to make available COVID-19 leave for staff through at least the end of the semester. We will also continue contact tracing.
• Reasonable Accommodations. Members of our community who have disabilities that put them at high risk for serious illness may seek reasonable accommodations, and we will be flexible with those affected by other short-term COVID-related disruptions, such as the need for a family member to quarantine.
• Physical Distancing Framework. We will continue in the Lime Stage of the Physical Distancing framework for the next few weeks and will continue to evaluate whether we can move to the Green Stage.
• Improvements to Air Handling Systems. The air handling systems in campus buildings will continue to be set to increase outside air intake and the bipolar ionizers and UVC filters will remain in place.
• Cleaning and Disinfection. We will continue to implement our enhanced cleaning and disinfection protocols.

As we approach two years since COVID-19 began impacting our campus, we want to commend our campus community for your collaboration in our institutional response to the virus. With your help the University has been able to implement crucial mitigation strategies that have allowed us to respond effectively, ensuring the health and well-being of our campus while maintaining our commitment to academic excellence. We are so proud of the flexibility, care, and resilience our community has demonstrated, and we appreciate all you have done and continue to do to contribute to our progress during this challenging time.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Campus Community, 

As we approach two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and emerge from the last wave of cases driven by the Omicron variant, the time is right to reassess our approach to COVID-19 based on what we have experienced here at UR and a growing body of expert opinion on the future of COVID-19. It appears that COVID-19 will not be eradicated and that the virus will be with us for the foreseeable future. We may continue to experience surges in COVID-19 cases, whether seasonal or due to other factors, for years to come. We will be evaluating how to best direct our efforts to support those who are at most risk of serious illness and those diagnosed with COVID-19 while nurturing the rich, connected, and engaging experience for which the University of Richmond community is known.

We are very pleased to see a significant decrease in the number of COVID-19 cases on campus and are grateful to students, staff, and faculty for your efforts in turning this tide. We remain grateful for the great care everyone in our community is demonstrating by testing quickly at the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, reporting positive tests promptly, and complying with isolation and quarantine requirements. As of yesterday, there were 23 active COVID-19 cases among students, staff, and faculty. That number is down significantly from prior weeks. Fortunately, those who are testing positive are continuing to report mild to moderate cold and flu-like symptoms and are recovering quickly or are asymptomatic. We are also seeing very encouraging trends statewide and at the local level.

COVID-19 modeling data shows we are past the peak of Omicron and should continue to see fewer positive cases in the coming days and weeks. These indicators of lower case numbers on our campus provide welcome news following a challenging start to our spring semester that created disruptions for our campus community. 

As a result of these positive trends, we are modifying our indoor mask requirement, effective immediately. We will continue to make COVID-19 self-test kits readily available and encourage all members of the community to be fully vaccinated and to get a booster if eligible. Finally, we are extending the option to work remotely for those members of the community who have received previous approval and are at highest risk of serious illness from COVID-19. We will communicate further changes to our COVID-19 protocols once we finalize our reassessment of our current practices. 

MASKS

At this time, our universal indoor mask requirement remains in place; however, we have updated our mask policy to reinstate two exemptions to our mask requirement. Effective today:

• Students are not required to wear masks in residence hall common areas; and
• Students, faculty, and staff are not required to wear masks while exercising in the Weinstein Center for Recreation (WCR), although masks are required when not actively exercising, including upon entry and exit.

We are also giving active consideration to rescinding the universal indoor mask requirement in the next few weeks. This change would continue to permit instructors to require masks in the classroom. Any member of our community is always welcome to choose to wear a mask at any location on our campus, and we continue to strongly support that decision. 

SELF-TEST KITS AND MASK PICKUP

Self-test kits and high-quality masks remain valuable tools in our response to COVID-19 and are available to our community at no cost. Students, staff, and faculty may pick up a self-test kit and N95, KN95, or surgical masks at the following locations:

• The University’s on-campus testing clinic, located in the Special Programs Building, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Center for Student Involvement desk, located in Tyler Haynes Commons, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

BOOSTERS AND REPORTING VACCINE STATUS

If you are fully vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to get a booster as soon as you are eligible, as data continues to show that COVID-19 boosters are providing enhanced protection against serious illness. COVID-19 boosters are readily available through many health care providers and pharmacies. 

So that we can continue to track vaccination data in our community, students, faculty, and staff are required to report their booster vaccine to the University as noted below:

• Undergraduates and law students who have received a COVID-19 booster are required to upload a copy of their vaccination card to their Student Health Center portal.
• MBA and SPCS students are required to report their vaccine status, including receiving a COVID-19 booster, using this form.

• Faculty and staff are required to report or update their vaccine status, including receiving a COVID-19 booster, using this form. 

EXTENSION OF PREVIOUS REMOTE WORK APPROVALS FOR HIGH-RISK GROUP

As you know, some in our community are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, and we remain committed to supporting and protecting everyone in our community, especially those who are most vulnerable. As a result, we will be extending the timeline for those staff and faculty who were previously approved to work remotely until Feb. 28.

We are encouraged by the trends that we are seeing and believe they provide positive and hopeful signs for our future. We will continue to monitor conditions closely and update the community on any further changes to our COVID-19 response planning.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer  

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students,

I’ve been very encouraged by the great care you are demonstrating by testing quickly at the onset of COVID-19 symptoms, reporting positive tests promptly, and complying with isolation and quarantine requirements.

Unfortunately, as you may know, we are still experiencing many COVID-19 cases on our campus. I realize we are tired of COVID, but there are TWO simple things that we can do to protect those who are vulnerable in our campus community, reduce the spread of COVID-19 cases on campus, and get to a place where we can further relax our COVID-19 protocols.

1. Recommit to wearing high-quality masks indoors, including when hanging out with friends. Through contact tracing, we’ve seen that small social gatherings without masks are contributing to the transmission of the virus on campus. We are all looking forward to not having to wear masks, but we need to commit for the time being — masking works as a COVID-19 mitigation strategy. We hope to be in a position to move away from mandatory masking as soon as possible.
2. Avoid any large social gathering in which masks are not required, whether on or off campus, for the next two weeks. With Omicron, large, indoor gatherings without masks and other COVID protocols are likely to result in a substantial increase of COVID-19 cases on campus. 

Don’t let down your guard. Let’s work together to decrease the rate of cases on campus so that we can do more to unwind our COVID-19 protocols. 

Please know we are all deeply grateful for your commitment to this effort and all you are doing to keep our semester on track. Let’s keep up our good work, continue our success, and keep our masks on.

My very best to you all,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Campus Community,

We are writing today to provide an update regarding COVID-19 on our campus at this point in the spring semester and to share details on several components of our response planning.

As you may have seen on our dashboard, we are currently experiencing an increase in the number of positive COVID-19 cases on our campus among both students and employees. Fortunately, those who are testing positive are reporting mild to moderate cold and flu-like symptoms or are asymptomatic. While not unexpected given the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant, we understand that this increase in cases is concerning, and we share those concerns. We also recognize that the increase in positive cases has caused disruption and extra work for our students, faculty, and staff.

At the same time, we are encouraged by several factors, including:

• With 64 active cases among students, staff, and faculty as of yesterday, we have sufficient isolation and quarantine space for students. Though there have been some disruptions to instruction and operations, we continue to provide a robust residential campus experience.
• Students, staff, and faculty are demonstrating great care for the health of our campus community by testing quickly after the onset of symptoms, reporting positive tests promptly, and complying with isolation and quarantine requirements. As of yesterday, we have distributed over 650 COVID-19 self-test kits to students, staff, and faculty.
• Recent COVID-19 models suggest we are at or close to the peak of the Omicron surge and that cases will begin to decrease significantly over the next few weeks. We are already seeing case rates beginning to decline from the recent peak statewide and in our local communities.

This is a challenging moment, but, working together, we are confident that we can weather this increase in cases and will soon see a significant improvement of conditions in our region and on campus. Doing so will require flexibility, patience, and collaboration. We want to remind those teaching this semester that you are able to conduct classes remotely for a short period of time when a significant number of students in your class are in isolation or quarantine. For supervisors, thank you for your continued flexibility when managing through unplanned staff absences. 

We are continuing to carefully monitor conditions, and we will adjust, as needed, in order to mitigate risks associated with COVID-19. We have recently updated a number of our response plans to best serve our community, which are detailed below.

MASKS AND SELF-TEST KITS

Through our contact tracing, we have observed that many of our current positive cases are either among roommates or suitemates or are associated with small, maskless social gatherings. It is paramount that we all continue to stay vigilant and use COVID-19 mitigation strategies. 

Masks

At this time, our universal indoor mask mandate remains in place, and all students, staff, and faculty, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear a mask when indoors in all buildings, except for residence hall rooms. We have restocked our supplies of high-quality masks. We are strongly encouraging members of the community to pick up and wear N95, KN95, or surgical masks supplied at no cost by the University.

Self-test kits

We are also providing self-test kits to our community. COVID-19 self-test kits are available at no cost to students, staff, and faculty who are experiencing mild symptoms that may be associated with COVID-19.

Students, staff, and faculty may pick up a self-test kit and N95, KN95, or surgical masks at the following locations:

• The University’s on-campus testing clinic, located in the Special Programs Building, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Center for Student Involvement desk, located in Tyler Haynes Commons, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

You can learn more about the distribution of self-test kits and masks here. 

BOOSTERS

If you are fully vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to get a booster as soon as you are eligible. Emerging data shows COVID-19 boosters are providing enhanced protection against serious illness from the Omicron variant. Boosters are available to you five months after your last dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two months after your dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. We are delighted that 278 members of our community have signed up to receive their booster vaccine during the clinic on campus tomorrow.

So that we can continue to track vaccination data in our community, students, faculty, and staff must report their booster vaccine to the University as noted below.

Reporting for Students

• Undergraduates and law students who have received a COVID-19 booster are required to upload a copy of their vaccination card to their Student Health Center portal.
• MBA and SPCS students are required to report their vaccine status, including receiving a COVID-19 booster, using this form.

Reporting for Employees

• Faculty and staff are required to report or update their vaccine status, including receiving a COVID-19 booster, using this form.

COVID-19 boosters are readily available through many health care providers and pharmacies. For information on where to obtain a vaccine or booster, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov. 

ISOLATION PROTOCOLS

The University has recently updated isolation protocols to require a negative test prior to release from isolation. This change was made after consulting with our local public health officials, reviewing updated guidance specific to institutions of higher education, and assessing best practices on college campuses.

• Students may be released from isolation after five full days if they have a negative COVID-19 test on day 5. If a student tests positive on day 5, they must remain in isolation for 7 full days and may test again on day 7. If that test is positive, they must remain in isolation for 10 days. They must also have no fever for 24 hours and their symptoms must be resolving in order to leave isolation.
• Students released from isolation after 5 or 7 full days must wear an N95, KN95, or surgical mask until the 11th day following the start of their isolation or quarantine.

The University’s incredibly dedicated professionals in the COVID-19 Support Center, Student Health Center, and Human Resources are working tirelessly and will be in touch with and support members of our community in understanding and following the University’s isolation or quarantine procedures. Additional details on the University’s isolation and quarantine protocols can be found here.

EXTENSION OF REMOTE WORK FOR HIGH-RISK GROUPS  

As you know, some in our community are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, and while cases are predicted to rapidly decline soon, case rates in the local community will likely remain higher than previously anticipated for the next couple of weeks. As a result, we will be extending the timeline for those staff and faculty who were approved to teach or work remotely until Feb. 14. 

We are grateful for the continued commitment of our campus community in supporting and following our COVID-19 protocols. We remain confident that working together, we can continue to navigate the many challenges of this continuing pandemic.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer  

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

As a reminder, the University will hold an on-campus vaccine booster clinic this Thursday, Jan. 27, from 12 to 7 p.m. in the ambulatory level of Robins Center. There are still appointments available, and the deadline to schedule an appointment is tomorrow. The clinic will allow participants to choose the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson booster. When considering which booster to get, we encourage you to review helpful information on the CDC’s website. There is no charge for the vaccine booster.

Buford Road Pharmacy will staff and operate the vaccine clinic. All students, staff, and faculty eligible for a booster may participate in the clinic, but appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, click here. Please schedule an appointment by Tuesday, Jan. 25. At that time, the appointments will be closed.

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

• You will be able to select your appointment time and preferred booster and be asked to provide your name, email, and phone number.
• If possible, print and complete the requested forms prior to your appointment. The forms are available here.
• The vaccine booster is being provided at no cost to you. Insurance is not required to receive the vaccine. If you have insurance, please bring a copy of your insurance information to your appointment.
• Bring your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to your booster shot appointment. 

ELIGIBILITY FOR BOOSTERS

• If you received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you can get a booster at least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
• If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you can get a booster at least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination.
• According to the CDC, the Pfizer or Moderna booster is preferred in most situations.

• Individuals that are fully vaccinated and boosted do not have to quarantine if identified as a close contact.

• You can learn more about the COVID-19 booster on the CDC’s website, including information about what to do if you were vaccinated outside of the United States.  

If this clinic does not fit your schedule, COVID-19 boosters are readily available through many health care providers and pharmacies. For information on where to obtain a vaccine, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov. 

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We are pleased to announce that the University will hold an on-campus vaccine booster clinic next week. We know many in our community are already fully vaccinated, and we encourage all members of the community to receive a booster, if eligible.

The clinic will be held Thursday, Jan. 27, from 12 to 7 p.m. in the ambulatory level of Robins Center. The clinic will allow participants to choose the Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson booster. When considering which booster to get, we encourage you to review helpful information on the CDC’s website. There is no charge for the vaccine booster.

Buford Road Pharmacy will staff and operate the vaccine clinic. All students, staff, and faculty eligible for a booster may participate in the clinic, but appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, click here. The link is specific to the clinic being offered at the University. Please schedule an appointment by Tuesday, Jan. 25. At that time, the appointments will be closed.

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

• You will be able to select your appointment time and preferred booster and be asked to provide your name, email, and phone number.
• If possible, print and complete the requested forms prior to your appointment. The forms are available here.
• The vaccine booster is being provided at no cost to you.Insurance is not required to receive the vaccine. If you have insurance, please bring a copy of your insurance information to your appointment.
• Bring your COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card to your booster shot appointment.

Eligibility for BOOSTERS

• If you received the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, you can get a booster at least 5 months after completing your primary COVID-19 vaccination series.
• If you received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, you can get a booster at least 2 months after receiving your J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination.
• According to the CDC, the Pfizer or Moderna booster is preferred in most situations.
• You can learn more about the COVID-19 booster on the CDC’s website, including information about what to do if you were vaccinated outside of the United States. 

If you have questions, please contact the University’s COVID-19 Support Center via email. 

If this clinic does not fit your schedule, COVID-19 boosters are readily available through many health care providers and pharmacies. For information on where to obtain a vaccine, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov. 

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

In several of our recent communications, we have noted that we would soon be sharing additional details about self-test kit distribution and mask availability. We are writing today with an update on those opportunities. 

The University has secured a limited supply of COVID-19 self-test kits that will be available to students, staff, and faculty who are experiencing mild symptoms that may be associated with COVID-19. We also have available KN95 and surgical masks, at no cost, to students, staff, and faculty. We strongly encourage you to use a KN95 or surgical mask instead of a cloth mask.

Beginning Thursday, Jan. 13, the COVID-19 self-test kits will be available, at no cost, to students and employees experiencing mild symptoms. You must present your UR ID to receive a box. In order to ensure that we have an adequate supply for members of our campus community, distribution is limited to those experiencing mild symptoms, and only one box will be given out at a time. Each box contains two tests. You must wear a mask fully covering your nose and mouth when picking up a self-test kit or masks.

Students, staff, and faculty may pick up a self-test kit and KN95 or surgical masks at the following locations:

• University’s on-campus testing clinic, located in the Special Programs Building, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Center for Student Involvement desk, located in Tyler Haynes Commons, Monday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Students who are experiencing symptoms should contact the Student Health Center or their own physician immediately. Faculty and staff experiencing symptoms should contact their health care provider.

If you test positive, you are required to report your positive result as follows:

• Undergraduate and law students should report a positive test result to the Student Health Center at 804-289-8064 and upload their positive COVID-19 test into their Student Health portal.
• MBA and SPCS students should report a positive test result to the COVID-19 Support Center by emailing covid19support@richmond.edu. 
• Faculty and Staff should report a positive test result to hr-health-screens@richmond.edu.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the health and well-being of our campus and the greater community.

Sincerely, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Colleagues, 

We write to you at the outset of the spring 2022 semester to provide more information regarding a limited opportunity for remote teaching or work for specific categories of staff and faculty and to encourage you to save the date for a staff and faculty town hall this Thursday, Jan. 13, from 4–5 p.m. related to our COVID-19 response and planning.

With the significant increase in COVID-19 cases as a result of the Omicron variant, we understand and appreciate that this is an unsettling time for many. Nevertheless, and thankfully, we begin the semester poised for a productive term, and in a much better situation than prior periods of this pandemic. The following factors make our in-person education both feasible and desirable at this time:

• Our campus community remains highly vaccinated and boosters are readily available locally.
• Emerging data indicates that the Omicron variant is relatively mild in most vaccinated people — typically no more than short-term cold and flu symptoms. Additionally, most members of our campus community experienced only mild to moderate illness with the Delta variant.
• We have seen no evidence of classroom transmission at any time during the pandemic.
• We continue to require masks in buildings, and we are encouraging and making readily available and free to our community higher quality masks, including KN95 and surgical masks.

• We are maintaining interventions that promote healthy buildings, including increased outside airflow, bi-polar ionizers, UVC filters, and rigorous cleaning and disinfection protocols. 

Many have pointed to the importance of in-person learning for student well-being and the negative consequences experienced by students who feel isolated. The delivery of an engaging in-person experience balanced with COVID-19 mitigation protocols is challenging but feasible and is clearly beneficial for the pursuit of our educational mission and commitment to our students.

We understand that some in our community who are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 are particularly concerned given the current trajectory of COVID-19 cases. As a result, we are providing an opportunity for staff and faculty who fall into the categories listed below, and whose position responsibilities permit, to request to work remotely until Jan. 31.

The categories of faculty and staff who may request such an arrangement include:

• Faculty and staff who have a medical condition that puts them at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19.
• Faculty and staff who live with someone who has a medical condition that puts them at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19.
• Faculty and staff living with children under age 5.

We recognize that many people in these categories have continued to teach and work on-campus throughout the different stages of the pandemic and may continue to do so now.

Staff and faculty in these categories whose responsibilities may be performed remotely for a limited period of time may request to work remotely until Jan. 31 using this form. The request form also allows for us to understand where help may be needed to sustain our in-person work and support those who continue to work fully in person.

Additional information about resources for employees is available here.

We look forward to sharing information and addressing questions from community members as it relates to the University’s COVID-19 response and planning when we host a staff and faculty town hall, which will be recorded, on Thursday. You will soon receive an invitation to the town hall as well as details about how to submit questions in advance.

We are closely monitoring prevailing data and public health guidance, and we will continue to adjust our plans, as needed. We thank you for your support and understanding as we all work together to maintain the health and well-being of our community while also working to provide the highest quality educational experience for our students.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students,

We are looking forward to having you on our campus for the spring semester. I am writing to remind you that the University requires all unvaccinated students to be tested for COVID-19 on Jan. 10 or Jan. 11. 

In December, you received a message asking you to report your vaccination status by Jan. 5, 2022. According to the University’s records, you are not fully vaccinated or have not yet reported your vaccination status to the University. As a result, you are required to participate in COVID-19 arrival testing.

REQUIRED ARRIVAL TESTING

This testing will be conducted at the University’s on-campus testing clinic, located in the Special Programs Building, on Monday, Jan. 10, and Tuesday, Jan. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. You do not need to schedule a specific appointment for this testing and may present to the on-campus testing clinic at any time.   

Please note that you are required to participate in testing even if you submitted a negative pre-arrival test to the University. The only students who are exempt from this testing requirement are those who have tested positive for COVID-19 on or after Oct. 12, 202 and who have reported their positive test to the University.

REPORTING YOUR VACCINE STATUS

All students are required to report their vaccine status to the University, including reporting when they receive a booster vaccine. If you are fully vaccinated or your vaccine status has changed, but have not yet reported your vaccine status, please report to the University as soon as possible. You are also required to report if you have received a booster vaccine. 

• Undergraduate and law students should report their vaccine status and upload their vaccination card through their Student Health Center portal.
  • Undergraduates and law students who have received a COVID-19 booster should upload a copy of their vaccination card to their Student Health Center portal.
• MBA and SPCS students should report their vaccine status by completing this form. 

I wish you the best for the spring semester and thank you for doing your part to ensure the health and well-being of our campus this spring.

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Staff and Faculty Colleagues, 

We write to share with you the University’s updated plans for student arrival as we commence the spring semester on Monday, Jan. 10. You will find below the full message sent to students earlier today.

Given the substantial increase in the number of COVID-19 infections regionally, nationally, and around the world, we anticipate that some students may not be able to move back to campus at the beginning of the spring semester. We also expect that other students, faculty, and staff may test positive or be identified as a close contact in the coming days. As we open the semester, we must continue to accommodate one another as circumstances arise and remain attentive to COVID-19 mitigation protocols to help prevent serious illness related to COVID-19 in our campus community. If you are fully vaccinated, we strongly encourage you, as soon as you are eligible, to get a COVID-19 booster. 

As we announced on Dec. 22, we are requiring students to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within two to three days prior to their return to campus. On Jan. 10 and 11, we will test all unvaccinated students. We are also requiring students to report their COVID-19 booster status, and we will extend the University’s indoor mask mandate for at least the opening weeks of the semester.

The University will continue its COVID-19 related support of staff and faculty throughout the pandemic with measures including:

• The University has ordered self-test kits, which will be made available to symptomatic students and employees upon request. We will provide additional information once the order arrives.
• BetterMed will continue to be our primary testing option for employees, but due to the high volume of requests throughout the area, they cannot guarantee a 24-hour testing turnaround for faculty and staff at this time. To request a test, use the directions provided here.
• We expect to continue to provide testing for staff and faculty identified as close contacts of a University community member who tests positive, as well as for instructors who have a student test positive.
• The University will continue to maintain a large supply of KN95 and surgical masks. Please watch your SpiderBytes for information on mask pickup opportunities and contact procurement@richmond.edu with questions.
• For faculty and instructional staff, updated classroom guidance for spring semester will be communicated in a separate message from the Provost’s Office.
• The University will continue to maintain the enhancements to the air handling systems in our campus buildings, which include increased outside air intake, UVC filters, and bipolar ionizers.
• The dedicated team in Facilities will continue to maintain their current protocols for cleaning and disinfection of campus buildings and high touch locations.
• Staff will continue to have access to the 15 COVID-19 sick days allocated at the beginning of the fall semester. Additional information about resources for employees is available here.
• In addition to supporting your physical well-being, the University has a variety of behavioral health support options, including our Behavioral Health Toolkit. You can find the Toolkit and more support at our Behavioral Health page.

If you do not feel well or have cold or flu-like symptoms, please stay home from work. If these symptoms arise while you are on campus, please leave work immediately. Additionally, please e-mail hr-health-screens@richmond.edu if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or if you are developing possible symptoms.

Given our highly vaccinated campus community and our enduring attention to COVID-19 related practices and policies, we remain encouraged for a safe and successful semester.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students:

We hope you are having a good start to the new year and looking forward to the beginning of your spring semester at UR. With the rise in COVID-19 cases nationally and around the world, we are monitoring conditions closely and are writing to provide updated information on the University’s approach to the beginning of the spring semester. Conditions are changing frequently, and we want you to know that we will be adjusting policies as needed to best manage our circumstances while supporting community well-being and the University’s distinctive educational mission.

OPENING PLANS

As previously announced, we plan to begin in-person classes Monday, Jan. 10. Given the steep increase in COVID-19 cases nationally and locally, we all will need to be flexible and adaptive. Some meetings or class sessions, especially at the start of the semester, may be remote for short periods due to COVID-19 disruptions. For instance, some faculty and staff might find themselves having to care for ill family members, or classes might have so many students absent that remote teaching may be the better option for a particular class session. 

It will be great to be back on campus in this new year, but we ask that students limit social gatherings to small groups, with masks, and refrain from attending off-campus events for at least the first three weeks of the semester. University-sanctioned meetings and events are allowable subject to all University COVID-19 policies, including masking and the Physical Distancing Framework. Indoor social gatherings create a high risk of COVID-19 transmission, especially with the Omicron variant, which we have seen jeopardize the ability for colleges and universities to maintain in-person instruction. We will need to continue to work together to ensure we are able to maintain the residential semester we all desire, and we will send additional guidance and updates as we have them. 

Our goal is to have a great educational and residential experience. We are planning to start in the Lime stage of our Physical Distancing Framework, but we may move to the Yellow or a more restrictive stage if needed. Similarly, if conditions improve later this semester, we would relax restrictions.

Additional specifics about our spring semester start include: 

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE TO CAMPUS

• Pre-Arrival Testing. As we shared in our Dec. 22 email, all students, regardless of vaccination status, must get tested for COVID-19 and provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to returning to campus so that you do not travel and can isolate at home if you are positive for COVID-19. An exception to this requirement is for students who have tested positive for COVID-19 on or after Oct. 12, 2021, and have reported their positive test to the University. The University will accept the results of PCR tests or rapid antigen tests, including at-home tests. Specific details of this testing requirement include:
  • Residential Students — Students living on campus must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival on campus or a negative rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to their arrival on campus.
  • Non-Residential Students — Students who do not live on campus must provide proof of a negative PCR taken no more than 72 hours prior to Jan. 10 or a negative rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to Jan. 10.

Students are required to use this form to report their negative test results. Students who receive a test from a health care provider will need to upload proof of the negative test. Students who take an at-home test will need to complete a certification that includes the test date and the result.

• Undergraduates and law students who test positive at home should report their positive test to the Student Health Center and to their college deans and professors.
• MBA and SPCS students should report a positive test result to the COVID-19 Support Center by emailing covid19support@richmond.edu and to their school deans and professors.

Students who test positive should isolate as directed by the Student Health Center or the COVID-19 Support Center. For students who must remain at home or in isolation/quarantine at the beginning of the semester please know that our faculty and staff will work with you so that you are able to keep pace with coursework. 

We understand that access to tests may be limited in some areas. We ask that all students do their very best to obtain a test within the time frames described above by consulting local health care providers, local pharmacies, and online resources. We do not want access to a test to prevent students from returning to campus on time; therefore, students who are not able to secure a test, despite their best efforts, should email the COVID-19 Support Center at covid19support@richmond.edu for further guidance on meeting the testing requirement. 

• Vaccines. The University will continue to require all students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless an exemption has been granted. All students, faculty, and staff are required to report their vaccine status to the University. More information about this requirement and how to report your status is available here. If you are not currently vaccinated, we require that you get vaccinated unless you have been granted an exemption.
• Boosters. If you are fully vaccinated, we strongly encourage you, as soon as you are eligible, to get a booster. Emerging data shows COVID-19 boosters are providing enhanced protection against infection and serious illness from the Omicron variant. Please note: The CDC has recently changed its quarantine guidelines. Those guidelines do not require a person to quarantine if they have had a booster and are identified as a close contact; however, students who are eligible for but have not received a booster, or are not vaccinated, will need to quarantine if identified as a close contact.

You are eligible for a COVID-19 booster six months after your last dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after your dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. These remaining days of winter break are a great time to get your booster, which is now available through many pharmacies and health care providers.

• Undergraduates and law students who have received a COVID-19 booster are required to upload a copy of their vaccination card to their Student Health Center portal.
• MBA and SPCS students are required to report their vaccine status, including receiving a COVID-19 booster, using this form.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

• Return to Campus Testing. We will conduct COVID-19 testing on Jan. 10 and 11 for all students who are not fully vaccinated.
• Masks. With students traveling back to campus from a variety of locations across the country and world, we will require all students, staff, and faculty, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask when indoors in all buildings, except for residence hall rooms. This masking requirement also pertains to Heilman Dining Center and the other campus dining locations. Please keep your mask on until you are seated and eating/drinking. Also, please note that masking will again be required for the time being while exercising in the Weinstein Center for Recreation and in common areas of the residence halls. We strongly encourage all members of the University community to wear a KN95 or a surgical mask instead of a cloth mask. As COVID-19 cases have increased significantly, we must be vigilant in our adherence to safety protocols, including mask requirements during the first weeks of the semester. If we do not experience high incidence rates during the early weeks of the semester, we expect to reduce mandatory mask requirements for vaccinated members of the community (to the extent conditions warrant doing so and subject to applicable regulatory requirements). In the near term, any change to the University’s mask policy would retain the ability for faculty and staff to require all students to wear masks in classrooms and labs or for in-person meetings with students.
• Prevalence Testing. We will assess the need for and scope of prevalence testing based on the results of our return to campus testing and the number of COVID-19 cases on campus at the beginning of the semester. As we have done in the past, we will increase or decrease the scope and frequency of prevalence testing as conditions warrant.
• Testing for Symptomatic Students and Close Contacts. The Student Health Center will continue to prioritize testing for symptomatic students, both at the Student Health Center and, in collaboration with Secure Health, at the on-campus testing clinic. We also expect to continue to provide testing for students, staff, and faculty identified as close contacts of a University community member who tests positive, as well as for instructors who have a student test positive.
• Isolation and Quarantine. The CDC and the Virginia Department of Health have issued new isolation and quarantine requirements that the University has adopted, effective Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. Members of the campus community who test positive will be required to isolate for five full days. They may leave isolation on day six if they have not had a fever for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication) and their symptoms have resolved or are resolving. They will be required to wear a KN95 or surgical mask for an additional five days.

Close contacts of an individual who tests positive who are unvaccinated or who have not had a COVID-19 booster and are more than six months out from their last dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months out from their Johnson & Johnson vaccine must quarantine for five days and wear a KN95 or surgical mask for an additional five days.

Close contacts of an individual who tests positive who have had a COVID-19 booster prior to exposure or who are within six months of their last dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are not required to quarantine, but they must monitor their symptoms and wear a KN95 or surgical mask for ten days from the date of exposure.

Detailed information about the University’s isolation and quarantine protocols is available here.

Once again, we will need to remain highly adaptive to manage the impact of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant and, as we have experienced, learning to live with the reality of COVID-19 on an ongoing basis. Despite the continuing challenges presented by COVID-19, we are encouraged by the very high vaccination rates within our campus community and your adherence to the protocols that have helped keep our campus community members free of severe illness thus far. We know that when we work together and care for and support each other, we can do amazing things as a Spider community. 

We look forward to welcoming you to campus for the spring semester.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students,

In our message on Dec. 14, we notified you of the possibility of modifications to our testing requirements based on the trajectory of the pandemic. As cases of COVID-19 are on the rise nationally as a result of the Omicron variant, we are writing today to inform you that proof of a negative COVID-19 test result will be required prior to your return to campus for the spring. The University will accept the results of PCR tests or rapid antigen tests, including at-home tests. Specific details of this testing requirement include:

• Residential Students — Students living on campus must provide proof of a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival on campus or a negative rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to their arrival on campus.
• Non-Residential Students — Students who do not live on campus must provide proof of a negative PCR taken no more than 72 hours prior to Jan. 10 or a negative rapid antigen test taken no more than 48 hours prior to Jan. 10.

Students are required to use this form to report their negative test results. Students who receive a test from a health care provider will need to upload proof of the negative test. Students who take an at-home test will need to complete a certification that includes the test date and the result.

Students who test positive may not return to campus and must isolate at home for at least 10 full days from the earlier of the onset of symptoms or the date of the positive test. As usual, our faculty and staff will work with students to keep pace with their coursework. Students must report their positive test as follows:

• Undergraduate and law students should report a positive test result to the Student Health Center at 804-289-8064 and upload their positive COVID-19 test into their Student Health portal.
• MBA and SPCS students should report a positive test result to the COVID-19 Support Center by emailing covid19support@richmond.edu.

We are notifying you of this requirement today to allow our students and families sufficient time to secure a test from available sources. Students currently in the United States may find information about available testing locations on the website of the state health department. Additionally, many pharmacies have been a source of at-home test kits. 

We are taking these steps as we continue to monitor closely the impact and spread of the Omicron variant around the nation and the world. Our community did what was necessary last semester to ensure an active, residential experience for our students. We all share a desire to be back together again in the new year, and so we are confident that students, staff, and faculty will again work together and take the necessary steps to ensure a healthy and productive spring semester. We are grateful for your continued commitment to the well-being of our entire community and will continue to update and adapt our plans based on prevailing conditions. 

Thank you for your continued support, flexibility, patience, and understanding as we navigate the new year together as a community.

Enjoy your holiday and winter break, and we look forward to seeing you soon. 

Sincerely, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students and Families,

I hope you had a very successful fall semester. Even in the face of many challenges associated with COVID-19, we were able to engage as a community and to experience activities — both inside and outside of the classroom — that were simply not possible last year. I am so grateful and know these successes would not have been possible without the care and attention of each of you to yourselves, each other, and our community. From the bottom of my heart — Thank you.

I hope you are able to enjoy some much-needed and well-deserved rest and relaxation over the winter break. I’m writing today to ask you to consider taking a moment during the break to do something that can have significant impact on the health and well-being of our campus in the spring.

COVID-19 BOOSTERS

As announced in the spring 2022 planning message earlier this week, the University will continue to require all students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless an exemption is granted. All students, faculty, and staff are required to report their vaccine status to the University. More information about this requirement and how to report your status is available here.

If you are not currently vaccinated, please consider getting vaccinated if you are able. If you are fully vaccinated, while you have some downtime over winter break is a great time to get your COVID-19 booster vaccine if you are eligible, which is now available through many pharmacies and health care providers.  You are eligible for a booster six months after your last dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after your dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The CDC recommends that everyone over 16 get a booster shot when they are eligible. If you have received your COVID-19 booster, or choose to get one over break, please upload a copy of your vaccination card to your Student Health Center portal.  

FLU SHOTS

If you have not done so already, please also consider getting a flu shot. The Student Health Center saw a number of cases of flu in the University’s student population this fall. The CDC recommends everyone six months and older should get a flu vaccine every season with rare exceptions. A flu vaccination can reduce the risk of more serious flu outcomes and may make your illness milder if you do get sick. Even healthy people can get very sick from the flu and spread it to others. Flu vaccines are available at most pharmacies.

Thank you in advance for considering these actions, which can be so important to our community. I look forward to seeing you back on campus in January. 

Have a great break!

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty, 

As the fall semester draws to a close, we write to thank each of you for your commitment to the health and well-being of your fellow Spiders and to share preliminary plans for the spring semester, when our COVID-19 policies will continue to be highly adaptive based on prevailing conditions.

As a result of the University’s comprehensive approach to mitigation, including the exceptionally high vaccination rates within our campus community, we enjoyed a robust fall semester with a full array of curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities. The number of COVID-19 cases on campus this fall remained manageable, despite the presence of the Delta variant and high local community transmission rates. Since Aug. 1, 98 members of the campus community tested positive for COVID-19 — 57 students and 41 staff and faculty members. Of those 98 cases, 16 were reported during the week following Thanksgiving break, which was the highest number of cases per week this semester. Importantly, we also saw very little transmission among the close contacts of community members who tested positive. None of the campus community members who contracted COVID-19 required hospitalization. 

The results of our weekly prevalence testing among students who are not fully vaccinated have also been very encouraging. We administered over 1,360 COVID-19 tests, and only two students were confirmed as positive, a 0.15% positivity rate.

As we plan for the spring semester, we are heartened both by our experience this fall and by several important developments in the ongoing effort to curb this pandemic. Booster vaccines are now available for everyone age 16 and over. Vaccines have been authorized for children who are 5 and older. Finally, new antiviral medications, once authorized, are expected to be important tools in preventing serious illness associated with COVID-19.

While we are in a much better situation than last year at this time, the course of the pandemic remains unpredictable, and it appears that COVID-19 will, at some point in time, become endemic. The University’s ongoing COVID-19 planning must reflect these factors. We will continue to monitor the course of the pandemic closely and gather information about the Omicron variant as such information becomes available from the medical and scientific communities. As a result, a number of our established COVID-19 interventions remain fixed for the spring semester. At the same time, others will change, as needed, to meet prevailing conditions.

The following interventions will remain in place for the spring 2022 semester:

• Vaccines. The University will continue to require all students, faculty, and staff to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless an exemption has been granted. All students, faculty, and staff are required to report their vaccine status to the University. More information about this requirement and how to report your status is available here. If you are not currently vaccinated, we encourage you to get vaccinated if you are able.
  • Boosters. If you are fully vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to get a booster six months after your last dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two months after your dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Winter break is a great time to get your booster vaccine, which are now available through many pharmacies and health care providers. Given the potential for waning protection against infection from the Delta variant and the emergence of the Omicron variant, the CDC recommends that everyone over 16 get a booster shot when they are eligible. Undergraduates and law students who have received a COVID-19 booster should upload a copy of their vaccination card to their Student Health Center portal.
• Pre-Arrival Testing. We request that all students, regardless of your vaccination status, get tested for COVID-19 24–72 hours prior to returning to campus so that you do not travel while positive for COVID-19 and can isolate at home if positive. Undergraduates and law students who test positive at home should report their positive test to the Student Health Center. SPCS and MBA students who test positive prior to the start of classes should report their positive result to the office of their dean.
• Return to Campus Testing. We plan to conduct COVID-19 testing at the beginning of the spring semester among all students who are not fully vaccinated. We are carefully monitoring local and national conditions, and the impact of the Omicron variant and, if necessary, may decide to expand the scope of this testing once the semester begins.
• Symptomatic and Close Contact Testing. The Student Health Center will continue to provide COVID-19 testing for students who exhibit symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19. We will also continue to provide COVID-19 testing for students, staff, and faculty who are identified as close contacts of a member of the campus community, as well as testing for instructors who have a student who tests positive for COVID-19.
• Physical Distancing Framework. The Physical Distancing Framework will remain in place, and we expect to begin the spring semester in the Lime Stage. We hope that we will be able to move to the Green Stage sometime during the semester.
• Contact Tracing and COVID-19 Support Center. The University will continue to have a team of dedicated contact tracers who will also staff the COVID-19 Support Center.
• Isolation and Quarantine. The University will maintain dedicated space, outside of the residence halls, for isolation and quarantine of students, when necessary.
• HVAC Enhancements. Over winter break, the University will perform maintenance checks focusing on the enhancements to air handling systems in our campus buildings, which include increased outside air intake, UVC filters, and bipolar ionizers.
• Cleaning and Disinfection. Our dedicated colleagues in Facilities will continue to maintain their current protocols for cleaning and disinfection of campus buildings and high touch locations.

Other COVID-19 interventions will be adjusted as necessary to meet prevailing conditions on campus, including the following:

• Masks. With students traveling back to campus from a variety of locations across the country and world, we will require all students, staff, and faculty, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask when indoors in all buildings (except for personal residences) for the first two weeks of the spring semester. Thereafter, we expect to reduce mandatory mask requirements for vaccinated members of the community (to the extent conditions warrant doing so and subject to applicable regulatory requirements). Any change to the University’s mask policy would retain the ability for faculty and staff to require all students to wear masks in classrooms and labs or during in-person meetings with students.
• Prevalence Testing. We will assess the need for and scope of prevalence testing based on the results of our return to campus testing and the number of COVID-19 cases on campus at the beginning of the semester. As we have done in the past, we will increase or decrease the scope and frequency of prevalence testing as conditions warrant.

Thanks to the efforts of our campus community, the University has been able to successfully pursue its educational mission since the outset of the pandemic 21 months ago. This semester, campus opportunities and activities increased significantly from what was possible during the 2020–21 academic year, and we are likewise optimistic that we will have a vibrant spring 2022 semester. 

Best wishes for a relaxing and joyful winter break.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students,

We are looking forward to having you on our campus for the spring 2022 semester. Whether you are returning to our campus or joining us for the first time as a new, transfer, or visiting student, we are delighted to welcome you — or welcome you back.

We are writing today with several important reminders about our COVID-19 response planning that will apply to you for the spring.

VACCINE REQUIREMENT

Vaccines are a key component of the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and having a high percentage of students, faculty, and staff fully vaccinated is a foundational element of our academic year. As announced in June, to promote the health of our community, the University is requiring all students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine unless they have been approved for an exemption (see below).

To meet this requirement, students, faculty, and staff may choose any vaccine fully approved by the FDA or subject to an FDA Emergency Use Authorization, which currently includes the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. International students may meet the University’s vaccination requirement by receiving any vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO).

REPORTING VACCINATION STATUS

All students who will be on campus for the spring 2022 semester are required to report their vaccine status to the University by Dec. 20, 2021. Students should report their vaccine status and upload their vaccination card through their Student Health Center portal. Students are also asked to complete the Release of Information form that will be available in the portal. We will treat information about vaccine status confidentially, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

EXEMPTION PROCESS

As is our current practice for other required vaccines, students, faculty, and staff may seek an exemption from the vaccine requirement if they have a medical condition recognized by the CDC that prevents them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or a sincerely held religious belief against receiving the vaccine. For the COVID-19 vaccine requirement only, students, faculty, and staff may also request an exemption from the requirement to have a COVID-19 vaccine based on personal convictions strongly and sincerely held by the person seeking the exemption. To apply for an exemption from the vaccine requirement, students may complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Form available in their Student Health Center portal.

Members of our campus community who are not fully vaccinated, including those who are granted an exemption from the vaccine requirement, will be required to follow the University’s health protocols for unvaccinated individuals. Currently, these protocols include being tested upon arrival to campus for COVID-19, participating in weekly University-sponsored prevalence testing, and continuing to wear a mask indoors and in outdoor locations where physical distancing is not possible, as described in the University’s mask policy, which is in line with CDC guidelines. These protocols may be adjusted for the spring semester.

It’s been rewarding this academic year to see so many faculty, staff, and students who are on campus be able to interact and enjoy our campus in a way that more closely resembles the pre-pandemic experience we know and love. We extend our many thanks in advance for doing your part to ensure the health and well-being of our campus this spring.

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

In light of the positive trends in COVID-19 data in our local community and on our campus, as of Nov. 6, the University will relax certain aspects of our mask policy. We thank you for your patience, understanding, and compliance with this policy.

Under our updated mask policy, all individuals, regardless of vaccine status, continue to be required to wear a mask inside campus buildings, subject to certain exemptions. As of Nov. 6, those exemptions include the following:

• Students are not required to wear masks in their residence hall room or residence hall common areas;
• Vaccinated students, faculty, and staff are not required to wear masks while exercising in the Weinstein Center for Recreation (WCR), although masks are required upon entry, exit, and while traversing WCR; and
• As announced Sept. 8, individuals working or studying alone in closed rooms or isolated areas of campus buildings are not required to wear masks when others are not present, but masks must be worn as soon as someone else comes into the room or area.

Any member of our community is welcome to choose to wear a mask at any location on our campus, and we continue to strongly support that decision.

This mask policy will remain in effect until further notice, and the University will adjust the policy as appropriate to meet changing conditions here on campus and in our local community. Our conditions are constantly changing, and we will continue to adapt as well to an ongoing, and, hopefully, improving situation.

We continue to closely monitor COVID-19 data and remain in touch with public health officials to ensure we are employing health guidelines that are best for our campus community. Among the metrics we are closely tracking are the rate of cases per 100,000 population, the percent of tests that are positive in the community over the last 7 days, the number of cases on campus, the results of our ongoing prevalence testing, available evidence of transmission on campus, and the availability of vaccinations for children.

Although our local community remains at a high level of community transmission, as defined by the CDC, we are encouraged by the trends in data on cases in our region. We are hopeful that these trends will continue, and, coupled with our very high vaccination rates on campus and our low case counts in our campus community, we will be able to make additional adjustments to the mask policy when appropriate. We will continue to be guided by our shared deep commitment to provide the quality Richmond residential educational experience for which we are so well-known while also ensuring the health and well-being of our campus community.

Thank you for your steadfast commitment to the care of our community and your continued patience and support as we all work together to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Colleagues,

Today we learned from the Virginia Department of Health that faculty and staff at colleges and universities in Virginia who received a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine more than six months ago are now eligible to receive a booster shot.

Many local pharmacies are offering COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters. To find a COVID-19 vaccine site, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov.

At this time, the University’s current vaccine requirement remains the same, and we are not requiring boosters. We encourage you to consult with your health care provider regarding whether to get a booster shot.

Additional information about COVID-19 booster shots is available on the Virginia Department of Health website.

Thank you for your continued commitment to your own health and that of our campus community.

Sincerely,

Carl Sorensen
Senior Associate Vice President for Human Resources

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

Thank you for your continued commitment to promoting the health of our campus community. Our collective efforts have enabled a vibrant and engaging semester thus far. While we recognize that COVID-19 may be with us for the foreseeable future, perhaps becoming endemic, we are encouraged about the downward trend in COVID-19 cases nationally and locally. We hope that in the coming weeks local case counts will continue to decrease and the situation on campus will allow further adjustment to our COVID-19 policies. However, we are not there yet and need to continue to mitigate the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak on campus, as other universities have experienced. As a result, we write today with some important updates and reminders related to our COVID-19 response planning as we continue to work together to mitigate risks to our community.

UNIVERSAL INDOOR MASK REQUIREMENT EXTENSION

After careful consideration, we have decided to extend the universal indoor mask requirement until Friday, Nov. 5. In making this decision we considered a number of factors, including our experience on campus this semester, current COVID-19 data in our community, prevailing public health guidance, and regulatory requirements. 

The CDC and the Virginia Department of Health continue to recommend universal indoor masking in areas that meet the CDC criteria for substantial or high levels of community transmission of COVID-19. Additionally, recent changes to Virginia workplace regulations require vaccinated and unvaccinated employees to wear masks indoors in areas with substantial or high levels of community transmission. Currently, both the City of Richmond and Henrico County are classified as having high levels of community transmission.

Coupled with our very high vaccination rates on campus and additional mitigation strategies, including weekly prevalence testing of unvaccinated students, we consider universal masking indoors as a necessary measure at this time. However, if conditions on campus are favorable and the case rates in our community improve, we will revisit the requirement for universal indoor masking and will revise our policies accordingly. We will announce any changes to our existing mask policy prior to Nov. 5.

TESTING

A number of COVID-19 testing options, including a few new opportunities, are available for our community.

Students

Free COVID-19 testing for students who are symptomatic or identified as a close contact is readily available on campus. The Student Health Center has expanded its capacity for COVID-19 testing for students experiencing mild symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19. Students experiencing any symptoms should contact the Student Health Center, which will provide students with the proper guidance on accessing a test on campus. If students choose to take a COVID-19 test off campus, they must upload the test result to their Student Health Center portal.

We are also continuing weekly prevalence testing for unvaccinated students and are grateful to those students for their diligent participation.

Staff and Faculty

For staff and faculty who may be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, the University has partnered with BetterMed Urgent Care to provide a COVID-19 concierge testing service. An at-home testing option for those experiencing symptoms is also available. The costs of both of these testing options for faculty and staff are covered by the University. Details regarding the use of these options are explained in the Working on Campus Guide. Please notify the COVID-19 Support Center if you test positive or believe that you are a close contact.

Faculty and staff who are identified as close contacts of a campus community member who tests positive have the option to be tested at our on-campus testing clinic or with a community provider. The University’s contact tracers will connect those identified as close contacts with testing resources. Additionally, instructors in a class where a student has a confirmed case of COVID-19 now have the option of being tested at the on-campus testing clinic even if they are not deemed to be a close contact. This testing is only available to those without symptoms and will be done 3–5 days after the instructor’s last exposure to the student who tested positive. Instructors who wish to be tested should contact the COVID-19 Support Center to schedule that testing.

ISOLATION, QUARANTINE, AND CLOSE CONTACTS

We have received a number of questions over the past few weeks related to isolation and quarantine protocols. A number of important resources exist that describe the University’s use of isolation and quarantine.

Staff and Faculty

An FAQ for faculty and staff about isolation and quarantine is now available on the COVID-19 response website. Also, we have prepared a helpful guide to assist those who believe they may have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. 

Students

For students, there are two new flow charts focusing on protocols for students in isolation and students identified as close contacts. You can find these flow charts and other helpful information about isolation and quarantine here.

Thank you in advance for your continued support, patience, and understanding and for all you are doing each and every day to help us to navigate the pandemic and maintain the health of our community. 

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We are pleased to announce that the University will hold a follow-up on-campus vaccination clinic for students, staff, and faculty next week. The clinic will provide an opportunity for individuals to receive their second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Additionally, for those still seeking a COVID-19 vaccine, the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available. The clinic will not provide booster shots.

The clinic will be held Thursday, Sept. 30, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Richmond School of Law Parking Lot (R43). There is no charge for the vaccine. 

Vaccine Here will staff and operate the vaccine clinic. Appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, click here. The link is specific to the clinic being offered at the University.

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT 

• You will be able to select your preferred appointment time and be asked to provide a cell phone number and email. Reminders will be sent to you via email and text. If you do not have a cell phone number, please list the University’s number 804-289-8000.
• You will be asked to answer pre-immunization, demographic, and COVID-19 screening questions, which will be kept confidential.
• The vaccine is being provided at no cost to you. Insurance is not required to receive the vaccine. If you have insurance, please provide the additional information requested. If you do not have insurance, you will be asked for your full name, state of residence (note Virginia), and your social security number. International students without a social security number should simply zero out the field (000-00-0000).

GENERAL VACCINE INFORMATION

• None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, so a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. You may, however, experience short-term side effects such as pain in the arm where you got the shot, fatigue, headache, body aches, chills, and fever.
• You are not considered to be fully vaccinated until two weeks after the date of your last dose of the vaccine. Therefore, you will still need to wear a mask where it is required, wash your hands, and practice physical distancing until at least two weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
• You can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC’s website. 

If you have questions, please contact the University’s COVID-19 Hotline via email. 

If this clinic is not conducive to your schedule, COVID-19 vaccines are readily available through many health care providers and pharmacies. For information on where to obtain a vaccine, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov.

Stay well,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We write today to provide some important updates and reminders on how we can continue to keep our entire Spider community healthy. It is profoundly encouraging to see the energy on our campus over these past few weeks as our fall 2021 semester is now actively underway. Returning to and maintaining our high-quality residential educational experience, with meaningful in-person student, staff, and faculty interactions, is helping the University meet its core mission. We must, of course, remain committed to health and safety measures that will mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in our community even as it appears that we will very likely be living with COVID-19 in some form or another going forward and likely beyond this semester. 

The following essential steps must be taken by everyone in our campus community for the health of the community:

1. Wear a mask indoors, regardless of vaccination status — as described below, the University will maintain the requirement for all community members to wear masks indoors until Friday, Oct. 8.
2. Get vaccinated, if you are able to do so — vaccination is now required for all except those who have an approved exemption.
3. Stay home if you feel ill — this is extremely important. If you have any symptoms, stay home for your well-being and the health of other members of our campus community and their families. It is also important to report your symptoms or any positive COVID-19 test.
4. Adapt as needed — COVID-19 will cause new disruptions at work and home, and we must work together to adjust to our circumstances.

UNIVERSAL INDOOR MASK MANDATE EXTENSION

After carefully evaluating the latest COVID-19 data in and around our region, we have decided to extend the indoor mask-wearing policy until Oct. 8. 

We do not take this decision lightly; however, we are asking each and every one of us to exhibit care for one another while also keeping in mind those who are vulnerable, including the immunocompromised and aged and the unvaccinated children of employees. 

Modeling indicates the likelihood of increasing cases in our region through early October, and data has persistently shown that universal masking, coupled with other health interventions, limits the transmission of the COVID-19 virus. One modification to our campus mask policy that will become effective immediately is that vaccinated students, staff, and faculty working or studying alone in closed rooms or isolated areas of campus buildings are not required to wear masks when others are not present.

We will continue to closely monitor conditions on and off campus and will announce any changes to the mask policy prior to Oct. 8.

VACCINATIONS

From a COVID-19 preparedness standpoint, we have come a long way from where we were at this time last year. The vaccination rates in our campus community are excellent, with approximately 95% of students and 92% of staff and faculty who have reported their status being fully vaccinated. Our vaccine requirement is now in effect, and those who have not been granted an exemption are required to have their first dose of vaccine by today, Sept. 8. We are grateful for the participation and attention of each and every one of the vaccinated in our collective fight against COVID-19 and in your care for yourselves and one another. Scientists are still learning about the impact of COVID-19 on those who have been vaccinated, but research to date has shown that vaccines are effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalization, and death. With our high vaccination rates, along with our other multi-faceted health and safety interventions and procedures, we can mitigate risk while allowing us a degree of freedom here on campus that was not possible last year, including a return to fully in-person classes.

STAY HOME IF YOU ARE FEELING ILL

We have unfortunately had cases of symptomatic community members coming to work or attending class without being cleared to do so. As stated above, if you are feeling ill, please stay home for your well-being and the health of your fellow students and colleagues. Supervisors and faculty are willing to work with you to accommodate these temporary absences.

It is also important to report your symptoms of COVID-19 and any positive COVID-19 test to the University. To do so:

• Undergraduate and law students should contact the Student Health Center at 804-289-8064. 
  • Students concerned about others should use this form.

• MBA and SPCS students should call their healthcare provider and notify their dean’s office.
• Faculty and staff should contact the HR COVID Care Coordinator at hr-health-screens@richmond.edu or 804-289-8811. 

All off-campus COVID-19 tests and results (regardless of outcome) should be reported to the University.

ADAPTING TO DISRUPTIONS

We also recognize that with continued positive cases in the community, particularly in area daycare and K-12 schools, there is the possibility of an instance where a staff or faculty member may need to work remotely for a short period of time to care for a family member. This reality may mean an occasional remote meeting or class, and we encourage students, staff, and faculty to be flexible and understanding when these circumstances arise. Our Human Resources business partners are working with supervisors and managers to ensure there is appropriate accommodation for short periods of time when our in-person staff and faculty may be impacted by a COVID-related issue. Staff needing such flexibility should make temporary alternative work arrangements with supervisors and clarify plans for a return to in-person operations. Faculty who need to miss more than two in-person classes should be in touch with their department chair and dean.

Please know that we appreciate how challenging these situations might be and that our aim is to help make particular situations that may arise manageable. To be clear, this is not a shift to flexible work arrangements or a return to ongoing remote teaching but is instead a commitment to work with individuals to allow them to manage the demands they are facing in this new semester due to temporary, unexpected disruptions from COVID-19.

We continue to thank all members of our community for understanding and activating our important health guidelines as we work together to ensure another year of high-quality, in-person education for which the University of Richmond is so well known.

Sincerely, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We are writing today with an important update on the University’s vaccine requirement. We announced in June that to promote the health of our community and continue to move forward as a community, the University would require all students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as soon as one of the vaccines received full approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On Monday, Aug. 23, the FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for people aged 16 years and older. As a result, the University’s vaccine requirement is now in effect. Unless granted an exemption, all students, faculty, and staff are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

VACCINE REQUIREMENT 

We remain encouraged and grateful that so many in our community have already been fully vaccinated. Current data suggests that vaccinated individuals are less likely to become infected — even by the Delta variant — and the vaccines are highly effective against the most severe consequences of COVID-19.

Members of our community who are not vaccinated and who have not received an exemption are now required to get their first dose of vaccine by Sept. 8 and, for two-dose vaccines, to obtain their second dose within the specified time period for that vaccine. To meet the University’s vaccine requirement, students, faculty, and staff may choose the now FDA-approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine or the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which presently remain subject to FDA Emergency Use Authorization. International students who have received a vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization have met the University’s vaccine requirement.

In addition to this announcement, we will be proactively reaching out to individuals in our community who are not currently vaccinated to make sure they are aware of the University’s requirement.

VACCINE CLINIC 

As previously announced, the University will be conducting a vaccine clinic on campus on Thursday, Aug. 26, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Richmond School of Law parking lot (R43). The clinic will allow participants to choose either the Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, or Moderna vaccine. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses. A follow-up clinic will be held the week of Sept. 27 to deliver the second dose. There is no charge for any vaccine.

Vaccine Here will staff and operate the vaccine clinic. All students, staff, and faculty are eligible to be vaccinated at the vaccination clinic, but appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, click here. The link is specific to the clinic being offered at the University. More details on registering for the clinic are available here.

If you are unable to attend the on-campus clinic, you can find out where to obtain a vaccine by visiting vaccinate.virginia.gov.

REPORTING VACCINE STATUS

All students, faculty, and staff are required to notify the University of any change in their vaccine status within five days of such change.

• Undergraduate and law students should report their vaccine status and upload their vaccination card through their Student Health Center portal.

• MBA and SPCS students should report their vaccine status by completing this form.
• Faculty and staff should report their vaccine status by completing this form.

We will treat information about vaccine status confidentially, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

VACCINE BOOSTERS 

As you may be aware, public health officials have issued new guidance regarding a third dose of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines for people who have moderately or severely compromised immune systems. Members of our community who are immunocompromised should discuss with their physician whether they should consider a third dose.

Third dose booster shots will not be available at the Aug. 26 clinic. We expect that additional guidance regarding booster shots for others will be forthcoming, and we will share that information once it becomes available. 

We thank you in advance for your care and protection of our Spider community. We remain confident that coupled with our many other mitigation strategies, the COVID-19 vaccines are an effective and critical tool to combat COVID-19 and help us have another successful year of in-person, residential education.

Thank you and please take good care.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students,

I hope you have had some rest and relaxation this summer and are as happy as me about the first day of classes. It is exciting to kick off a new semester!

A signature component of a University of Richmond residential education is the faculty-student and student-student interactions that occur in classrooms, labs, studios, meeting rooms, and outdoor spaces. Our goal this year is to reestablish these signature learning experiences even as we continue to address the challenges presented by COVID-19 and hold our community’s health and well-being as our top priority. Our very high vaccination rates, enhanced air handling systems, stellar cleaning and disinfecting practices, and other mitigation efforts, plus excellent compliance by the campus community in health measures employed so far, present conditions that are appropriate for a return to an engaging learning environment.

As the academic year begins, I write to share the following classroom guidelines for the launch of the fall 2021 semester.

MODE OF TEACHING

You will be in the classroom with your peers and the instructor this fall. No full remote courses will be offered unless that was an existing arrangement prior to COVID-19 and/or the program of instruction in that school (e.g., SPCS) is based on remote teaching. As was true before the pandemic, faculty may occasionally offer a remote class meeting when, for example, they are unavoidably away during class time or it serves a pedagogical purpose for a particular class session.

Based on student and faculty input, the University also will not offer blended teaching in which most students engage in the classroom and some engage on Zoom simultaneously. There will be no synchronous, real-time, online instruction of students not in the classroom. The feedback received from both faculty and students is that our community is best served by a return to in-person learning with the use of remote classes when they are needed under extraordinary circumstances. Instructors have many different tried-and-true approaches for supporting student progress during excused absences.

If you cannot be present in the classroom for any reason, inform your course instructor about the anticipated cause and duration of the absence. Please refer to the syllabus for each course for more specific instructions on absences.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES

As always, students are expected to attend all meetings of all classes in which they are enrolled. Faculty set their own specific course attendance policies, subject to University rules and any school-specific requirements. For more information, please see the registrar’s page.

That said, I want to be very clear that students should not attend class if they are symptomatic or ill. Absences due to illness or University-required quarantine or isolation are excused absences and will not result in any penalty. 

In the event of excused absences, instructors will work with you to help you maintain progress toward the course learning goals. This includes allowances for make-up work or delayed work, including exams and tests. You should contact your Dean’s Office for guidance and support if you have to miss multiple classes. Effective communication will be important.

VACCINATION STATUS

Although the University is reporting the rates of vaccination and numbers of active cases and positive tests in our campus community, it is important that each individual’s privacy be maintained. The current requirement for students, faculty, and staff to report their vaccine status is maintained confidentially, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

Instructors will not ask you to disclose your vaccination status. I encourage everyone to help support community standards that protect an individual’s privacy, just as you would for other issues of a private nature. Disclosure is a personal decision. I caution anyone from making assumptions about why an individual in the community may be unvaccinated or may be wearing a mask. There are a number of medical conditions or other reasons that prevent some from becoming vaccinated.

MASKING

Students are required to follow the prevailing University mask policy. The University is currently requiring masking indoors in all campus buildings, with the exception of your residence rooms, until at least Sept. 12. Please review the University’s masking policy. 

DISTANCING AND ASSIGNED SEATING 

In line with general practice in Virginia schools, distancing in classrooms will be three feet (center body to center body) between individual students this fall. The instructor will typically have at least six feet of distance to any student. 

Virginia Department of Health’s close contact tracking procedures still require identifying contacts within six feet of a positive individual. In order to facilitate contact tracing, faculty have been asked to create a seating chart for each course and students will be asked to use those assigned seats.

I, and all your fellow Spiders, very much appreciate your attention and adherence to these guidelines. I wish you a productive and fun fall semester and hope to cross paths in person soon.

Stay well, 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students,

As classes begin tomorrow morning, we wanted to take a moment and share some important health and safety reminders.

As you know, the University has implemented a temporary universal masking policy. From Aug. 20 through Sept. 12, the University will require all students, faculty, and staff to wear masks in all campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status. Please wear your masks. We are grateful for your commitment to following our health and safety guidelines both in and outside the classroom and offer a few additional reminders. 

Please keep yourself and our community safe by self-monitoring symptoms. You know your body best. If you are concerned you are sick, or you are experiencing a fever (100° F or higher) or other possible COVID-19 symptoms (such as cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, headache, chills, or new loss of sense of taste and/smell), you should stay in your room and take precautions for the health and safety of your room-, suite-, or apartment mates. You should also either contact the Student Health Center at 804-289-8064 to schedule an appointment or reach out to your personal health care provider. 

If you are notified that you need to be in isolation or quarantine, please know that you will have a lot of support available from Student Health, CAPS, Residence Life & Housing, and our offices. We will reach out to provide both general and academic support, including contacting your professors. As always, if you experience any illness or injury, we are here to help — please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Being aware of and following these important health and safety guidelines will help ensure we keep our Spider community safe while we take care of ourselves and each other. 

As always, if you have any questions or need help or support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to seeing you on campus!

Take care,
Dean Boehman and Dean Genoni

Dr. Joe Boehman, Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8061 

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni, Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8468

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We write to provide information regarding a temporary change in the University’s mask policy. From Aug. 20 through Sept. 12, the University will require all students, faculty, and staff to wear masks in all campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status.

In our Aug. 9 message to the campus community, we outlined a risk-based mask policy that focused on those factors most closely associated with transmission of COVID-19. We also stated that we would continue to monitor conditions and adjust our mask policy to address prevailing conditions. After carefully evaluating the latest COVID-19 data, we have concluded that COVID-19 conditions in our local community warrant a temporary change to our mask policy.

As a campus community, we are fortunate that we have exceptionally high vaccination rates. Unfortunately, vaccination rates are not nearly as high in our local community, and cases of COVID-19 have significantly increased in Virginia and our region since Aug. 9. Additionally, COVID-19 modeling provided by the Virginia Department of Health forecasts that cases in our local community will continue to rise over the next several weeks.

Given these conditions in the local community, we believe that we should proceed more cautiously for the first few weeks to increase the likelihood of a successful fall semester. It is encouraging to see the community now regathering in a way not possible last year and that we are preparing to open our classrooms to their pre-COVID capacity. We seek to avoid disruptions to our classes, activities, and student life as much as possible while maintaining our commitment to mitigate risks for the campus community. As a result, we are implementing this temporary indoor mask requirement effective tomorrow, Aug. 20, for all campus buildings. A revised version of our mask policy is available here, and for those who need a supply of masks, please contact the Office of Procurement.

We will continue to prioritize health and well-being and our academic mission, carefully monitor conditions on campus and in our local community, and update our policies as conditions on and off campus warrant.

As a community, we are truly fortunate to have students, staff, and faculty who care for one another and are deeply committed to pursuing our mission of providing an exemplary in-residence and in-person educational experience.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We are pleased to announce that the University will hold an on-campus vaccination clinic for students, staff, and faculty next week. We know and are delighted so many in our community are already fully vaccinated, and we hope this on-campus clinic opportunity will be helpful to those still seeking a COVID-19 vaccine. 

The clinic will be held Thursday, August 26, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Richmond School of Law parking lot (R43). The clinic will allow participants to choose either the Johnson & Johnson, Pfizer, or Moderna vaccine. Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two doses. A follow-up clinic will be held the week of September 27 to deliver the second dose. There is no charge for the vaccine.

Vaccine Here will staff and operate the vaccine clinic. All students, staff, and faculty are eligible to be vaccinated at the vaccination clinic, but appointments are required. To schedule an appointment, click here. The link is specific to the clinic being offered at the University.

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

• You will be able to select your preferred appointment time and be asked to provide a cell phone number and email. Reminders will be sent to you via email and text. If you do not have a cell phone number, please list the University’s number, 804-289-8000.
• You will be asked to answer pre-immunization, demographic, and COVID-19 screening questions, which will be kept confidential.
• The vaccine is being provided at no cost to you. Insurance is not required to receive the vaccine. If you have insurance, please provide the additional information requested. If you do not have insurance, you will be asked for your full name, state of residence (note Virginia), and your social security number. International students without a social security number should simply zero out the field (000-00-0000).

GENERAL VACCINE INFORMATION

• None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, so a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. You may, however, experience short-term side effects such as pain in the arm where you got the shot, fatigue, headache, body aches, chills, and fever.
• You are not considered to be fully vaccinated until two weeks after the date of your last dose of the vaccine. Therefore, you will still need to wear a mask where it is required, wash your hands, and practice physical distancing until at least two weeks after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
• You can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC’s website. 

If you have questions, please contact the University’s COVID-19 Hotline via email.

If this clinic is not conducive to your schedule, COVID-19 vaccines are readily available through many health care providers and pharmacies. For information on where to obtain a vaccine, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov.

Stay well, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Resilience of Operation Chair

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

The fall semester is quickly approaching and will be a homecoming of sorts. We will return with enthusiasm, hope, and gratitude toward our students, faculty, and staff and their shared commitment to the well-being of our community. We are working hard to return to a year of in-person, residential education that more closely resembles a pre-pandemic Richmond experience, but we recognize that the pandemic continues and that prudent health and safety protocols will be necessary. With two weeks before the first day of classes for the fall 2021 semester, we write today to share encouraging data about vaccination rates within our campus community as well as new information about our fall opening plans.

As we provide these current plans, we want to assure you that we are actively monitoring prevailing COVID-19 conditions, including the latest news on the Delta variant, nationally and locally. We are continuing to evaluate guidance from the CDC and the Virginia Department of Health and will continue to follow closely health conditions on our campus and in our community. As we have demonstrated in the past, we will adjust the University’s health and safety protocols to align with prevailing conditions.

VACCINATION RATES

We are pleased that 94% of students have reported their vaccine status as of Friday, Aug. 6, and 98% of full-time faculty and staff have reported their status. The vaccine rates for students and full-time faculty and staff who have reported their vaccine status are as follows: 

• 92.6% of the students who have reported their status are fully vaccinated; and
• 91.4% of full-time faculty and staff who have reported their status are fully vaccinated.

Current data suggests that vaccinated individuals are less likely to become infected — even by the Delta variant — and the vaccines are highly effective against hospitalization and death. Vaccination is an essential tool in the fight against COVID-19, and we are grateful that the vast majority of you have already been fully vaccinated. Having a high percentage of students, faculty, and staff fully vaccinated is a foundational element to returning to a more traditional residential academic experience.

As a reminder, all students, faculty, and staff are required to report their vaccine status to the University. We are actively reaching out to those in our community who have not yet reported, and we expect that the vaccination numbers will continue to increase in the coming weeks. If you have not yet reported your vaccine status, please do so immediately.

We also strongly encourage anyone who is not vaccinated to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccines are now readily available and are free. For information on where to obtain a vaccine, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov if you are in Virginia or vaccines.gov if you are outside of Virginia.

As previously announced, the University will require that all community members are fully vaccinated as soon as one of the vaccines is granted full FDA approval, subject to the exemptions previously announced. Additional information about the University’s vaccination and reporting requirement, including links for reporting your status and FAQS, is available at www.richmond.edu/coronavirus/fall-2021/vaccine-requirement.

ARRIVAL AND PREVALENCE TESTING

Students who have not reported their vaccine status or are not fully vaccinated, including those who have been granted an exemption, will be required to participate in arrival testing and weekly prevalence testing. All students should review the recent fall arrival and move-in plan message for additional information about arrival on campus. That message also provides information on arrival testing for students who have not reported their vaccine status or are not fully vaccinated. More information will be sent to students who are required to participate in arrival and prevalence testing in the next few days.

As we did last year, the University will monitor COVID-19 cases on campus and locally and will adjust our prevalence testing plan as conditions warrant.

MASKS ON CAMPUS

In light of the recent rise in COVID-19 cases, we have revised our mask policy. We want to be prudent during the first few weeks of the semester as students return to campus. The University’s mask policy adopts a risk-based approach that focuses on those factors most closely associated with transmission of COVID-19, including vaccination status and the size and density of meetings, events, and gathering places. The key elements of that revised policy include:

• Understanding that many people who may have already been vaccinated may choose to wear a mask for any number of reasons, the University strongly supports the use of masks by all members of the community.
• Masks are required for students, faculty, staff, and visitors who are not fully vaccinated or who have not reported their vaccine status to the University when indoors or in outdoor settings when physical distancing is not possible.
• Effective Monday, Aug. 16, masks will be required for everyone (vaccinated and unvaccinated) in the following settings:
  • In the dining hall except when seated;
  • At any indoor meeting or event where the attendance is 250 or above and, depending on the location and circumstances, events with attendance over 100 may require masking;
  • In health care settings, including the Student Health Center, CAPS, the on-campus testing clinic, and sports medicine;
  • On public transportation, including University shuttles; and
  • When students are going off campus to indoor public buildings for extra-curricular or co-curricular activities, including community-based learning and engagement with K-12 schools. 

Students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to wear masks whenever they are in indoor public places off campus due to the rates of vaccination in our surrounding communities that are lower than what we will have on campus.

Additionally, we recognize that members of our community may have health issues that make them more susceptible to COVID-19, or they may live with young children or others who are unable to be vaccinated. As a result, under our mask policy, any faculty or staff member teaching during the fall semester has the authority to require all students to wear a mask in their classroom or lab, and the University fully supports faculty and staff who elect to require masks. Similarly, faculty or staff meeting with students or colleagues in private offices or small conference rooms may ask the attendees to wear a mask.

We will, of course, continue to scrutinize conditions in the weeks ahead and will appropriately adjust our mask policy to address prevailing conditions both through the arrival period and after our community settles into the semester.

All students, including those who are fully vaccinated, should return to campus with a supply of masks 

FALL OPENING OPERATING STATUS

Given the information provided above, the University will open for the fall in the Lime Stage of our Physical Distancing Framework. We have operated successfully in this stage since the beginning of June, and we believe it’s the appropriate stage to kick off our fall semester. To reiterate, if necessary, we will adjust our protocols accordingly based on the best available information and prevailing health conditions in Virginia and on our campus.

The Lime Stage provides a welcome opportunity for in-person classes and all campus offices to be open with an in-person presence while still maintaining protective measures that support the health and safety of our community. Additional information pertaining to the Lime Stage, including details about holding events on campus, can be found here.

INTERIM STUDENT CONDUCT POLICIES 

As we return to campus, we should all renew our collective commitment to making our campus as safe as possible for all members of our community. The health and safety of our entire campus and surrounding community is our highest priority. 

With this commitment in mind, we have substantially revised our Interim Student Conduct Policies so that they focus only on those requirements that are essential to promoting the health and safety of our campus. We encourage all students and families to review these important conduct policies prior to returning for the fall semester.

MOVING BEYOND OUR WEB 

While we are confident in our plans and the vaccination data shared above is something we should all be proud of, we know that vaccination rates are lower in our local community and that COVID-19 cases have been increasing. What that means for us as a community is that we must remain committed to our individual health and safety, as well as that of our campus community, and adhere to masking and physical distancing recommendations and public health protocols whenever we leave this campus. That level of commitment will be essential in making sure we have another successful academic year on campus. The University cannot be successful without each and every one of us doing our part, both on and off campus. 

We are looking forward to seeing you as we together recommit to a fall semester that sustains and celebrates Richmond’s distinctive education and community. We hope you enjoy the remainder of your summer and look forward to seeing you very soon on campus.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Colleagues,

After more than a year of challenge, change, and disruption caused by the pandemic, it is exciting to see our campus beginning once again to reflect normal operations. Faculty and staff are returning to their offices and workplaces as we prepare for the fall semester. We look forward to returning to the vibrant, energetic, and close campus community with which we are all familiar and welcoming more of our colleagues back to campus in the coming weeks while recognizing that we must remain attentive to health and safety measures related to COVID-19.

We are closely monitoring COVID-19 conditions nationally and locally and are in the process of updating our COVID-19 policies and protocols for the fall semester accordingly. While the Delta variant has caused a rise in COVID-19 cases across the country, public health authorities have described this latest wave as a “pandemic of the unvaccinated” and report that virtually all COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths are now among people who are not fully vaccinated and that the current vaccines provide protection against the Delta variant.

VACCINATION DATA

We are grateful to the many of you who have reported your vaccine status to the University. Currently, 76% of students have reported their vaccine status to the University. Of those reporting, 92.6% are fully vaccinated. With respect to faculty and staff, 81.5% of full- and part-time faculty and staff have reported their vaccine status to the University. Of those reporting, 96.3% are fully vaccinated.

These numbers are encouraging, and vaccine rates will continue to climb as we get closer to the start of the fall semester and more of those in our community report their vaccine status. As a reminder, all staff, faculty, and students are required to report their vaccine status to the University. If you have not already done so, please report your status by completing this form as soon as possible and no later than Aug. 1, 2021.

As previously announced, the University will require that all community members are fully vaccinated as soon as one of the three vaccines is granted full FDA approval. The University strongly recommends that all of our community members become fully vaccinated as soon as possible. You can find a vaccine provider at vaccinate.virginia.gov.

RETURNING TO WORK ON CAMPUS

As we communicated in our May 27 message about returning to work on campus, a principal feature of the University of Richmond’s educational mission is to provide in-person classes and in-residence education with faculty and staff working directly with students and each other. So that the University is fully prepared to support our students, staff, and faculty ahead of the fall semester, fully in-person operations will begin the week of Aug. 2. Supervisors and department directors have been developing and communicating plans to their staff in order to meet these expectations.

Faculty and Teaching

The University will return to all in-person instruction for our undergraduate, MBA, and law students. Faculty will not be teaching remotely this year unless that was an existing arrangement prior to COVID-19 and/or the program of instruction in that school calls for it, such as some longstanding School of Professional & Continuing Studies programs that are based on remote teaching. As in the past, faculty members may request an accommodation, including teaching remotely, based on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Additional questions and answers on teaching and fall operations can be found in this FAQ.

Flexible Work Arrangement Policy

The University’s residential education mission demands a high degree of staff work to be done on-campus. However, the University has a longstanding Flexible Work Arrangement Policy that allows some staff, in limited circumstances, to have flexibility in their schedules and on occasion to work remotely. When a flexible work arrangement is approved, employees and managers must ensure that the same or enhanced level of service required of the position is being provided in support of our educational mission and the various requirements associated with the position.

The majority of staff positions at the University do not fit with remote work given our essential commitment to providing our students with small class sizes and a wide range of co-curricular and extra-curricular opportunities. This promise to our students extends to all staff and faculty as we take great pride in and strive to achieve an inclusive, welcoming place of work in which personal attention and a high degree of interactivity are highly valued. Over the next two weeks, vice presidents, academic deans, and supervisors will be working with staff members who have requested flexible work arrangements to determine if such arrangements are possible, and if so, how best to structure the arrangement. Any newly approved flexible work arrangements will be reviewed and reevaluated after two months. As in the past, staff members may request a reasonable accommodation based on the Americans with Disabilities Act.

We continue to extend our many thanks to all staff and faculty as we work together to ensure a return to the vibrant campus experience that undergirds the educational mission for which the University is recognized.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students and Families,

We are excited to be communicating with you about arriving to campus for the fall semester. We look forward to welcoming you to our campus for the first time as an incoming student or welcoming you back as a returning student.

As we shared in the message sent earlier this summer regarding the fall opening plans, we established an arrival and move-in process that offers flexibility in arrival for our returning students, while allowing our first-year and new students to enjoy a more traditional move-in experience. This letter contains a wealth of important and helpful information. We encourage you to read it thoroughly to ensure that it informs your arrival plans.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT AND REPORTING

As we have communicated previously, to promote the health of our community, the University will require all students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This requirement will go into effect as soon as one of the vaccines receives full approval by the FDA and will be subject to exemptions.

While we believe it is appropriate to wait until at least one vaccine is granted full FDA approval before requiring a vaccine, we strongly encourage students to take advantage of readily available vaccine opportunities as soon as possible and to be fully vaccinated before the beginning of the fall semester.

In order to be fully vaccinated prior to the beginning of the fall semester, you will need to receive the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or the first dose of a one-dose vaccine at least two weeks before arriving on campus, which for many students means by no later than Aug. 1, 2021. For information on where to obtain a vaccine, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov if you are in Virginia or vaccines.gov if you are outside of Virginia.

Our planning for the fall semester depends on knowing how many people within our campus community are fully vaccinated. All students, faculty, and staff are required to report their vaccine status to the University. Undergraduate students should report their vaccine status and upload their vaccination card through their Student Health Center portal. As is our current practice for other required vaccines, students may seek an exemption from the vaccine requirement if they have a medical condition that prevents them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or a sincerely held religious belief against receiving the vaccine. For the COVID-19 vaccine requirement only, students may also seek an exemption from the requirement to have a COVID-19 vaccine based on personal convictions strongly and sincerely held by the person seeking the exemption. To apply for an exemption from the vaccine requirement, students may complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Form June 2021 available in their Student Health Center portal.

Additional information about the University’s requirements related to vaccines is available on the COVID-19 response website.

ARRIVAL HEALTH MONITORING AND TESTING AT MOVE-IN

As the health and safety of our campus community is paramount, students, family members, or persons assisting with move-in who have experienced any COVID-related symptoms are not permitted on campus. All persons are expected to follow CDC Guidelines.

Upon arrival to campus, all students who received a vaccination exemption, failed to report their vaccination status in advance, or are unvaccinated will be required to complete arrival COVID-19 testing. Only those students who are fully vaccinated and have submitted their vaccination records to the Student Health Portal by Aug. 1 will be exempt from arrival testing. Students who are required to complete arrival testing are able to remain with their roommate but must wear a face covering in their room and practice 6 feet of physical distancing until their test results are received, which may take up to 72 hours.

ARRIVAL/MOVE-IN DATES, REQUIREMENTS, AND GUIDELINES

In order to maintain the required physical distancing within our residential areas and to decrease congestion during the move-in and COVID-19 testing processes, the University has staggered move-in for new and returning students. Students will be able to sign up for a arrival/move-in appointment on StarRez.

NEW STUDENTS

• Move-in for students participating in transition programs (Roadmap/Endeavor, Multicultural Pre-O, International Orientation, and ROTC) will be Sunday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first floor of the Tyler Haynes Commons.
• Move-in for first-year and transfer students who are not participating in transition programs will take place Wednesday, Aug. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the first floor of the Tyler Haynes Commons.
• Additional information about the arrival, check-in, and move-in processes, including parking and other details, is here.

RETURNING STUDENTS

• All continuing students living on or off campus must preregister to check in on one of these following days:
  • Monday, Aug. 16, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the Special Programs Building.
  • Tuesday, Aug. 17, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the Special Programs Building.
  • Thursday, Aug. 19, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the Special Programs Building.
  • Friday, Aug. 20, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the Special Programs Building.
  • Saturday, Aug. 21 and Sunday, Aug. 22 – Only those who are fully vaccinated and have submitted their vaccination information by Aug. 1.
• Returning students who received a vaccination exemption, failed to report their vaccination status by Aug. 1, or are unvaccinated will be required to complete arrival testing and must register for either Monday, Aug. 16, Tuesday, Aug. 17, Thursday, Aug. 19, or Friday, Aug. 20, to participate in mandatory arrival testing.
• Returning students who have a first-year or transfer sibling may sign up for a time slot at the same time as their sibling by contacting residencelife@richmond.edu to submit a request.
• Additional information about the arrival, check-in, and move-in processes, including parking and other details, is here.

All students, regardless of their residential or vaccination status, must sign up for an arrival/move-in time. Those who do not sign up will not be able to access their room, pick up their key, or have their SpiderCard activated.

To select a move-in/arrival time, all students must sign in to StarRez and complete the 2021 Arrival/Move-In Appointment application in the top red bar of the webpage. All students must register for a move-in arrival time slot by no later than noon on Thursday, Aug. 12.

Students will sign up for a 30-minute time slot to check in and receive an arrival COVID-19 test, if needed. Students will register for a 30-minute time slot to ensure they have adequate time to get through check-in and testing processes to ensure appropriate spacing and intervals for all of our students and families. Students may arrive only during their registered arrival time slot.

We know we are providing a lot of information, and some details of this process require more time for our staff to finalize. We appreciate your understanding and commitment to adapting to this year’s arrival process. The health and safety of our campus and the quality of the residential educational experience will depend on everyone in our community coming together and doing their part. In advance, we thank you for your partnership.

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Patrick Benner
Director of Residence Life & Housing

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We are very much looking forward to having our students return to campus in the fall and are planning for a fall semester that resembles in many ways our pre-pandemic residential experience. Vaccines are a key component of our planning process, and having a high percentage of students, faculty, and staff fully vaccinated is a foundational element for the next academic year. 

We write today with some important reminders about our vaccine requirements, an announcement about our new vaccine appreciation program, and information about the vaccination exemption process.

REPORTING VACCINATION STATUS

Our planning for the fall semester depends on knowing how many students, faculty, and staff are fully vaccinated. We are grateful that so many of you have taken the time to report your vaccine status. All students, faculty, and staff are required to report their vaccine status to the University by June 30, 2021, and to update their vaccine status within five days of any change in status. 

• Undergraduate and law students should report their vaccine status and upload their vaccination card through their Student Health Center portal.
• MBA and SPCS students should report their vaccine status by completing this form.
• Faculty and staff should report their vaccine status by completing this form.

If you have already reported to the University that you are fully vaccinated, we are very grateful that you have done so and you do not need to take any further action. We will treat information about vaccine status confidentially, consistent with applicable laws and regulations. 

Additional information about the University’s vaccine requirement and reporting, including FAQS, are available at www.richmond.edu/coronavirus/fall-2021/vaccine-requirement.

VACCINE REQUIREMENT

Research shows that COVID-19 vaccines are the most effective tool available to combat COVID-19. According to the CDC, the vaccines currently available in the U.S. have been shown to be safe and effective. As such, to promote the health of our community, the University will require all students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This requirement will go into effect as soon as one of the vaccines receives full FDA approval and will be subject to exemptions as described below. We encourage students, faculty, and staff not to wait for the requirement to go into effect and to become fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

To meet this requirement, students, faculty, and staff may choose any vaccine fully approved by the FDA or subject to an FDA Emergency Use Authorization, which currently includes the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. International students may meet the University’s vaccination requirement by receiving any vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO). We understand that access to WHO-authorized vaccines may be very limited in some countries, and we will work with international students who are not able to be vaccinated at home to access vaccines when they return to campus in the fall.    

VACCINE APPRECIATION PROGRAM

We remain grateful for your support and commitment to maintaining the health of our community. We are excited to announce our vaccine appreciation program, which is available to all fully vaccinated students, faculty, and staff. This appreciation program will provide an opportunity for any fully vaccinated Spider to be eligible for over 100 prizes.

Each week, starting June 30 and through the first week of classes, fully vaccinated Spiders who have reported their vaccine status will automatically be eligible for a prize drawing. Prizes include Richmond gear from the Spider Shop, tickets to local events, food and dining experiences, as well as iPads, GoPro cameras, and other popular technology.

Winners will be selected through an automated and confidential process and will be contacted via email to notify them of their win. You can learn more about this fun opportunity to reward our community for committing to our collective health here.

EXEMPTION PROCESS

As is our current practice for other required vaccines, students, faculty, and staff may seek an exemption from the vaccine requirement if they have a medical condition that prevents them from receiving the COVID-19 vaccine or a sincerely held religious belief against receiving the vaccine. For the COVID-19 vaccine requirement only, students, faculty, and staff may also seek an exemption from the requirement to have a COVID-19 vaccine based on personal convictions strongly and sincerely held by the person seeking the exemption.

To apply for an exemption from the vaccine requirement:

• Undergraduate and law students may complete the COVID-19 Vaccine Form June 2021 available in their Student Health Center portal.
• MBA and SPCS students may complete this form.
• Faculty and staff may complete this form.

Members of our campus community who are not fully vaccinated, including those who are granted an exemption from the vaccine requirement, will be required to follow the University’s health and safety protocols for unvaccinated individuals in order to mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 to those on our campus who are not vaccinated. Currently, these protocols include being tested upon arrival for COVID-19, participating in University-sponsored prevalence testing, and continuing to wear a mask indoors and in outdoor locations where physical distancing is not possible, as described in the University’s mask policy, which is in line with CDC guidelines. We also know that some who are fully vaccinated will wish to continue wearing a mask on campus for any number of reasons, and we support the decision to do so.

This summer already looks different than our past academic year, and it’s been rewarding to see so many faculty, staff, and students who are on campus be able to interact and enjoy our campus in a way that more closely resembles the pre-pandemic experience we know and love. We extend our many thanks to all students, staff, and faculty as all of us work together to ensure a safe and fulsome fall semester for which the University of Richmond is known. 

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Staff and Faculty,

We write to share with you new information on our plans for the fall semester, as well as a message that was distributed to students and parents today.

As you know, our intention is to operate the University as close to pre-pandemic conditions as safely possible, so we can all return to the robust academic, co-curricular, and extra-curricular opportunities offered by Richmond. These plans are based on current conditions, and we will adjust as needed. 

VACCINE REQUIREMENT AND REQUIRED REPORTING OF VACCINE STATUS

After careful consideration, the University will require all students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This requirement will go into effect as soon as one of the vaccines receives full approval by the FDA and will be subject to the exemptions described below. To meet this requirement, students, faculty, and staff may choose any vaccine fully approved by the FDA or any vaccine subject to an FDA Emergency Use Authorization, which currently includes the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

As is our current practice for other required vaccines, faculty, staff, and students may seek medical or religious exemptions from the vaccine requirement. Faculty, staff, and students may also seek an exemption from the requirement to have a COVID-19 vaccine based on strong personal convictions. Information on how to seek an exemption will be provided in the near future.

While we believe it is most appropriate to wait until at least one vaccine is granted full FDA approval before requiring a vaccine, we strongly encourage all faculty, staff, and students to take advantage of readily available vaccine opportunities as soon as possible and to be fully vaccinated before the beginning of the fall semester. We will encourage students, faculty, and staff to get the vaccine through a combination of targeted communications and incentives.

We are also requiring all faculty, staff, and students, to report their vaccine status to the University by June 30 and will require reporting of any changes to that status within five days. Faculty and staff should report their vaccine status by completing this form. We will treat information about vaccine status confidentially, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.  

MODES OF INSTRUCTION

In terms of modes of instruction, we will be returning to all in-person instruction for our undergraduate, MBA, and law students. Our School of Professional & Continuing Studies has a long tradition of remote and hybrid learning and will continue to offer those options, but outside of that we will not offer students the option to study remotely, and courses will not be remote. After consultation with faculty leaders, the University will also not support “blended” teaching and learning where the instructor teaches both in person and online at the same time.

We understand there are a variety of questions around how classrooms, offices, and common spaces will function with both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in our community. We will ask unvaccinated individuals to follow prevailing health recommendations. We trust that all of you will continue to demonstrate care and concern for our community, and that people who are not fully vaccinated will continue to wear a mask until conditions permit the lifting of mask requirements for our entire community.

MASKS ON CAMPUS

As we indicate in our letter to students below, we know that some who are fully vaccinated will wish to continue wearing a mask on campus for any number of reasons, and we support the decision to do so. During the fall semester, faculty will have the discretion to require all students to wear a mask in their classroom or lab if they so choose.

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS

Classrooms for fall classes will be available on the BannerWeb schedule by June 18. Normally-spaced furniture arrangements will be in place at the beginning of the semester, and faculty and students will be able to rearrange furniture to suit their pedagogical needs. Please note that classrooms will be assigned with the maximum student capacity for each classroom set to enable 3 feet of distancing between all students should future health conditions require it. In many classrooms that is at or near the existing capacity in the room. 

We will continue several key health and safety measures that we put in place during the past year, which include maintaining enhancements to the air handling systems in our campus buildings, including increased outside airflow, UVC filters, and bi-polar ionizers. We will also ensure adequate and easily accessible supplies of hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes and will continue our disinfecting and cleaning protocols.

Below you will find additional, detailed information about the start of the fall semester, which we shared with students and parents earlier today.

Thank you for your continued commitment to and support of one another, our community, and our students.

Stay safe and be well,

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students,

We are looking forward with great enthusiasm to your arrival to campus this fall. After a successful, but modified, academic year, we are working tirelessly to restore operations and programs on campus to as close to the pre-pandemic Richmond experience as possible. Our top priorities remain ensuring an outstanding academic and student residential experience while promoting the health and safety of the community. We are confident we can achieve both together, and we write today to share with you a variety of very important updates about the start of the fall semester. These plans are based on current conditions, which we are monitoring and will be adjusted if that becomes necessary.

KEY FALL OPENING COMPONENTS

We have provided detailed information about our fall plans below. The key components of our fall planning include:

• To promote the health of our community and continue to move our community forward together, the University will require all students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This requirement will go into effect as soon as one of the vaccines receives full FDA approval and will be subject to exemptions, which are detailed below. We will also require students, faculty, and staff to report their vaccine status.
• Students who are not fully vaccinated upon their arrival to campus must participate in arrival and prevalence testing.
• The fall semester will begin Aug. 23 and end Dec. 17, as scheduled, and will include a fall and Thanksgiving break.
• The University will return to nearly 100% fully in-person classes and will not offer remote study during the 2021­–22 academic year. The exception is certain classes in the School of Professional & Continuing Studies, which were previously conducted online.
• We are assessing our operating status and hope to open in either the Lime or Green Stage of our Physical Distancing Framework this fall. We are currently in the Lime Stage.

MANY SPIDERS, ONE WEB

We are a community of Spiders inhabiting a shared web that connects and supports us all — and that was evident in so many ways this past year as everyone contributed to sustaining our community health. Fortunately, as a result of increasing vaccine rates and changing public health guidance, we expect to be able to relax a number of our health and safety protocols this fall. Of course, we will still need to do our part to actively care for ourselves and one another. For example, we will have people in our community, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, who for a variety of reasons will continue to wear masks and seek some physical distancing. It is important that we remain supportive of one another this fall and that we embrace our shared responsibility as Spiders to nurture a healthy and vibrant community for all.

Please carefully review the detailed information below about our fall opening plans, which are informed by the best health and safety information available to us at this time. You will receive additional information about the fall semester in the coming weeks.

We hope you are having a wonderful summer. Here on campus, we are eagerly preparing for your return in August for another fulfilling academic year. 

Please continue to take good care of yourselves and each other.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

--------------------

FALL OPENING ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Calendar 

The University will hold full in-person residential instruction with the semester beginning as scheduled Aug. 23 and ending Dec. 17, and including the traditional fall and Thanksgiving breaks. Additional information is available in the fall academic calendar.

Move-In

The schedule for moving into on-campus residences and for arrival testing for residential and non-residential students will be as follows:

• Sunday, Aug. 15 – First-year, international, and exchange students participating in transition programs 
• Monday­­­–Tuesday, August 16–17 – Any continuing students
• Wednesday, Aug. 18 – First-year students who are not participating in transition programs 
• Thursday–Friday, Aug. 19–20 – Any continuing students 
• Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 21–22 – Continuing students who are fully vaccinated

Residence Life student staff, orientation advisors, and in-season student-athletes will be eligible to arrive prior to Monday, August 16. 

Students who live outside of the United States may request to return as early as July 26 due to the ongoing challenges with travel. 

We will share additional, detailed information regarding the move-in process, the requirements for registration, and the logistics of arrival testing in July.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement and Required Reporting of Vaccine Status

COVID-19 vaccines are the most effective tool available to combat COVID-19 and bring the pandemic to an end, as evidenced by the significant drop in COVID-19 cases nationally, in Virginia, and on our campus over the past months as more people have become vaccinated. According to the CDC, the vaccines currently available in the United States have been shown to be safe and effective.

To promote the health of our community and continue to move us forward as a community, the University will require all students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. This requirement will go into effect as soon as one of the vaccines receives full approval by the FDA and will be subject to the exemptions described below. To meet this requirement, students, faculty, and staff may choose any vaccine fully approved by the FDA or subject to an FDA Emergency Use Authorization, which currently includes the Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines. International students will meet the University’s vaccination requirement by receiving any vaccine authorized by the World Health Organization.

As is our current practice for other required vaccines, students, faculty, and staff may seek medical or religious exemptions from the vaccine requirement. Faculty, staff, and students may also seek an exemption from the requirement to have a COVID-19 vaccine based on strong personal convictions. Information on how to seek an exemption will be provided in the near future. People who are not fully vaccinated will continue to be subject to arrival and prevalence testing and the University’s mask policy. 

While we believe it is appropriate to wait until at least one vaccine is granted full FDA approval before requiring a vaccine, we strongly encourage all faculty, staff, and students to take advantage of readily available vaccine opportunities as soon as possible and to be fully vaccinated before the beginning of the fall semester.

Consistent with CDC recommendations, you are encouraged to get a COVID-19 vaccine even if you have already had COVID-19. Please be aware that people who have had COVID-19 and are not fully vaccinated will be subject to arrival and prevalence testing 90 days after having COVID-19 and to the University’s mask policy.

In order to be fully vaccinated prior to the beginning of the fall semester, you will need to receive the second dose of a two-dose vaccine or the first dose of a one-dose vaccine at least two weeks prior to arrival on campus, which for many students is no later than Aug. 1, 2021. For information on where to obtain a vaccine, please visit vaccinate.virginia.gov if you are in Virginia or vaccines.gov if you are outside of Virginia.

Our planning for the fall semester depends on knowing how many students, faculty, and staff are fully vaccinated. We are grateful that so many of you have taken the time to report your vaccine status. All students, faculty, and staff are required to report their vaccine status to the University by June 30, 2021, and to update their vaccine status within five days of any change in status. Undergraduate students should report their vaccine status and upload their vaccination card through their Student Health Center portal. We will treat information about vaccine status confidentially, consistent with applicable laws and regulations. 

Academic Life

The University will not be offering remote study during the 2021–22 academic year, with the exception of certain classes in the School of Professional & Continuing Studies. Our classrooms will be restored to traditional physical arrangements. We also will not be offering “blended” learning where faculty teach students in person and online simultaneously. Although this form of instruction was necessary last year, our distinctive academic strength is dynamic instruction in small classes organized around robust discussion, group problem solving, and personal faculty attention. We look forward to restoring all of these hallmarks of a Richmond education this fall. 

Registration and add/drop for returning students will re-open July 12 following the schedule here. Classroom locations for fall classes will be available on BannerWeb by June 18.

We are also delighted to have the opportunity to wish some 200 students who will be studying abroad during the fall semester a hearty bon voyage and look forward to seeing them in the spring.

Health, Safety, and Resilience

The health and well-being of our community remains our primary focus. With this objective in mind, we will continue to carefully monitor the status of COVID-19 on our campus and in the local community. While we remain hopeful, we are prepared to modify our health and safety protocols to adjust to any changing conditions. Health and safety plans for the fall semester include the following:

Arrival Testing

All students who are not fully vaccinated or who have not reported their vaccine status before move-in for the fall semester will be required to undergo COVID-19 testing upon arrival on campus, even if they are not living on campus. Students who are fully vaccinated and have reported their vaccine status are exempt from arrival testing. Detailed information on arrival testing will be provided in July.

Prevalence Testing

All students who are not fully vaccinated prior to the start of the fall semester or who have not reported their vaccine status will be required to undergo regular prevalence testing, to the extent conditions warrant such testing. We will determine the scope and frequency of prevalence testing as we get closer to the beginning of the fall semester. We will also assess prevalence testing for faculty and staff at that time. Students, faculty, and staff who are fully vaccinated and report their vaccine status will be exempt from prevalence testing.

Masks on Campus

The University’s policy on masks is consistent with prevailing public health guidance and will be updated as such guidance may change. The current policy is available here. Currently, and in accordance with CDC guidelines and Commonwealth of Virginia Executive Orders, people who are not yet fully vaccinated are required to wear a mask in indoor settings and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained.

We recognize that even those who are fully vaccinated may wish to continue wearing a mask while on campus for any number of reasons, and we strongly support your decision to do so. Additionally, during the fall semester, faculty will have the discretion to require all students to wear a mask in their classroom or lab.

Physical Distancing Framework

We will maintain the Physical Distancing Framework for the fall semester and will update it as appropriate. We are currently in the Lime Stage of the Framework. We do not yet know what stage we will be in at the start of the fall semester, but it is our hope that with high rates of vaccination among students, faculty, and staff — and continuing low case numbers in the community — that we will be able to open in either the Lime or, even better, the Green Stage.

Other Health Measures

We will continue several key health and safety measures that we put in place during the past year, which include maintaining enhancements to the air handling systems in our campus buildings, including increased outside airflow, UVC filters, and bi-polar ionizers. We will continue to have isolation and quarantine accommodations for students on campus should these become necessary and a process for contact tracing. We will also ensure adequate and easily accessible supplies of hand sanitizers and disinfecting wipes and will continue our disinfecting and cleaning protocols. 

While we are fully committed to residential education in a mode of operations closely resembling the pre-COVID Richmond experience, we understand that public health conditions may change again in unexpected ways. Should conditions require further adaptations, we are prepared to implement changes to our health and safety protocols in order to support the continued academic progress of our students. 

Dear Colleagues,

Our recent progress in our Physical Distancing Framework provides the exciting and welcome opportunity to continue increasing the number of employees working on campus, and we write today to provide additional information about the University’s expectation for employees returning to work on campus in the coming weeks.

A principal feature of the University of Richmond’s educational mission is to provide in-person classes and in-residence education with faculty and staff working directly with students and each other. Our staff and faculty rose to the challenge during the pandemic with many remaining on campus to support our students, while others turned living spaces and kitchen tables into workspaces to keep the University operating. We all faced and juggled work-life pressures greater than ever before and often beyond our control. We now look forward to returning to the vibrant, energetic, and close campus community with which we are familiar and welcoming more of our colleagues back to campus this summer. 

Our expectation for returning to work on campus is as follows:

• Departments and offices are expected to provide on-campus coverage during regular business hours beginning no later than Monday, July 12.
• So that the University is fully prepared to support our students, staff, and faculty, fully in-person operations should begin the week of August 2.
• Supervisors and department directors should develop and communicate plans to their staff in order to meet these expectations.

While most jobs will require an on-campus presence, the University has a Flexible Work Arrangement Policy that provides staff, for whom it is appropriate, with the opportunity to have flexibility in their schedule and in some instances, work remotely. All flexible work arrangements must ensure that the same or enhanced level of service required of the position is being provided in support of our educational mission and essential administrative requirements. Staff who want to explore a flexible work arrangement with their supervisor may do so by completing and submitting a Flexible Work Arrangement Approval Form.

We understand and respect that some in our community may have COVID-related concerns and that personal complexities endure as a result of the pandemic. Earlier this week, we announced details about our summer operating plans that continue to follow public health and safety guidelines. As we have from the beginning, we will continue to monitor conditions on campus and in our community and will maintain appropriate health and safety protocols and practices to mitigate risk.

Those employees who have a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act and wish to seek an accommodation for the coming academic year may do so by contacting Human Resources.

We appreciate all of those who have already been vaccinated. We strongly encourage you to get vaccinated to protect yourself and your colleagues. The more of us who are vaccinated, the closer we can get to operating as we did before COVID-19. Information on how to get vaccinated and the benefits of doing so can be found here. Once you are fully vaccinated, we ask that you register your vaccine status here. 

As was more than apparent in the response to the pandemic, our Spider community is remarkable. We very much look forward to welcoming many of our colleagues back to campus over the next two months. We also encourage you to make use of your vacation time throughout the summer so that you may get some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

Sincerely, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We write with an update on University COVID-19 health and safety protocols for the summer. Information regarding health and safety protocols for the fall semester will be provided no later than June 15. 

As you are aware, the CDC recently changed its recommendations for fully vaccinated people, including those relating to wearing masks. Governor Northam adopted the new guidance on May 15. He also announced his expectation to lift Virginia’s limitations on gatherings and requirements for physical distancing in most locations on May 28. In light of this new guidance, the growing number of students, faculty, and staff who are vaccinated, and our collective commitment to the health and safety of our community, we are happy to announce that we will modify our health and safety protocols.

COVID-19 VACCINES

COVID-19 vaccines are the most effective tool in ending the pandemic and returning our campus to a vibrant, energetic, and close campus community. The CDC’s recent Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People make clear those who are fully vaccinated are no longer subject to many of the limitations and requirements we have endured over the last 15 months. For example, people who are fully vaccinated:

• Are not required to wear a mask indoors;
• Are not required to maintain physical distancing;
• Are not required to participate in prevalence testing;
• Are not required to test following exposure to someone with COVID-19;
• Do not have to quarantine following exposure to someone with COVID-19;
• May resume domestic travel without a requirement to test or quarantine; and
• May return to the United States from abroad without needing to quarantine.

We strongly encourage all students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated if you are medically able to do so and do not have religious convictions that preclude getting the vaccine. You are encouraged to get the vaccine even if you have had COVID-19, as it is not yet known for how long people have immunity after getting COVID-19, and it is possible to get COVID-19 more than once. According to the CDC, if you have received treatment with monoclonal antibodies or convalescent plasma, you should wait 90 days before being vaccinated.

COVID-19 leave may be used for scheduled work time taken to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine(s), as well as for any side effects that may occur. For information on where to obtain a vaccine, please visit https://vaccinate.virginia.gov if you are in Virginia or https://vaccines.gov if you are outside of Virginia.

REPORTING YOUR VACCINE STATUS

Knowing how many members of our campus community are fully vaccinated is critical to our decision-making for the fall semester. We are very grateful to those students, faculty, and staff, who have already reported their vaccine status. Given the importance of this information, we ask all students, faculty, and staff to report their vaccine status as follows:

• Undergraduate and law students should report their vaccine status and upload their vaccination card through theirStudent Health Center portal.
• MBA and SPCS students should report their vaccine status by completingthis form.
• Faculty and staff should report their vaccine status by completingthis form.

We will treat information about vaccine status confidentially, consistent with applicable laws and regulations. 

MASKS ON CAMPUS

Consistent with the new guidance from the CDC and the Governor’s Executive Order, as of May 28, the University will no longer require students, faculty, and staff who are fully vaccinated to wear a mask, except in limited circumstances. People who are not yet fully vaccinated are required to continue to wear a mask in indoor settings and in outdoor settings where physical distancing cannot be maintained. For those who are not fully vaccinated, wearing a mask and maintaining physical distancing remain the best ways to protect members of our campus community from transmission of the COVID-19 virus. You will be considered “fully vaccinated” and exempt from the mask requirement if it has been at least two weeks since you received your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or your single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Again, we strongly encourage those who are fully vaccinated to report their status as described above. 

More information on the University’s modified policy on masks can be found here.

We know that some in our community will continue to wear masks even if they are fully vaccinated, and we strongly support that decision. We understand that some of you are not vaccinated for a variety of reasons, including medical and religious reasons. Please know that we are grateful for your continued adherence to our health and safety protocols, including the mask policy. We trust that you will continue to demonstrate care and concern for our community by wearing a mask until conditions permit the lifting of mask requirements.  

PHYSICAL DISTANCING FRAMEWORK

In recognition that great progress has been made in reducing the number of COVID-19 cases, but that we still face virus-related health challenges, we have modified the Physical Distancing Framework to create a new stage between Yellow and Green. Based on current public health guidance, this new Lime Stage maintains health and safety protocols, but modifies a number of them, especially for fully vaccinated individuals. Assuming the Governor lifts Virginia’s capacity and distancing requirements on May 28, the University will move to the Lime Stage of the Physical Distancing Framework on June 1.

Among the changes in the Lime Stage are the following:

• Physical distancing is no longer required for fully vaccinated people, but 3 feet of distancing both inside and outdoors is required for those who are not yet fully vaccinated;
• The limit on indoor gatherings is increased to 100 people;
• There are no limits on University-sponsored or approved outdoor gatherings;
• Fully vaccinated people can ride in work vehicles together without restrictions; and
• There are no restrictions on University-sponsored travel, but travelers should follow CDC guidelines.

For additional information regarding the Lime Stage, please review the Physical Distancing Framework. We will continue to closely monitor health conditions on campus and in our community and use the Physical Distancing Framework as a tool to respond to changing conditions.

COVID-19 SYMPTOM SCREENING

Consistent with public health guidance, at this time, we plan to continue the daily COVID-19 symptom screening requirement for all faculty and staff working on campus and those students residing, taking classes, participating in research, or working on campus. We will notify the campus community if there are changes to this requirement during the summer. 

We will continue to closely monitor health conditions on campus and in our community, as well as the evolving public health guidance, and we will adjust the University’s health and safety protocols for the summer if necessary. As noted above, we are developing protocols for the fall semester and will communicate more information about the fall in the coming weeks.

We hope you all have a restful and relaxing summer, and we look forward to seeing you on campus in the near future. 

Stay well, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President and General Counsel, Chair, Resilience Working Group

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

We write with a brief update on the University’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. The CDC’s May 13 change in recommended protocols on masking and Governor Northam’s subsequent modifications to Executive Orders have implications for University protocols on face coverings, physical distancing measures, and capacity limits.

In the coming days, we will be evaluating the University’s health and safety protocols to best serve the University community throughout the summer academic terms. We expect to be back to you with more information on possible changes to our protocols no later than May 27. In the meantime, all University employees and students should continue to follow the guidelines of the Yellow Stage of the Physical Distancing Framework, to include wearing a mask, as outlined in the interim policy.

The guidance from the CDC and announcements from Governor Northam continue to highlight the importance of getting vaccinated. The masking and physical distancing guidance they offer is very different for fully vaccinated individuals as compared to unvaccinated individuals. We highly recommend that the members of our campus community get vaccinated. Our ability to return to normal operations depends upon a high level of vaccinations in our community. Vaccines are widely available for all individuals over the age of 12. For information about the vaccine and how to obtain a vaccine visit https://vaccinate.virginia.gov/.

If you have not already done so, please register your vaccination status as follows:

• Undergraduate and law students should report their vaccine status and upload their vaccination card through their Student Health Center portal.
• MBA and SPCS students should report their vaccination status by completing this form.
• Faculty and staff should report their vaccination status by completing this form.

Thank you for all of your efforts on behalf of the University and our campus community. 

Best regards,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President, General Counsel, and Resilience Working Group Chair

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

Congratulations on the conclusion of an unprecedented academic year we are all certain to remember always.

We are writing to notify you of the welcome news that the University will move to the Yellow Stage of its Physical Distancing Framework on Saturday, May 15. This change is a result of consistent decreases in COVID-19 cases on our campus and in the greater community and is consistent with changes in the Governor’s executive order that also take effect on that date. This is the first time we have been in the Yellow Stage since the start of the pandemic, and it is only possible because of our community’s commitment and active participation in adhering to our campus health and safety protocols and the fact that many members of our campus community have been vaccinated against COVID-19. 

We are hopeful that we will see continued progress in our conditions and continued movement in relaxing COVID-19 requirements. The Governor of Virginia recently announced that COVID-19 capacity limits and physical distancing requirements may be lifted as early as June 15 if the number of cases in Virginia continues to decline and the number of people getting vaccinated continues to increase. We will continue to monitor applicable public health guidance and reassess our operating status throughout the summer. As we get closer to the start of the fall semester, we will make changes as appropriate.

The move from Orange to Yellow involves intentionally modest changes that will provide additional options for our community while keeping our commitment to community health first and foremost. Key components of the Yellow Stage include:

• Face coverings and six feet of physical distance are required indoors, and face coverings are required outside when physical distancing is not possible.
• Approved and University-sponsored indoor meetings, events, programs, and social gatherings of up to 50 people and outdoor events of up to 100 people will now be permitted provided all COVID-19 safety protocols are followed.
• Limited University-sponsored events off campus and limited exceptions for University-sponsored events that extend beyond the identified capacity limits may be considered.
• Visitors may be invited to campus to attend University meetings and events provided all campus COVID-19 safety protocols are followed.
• Students may request exceptions to participate in University-sponsored travel. University-sponsored travel may resume for faculty and staff. All Spiders must adhere to CDC travel guidelines and submit University travel details to UR’s travel registry.

Additional details about the Yellow Stage are available in the Physical Distancing Framework.

Shifting to Yellow Stage also provides an opportunity for all divisions to continue increasing the number of employees working on campus. We are finalizing a return to campus plan for staff, which we will communicate in early June. At this time, we expect to have all offices provide on-campus coverage during business hours beginning no later than Monday, July 12, while continuing to follow health and safety guidelines. Please note that this does not mean that all offices must be fully staffed starting on July 12, but each office should develop a staffing plan so that all University offices are able to provide in-person services during business hours. Appropriate accommodations will continue to be provided for at-risk employees.

We recognize that faculty and staff have worked very hard this past year, so we support, and strongly encourage, folks to make use of their vacation time throughout the summer in order to get some well-deserved rest and relaxation.

We hope to continue to make progress on relaxing COVID-19 requirements, and that will depend in part on the continuing response of our campus community to existing health and safety protocols and the number of community members who are fully vaccinated.   

If you have not yet done so, we encourage you to get vaccinated and to report your vaccination status. You can find a convenient vaccine location here. This data is key as we evaluate our operating status through the summer and make plans for the fall. 

• Faculty, staff, and MBA and SPCS students can use this form to report vaccination status.
• Undergraduate and law school students can report their vaccination status through their Student Health Center portal.

We remain grateful for the commitment of all Spiders to do what is necessary to ensure the continued health, well-being, and safety of our campus community.

Sincerely, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students,  

As we wrap up our semester and head toward summer, I write with an important request. You have recently received a message through your Student Health Center portal from Dr. Lynne Deane, our medical director, encouraging you to report your vaccination status with instructions on how to do so.

As the University is strongly encouraging students, faculty, and staff to get vaccinated against COVID-19, I wish to echo that encouragement and urge you to report your vaccination status. We know many of you have already received vaccines, and others plan to receive a vaccine while they are home this summer.  

As we make plans for the fall semester, it is very important to understand how many faculty, staff, and students are fully vaccinated. To collect data on students who have been fully vaccinated, we are asking that you please report your current COVID-19 vaccination status if you have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or your second dose of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. Again, you can report your status through your existing Student Health Center portal and will receive periodic requests to do.

Faculty and staff are also being asked to report their vaccination status.

We thank you for your participation in the University’s vaccination reporting program and for your help gathering this important information.

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students and Families,

We hope this message finds you safe, well, and enjoying some respite now that the spring term has concluded. As we transition into summer, we are writing to share information regarding the summer arrival and testing plans and protocols.

While we know that many of our students have or will soon be heading home or to other areas around the world for outstanding summer opportunities, there are students who will be participating in in-person classes, in-person faculty-mentored research, or in-person internships in the Richmond area and living on campus. Additionally, there are students staying locally who will also be participating in in-person opportunities on campus. 

This letter contains a wealth of necessary and helpful information. Please read it carefully and thoroughly to inform your arrivals plans.
 

Summer Arrival REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

Several students are taking advantage of extended stay housing. As previously shared, these students will remain in their spring housing assignment until Sunday, May 16. On Sunday, May 16, all students who have a summer assignment will be required to move to their summer assignment.

As the health and safety of our campus community continues to be paramount, unless fully vaccinated, students who do go home before returning for summer opportunities should self-quarantine for 10 days prior to returning to campus by staying at home to the fullest extent possible, avoiding large crowds and gatherings, avoiding unnecessary travel, washing hands often, wearing a face covering, and keeping a safe distance from people who do not live with you (at least 6 feet apart). All students must monitor their temperatures and symptoms for at least 10 days prior to arrival on campus. Any student who has symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to move in.

If family members or persons assisting with move-in have experienced any symptoms of COVID-19, they are not permitted on campus. All persons are expected to follow CDC Guidelines. As a reminder, students are only permitted to have one helper for summer arrival/move-in. Students will be given two hours to get settled in their rooms. At the end of that time, all helpers will need to depart the residential areas.

TESTING SCHEDULE, PROCESS, AND LOCATIONS

All students, including those who are fully vaccinated, must be tested for COVID-19 on campus at the start of each summer term as part of arrival testing. The only exception is for students who both have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of the start of the summer term and provided a copy of their positive test result. All students must complete the COVID-19 Authorization for Release of Vaccine Status, Testing and Screening Results. Students who are eligible for health services from the Student Health Center must access this form in their Student Health Portal and complete and upload it prior to testing.

All students must register for an arrival testing time slot using this form by 12 p.m. (noon) Friday, May 14. All students will be required to be tested on the designated testing days. Failure to participate in arrival testing as scheduled will result in immediate interim action(s) taken and referral to the student’s College dean. This requirement is to ensure the safety of all students returning to campus. The time and day you select for your arrival test will become your prevalence testing time for the remainder of the summer, so please register for a time you will be available every two weeks.

The summer arrival and prevalence testing requirements, schedule, locations, and information are as follows:

• Arrival Testing:
  • Required: All students who are living on campus, taking in-person classes, conducting in-person research on campus, or working on campus will have a PCR test at the beginning of each summer session, regardless of their vaccine status.
  • Dates of testing:
    • May 17 and May 18
    • June 20–22 for all students joining the campus community for 5-week II
  • Location of Testing:
    • Special Programs Building
  • Prevalence Testing:
    • All students who are living on campus, taking in-person classes, conducting in-person research on campus, or working on campus will undergo prevalence testing every two weeks using a rapid antigen test.
    • Students who have been fully vaccinated and have completed the vaccination form in their Student Health Center portal will be exempt from prevalence testing.
    • Dates of testing:
      • June 1 and June 2 (days of testing are shifted due to Memorial Day Holiday)
      • June 14 and June 15
      • June 28 and June 29
      • July 12 and July 13
      • July 26 and July 27 (for those students with extended stay needs)
    • Location of Testing:
      • Special Programs Building

We appreciate your continued commitment to adhering to these guidelines to ensure a safe environment for our students to further in-person learning opportunities while maintaining the residential educational experience.

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development 

Patrick Benner
Director of Residence Life & Housing

Dear Colleagues,

As you know, we are strongly encouraging faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated against COVID-19, and so we are pleased by what we are hearing about the number of people in our campus community who are now fully vaccinated. Last week, our on-campus vaccine clinic provided the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to members of our campus community. They will receive their second dose in May. We also know many more of you have received a vaccine at health department vaccine sites and local pharmacies.

As we make plans for the fall semester, it is very important to understand how many faculty, staff, and students are fully vaccinated. As you may have read in SpiderBytes, we are asking all members of our community to report when they are fully vaccinated and provide the date of their last vaccine dose. The data collected will be kept confidential, consistent with applicable laws and policies. For the many of you who so quickly responded to this request, we are very grateful. If you are fully vaccinated and have not yet done so, we ask that you please participate in this effort by reporting your vaccination status. If you are not yet fully vaccinated, please complete this form as soon as you receive your final dose of vaccine.

Again, we strongly encourage all faculty and staff to complete this form to report their vaccination status. We will also be asking students to report their vaccination status. You will receive periodic reminders to report your status via SpiderBytes and community messages.

We thank you for your participation in the University’s vaccination reporting program and for your help gathering this important information.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer  

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President, General Counsel, and Resilience Working Group Chair

Dear Students, 

I want to remind you that the University is making exit testing available to students on a voluntary basis and to suggest you consider getting an exit test before traveling and returning home to family. 

Exit testing is available until Friday this week and until Thursday next week. Testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the testing clinic in the Special Programs Building.

The testing will be conducted using rapid antigen tests unless you require a PCR test. As you know, the results of the rapid antigen tests will be available on the day you test.

If you are required to have a PCR test in order to travel home, you may request a PCR test when you sign up for testing. If you require a PCR test, please sign up for a testing slot prior to 11 a.m. PCR testing will end at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5, to ensure that results are returned in time for students’ departures. When signing up, please remember it can take 24 to 72 hours for PCR test results, and we cannot guarantee how long they will take to process.

Please do not sign up for an exit test if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days; or
• You are fully vaccinated, meaning you received your last dose of vaccine at least two weeks ago.

To sign up for exit testing, please use this link. Again, if you require a PCR test, please indicate that when you sign up for testing. If you would like to sign up for an exit test, you must do so no later than 12 p.m. on Friday, April 30. 

If this exit testing schedule does not align with your travel plans, you may obtain an antigen or a PCR test from a community provider. A list of local testing sites is available here. 

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

Today marks a major milestone in our 2020–21 academic year — it’s the last day of classes for the spring 2021 semester. We did it! Whether in person or remote, we came together with care and concern for our community — committed to making the most of this year despite the many challenges. 

We have completed a full year of providing an in-person, residential education option amidst a global pandemic. We’ve also provided meaningful opportunities for our 300+ students who studied remotely this year, and we commend all of our students for their perseverance and responsible daily actions, which significantly contributed to the health and safety of every campus community member. We also humbly recognize with gratitude the staff and faculty who have completed their duties virtually in a seamless fashion. We have achieved what few other campuses have been able to realize. 

This remarkable success was only possible because everyone in our Spider community went above and beyond to keep our community safe. We hope everyone can take a moment of pause today to embrace the reality of all that’s been accomplished and to celebrate this achievement as we move toward exams and Commencement in the coming weeks. 

From the beginning, it was clear that following key health and safety protocols was essential to completing a successful semester. Great sacrifice and extraordinary effort have been required of all of us. We’ve masked up and stayed physically distant. We’ve deep cleaned, reconfigured classroom spaces and dining and living areas, put up tents, and participated in prevalence testing. We’ve modified and adapted our teaching and learning methods. We’ve Zoomed for academic, professional, and personal purposes. We limited our travel, and many of us are now getting vaccinated as we continue to work toward our common goal — being here, together, on campus to complete another semester. And the University couldn’t have done any of it without every one of us doing our part.

We know it has been a challenging year, and we applaud the resilience, perseverance, and commitment it took to keep our community strong and safe during tough times.

We also know that the journey to this special moment has left a level of exhaustion that has been compounded by the violence that we have witnessed in our nation and across the world. We recognize the deep pain and fatigue we know many in our community are feeling. And so we ask that you continue to stay well and take care of one another as we close out the spring semester and move toward summer.

It is so important to remain safe and healthy, especially for exams. Mask up and keep six feet apart, get outdoors to enjoy the beauty of spring, and whether you are here on campus or studying remotely, good luck to all those taking and giving final exams and completing and grading final papers and projects.

We remain impressed, encouraged, and humbled by all that our community can accomplish together, and we are already looking forward to the start of our 2021–22 academic year.

Thank you for all your efforts,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President, Chief Counsel, and Resilience Working Group Chair

Dear Colleagues,

I write to share that a number of appointments remain available for the on-campus vaccination clinic. To ensure we use all of the vaccines allotted to the University, we are opening those appointments to your dependents over the age of 18.

Any dependent, 18 years or older, is eligible to be vaccinated at the vaccination clinic, but appointments are required. However, an individual should not come to the on-campus clinic for a vaccine if any of the following apply:

• They are not able to return to campus for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine during the week of May 10, 2021.
• They have already received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
• They have had a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. In that case, they should obtain their second dose of the same vaccine at the same location where they received the first.
• They already have an appointment to be vaccinated at a local clinic or with your health care provider. Please keep that appointment. This will allow as many members of our community as possible to receive a vaccine. 
  
  

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

• The second dose will automatically be set for 21 days after the first appointment. Step by step scheduling information is available here.
• To schedule an appointment for both doses of the vaccine using the CVS scheduling system, click the links below:
  • Thursday, April 22, with second dose Thursday, May 13 — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, April 23, with second dose Friday, May 14 — 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Individuals will be able to select your preferred appointment time and be asked to provide basic demographic information, as well as a cell phone number and email. Reminders will be sent to you via email and text.
• The vaccine is being provided at no cost to you. Because the University is covering the fee for administering the vaccine, when scheduling your or your dependent’s appointment, it is important that you select ‘I don’t have medical insurance’ and then confirm the statement on the next screen. CVS cannot customize its scheduling system for us. As a result, CVS has instructed us to select “I don’t have medical insurance” so that the University is billed for the service and not your insurance company.
• Individuals will be asked to answer pre-immunization, demographic, and COVID-19 screening questions, which will be kept confidential.
• Finally, an individual must provide consent to receive the vaccine. You will receive a confirmation email from pharmacy@notification.cvshealth.com.

If you have questions, please contact the University’s COVID-19 Hotline via email. Additionally, you may find these FAQs helpful.

Stay well,

Carl Sorenson
Senior Associate Vice President of Human Resources

Dear Students,

We are pleased to announce that the University will hold an on-campus vaccination clinic this week to deliver the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. The clinics will be held Wednesday, April 21 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), Thursday, April 22 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Friday, April 23 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses, three weeks apart. A follow-up clinic will be held the week of May 10 to deliver the second dose.

Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis and close 24 hours prior to the start of each clinic day.

All students, 18 years or older, are eligible to be vaccinated at the vaccination clinic, but appointments are required. However, you should not come to the on-campus clinic for a vaccine if any of the following apply to you: 

• You are not able to return to campus for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine during the week of May 10, 2021. If you have not applied for extended stay in on-campus housing or meet the criteria for summer housing, the University will not be able to provide you with housing during the week of May 10.
• You have already received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
• You have had a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. In that case, you should obtain your second dose of the same vaccine at the same location where you received the first.
• You already have an appointment to be vaccinated at a local clinic or with your health care provider. Please keep that appointment. This will allow as many members of our community as possible to receive a vaccine.
  
  

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

• Your second dose will automatically be set for 21 days after your first appointment. Step by step scheduling information is available here.
• To schedule an appointment for both doses of the vaccine using the CVS scheduling system, click the links below:
  • Wednesday, April 21, with second dose Wednesday, May 12 — 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 22, with second dose Thursday, May 13 — 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, April 23, with second dose Friday, May 14 — 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• You will be able to select your preferred appointment time and be asked to provide basic demographic information, as well as a cell phone number and email. Reminders will be sent to you via email and text.
• The vaccine is being provided at no cost to you. Because the University is covering the fee for administering the vaccine, when scheduling your appointment, it is important that you select ‘I don’t have medical insurance’ and then confirm the statement on the next screen. CVS cannot customize its scheduling system for us. As a result, CVS has instructed us to select “I don’t have medical insurance” so that the University is billed for the service and not your insurance company.
• You will be asked to answer pre-immunization, demographic, and COVID-19 screening questions, which will be kept confidential.
• Finally, you must provide consent to receive the vaccine. You will receive a confirmation email from pharmacy@notification.cvshealth.com. 

If you were unable to schedule an appointment and are interested in being placed on a waitlist, please complete this form.

DAY OF APPOINTMENT 

• The vaccine clinic will be held in the Robins Center. If driving, please park in Lot C66.
• Please arrive no more than five minutes before your appointment. When you arrive, use the doors located off the patio. Be prepared to present your University ID.
• Remember to wear a face covering when entering the building and maintain physical distance as you walk through the space.
• You are encouraged to wear short sleeves or a shirt that ensures the clinician has access to your upper arm.
• After you receive your vaccine, you will be asked to wait in a designated space for a minimum of 15 minutes, and up to 30 minutes if you have previously had a reaction to a vaccine.
• A trained CVS health professional will walk you through the vaccine information and follow-up instructions.
• You will receive a vaccination record card. Please ensure you keep it in a safe place as this is your record of vaccine. 

GENERAL VACCINE INFORMATION

• None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, so a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. You may, however, experience side effects such as pain in the arm where you got the shot, fatigue, headache, body aches, chills, and fever.
• You will still need to wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice physical distancing after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
• You are not considered to be fully vaccinated until two weeks after the date of your last dose of the vaccine.
• You can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC’s website.

If you have questions, please contact the University’s COVID-19 Hotline via email.

Stay well,

Steve Bisese
Vice President of Student Development

Dear colleagues,

We are writing today to provide you with information about scheduling an appointment for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the on-campus vaccination clinic on April 21–23, 2021.

As a reminder, all faculty and staff are eligible to be vaccinated at the vaccination clinic, but appointments are required following the process outlined below. However, you should not come to the on-campus clinic for a vaccine if any of the following apply to you:

• You have already received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
• You have had a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. In that case, you should obtain your second dose of the same vaccine at the same location where you received the first.
• You already have an appointment to be vaccinated at a local clinic or with your health care provider. Please keep that appointment. This will allow as many members of our community as possible to receive a vaccine.
• You are not able to return to campus for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine during the week of May 10, 2021.

CVS Health will staff and operate the vaccine clinic. The process for scheduling an appointment and for receiving the vaccine on campus is as follows:

SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT

• There is a separate scheduler for each day of the clinic. Your second dose will automatically be set for 21 days after your first appointment. Step by step scheduling information is available here.
• To schedule an appointment for both doses of the vaccine, using the CVS scheduling system, click the links below:
  • Wednesday, April 21, with second dose Wednesday, May 12 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Thursday, April 22, with second dose Thursday, May 13 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Friday, April 23, with second dose Friday, May 14 – 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• You will be able to select your preferred appointment time and be asked to provide basic demographic information, as well as a cell phone number and email. Reminders will be sent to you via email and text.
• The vaccine is being provided at no cost to you. Because the University is covering the fee for administering the vaccine, when scheduling your appointment, it is important that you select ‘I don’t have medical insurance’ and then confirm the statement on the next screen. CVS cannot customize its scheduling system for us. As a result, CVS has instructed us to select “I don’t have medical insurance” so that the University is billed for the service and not your insurance company.
• You will be asked to answer pre-immunization, demographic, and COVID-19 screening questions, which will be kept confidential.
• Finally, you must provide consent to receive the vaccine. You will receive a confirmation email from pharmacy@notification.cvshealth.com.
• Appointments will close 24 hours prior to the start of the clinic.
• If you were unable to schedule an appointment and are interested in being placed on a wait list, please complete this form. If vaccines are available, individuals will be contacted an hour prior to the end of the clinic.
  
  

DAY OF APPOINTMENT

• The vaccine clinic will be held in the Robins Center. If driving, please park in Lot C66.
• Please arrive no more than five minutes before your appointment. When you arrive, use the doors located off the patio. Be prepared to present your University ID.
• Remember to wear a face covering when entering the building and maintain physical distance as you walk through the space.
• You are encouraged to wear short sleeves or a shirt that ensures the clinician has access to your upper arm.
• After you receive your vaccine, you will be asked to wait in a designated space for a minimum of 15 minutes, and up to 30 minutes if you have previously had a reaction to a vaccine.
• A trained CVS health professional will walk you through the vaccine information and follow-up instructions.
• You will receive a vaccination record card. Please ensure you keep it in a safe place as this is your record of vaccine.
  
  

GENERAL VACCINE INFORMATION 

• None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, so a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. You may however experience side effects such as pain in the arm where you got the shot, fatigue, headache, body aches, chills, and fever.
• You will still need to wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice physical distancing after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
• You are not considered to be fully vaccinated until two weeks after the date of your last dose of the vaccine.
• You can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC’s website.

If you have questions please contact the University’s COVID-19 Hotline via email. Additionally, you may find these FAQs helpful.

We are working with CVS and the Virginia Department of Health to offer additional vaccine clinics on campus for faculty, staff, and students. We will provide additional information to our community as we learn more about the dates and times of those clinics.

Stay well,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to announce that the University will hold an on-campus vaccination clinic for faculty and staff next week to deliver the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. 

The clinics will be held Wednesday, April 21 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), Thursday, April 22 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and Friday, April 23 (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The Pfizer vaccine requires two doses, three weeks apart. A follow-up clinic will be held the week of May 10 to deliver the second dose. We strongly encourage all faculty and staff to get a COVID-19 vaccine.

CVS Health will staff and operate the vaccine clinic. The web-based process for scheduling an appointment will open on Monday, and you will receive another email providing detailed information about scheduling an appointment and what to expect on the day of your appointment. 

All faculty and staff are eligible to be vaccinated at the vaccination clinic, but appointments are required. However, you should not come to the on-campus clinic for a vaccine if any of the following apply to you:

• You have already received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.
• You have had a first dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. In that case, you should obtain your second dose of the same vaccine at the same location where you received the first.
• You already have an appointment to be vaccinated at a local clinic or with your health care provider. Please keep that appointment. This will allow as many members of our community as possible to receive a vaccine.
• You are not able to return to campus for the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine during the week of May 10, 2021.

GENERAL VACCINE INFORMATION

• None of the COVID-19 vaccines contain the live virus that causes COVID-19, so a COVID-19 vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. You may, however, experience side effects such as pain in the arm where you got the shot, fatigue, headache, body aches, chills, and fever.
• You will still need to wear a mask, wash your hands, and practice physical distancing after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.
• You are not considered to be fully vaccinated until two weeks after the date of your last dose of the vaccine.
• You can learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine on the CDC’s website.

If you have questions please contact the University’s COVID-19 Hotline via email.

Stay well,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students,

As we close in on the end of the spring semester, I want to thank all of you for your perseverance and commitment to the health and safety of our campus community. The fact that we are able to finish the semester in residence is a tribute to your efforts. I write today to share important information about COVID-19 prevalence testing and the opportunity to receive an exit test before departing for the summer.

PREVALENCE TESTING

All undergraduates will be required to continue to participate in prevalence testing at their regularly scheduled testing appointment through Friday, April 23. As a reminder, the only students who are not required to participate in prevalence testing are students who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 90 days or who are in isolation or quarantine. In the coming weeks, we will provide information on our plans for prevalence testing for students who will be on campus over the summer. 

EXIT TESTING

The University will make exit testing available to students on a voluntary basis. Exit testing will be available from Monday, April 26, through Friday, April 30, and from Monday, May 3, through Thursday, May 6. Testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the testing clinic in the Special Programs Building.

The testing will be conducted using rapid antigen tests, unless you require a PCR test. As you know, the results of the rapid antigen tests will be available on the day you test. If you are required to have a PCR test in order to travel home, you may request a PCR test when you sign up for testing. If you require a PCR test, please sign up for a testing slot prior to 11 a.m. PCR testing will end at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5, to ensure that results are returned in time for students’ departures. When signing up, please remember it can take 24 to 72 hours for PCR test results, and we cannot guarantee how long they will take to process.

Please do not sign up for an exit test if any of the following conditions apply to you:

• You have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days; or
• You are fully vaccinated, meaning you received your last dose of vaccine at least two weeks ago.

To sign up for exit testing, please use this link. Again, if you require a PCR test, please indicate that when you sign up for testing. If you would like to sign up for an exit test, you must do so no later than 12 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28. 

If this exit testing schedule does not align with your travel plans, you may obtain an antigen or a PCR test from a community provider. A list of local testing sites is available here. 

It has been my honor to work with all of you this academic year, and I remain impressed by your commitment to take the necessary steps to make an in-person, residential experience possible for all of us. We have and will continue to achieve great things together. Please know that I’m thinking of you as you wrap up this semester, and I wish you the best of luck with your final exams and throughout the summer.

With Spider Pride, 

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students,

Thank you for all you have done so far to help keep our campus community safe. We are more than halfway through the spring semester, and the recent news about our return to the Orange Stage and current plans for in-person, residential education for fall 2021 is the direct result of your continued dedication to the well-being and safety of our community.

Unfortunately, we are currently experiencing an increase in COVID-19 among students, and it is clear that some within our campus community are becoming relaxed about masking and physical distancing. I’m urging you to not let down your guard. Our recent progress is the result of compliance with our important policies. As we head into the weekend and close in on wrapping up the spring semester, please continue to avoid attending parties or social gatherings on or off campus and refrain from bars and restaurants. These social gatherings without proper masking and distancing are the primary reason for surges here and at other campuses despite periods of lower infection rates.

Also, it is very important to call the Student Health Center if you are having symptoms that could be related to COVID-19. If you are experiencing symptoms, do not assume that the symptoms are related to allergies or a cold, and do not wait for your next prevalence testing appointment — call the Student Health Center promptly. We do not want to move back to the Red Stage of the Physical Distancing Framework or have to adopt remote stay-in-place instruction for some period of time. We have recently witnessed this unfortunate necessity on other college campuses, and we want to continue to be an example of success.

SAFE ACTIVITIES

That said — I share your relief about the arrival of warmer spring weather, and I want to encourage you to take advantage of greater opportunities to attend to your personal well-being by participating in safe outdoor activities and exercise on our beautiful campus. Fresh air and sunshine provide a welcome change after our cold winter months. But remember, masking is still required outside when six feet of physical distance is not possible. The newly opened Well-Being Center offers both indoor and outdoor spaces to exercise, enjoy lunch, or to gather physically distanced with masks. You can also take advantage of the Weinstein Center for Recreation, including classes, some of which are offered outside. 

PREVALENCE TESTING

We will continue to conduct mandatory prevalence testing through the last day of classes. Prevalence testing will be available on a voluntary basis during the exam period. The University will also make exit testing available on a voluntary basis for students. We will provide more information on how to sign up for prevalence testing during exams or for an exit test in the next few weeks. 

VACCINE AVAILABILITY

The Virginia Department of Health has just announced that anyone over the age of 16 will be eligible for a vaccine by April 18, 2021. We encourage all students to get vaccinated and to pre-register for a vaccine by using Virginia’s vaccine pre-registration system website: vaccinate.virginia.gov.

Please know we are all deeply grateful for your commitment to this effort and all you are doing to keep our semester on track. Let’s keep up our good work this week and throughout the remaining weeks on campus this spring.  

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Members of the Community,

We write to provide an update on the University’s plans for Commencement weekend. As you may know, Governor Northam released detailed Commencement requirements for colleges and universities in Virginia planning to hold in-person ceremonies. The Commencement team has worked tirelessly to evaluate the new guidelines and update our plans to determine how best to adhere to this guidance. The team has done a tremendous job under significant time constraints to revise our approach to Commencement weekend.

As such, we are delighted to share that at the conclusion of this difficult year, we will be able to provide modified, in-person ceremonies for all graduates during Commencement weekend with numerous COVID-19 safety protocols in place. The message below was sent to graduates today and includes additional details and links to more specific information about this year’s celebrations. 

We are very grateful to the Commencement committee, and in particular to events manager Alicia Engels, for herculean efforts over the past year to consider an array of Commencement options and lead the team responsible for providing in-person ceremonies for our graduates. 

Significant work remains to bring these plans to fruition in just five weeks’ time. We thank in advance all the faculty and staff who will help make a safe Commencement celebration possible amidst the continuing challenges of COVID-19.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Graduates,

Thank you for your continued understanding and patience as the Commencement team has worked rapidly to revise our Commencement plan in accordance with the newly released guidance and mandatory requirements provided to colleges and universities by Governor Northam on March 17.

We are very pleased to announce that the University of Richmond is planning to host a series of in-person Commencement ceremonies for our graduates, although these will be modified to address COVID-19 safety requirements. You will be able to celebrate with your entire class in these school-specific ceremonies, and you will be permitted to invite two guests to attend your graduation in person with COVID-safety precautions in place. The University will also provide a remote participation option for students who need or prefer to participate virtually and for families and friends around the country and the world who wish to celebrate with you virtually on graduation day.

Commencement weekend marks the conclusion of a full academic year during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our Commencement ceremonies will be among the first major events hosted on campus by the University since the pandemic began. As such, we are proceeding with caution and very careful planning to uphold the community health and safety standards we have all worked so hard to maintain during this challenging year. All attendees must wear masks and adhere to physical distancing guidelines. Additional details on these requirements are below. 

Our Commencement office, school deans’ offices, University leaders, and COVID coordinators have worked very diligently to develop an updated plan that adheres to state guidelines and achieves our two priority goals — safeguarding the health and safety of our campus community and providing our graduates with an in-person option for conferral of their hard-earned degrees.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

In order to accommodate COVID-19 safety protocols for all attendees, we have made necessary adjustments to previously communicated ceremony times and locations as follows:

• MBA: TBA — Planning is still in process, and information will be forthcoming to MBA candidates.
• SPCS: Saturday, May 8, in the Robins Center, Class of 2020 at 8 a.m., Class of 2021 at 11:30 a.m.
• Law: Saturday, May 8, at 4 p.m., Robins Stadium (Note: The law ceremony will be held rain or shine. In the event of severe inclement weather, the ceremony may be moved indoors to Robins Center.)
• Undergraduate (Arts & Sciences, Robins, and Jepson): Sunday, May 9, at 9 a.m., Robins Stadium (Note: The undergraduate commencement ceremony will be held rain or shine. In the event of severe inclement weather, the ceremony may be postponed to a later time during the day.) 

Specific information about each ceremony and frequently asked questions can be found at commencement.richmond.edu.

COVID-19 SAFETY, TICKETING, AND SEATING

Adherence to the Governor’s Commencement guidelines will require careful management of the ticketing process. Each graduate will be allotted two guest tickets for distribution and will be required in advance to identify names and email addresses for each guest. Tickets will be distributed via email to each graduate in advance. More information about ticketing can be found here.

Compliance with state guidelines further requires that all attendees wear masks and that we seat all Commencement attendee groups 10 feet apart. Close contact among graduates and between graduates and faculty and staff in attendance will not be permitted. To account for these physical distancing requirements, we will arrange graduate seating in three-person groups so that your guests may be seated with you. 

Despite these precautions, we are committed to ensuring each graduate receives individual recognition during their ceremonies, including those participating remotely. Your name will be read aloud during the ceremony, and you may stand at your seat, if able, to be recognized. We encourage you to create a customized slide to be shown during your ceremony both in person and virtually.

This year’s Commencement weekend will be unlike any other in our University’s history. We are thrilled the Governor’s guidelines will permit us to celebrate your graduation in person next month and will remain in contact with relevant updates as we work toward making possible this very special weekend.

Sincerely,

Ronald A. Crutcher
University President

Dear Colleagues,

We remain grateful for the commitment of our community to do what is necessary to ensure the continued health, well-being, and safety of our campus this semester.

We are writing to notify you that the University will move to the Orange Stage of its Physical Distancing Framework today, Thursday, March 18. This change is made possible as a result of consistent decreases in the number of COVID-19 cases on campus and in the greater community. For the last two weeks, no one has tested positive during the University’s prevalence testing. 

Throughout the pandemic, the stages of the University’s Physical Distancing Framework have promoted the health and safety of our community while permitting the University to tailor its requirements to prevailing conditions. We began the spring semester in an Enhanced Red Stage based on conditions at the time. We transitioned from Enhanced Red to Red on March 1, and now, transition to the Orange Stage. As you will see below, the move to Orange involves modest changes.

Our ability to move to and then remain in the Orange Stage depends on conditions both on and off campus, which we continue to monitor closely, and continued compliance with the University’s health and safety protocols by everyone in our community.

We want to emphasize that the move to the Orange Stage does not mean we are relaxing our important health and safety protocols. By design, this is a small step. The Orange Stage maintains the vast majority of the health and safety requirements of the Red Stage, including maintaining 6 feet of physical distance, continuing to wear face coverings, and maintaining all existing classroom and cleaning protocols. We will also continue our current prevalence testing protocol. 

The key differences between the Red and the Orange Stage for students include increased opportunities for visitation to other on-campus residence halls and within residence hall lounges and other common spaces, subject to capacity limits with masks and physical distancing requirements. At this time, capacity limits for University-approved meetings and events will remain at 10 indoors and 25 outdoors. These guidelines are consistent with a Governor’s order currently in effect across Virginia. 

Specific to employees, shifting from the Red to Orange Stage means:

• Remote work is still encouraged, but if there are compelling needs, department leaders may begin to increase the number of staff working on campus to the extent necessary to support students, faculty, and staff.
• The capacity of all work areas is limited to 50% of normal staff levels, wherever possible, with physical distancing and the use of face coverings required.
• Supervisors who determine that there is a need to increase the number of employees working on campus should take the necessary time to develop a careful plan and communicate that plan to their teams. Our Human Resources business partners are available to assist managers with the development of return-to-campus plans when needs arise.
• Appropriate accommodations will be provided or will remain in place for at-risk employees, which is consistent with the policies followed during the fall semester, the first time we transitioned to the Orange Stage.
• For those working on campus, in the Orange Stage, break rooms and lounges will be available for use with capacity restrictions and mask and physical distancing requirements in place.

Whether you have been working on campus or it is determined you will be returning during the Orange Stage, FDA-certified KN95, ASTM-certified Level 3 disposable masks, and 3-layer cloth masks will be available for all faculty and staff working on campus. Procurement is holding pick-up events Monday and Tuesday, March 22 and 23. Additional details are available here. You can also contact procurement for more information.

Additional details about the Orange Stage are available in the Physical Distancing Framework. 

As we continue the spring semester, future actions related to changes in our operating stage will be guided by the prevalence of the virus on our campus and in our community. We will return to Red, as we have done in the past, if circumstances warrant. We made that point clear when we shared news of this transition with students today. That full message is below should you wish to review it.

Take care and be well, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students and Families,

We are writing to notify you that the University will move to the Orange Stage of its Physical Distancing Framework today, Thursday, March 18. This change is made possible as a result of consistent decreases in the COVID-19 cases on our campus and in the greater community. The transition reflects your commitment and active participation in adhering to our health and safety protocols. Thank you.

While we feel confident we can safely transition to the Orange Stage at this time, we will return to Red, as we have done in the past, if circumstances warrant. We have recently witnessed this unfortunate necessity on other college campuses not that far from us; therefore, please continue to adhere to our health and safety guidelines. 

As you see below, the move from Red to Orange involves changes that will provide additional options for students while ensuring the continued safety of our community. The key differences between the Red and the Orange Stage for students are:

• Increased opportunity for visitation to other on-campus residence halls as long as all health and safety guidelines are followed.
• Greater access to residence hall lounges and some additional gathering spaces on campus, subject to capacity limits and mask and physical distancing requirements.

We want to emphasize that the move to the Orange Stage involves following our essential health and safety protocols. These include:

• Maintaining 6 feet of physical distance and continuing to wear face coverings (even outdoors when distancing is not possible).
• Continuing prevalence testing every other week for all undergraduate students taking in-person classes.
• Maintaining all current classroom protocols.
• Per Governor Northam’s executive order, limiting approved meetings and events to no more than 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, subject to appropriate physical distancing and the use of masks. Meeting locations must be reserved and events approved by appropriate University personnel.

Other important reminders include:

• On-campus students are strongly encouraged to remain on campus, and all students should not go to bars or attend parties/large social gatherings. These behaviors are what has led other institutions to reinstate strict COVID-19 protocols.
• All students should continue to limit travel to essential reasons, such as visits to a doctor, pharmacy, or grocery store.

Additional details about the Orange Stage are available in the Physical Distancing Framework.

Once again, this transition is made possible by the campus community complying with existing health and safety protocols, and we are pleased to be able to announce this shift based on current conditions. As we continue the spring semester, future actions related to changes in our operating stage will be guided by the prevalence of the virus on our campus and in our community.

Thank you for your dedication to our community.

Sincerely, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, and Families,

It’s now been a full year that our community has been directly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic, and we write to you today to provide an update on the University’s plans for the fall 2021 semester.

Due in large measure to the steadfast commitment of our students, faculty, and staff to our essential safety protocols, we had a full in-person fall semester. Through continued vigilance, we remain on track to continue that success during the spring semester.

We know many of you already have questions about our plans for fall of 2021. The University intends to provide an in-person, residential education for the 2021–22 academic year. Programs within the School of Professional & Continuing Studies that offer remote and blended formats will continue as usual. Otherwise, we are optimistic, contingent on evolving health circumstances, that students and faculty will be able to return to fully in-person learning.
 

IN-PERSON, RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION

Our approach, as it has been from the beginning, is to provide an outstanding residential academic experience for our students while mitigating the risk of COVID-19 to our campus community. We are confident that all of us will continue to do what is necessary to support a safe fall 2021 semester, just as we have been doing. Students are already in the process of making housing arrangements, and the advising period for fall course selection for traditional undergraduates will begin later this month. The University will continue to monitor public health conditions and provide information about the fall semester.

VACCINES 

Increasing availability of vaccines across the nation, within Virginia, and in our community is welcome news and very positive. We strongly encourage all faculty, staff, and students to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as you are able to do so. If you have not done so already, you may pre-register for a vaccine in Virginia using this link.

To continue to protect yourself and others, those who have already been vaccinated must continue to follow the University’s health and safety protocols, including wearing a mask and maintaining 6 feet of physical distance. We will continue to require prevalence testing for all undergraduate students taking classes in person this spring, even if they have been fully vaccinated. This vaccine FAQ on the CDC website provides additional information on how you can continue to protect the Spider community after you have been vaccinated.

We have made clear to the Virginia Department of Health our strong desire to operate a vaccination clinic on our campus. At this time, we have no certainty that VDH is going to allocate vaccines to the University; however, we are proactively identifying and procuring the resources necessary to stand up a clinic so that we are ready if VDH allocates vaccines to the University during Phase 1c of the vaccine program. We will continue to keep you posted about what we learn related to the vaccine distribution process and availability.

We are carefully monitoring the evolving public health guidance and the rollout of the vaccine to determine what health and safety protocols may be necessary for the fall semester. We will also maintain our Physical Distancing Framework to guide the appropriate operating status for the campus based on conditions at the time and will communicate in advance of any change in our operating stage.

We will continue to update you about plans for the fall semester, including expectations for staff regarding our transition from remote to full on-campus operations, as we learn more. Thank you in advance as we continue to work together to ensure the safe progression of our spring term on campus and look ahead to a more familiar future.

Take care and be well.

Sincerely, 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students and Families,

We are nearing the halfway point of the spring semester, and we all look forward to warmer weather and a return to outdoor activities. I’m writing with some specifics about the good news regarding the University’s move to the Red Stage today, March 1.

This change represents the lower infection rates within our campus community and a lower percentage of students in isolation and quarantine than we have experienced since the move-in period for the spring semester, and this transition is possible due to your continued vigilance and hard work to keep our web safe — thank you!

Here are few things we want to highlight for you: 

• On-campus students may host on-campus visitors within their residence.
• Off-campus students can visit each other’s indoor and outdoor living spaces.
• Students may continue to order food delivery or take out from off campus through contactless delivery or curbside pickup.
• Approved University-sponsored or approved student organization hosted indoor events of 10 or fewer attendees and outdoor events of 25 or fewer attendees are now permitted if 6 feet of physical distance can be maintained. 
• Students who live on campus should continue to remain on campus unless required to leave for activities such as doctors’ appointments, employment, or picking up prescriptions. Essential trips such as these within the greater Richmond area no longer require approval from the College Deans.

All the details about the Red Stage are available in the University’s Physical Distancing Framework. Additional information about the expectations of our students is available here.

The University’s resiliency committee will continue to monitor our progress and recommend transitioning to a different stage within the Physical Distancing Framework as appropriate.

In the meantime, please continue to follow all public health and University guidelines, including masking up and physical distancing. A number of colleges and universities in Virginia are currently experiencing a surge in cases. Let’s keep the positive momentum on our campus going forward as we enter the second half of the semester.  

I continue to be proud of your dedication to our community’s safety.

Best wishes,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

In recent weeks we have received numerous questions regarding the vaccine distribution process in the Commonwealth of Virginia and how the University may play a role in this critically important process for our community members and our region.

University representatives, led by Vice President and General Counsel Shannon Sinclair, meet weekly with representatives from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), and we have signaled to Commonwealth representatives since last fall that the University is willing and able to host a vaccination clinic on our campus. What follows is our best understanding of the status of vaccine distribution in Virginia. We hope this information is helpful as all of us contend with this essential process.

VACCINE AVAILABILITY

In Virginia, vaccine distribution is organized into phases. Individuals eligible to receive the vaccine are prioritized as follows:

• 1a: Healthcare Personnel and Long-Term Care Residents; and
• 1b: Frontline Essential Workers, Persons Aged 65 Years and Older, People Living in Correctional Facilities, Homeless Shelters, and Migrant Labor Camps, and Persons Aged 16–64 years with a high-risk medical condition or disabilitythat increases their risk of severe illness from COVID-19. 

As you know, vaccine supply is limited, thus presenting difficulty and delay for those in phase 1b who are eligible to receive the vaccine, including some of our faculty and staff that meet the criteria. According to the VDH, Virginia is not likely to meet the demand for Phase 1b until March or April. It may be weeks or longer before vaccination appointments become available for those who have pre-registered. Vaccine providers across Virginia are working as quickly as possible to vaccinate people eligible for Phases 1a and 1b.

Under Phase 1c, other essential workers, including the faculty and staff of institutions of higher education, will be eligible to receive the vaccine. At this time, there is no set date for the start of Phase 1c. If vaccine supply remains limited, we expect that VDH will establish a priority of groups within the Phase 1c category. As a result, vaccines may not be available at the start of Phase 1c.

REGISTERING FOR THE VACCINE

As announced by VDH on February 12, Virginia is launching a statewide vaccine pre-registration system to provide a unified and comprehensive process for people to pre-register for the COVID-19 vaccine. As a result, VDH directed all local health districts to close their interest forms and surveys at 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 12. At 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16, a new statewide system at vaccinate.virginia.gov will be activated. It is our understanding that with the new system, any individual can register, but the ability to schedule an appointment will remain based on the vaccination phase and identified priority groups. Anyone who has previously filled out a survey or form or signed up for a waitlist to be vaccinated through their local health district will be automatically imported into the new statewide system. Individuals will maintain their current status in the queue. Individuals will be able to verify that they are in the new system starting Tuesday morning. 

We encourage all members of our community to register after the website has been established. We particularly urge any member of our community that is eligible for Phase 1b based on age or medical condition to pre-register. For updated information on vaccine phases and eligibility, check the COVID-19 Vaccination Response website.  

ON-CAMPUS VACCINATION CLINIC

As noted above, the University has been proactively working with VDH to support a vaccination clinic on our campus. We are currently identifying and procuring the resources necessary to stand up a clinic so that we are ready if VDH allocates vaccines to the University during Phase 1c of the vaccine program. At this time, we have no certainty that VDH is going to allocate vaccines to the University.

The health and safety of the Spider community remains our top priority. As we learn more about when the vaccine will be available to our faculty and staff, we will immediately provide such additional information to our community.

Stay well, 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your resilience and dedication during this challenging start to the spring semester. We write today to call attention to our most recent community data and alert you to several updates shared with students earlier today.

We are currently seeing the number of positive cases and potential exposures at the University trending lower. We are encouraged that keeping the campus in the Enhanced Red Stage through at least Feb. 28, along with the mitigation strategies implemented over the past few weeks and described below, may be having a positive impact:

• Enhanced Prevalence Testing: We have put in place an enhanced prevalence testing plan this semester. All non-remote undergraduate students are being tested every other week, and prevalence testing is also available for faculty and staff every other week on Wednesdays. We will increase the frequency of prevalence testing as needed.
• Masking Requirements: We are pleased to have made available FDA-certified KN95 or ASTM-certified level 3 disposable masks to all student-facing staff and faculty. We have also made these masks available to students taking in-person classes. We have reminded students of our masking policies, including that neck gaiters and bandannas are not acceptable to be worn within campus buildings unless they are covered by a second mask, and individuals removing masks for dining purposes should resume mask-wearing immediately following their meals. 

While the campus trends are encouraging, we know this is not the time to become complacent. That is why we have urged students to remain vigilant in a message today that you will see below. Also detailed below, we have notified students about a variety of opportunities that will be available this summer, including courses, study abroad, research, and internship opportunities. Additional information on summer camps and conferences will be provided later this semester.

Take care and be well, 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear Students,

Thank you for your flexibility, resilience, and dedication during this challenging start to the spring semester. We believe our mitigation strategies and many combined efforts are working, as we are currently seeing the number of positive cases and potential exposures at the University trending modestly lower. While these campus trends are encouraging, we know this is not the time to become complacent. In fact, it’s all the more reason to remain vigilant and continue our work to ensure a successful in-person, residential educational experience this spring. Thank you all for unwavering compliance with our mask and physical distancing policies. This message details a few important reminders, as well as some new information about available summer opportunities. 

SUMMER INFORMATION

We hope you found an extended moment to rest, refocus, and restore during our first of two Well-Being Days earlier this week. The next Well-Being Day is Wednesday, April 7. We are also looking ahead to summer and want to remind you of information provided previously, as well as provide several updates for summer 2021 related to classes, study abroad, research, internships, campus residency, and COVID-19 protocols. Please review this information carefully, as there have been some changes. The information below reflects our best current thinking related to COVID-19 planning and builds on what we learned in the fall semester. All summer activities are contingent on the future course of the pandemic and evolving health and safety protocols.

Summer School

Summer school courses will be available to students in summer 2021. The schedule can be found here.

Most courses will be offered in a remote format. There may be a few in-person course offerings; however, these will not be hybrid, so students who are studying remotely may not enroll for in-person courses. General education credit will be available for remote courses that meet the University’s general education curricular requirements.

Study Abroad

Summer study abroad will not be offered in 2021. A few courses offered by the University for the summer of 2021 may include a short international travel component. Weinstein grants for individual international travel may be possible even if that travel has other sources of funding (internships through the Richmond Guarantee, for example). Please contact the Office of International Education for more information. 

Research

There will be opportunities for in-person faculty-mentored research on campus. Interested students should consult with their faculty research advisor. Please see below for campus residency information. Remote research opportunities will be available in the summer, particularly for students living and working in the United States. Remote research opportunities may also be available for students living and working abroad; however, due to regulatory considerations, related compliance issues must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. The Controller’s Office will collaborate with the schools to address issues associated with any research applications from student researchers planning to work outside the United States. The deadline to apply for a UR Summer Research Fellowship is Feb. 23 at noon. Applications for research are currently being accepted.

Internships

Students who are interested in pursuing University-sponsored internships with external employers and organizations may apply for a UR Summer Fellowship by an initial deadline of April 9 at 5 p.m. In order to provide students with more time to find an internship, students may also submit an application by a second, rolling deadline of June 4 at 5 p.m. Students are encouraged to pursue remote internships where possible. Where it is appropriate based on local conditions, in-person internships will also be permissible, contingent on compliance with local public health guidance and the availability of opportunities with external employers and organizations. Applications are currently being accepted. Please direct questions to ursf@richmond.edu.

Campus Residency

Students eligible to live on campus this summer include those students who are:

• enrolled in an in-person summer school class
• participating in person in URISE or Bridge to Success
• doing in-person faculty-mentored summer research
• participating in person in a University-sponsored internship in Richmond
• engaging in athletics activities as student-athletes

Adherence to all campus health and safety protocols, which may require COVID-19 testing, will be required for all students in residence. Additional information about summer housing and policies can be found here. Transitional and extended stay student housing will be available by application this summer.

Health and safety protocols for summer will be based on the circumstances at the time and will be adjusted as circumstances require. We anticipate at this time that if students leave campus after spring semester they will need reentry testing for any summer residency or in-person classes, research, or work.

We hope this information is useful. Please know there will be further updates and information on the summer throughout the spring semester. 

MASKS

We were pleased to make available this week FDA-certified KN95 or ASTM-certified level 3 disposable masks to all students taking in-person classes. WCGA and RCSGA students distributed these masks this week in the Heilman Dining Center and on the second floor of Tyler Haynes Commons. Students may also obtain masks in the Special Programs Building where prevalence testing is being conducted.

Every member of our campus community is required to properly wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose inside all University buildings and outdoors where six feet of physical distancing is not possible. As a reminder:

• All masks should have two or more layers. If a mask does not have two or more layers, double masking is an option.
• Neck gaiters and bandannas are not acceptable to be worn within campus buildings unless they are covered by a second mask.
• Individuals removing masks for dining purposes should resume mask-wearing immediately following their meals.

Thanks again for your commitment, and we hope your spring semester is going well.

Take care,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students and Families,

February is in full swing, and we thought we would take a moment and write to you on the eve of our first well-being day of the semester, with some suggestions about taking care of yourself. Whether you are taking classes in person or joining us remotely, we encourage you to spend time in a way that works best for you, whether that is exploring some of the options below, reading a good book, or taking a walk — the key is to take some time to relax, recharge, and reflect, to do something beneficial to you.

Here are some of the opportunities available on campus or virtually tomorrow:

Why not check out the newly opened Well-Being Center, eat at Organic Krush, or enjoy chocolate week in the new Spider Demo-Kitchen — stop by to enjoy a special chocolate tasting, hear from our dieticians about the health benefits of chocolate, and learn how to make chocolate avocado mousse and frozen chocolate bananas, as well as enter our raffle. Tastings occur Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at noon and 5 p.m. It’s also a great day to take advantage of the Weinstein Center for Recreation, including one of the classes being offered. Both the WBC and WCR are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday! 

CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) continues to offer ongoing and same-day appointments, as well as drop-in Well-Being Seminars (three days a week) and many wonderful Groups and Programs. On Tuesday, join Dr. Rachel Koch at noon, where the topic is “Stress.” Also — take care of yourself overall! You can go to Student Health for immunizations, allergy shots, and other care, available by appointment.

All are welcome to stop by the CCE (Commons 201) between noon and 2 p.m. for some CCE swag, a DIY service kit, or Richmond-themed coloring sheets. Or, schedule an appointment to talk with CCE staff about how to engage in the Richmond region or explore upcoming volunteer opportunities in SpidersEngage. If you are looking for some fun reading, you can get a copy of this year’s One Book, One Richmond selection, Palaces for the People, through Boatwright Library to get ready for the February 24 Author Lecture with Eric Klinenberg!

Continue to celebrate Black History Month! All are welcome at Boatwright Memorial Library from noon–2 p.m. for Black Lives Matter Print Making. Join us in the Collaborative Area on the first floor to create 9x12 prints with pre-created printing blocks to honor the Black Lives Matter movement. Click on this link to register.

Thinking about career possibilities? You may want to explore an information session for the Robins School of Business MBA program, which will be held from noon to 1 p.m., or an information session about becoming a medical scribe, presented by ScribeAmerica from 3–4 p.m. Information on both sessions can be found at http://calendar.richmond.edu.

Come to the Office of International Education for weekly drop-in hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1–3 p.m. (Carole Weinstein International Center, 1st floor, Suite 103). Come by for advising, questions, or just to say hello! Students who are remote can schedule Zoom appointments.

Thinking about how to lead a more balanced life? At 7 p.m., join Lama Rod Owens for this year’s Sylvester lecture: The Dharma of Collective Resiliency. Lama Rod stands at the intersection of Buddhism and conversations surrounding race, gender, sexuality, and identity, and he will be speaking on ways all of us can cultivate well-being and resiliency during challenging times. The lecture is hosted by the Office of the Chaplaincy, in partnership with Westhampton College and Alumni Relations. More details and the zoom registration link can be found here.

Also, another great day to take care of yourself and each other is Valentine’s Day! Drop by the Well-Being Center lobby to pick up some resources for healthy relationships with ourselves and others, provided by CARE and Health Promotion, and satisfy your sweet tooth with chocolate tasting at the Demonstration Kitchen! Drop-in hours will be on February 11, 12:30–4:30 p.m.; chocolate tasting is Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at noon and 5 p.m. On Friday, the Center for Student Involvement invites you to celebrate with Puzzles and Popcorn! Stop by the hanging lounge on February 12 to pick up a Valentine-themed box of goodies including gourmet popcorn and a WebstUR-themed puzzle! 

We hope that you find good ways to take a break and take care of yourself. As always, we are here to provide support and guidance — please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are sending good thoughts your way.

Take good care,

Dean Boehman and Dean Genoni

Dr. Joe Boehman
Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni
Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu

Dear Colleagues,

We know that the difficulties brought about by the pandemic continue and that every one of you are persevering in the face of a variety of challenging circumstances. We also want to assure you that we are intently monitoring conditions on campus and in the local community. Your health and safety remain the University’s highest priority and, as we have done recently, we will adapt our approach to promote the health of our community. Thank you for continuing to support our students and each other with great dedication and care.

We write today to share a message (see below) sent to our traditional undergraduate students regarding next week’s return to campus of non-remote students who are residing off campus during the spring semester. As you will see, the message also provides updates to our health protocols with an emphasis on the importance of mask-wearing and the requirement of student participation in the University’s enhanced prevalence testing program.

NON-REMOTE OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS RETURN TO CAMPUS MONDAY, FEB. 8

As you know, the University made the very difficult decision to restrict off-campus undergraduate students from campus the past two weeks based on the campus arrival screening test results, which indicated a significantly higher positivity rate for our off-campus undergraduate students as compared to those residing on campus. We began prevalence testing on Monday, Jan. 25, and have conducted 2,367 tests. Our preliminary results show that 29 students have tested positive through prevalence testing, and we are experiencing a positivity rate of approximately 1.23% through Wednesday, Feb. 3. Importantly, there has not been a significant difference between off-campus and on-campus students over the past ten days. We are grateful for the efforts and patience of our students and look forward to welcoming our off-campus students back to campus on Monday.

KN95 AND LEVEL 3 MASKS

In response to requests from faculty and staff who work directly with students, the University is currently distributing FDA-certified KN95 and ASTM-certified Level 3 disposable masks for all student-facing faculty and staff. Each student-facing faculty or staff will be allotted one box of the mask of their choosing. If you are a student-facing faculty or staff member who cannot pick up their masks this week, you may do so on Monday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Procurement Office located in the Physical Plant at 113 UR Drive. You may also contact Wendy Buchard at wburchar@richmond.edu to make alternate pickup arrangements.

MASK MANDATES FOR STUDENTS

We have reminded students that every member of our campus community is required to properly wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose inside of all University buildings, including classrooms, dining areas, the library, and common areas of University residence facilities. This requirement extends to outdoor locations where six feet of physical distancing is not possible. We have also said that neck gaiters and bandannas are not acceptable unless covered by a second mask. We will be providing students with access to KN95 and Level 3 disposable masks starting next week.

ENHANCED PREVALENCE TESTING

Thanks to the incredible efforts of so many of our staff colleagues, the University has put in place an enhanced prevalence testing plan this semester. Prevalence testing is also available for faculty and staff every other week on Wednesdays. We are pleased that we had a good response to the first opportunity to sign up for testing on Feb. 10. As we did in the fall, we will modify our prevalence testing program as circumstances warrant.

Thank you again for your efforts to make possible the pursuit of our educational mission during this extraordinarily challenging time. If you find yourself in need of some personal assistance, please be reminded that the University has an Employee Assistance Program that is available for every employee.

Please take care of yourself and thank you for taking care of one another.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear Students,

We write today regarding the return of non-remote off-campus undergraduate students to campus and important updates to our campus health and safety protocols. You have worked very hard to keep yourselves, your fellow students, and all campus community members protected from COVID-19. We know this is not easy. Your efforts are deeply appreciated and remain essential. We thank you in advance for your continued careful attention to the University’s COVID-19 response protocols.

NON-REMOTE OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS RETURN TO CAMPUS MONDAY, FEB. 8

We are pleased to welcome all non-remote off-campus students back to campus on Monday, Feb. 8. We know that this has been difficult for our off-campus undergraduate students, and we are grateful for their contributions to reducing the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Off-campus undergraduate students may attend their respective in-person classes and will have access to campus buildings, including the dining, library, and wellness facilities beginning Monday. All safety protocols, including wearing a mask and maintaining six feet of physical distance, remain in place.

As you know, the University made the very difficult decision to restrict off-campus students from campus for the past two weeks based on the campus arrival screening test results, which indicated a significantly higher positivity rate for our off-campus undergraduate students as compared to those residing on campus. We began prevalence testing on Monday, Jan. 25, and have thus far conducted 2,367 tests. Our preliminary results show that 29 students have tested positive through prevalence testing, and the positivity rate for prevalence testing is approximately 1.23% as of Wednesday, Feb. 3. Importantly, there has not been a significant difference between off-campus and on-campus students over the past ten days.

As an extra measure of safety, all off-campus undergraduate students taking in-person classes must participate in prevalence testing the week of Feb. 8. Off-campus students will be contacted directly regarding the details of this required testing. More information about the importance of testing requirements is detailed below.
 

ENHANCED COVID-19 MITIGATION PROTOCOLS

As indicated in the University’s COVID-19 dashboard, our community continues to experience a considerable number of COVID-19 cases. As a result, we have made modifications to our health and safety protocols and want to remind you of important aspects of our existing policies. Given prevailing conditions, the University will remain in our enhanced Red Stage at least through Feb. 28. We recognize everyone is fatigued by COVID-19. As tired as we all may be, it is critical that we continue to practice unwavering commitment to the health and safety practices designed to protect our campus community.

MASKS

As you know, appropriate mask wearing and physical distancing are widely recognized as key actions in stopping the spread of COVID-19. In fact, as of Feb. 2, masks are now required on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation traveling into, within, or out of the United States and in U.S. transportation hubs such as airports and stations. The CDC continues to recommend wearing cloth masks of two or more layers that fit snugly over the nose and mouth. If a mask does not have two or more layers, double masking is an option. Neck gaiters and bandannas are not acceptable to be worn within campus buildings unless they are covered by a second mask.

These stepped-up masking policies being implemented across the nation and throughout the world help remind us that every member of our campus community is required to properly wear a mask that covers their mouth and nose inside all University buildings, including classrooms, dining areas, the library, and common areas of University residential facilities. This requirement extends to outdoor locations where six feet of physical distancing is not possible.

To underscore the importance of rigorous mask wearing, the University will provide every student with a box of either FDA-certified KN95 or ASTM-certified level 3 disposable masks. We are presently distributing these masks to faculty and staff and plan to make these masks available to students next week. Please be on the lookout for instructions on obtaining these higher-grade masks.

DINING

Also, while masks may be removed to eat, they should return to your face promptly at the conclusion of a meal. Students who linger before or after a meal should always be wearing masks and maintain the necessary level of physical distancing. 

Concerns have been expressed to us that students are sometimes not properly wearing masks. Proper masking is a demonstration of your appreciation, respect, and care for those who are working daily, including your faculty and the frontline staff who assist you, to make our residential campus experience possible. We know they really appreciate your efforts to do so. Please take a moment to review the correct use of a mask and commit yourself to continue active and effective mask use.

REQUIRED TESTING

As you know, all non-remote undergraduate students are required to participate in regular prevalence testing this semester. Currently, every undergraduate is being tested every other week and has been assigned a test day and time for the entire semester. We will adjust the frequency of testing as conditions warrant. The only exemption from the testing requirement is for students who have had a positive COVID-19 test in the 90 days prior to their scheduled testing appointment.

Please note that every undergraduate student is required to be present for her or his scheduled prevalence testing time. This testing is essential to our health and safety and our ability to be in person as it enables us to identify the presence of COVID-19 on campus and to take prompt action to mitigate the spread of the virus.

The grace period for missing your bi-weekly prevalence testing requirement has ended, and you will be subject to conduct probation if you miss your weekly pre-scheduled time for testing. If you believe you have a legitimate conflict, please contact your college dean by e-mail in advance. Remember, the testing location is the old Student Health Center in the Special Programs Building.

Please do not miss your bi-weekly scheduled testing appointment, and thank you very much for your cooperation in this vital effort to protect our campus community.

Once again, our particular thanks to those students living off campus. We are delighted that you’ll be back on campus next week. To all students, we thank you for your continued care for one another and your efforts to protect our web for all Spiders in our community.

Stay safe and be well, 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Questions may be directed to the COVID Support Center at covid19support@richmond.edu.

Dear Colleagues,

With the end of January in sight and two weeks of the semester behind us, we recognize that our whole community is concerned by the challenging circumstances related to COVID-19, including the positive cases recently reported in our campus community. The high positivity rate for off-campus students led to the recent decision to keep these students off campus for two weeks. 

We continue to monitor conditions closely. Our extensive testing program is yielding useful data to guide decision making. Although we are concerned by the recent numbers, we also have not found evidence of significant transmission on campus or other data that lead us to believe that normal campus activities are unsafe so long as everyone follows stated protocols consistently. Should we find evidence of significant on-campus transmission or other trends that call into serious doubt our community’s safety, we will take prompt action. We will also continue to provide frequent updates on campus condition and continue to be in regular consultation with campus stakeholders, including those serving on the Resilience Working Group and the Senate and USAC executive committees.

We write today to give you a brief update on the results from our first week of prevalence testing and to share health and safety information.

PREVALENCE TESTING

As you know we have significantly increased prevalence testing for traditional undergraduate and law students this semester. This past Monday, Jan. 25, the University began this more expansive prevalence testing regime through which every undergraduate student will be tested every other week. The antigen test being used provides a result more quickly than a PCR test. The preliminary prevalence antigen testing results of 1,189 undergraduate students for the first four days of this first week indicate a positivity rate of 1.35%. This rate does not include reported cases outside of the prevalence antigen testing (for example, cases diagnosed by or reported to the Student Health Center). The COVID-19 dashboard will be updated later this afternoon and will include the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases reported this week and cumulative January statistics.

Importantly, since Jan. 1, there have been 13 reported COVID-19 positive cases among staff and none among faculty. There is no evidence of campus transmission in those 13 cases.

MASKS 

Wearing masks and maintaining six feet of distance with others remain effective methods to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, even with new variants of the virus. The CDC continues to recommend wearing cloth masks of two or more layers that fit snugly over the nose and mouth. However, we recognize that given the number of COVID-19 cases, faculty and staff whose work involves direct interaction with students are interested in having access to KN95 and Level 3 surgical masks. In response to this interest, the University has ordered FDA-certified KN95 and ASTM-certified Level 3 disposable surgical masks that will be available for all student-facing faculty and staff by next Wednesday–Thursday (February 3–4). If you are in that group, please keep an eye on SpiderBytes for information on picking up these additional masks.

We have received a number of reports of students who are not wearing masks appropriately in the classroom. It is important that we all play a role in reminding students and each other to mask responsibly. The University will provide interested faculty and staff with a supply of disposable masks to provide students to wear if they believe it best serves the health and safety of our community, particularly in the classroom.

COVID-19 VACCINES

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) reports that the following groups are now eligible for vaccination against COVID-19: 

• 1a: Healthcare Workers and Long-Term Care Residents
• 1b: Frontline Essential Workers, Persons Aged 65 years and Older, People Living in Correctional Facilities, Homeless Shelters and Migrant Labor Camps, and Persons Aged 16–64 years with a high-risk medical condition or disability that increases their risk of severe illness from COVID-19. 

The vaccine supply in Virginia, and elsewhere, is currently limited. VDH estimates it will take weeks to vaccinate people included in Phase 1b. 

Faculty and staff who meet the criteria for Phase 1b are encouraged to contact their physician or to go to the website of their local health department for more information on obtaining the vaccine and to fill out a vaccine interest form. Below are links to our local health department websites: 

• City of Richmond: vdh.virginia.gov/richmond-city
• Henrico County: us/health/
• Chesterfield County: vdh.virginia.gov/chesterfield
• Hanover County: hanovercounty.gov/1104/COVID-19-Hanover-Information 

We hope you find this information helpful, and we thank you for your ongoing efforts to support the health and safety of the community and our students’ education. We appreciate the efforts of all faculty and staff, whether working in person or remote, and remind faculty of policies related to classroom format discussed in a recent message. We have asked faculty and deans and department chairs to be in communication regarding teaching plans as suited to our circumstances. 

Although we continue to face challenges and changing conditions, students, staff, and faculty have responded admirably — we are grateful to be among you. 

As always, please let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.

Take care,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear Students,

We are writing today as your Deans to continue offer support during these opening days of the semester. As you know, all students living off campus must continue to be remote during the weeks of January 25 and February 1.

As a reminder, during this time students who live off campus may only come to campus for the following reasons:

• to attend your scheduled, mandatory prevalence testing;
• to go to a scheduled appointment at the Student Health Center;
• to pick up pre-reserved library materials from the cart outside the entrance of the Library or prearranged class materials from the bookstore using the mobile bookstore located on the Forum.

Students who are in isolation or quarantine may not come to campus or leave their isolation or quarantine space for any reason until cleared by Student Health.

In addition, please note that your professors have been notified that you will be attending classes remotely during this time and have made adjustments accordingly. If you experience any unexpected class-related and/or technological issues, please let us know.

Additional information you may find helpful is available in these FAQs.

As always, if you have any questions, or need help or support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are sending good thoughts your way.

Take good care,

Dean Boehman and Dean Genoni

Dr. Joe Boehman, Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8061

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni, Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8468

Dear Colleagues,

As the letter below states, the latest update of campus arrival testing results is necessitating a change in our instruction plan for traditional undergraduate students who are living off campus. We want you to be aware of this change and the factors that have led us to this decision.

We have seen a significant increase in the number of positive cases for our traditional undergraduate students, who were tested and scheduled to join our community during the final three-day period of campus-arrival from Jan 22–24. As of this morning, Sunday, Jan. 24, we have 79 active cases among undergraduate students with many more additional undergraduate students who are in quarantine as close contacts. The testing results reveal a clear and meaningful difference between students who are living on campus, who have a relatively low positivity rate of 1.4%, and students living off campus, who have a significantly higher positivity rate of 17%.

To protect our community and ensure we can continue our spring semester with a combination of in-person and remote learning, effective immediately, all undergraduate students (some 500) living off campus must remain off campus and take classes remotely through Feb. 8. Faculty and staff who work with undergraduate students in person and who would like to know which students are subject to this policy can access that list here. We are also extending the enhanced Red Stage rules we are in presently for our entire community through at least Feb. 7. You can see the full details of our decision in the message below, which has just been shared with students.

A large majority of undergraduate students live on campus, and we believe that they can continue to attend scheduled in-person classes and student services without compromising the safety of our community. We recognize that this shift may impact teaching and work plans as a number of classes and services that may have been fully in-person must now be in hybrid mode.

We are deeply grateful for the commitment and willingness of our faculty and staff to adjust, as needed, when conditions warrant changes of this nature to our COVID-19 response plan. We believe the campus environment will continue to be low risk if we follow masking and physical distancing guidelines. We remain confident that together we can protect our web and the health and safety of our community.

Thank you for all you continue to do for our students.

Take care,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear Students,

We write today to provide an important update of campus arrival testing results and a necessary modification of our plans. For the reasons described below, we have made the difficult decision to require undergraduate students living off campus to continue to take classes remotely for the next two weeks.

During our final round of initial screening testing, we have seen a significant increase in the number of positive cases among our traditional undergraduate students. As of this morning, Sunday, Jan. 24, we have 79 active cases among undergraduate students with many more additional undergraduate students who are in quarantine as close contacts. The increase is particularly significant among undergraduate students living off campus. Based on our testing to date, undergraduate students living off campus have had positivity rate of 17% compared to 1.4% for students living on campus.

While we are not certain of the cause of this difference, the much higher positivity rate among our off-campus students compels us to adjust our plans to confront these challenges.

We regret having to make this decision but are convinced that it is necessary given the recent results of our COVID-19 testing, and given the uncertainty as to the cause of the higher positivity rate among students living off campus, we must proceed with caution. We will revisit this decision as we get results from the prevalence testing for all undergraduate students that will take place over the next two weeks.

The specific elements of this decision, which is effective Monday, Jan. 25, are as follows:

Undergraduate students living off campus must remain off campus and take classes off campus until Feb 8.

At this time, undergraduate students living off campus may only return to campus for the following reasons:

• Accessing the Student Health Center for medical care;
• Participating in mandatory University prevalence testing; or
• Picking up pre-reserved library materials from the cart outside the entrance of the Library or class materials from the bookstore using the mobile bookstore located on the Forum.

Card access for undergraduate off-campus students will be suspended during the next two weeks. These undergraduate students residing off campus also will not have access to campus dining facilities during this time, nor will they have access to any campus buildings, including the library and the fitness center. Further information for off-campus students is available here. 

We recognize that this is a significant change that impacts all undergraduate off-campus students, but we have determined that it is necessary to protect the greatest number of people in our community and provide the University with the safest path to residential education this spring.

Please note these additional updates to our current campus policies that are applicable to all students: 

EXTENDED ENHANCED RED STAGE RULES

The enhanced Red Stage rules we are in presently will be extended for our entire community through at least Feb. 7. This has implications for both on-campus and off-campus students.

• Students residing on campus:
• must remain on campus. Students may seek an exception from their College Dean for essential trips off campus, such as doctor’s appointments, employment, or grocery shopping if you live in an apartment and do not have a University meal plan. Please note that many grocery stores deliver and/or provide pick-up services.
• may get delivery of food from local restaurants as long as it is a contactless delivery and the delivery person does not enter the residence hall or apartment.

Under the spring prevalence testing plan, we will test all undergraduate students once every two weeks, beginning Monday, Jan. 25. We will monitor the results of this testing carefully and will respond to changes in positivity rates as needed.

• Students residing off campus should:
• limit their errands to essentials such as grocery stores, pharmacies, and physician offices. Many grocery stores deliver and/or provide pick up services.
• use take-out or contactless delivery and fully avoid going to restaurants and bars or attending parties, including small gatherings beyond your living unit.
• report immediately to the Student Health Center results of any virus tests occurring at an off-campus location.

We are fortunate so far that the overall positivity rate at the University of Richmond remains lower than our surrounding community, and we hope these two measures will only serve to improve our overall well-being.

If you have any questions, please email the COVID Support Center for information at covid19support@richmond.edu.

Thank you for all your understanding, perseverance, and for all you are doing to protect our web.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Colleagues,

You will find below a message shared with students a short time ago from Steve Bisese about behavior expectations due to disappointing news related to an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases among students and an increase in the number of students quarantined for potential exposure as close contacts of these positive cases. You will soon see these data reflected in our COVID-19 dashboard.

We have strongly reminded students that the careless actions of a few put us all at risk. We know that our positive cases among students are most often associated with social gatherings where people are not wearing masks and are not following our Physical Distancing Framework and clearly violate our campus protocols.

You may wish to know that many of the recent positive cases we have documented are related to students who have not yet gone through the move-in process, many of whom live off campus and have not yet attended classes in-person.

Please know we are actively monitoring the prevalence of the virus among our community and will modify and adapt our plan as needed and in the best interest of the well-being of students, staff, and faculty.

Sincerely,

Jeff Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dave Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear Students,

I write today with a very important message.

Despite our many precautions, in the past week, we have witnessed a disturbing uptick in positive COVID-19 cases among students and an increase in the number of students quarantined for potential exposure as close contacts of these positive cases. You will see these data reflected in our COVID-19 dashboard.

While we know that the majority of our students are committed to following our health and safety protocols, we are aware of at least two parties that occurred over the course of the week — one on campus and one off campus. We also know that our positive cases among students are most often associated with parties or other social gatherings where people are not wearing masks and are not following our Physical Distancing Framework. The irresponsible and selfish decisions of a few individuals put us all at risk and clearly violate the University’s Interim Conduct policies.

If this behavior does not cease, we will face the prospect of going remote like we did last spring.

It’s disappointing that we must remind some of you that unwavering adherence to our health and safety protocols is the only option. Again, anything less than that not only jeopardizes the likelihood of completing our spring semester of residential, in-person education but, more importantly, could threaten the health of your fellow students — and especially your faculty and the staff who are working so hard to make this semester possible. Remember that the severity of symptoms of one person does not reflect how the virus may impact others. Young, healthy people often see mild cases; however, they can transmit the virus to the more vulnerable members of our community.

I’m imploring you to reach into the depths of your selflessness to demonstrate care for one another and the entire Spider family. Your actions and your examples matter.

Should you need the reminder, the key elements of compliance include:

• Following mask and distance requirements
• Avoiding social gatherings
• Staying on campus to the greatest extent possible
• Promptly disclosing symptoms or test results related to COVID-19
• Fully cooperating with contact tracing
• Actively adhering to isolation and quarantine requirements

Violations have consequences that could have significant implications on your college career, including probationary status, removal from campus housing, and suspension. We will not hesitate to enforce these disciplinary measures to protect the health and well-being of our campus community when necessary.

Our expectation and necessary requirement for a safe and complete semester is 100% compliance with our policies needed to combat COVID. Please join me in protecting our web and staying in it.

Finally, I had a chance to meet with a number of student leaders this afternoon. It is clear that they were frustrated by the decisions some students have made. They agree that we need to refrain from such behaviors to ensure the health and safety of all campus community members and to allow for the option to remain on campus for in-person learning.

Please Be Safe and Be Well,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Questions may be directed to our COVID Support Center at covid19support@richmond.edu.

Dear Students,

It’s been so nice to see so many of you back on campus, and I look forward to welcoming those of you returning over the weekend.

I’m writing today to remind you that if you have not already done so, you are required to register for a prevalence testing time slot by 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 24. To register for your time slot, please click here.

Our increased, mandatory prevalence testing for all undergraduate students taking in-person classes will begin next week. This testing must be seen as a priority and is a critical component of maintaining a healthy campus community. Because of the importance of this testing, there can only be rare and limited instances in which a student can be excused from this requirement due to a serious and unavoidable conflict. If you know of such a conflict in advance, you must email your College Dean in advance of the testing time (RCDean@richmond.edu; WCDean@richmond.edu).

Full details on this new process can be found here.

Stay Well, and Mask Up!

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

We hope this email finds you well as possible during these challenging times. We are writing because you have chosen to study remotely for the spring semester. In this letter, we are providing some details and information, and we also wanted to take a moment to remind you that while you are studying remotely we will continue to provide support and guidance to you and all members of our global Spider community.

By now you have registered for classes. If you continue to change your schedule during general registration through the add/drop period, please remember that you may enroll in courses offered in either an online or in-person format, with the exception of a few classes that cannot be conducted in a remote format; these few courses are clearly noted as such in BannerWeb. Students taking a multi-section class where one of the sections is online should enroll in the online section unless they have permission from the department chair to be in an in-person section. We would also like to add that, whenever possible, we recommend that you try to select online courses, as professors who are teaching fully remote classes have adapted syllabi and class content specifically to this mode of instruction. Please also remember that you must participate synchronously in all classes, meaning you must attend at the time the class is taught, so please consider any differences in time zones when you select your courses. 

As you prepare for this semester, please remember that you will need reliable internet service, a computer with a camera and microphone, and access to Zoom, both to attend and participate in classes and for advising and other support meetings. You can refer to the Learn Remotely Checklist for additional information on technology needs for remote learning. If you have questions about or difficulties obtaining the technology needed for remote learning, please contact us for assistance.    

This spring our remote student community continues to be truly global, with students living within just a few miles of campus and all around the world. It is important to know that, as a remote student, you may not live on or have access to campus. This requirement is in the interest of the health and safety of the campus community, as you will not be participating in the University’s COVID-19 testing programs or daily health screening requirements. You also do not need to sign the Healthy Web Compact; if you are contacted in error, please just let us know. If you nonetheless think that you have a need to be on campus for any reason, please contact us to discuss your request. 

Your email and virtual access will remain active throughout the spring semester, and it is vital that you continue to read communications from the University. In particular, please pay attention to information sent mid-semester about the housing sign-up process and the course registration roster schedule for the fall 2021 semester.

You will, of course, continue to have access to the full range of student support services, resources, and student life programming. We, your deans, are happy to speak with you by phone, Zoom, or another method that works for you, as are your other advisors and mentors. In addition, information about online and virtual programs can be found by contacting offices directly, including tutoring in the Academic Skills Center, Academic Advising, and Career Services. The Center for Student Involvement can help students connect to campus clubs and activities that are available remotely. Please also look for the “Spider Support” option on Blackboard to find information and resources on myriad topics. In particular, we encourage you to continue to look at the Remote Study FAQs website since new content is added frequently. 

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. As always, it is a joy to be your deans, and we look forward to our new semester together. 

With Spider Pride,

Dean Boehman and Dean Genoni 

Dr. Joe Boehman, Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8061

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni, Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8468

Dear Students and Families,

The purpose of this letter is to inform you that given substantially higher numbers of COVID-19 infections regionally and nationally, the University is significantly increasing the level of mandatory COVID-19 prevalence testing for students. This effort is being undertaken to protect all members of our campus community, thus enhancing the possibility of the University safely and successfully providing the opportunity for in-person instruction throughout the spring semester.

Next week, we will begin COVID-19 prevalence testing, which involves testing asymptomatic people to assess the incidence of COVID-19 on campus. Prevalence testing was a key component of our prevention strategies during the fall semester, and we thank all the students who were selected and participated last semester. 

This semester, all non-remote undergraduate students will be required to participate in regular prevalence testing. We will begin this testing the week of Jan. 25, and it will take place in the former Student Health Center located in the Special Programs Building. The tests will involve a less invasive, nasal swab antigen test that will provide results more quickly than a PCR test. Anyone who tests positive with an antigen test will also receive a PCR test to confirm the result.

With the exception of student-athletes, who are required to be tested regularly under the testing regime mandated by the NCAA, we will start by testing each student every two weeks. We will adjust the frequency of testing as conditions warrant during the semester. Each student will sign up for a day and time for testing for the rest of the semester. The time and day you select for this first prevalence test will become your regular testing time for the remainder of the semester, so please register for a time you will be available each week. Please note:

• Student-athletes will be assigned a testing time by Athletics, consistent with NCAA testing protocols.
• Students who are currently exempt from testing due to a positive test result in the last 90-days will also need to take part and will be notified identifying the first date they are expected to be present for testing. For these students, the time slot they sign up for now will be held for the entire semester.

All students who are not fully remote and are not student-athletes are required to register for a prevalence testing time slot by noon on Sunday, Jan. 24.

• Students who moved in Jan. 15 or before should sign up for one slot in the week of Jan. 25.
• Students who moved in, or will move in, Jan. 16 or after should sign up for one slot in the week of Feb. 1.

To register for your time slot, please click here.

This testing must be seen as a priority and is a critical component of maintaining a healthy campus community, and students are required to be tested during their assigned time. There are serious consequences for missing your testing time.

• A first incident of missing your testing appointment will likely result in conduct probation for a semester.
• If you miss another appointment during the semester, you are subject to serious conduct sanctions including removal from campus housing and, if so, your status will be changed to a remote student, meaning that you will not have access to the campus for the rest of the semester.

The College Deans will quickly be in touch with any student who misses a testing appointment and will also work with students regarding possible extenuating circumstances that might interfere with testing times.

This level of testing is a reminder of the responsibility we have to ourselves and the others in our community to do everything we can to protect the health of our community.

We thank you for your cooperation. If you have questions, please email covid19support@richmond.edu.

Stay Well, and Mask Up!

Sincerely, 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Colleagues,

Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! We write today with a brief update on our move-in process, the results from the latest round of testing of students who are scheduled to take in-person classes during the spring semester, and our plans for expanded prevalence testing.

The positivity rate for screening testing of our returning students continues to run under 1%. For more information on testing volume and positive cases, please see the COVID-19 dashboard, which has been updated this afternoon and will be updated every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon throughout the spring semester. We expect to receive results from students tested on this past Saturday and Sunday later today, but some results may not be available until tomorrow. Please know that students are aware (and are being reminded today) that they are not permitted to be in any classes, classrooms, or other buildings (other than their dorm) until they receive notice of a negative result. Students who have not received a negative result must attend classes remotely until they are cleared. The final group of undergraduate students will move in next weekend, Jan. 22–24.

We are also finalizing plans to begin expanded COVID-19 prevalence testing, which involves testing a group of asymptomatic people to assess the incidence of COVID-19 on campus. Prevalence testing was a key component of our prevention strategies during the fall semester.

Given substantially higher numbers of COVID-19 infections regionally and nationally, the University is significantly increasing the level of mandatory COVID-19 prevalence testing for students. This effort is being undertaken to protect all members of our campus community thus enhancing the possibility of the University safely and successfully providing the opportunity for in-person instruction throughout the spring semester. More information on our enhanced prevalence testing plans will be released soon.

Welcome back, and thank you for all your efforts on spring semester 2021.

Take care,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear Students,

We hope that you have found ways to be inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. this week, whether it is by taking part in some of the events on campus or your own personal observance. If you haven’t had a chance yet, we encourage you to take a moment and listen to reflections from several members of our UR community.

As we begin the first week of classes, we’d like to remind you about a few key components of the Enhanced Red Stage so that you can continue to help take care of yourself and each other and protect our Web. Please remember that until you have received a negative test result:

• You should only attend classes remotely — no in-person class attendance is allowed before being cleared;
• You should only enter your own residence hall, the Student Health Center, or one of our dining options for grab-and-go meals — you should not enter any other building for any reason; and
• You can only order and receive food on campus, be it groceries or take-out, through contactless delivery.

If you are in the final group for move-in (on-campus) or check-in (off-campus) and are within the 90-day window that exempts you from a test, you still must follow these procedures until your move-in or check-in process is completed, including successful uploading of any positive result from a COVID-19 test taken within the last 90 days to the Student Health Portal.

As a reminder, after receiving a negative test result, you can eat in the dining hall and other campus dining locations — please be sure to maintain all public health protocols to continue to take care of all members of our community; in particular, we ask you to be mindful of physical distancing while eating or waiting for food in our dining spaces. Please continue to use contactless delivery for food, whether for groceries or take-out; you can also use curbside pickup. In situations where neither is possible, students can make limited trips to get groceries only, while continuing to observe public health measures (including wearing a mask, remaining six feet apart, and washing hands).

In addition, we encourage you to read the information about student expectations and requirements found here. Thank you again for all you are doing to protect our Web, and we wish you a wonderful first week of classes.

With Spider Pride,

Dean Boehman and Dean Genoni

Dr. Joe Boehman
Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8061

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni
Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8468

Dear Students and Families,

As we write to you today, at the start of the spring semester, we are mindful of the challenges we are all experiencing in so many ways — in our individual families and communities, throughout the United States, and around the world. Despite these challenges, the spring semester also provides an opportunity for hope: to recommit to the idea that community is not only a sense of place but an action. This place — our community — can only thrive if we take care of each other, if we treat one another with respect and kindness and help and encourage everyone around us to do the same. Community begins with each of us, whether you are on campus or studying remotely this semester.

We want to echo Dr. Bisese’s words: we are so grateful that our students were so committed to taking care of themselves and each other, following the Physical Distancing Framework, so that we were able to have a successful fall semester. Please continue to show the same diligence and care in the spring. As Dr. Bisese noted, when some people don’t follow the rules, we are all at risk.

If you are studying on campus and haven’t yet done so, please take the time to review the Interim Student Conduct Policies and make sure you have signed the Healthy Web Compact for the spring semester, both found here. Likewise, the regulations regarding remote study are found here. Next Tuesday, we will send an email reminder regarding all of the University’s policies and procedures — please pay special attention to it.

We’d like to take a moment and remind you what to do if you feel ill or are concerned you might have been exposed to COVID-19. If you are studying on campus, please email your professors, copying us, to let us all know, and immediately call Student Health (804-289-8064). Do not go to any in-person class that day, and then follow the instructions given to you by the Student Health Center. Please note that your professor may not allow you to attend remotely for more than a day without discussing the request with us; please contact us with any other request or for additional guidance. If you are studying remotely, please also reach out to us so we can provide academic and personal support. Your academic career is important to us, and we are here to help.

As President Crutcher reminds us, our educational mission and collective work building a true intercultural community is more essential than ever. Whether you are studying on campus or remotely, we ask you to remain dedicated to fostering a community that is safe and welcoming for people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities. Please be mindful of your own words and actions, as impact can be very different from intent. Likewise, if you witness or encounter behaviors contrary to our shared values, as expressed in our mission and in our regulations, we ask that you let someone know, whether it is our offices, our partners across campus, a hotline, or peer resources. Throughout the semester, if you would like to gather in virtual community with others, please remember Sacred Pause, a time to be with other Spiders and share the sorrows and hopes of our lives and world. All are welcome to join via Zoom every Friday at 4 p.m. for about 20 minutes.  

As always, we encourage you to contact us to talk about whatever is on your mind or anything that is important to you. We send you all good wishes this semester!

With Spider Pride,

Dean Boehman and Dean Genoni 

Dr. Joe Boehman
Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu 

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni
Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu

Dear Students,

As you know, we began welcoming our first group of residential students back to campus Friday, and I’m pleased to report that our testing protocols and move-in processes are working well. Thanks to the staff, students, and families who have contributed to these efforts. Data from our COVID-19 dashboard is encouraging so far. It indicates you are following all our health procedures, including limiting your exposure to the possibility of COVID-19 and quarantining at home, before coming to campus — and that is making a difference. Still, we must remain vigilant, and I remain so proud of your efforts to protect our web. The staggered move-in days and times are further allowing proper time for testing and settling in while maintaining our physical distancing protocols.

STAY IN THE WEB

I’m writing today with a reminder about the great importance of staying in our web and to point you to a number of engagement opportunities, both virtual and in-person, over the coming weeks as you arrive back to campus to begin the spring semester. As I noted in my message last week, the best way to protect our web is to stay in it!

On-campus students should not go off campus, except for essential reasons, and students living off campus should practice the same adherence to our policies, limit community exposures, and not host or attend social gatherings with outside guests at their homes or area bars or restaurants. Evidence from our campus, and from college campuses nationally, continues to show that positive cases and potential exposures were primarily related to violations of physical distancing and masking requirements at off-campus locations. We simply can’t afford those sorts of mistakes if we are to have a successful and healthy semester.

ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

We know, however, that you are eager to reconnect with your peers, and we want to safely support you in those efforts. I would like to point your attention to the following:

• From group exercise to service opportunities to entertainment, the University is offering a variety of opportunities for students to immediately get involved on campus. This newsletter from the Center for Student Involvement provides details about more than a dozen different opportunities for social, group, or academic activities from now through the end of January.
• It’s also a good time to review and hone your resumes and explore internships, job skills, and other opportunities through the programs being offered by Career Services.
• Other areas of campus, including the Outdoor Adventures and Recreation Program are also providing safe opportunities for students, so please look for details about those options via SpiderBytes and other University platforms.

I invite you to not only review these opportunities but also engage with your fellow students via these safe social opportunities.

Please note that all in-person classes and some events, particularly the in-person opportunities, will require you have received your negative COVID-19 test result, and in-person classes and events will have all safety protocols strictly in place, including wearing masks and six feet of physical distance. Please also continue to familiarize yourself with the policies and protocols for spring term.

Take care, welcome back, and thank you for joining me in protecting our web.

With Spider Pride,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students,

Thank you so much for reading the Enhanced Red Stage information so carefully and for reaching out to us for clarification regarding groceries. We greatly appreciate your care for our Web.

It may be helpful to note that the updated Physical Distancing Framework for the Red and Orange Stages states: Students may order food from off campus provided delivery is contactless. In the enhanced Red Stage, during the time in which students are on campus waiting for their test results, you may only get groceries through contactless delivery. After receiving a negative test result, whenever possible please continue to use contactless delivery for groceries or take-out; you can also use curbside pickup. In situations where neither option is possible, students can make limited trips to get groceries only, while continuing to observe public health measures (including wearing a mask, remaining six feet apart, and washing hands).

In case it is helpful, here are some delivery and curbside pickup options:

• Aldi
• The Fresh Market
• Kroger
• Target
• Walmart
• Wegmans

A membership to Instacart allows for delivery or curbside from multiple stores, including Aldi, BJs, Costco, Food Lion, The Fresh Market, Publix, and Target. An Amazon Prime membership allows for delivery from Whole Foods. Elwood Thompson’s and Good Foods have curbside pickup.

Again, thank you for your continued care for our community, and I wish you a wonderful move-in.

With Spider Pride,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Colleagues, 

We hope this message finds you healthy and maybe even rested following winter break as we begin a new year and our spring semester. Like you, we recognize 2021 is off to a challenging start. We are acutely aware and concerned with increasing COVID-19 positivity rates across the nation and in Virginia. That reality was overshadowed by the contemptible rioting in our nation’s capital this week. The violent events in Washington underscore the vital importance of care and respect for one another.

We want to assure you that the University remains in close contact with the Virginia Department of Health and is continuing to monitor very closely any developments that could threaten our own community, and we are prepared to modify our approach to instruction if conditions warrant. At this time, we believe we can safely and responsibly continue with our plans for an in-person spring semester, provided all members of the University community adhere to prevailing health guidelines. We are writing today with several updates and also to share two messages sent to students this week.

SPRING OPENING

We will continue to expect and enforce unwavering adherence to our health and safety guidelines from our entire community, including faculty, staff, and students. As we shared in our communication on the last day of the fall semester, we know the careful planning and shared responsibility among our community served us well, as we also saw at colleges and universities nationally. As a result of deep cleaning, reconfigured learning spaces, prevalence testing, and most importantly following face covering and physical distancing policies, we did not see evidence of transmission in our classrooms or other facilities, such as dining locations. We understand that our fall success does not guarantee similar results this spring, which is why we are re-emphasizing familiarity and strict compliance with the University’s Physical Distancing Framework as we start the spring semester.

COVID-19 TESTING

As we did in the fall, the University will provide COVID-19 initial screening testing for all full-time or part-time faculty and staff who will be teaching or working on campus during the spring semester. Testing is strongly encouraged but not mandatory and will be made available at no cost. Testing for faculty and staff will be held Jan. 19 and 20 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Additional details and registration information will be made available from HR and via SpiderBytes early next week.

In addition to this initial on-campus testing for the spring semester, information about other available testing options supported by the University and available to employees, including the BetterMed concierge COVID-19-testing service and at-home testing, can be found in the Return to Work Guide.

VACCINATION INFORMATION

We are staying in close contact with the Virginia Department of Health and the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia regarding the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. We have informed state and local officials that the University is willing, and is making preliminary plans to, hold vaccine clinics for faculty, staff, and students on campus. Currently, the first vaccines are being administered to healthcare workers and residents of long-term care facilities as part of Phase 1a. There has been some uncertainty in the last several days regarding where higher education would fall in the phased rollout of the vaccine. Based on the most current information we have, it now appears that faculty and staff at Virginia’s colleges and universities are to be included in Phase 1c of Virginia’s plan for COVID-19 vaccines. The timeline and logistics for expanding the Commonwealth’s vaccine program to Phase 1c and beyond are not yet known. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

MESSAGES TO STUDENTS

Two communications have been shared with our students this week, and we want to make sure you are aware of those details.

A Jan. 5 message about Spring Arrival and Testing Information reiterated the rigor of our move-in process and testing schedule. All students must be tested for COVID-19 on campus prior to move-in. Our students are moving back via a staggered schedule beginning today and over the course of the next few weeks in order to mitigate risks and provide us an opportunity to carefully monitor any possible uptick in positive test results. As we have said all along, we remain poised to modify our plans in response to any developments that present a significant threat to the health and well-being of our community.

Earlier today we also shared with students and families a message about policy updates and behavior expectations for spring. That encouraging but sober message from Steve Bisese, Vice President for Student Development, is posted below.

Take care and many thanks to each and every person for your tireless work on behalf of the University of Richmond. 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Dear University of Richmond Students and Families,

Today we welcome the first group of residential students for the spring semester. We are pleased to begin welcoming new and returning Spiders to our campus through our staggered move-in process that will stretch over the next 17 days.

2020 was a challenging year for all of us on so many levels, and while we are all hopeful the new year will bring positive changes, 2021 is already off to a challenging start. Increasing positivity rates among COVID-19 test-takers were overshadowed by the disgraceful rioting in our nation’s capital earlier this week. The violent events which occurred in Washington underscore the vital importance of our care and respect for one another as a nation and as a University. Amidst the terrible distraction of these events, the COVID-19 pandemic remains with us, and so we must remain vigilant in protecting the health and safety of our community. Our collective responsibility to keep our campus and each other as safe as possible requires unwavering and consistent adherence to our COVID-19 response guidelines. 

You are all aware that COVID-19 cases continue to rise nationally and here in Virginia. This distressing trend requires us to redouble our efforts to make health and safety our highest priority, and we are asking all of you to do the same. The ask is simple and critically important — stay in our web and resolve to protect our community. 

The colder weather only compounds the challenges of the semester. While there is promising information about vaccines, it is unlikely that we will see widespread availability for college students until late spring or early summer. The start of the spring semester presents greater challenges than we experienced in the fall and requires a renewed and consistent commitment to following our health and safety protocols if we hope to complete a safe in-residence semester. It is more important than ever for all of us to wear masks, maintain six feet of distance, and limit our exposure to the virus to the fullest extent possible.

Given the importance of this commitment, I want to ensure your awareness of, and be as clear as possible about, the expectations for the spring semester.

SPRING OPENING — ENHANCED RED STAGE

We learned a lot from the fall semester and are improving our policies and protocols based on our experience this fall. First, we will open in the Red Stage of our Physical Distancing Framework.  

As students return to campus from across the United States and the world, the January move-in period is critical to a successful residential semester. For that reason, during the move-in period, we are implementing enhanced Red Stage rules to promote a successful and safe start to the semester, which all students should read carefully. Among other requirements, the enhanced Red Stage rules provide guidance for students awaiting COVID-19 test results, limit visitors in student residences, and require residential students to remain on campus. 

We must be clear that exceptions and special accommodations, particularly around move-in, possible room changes, and testing protocols, are simply not an option. We understand that each student faces unique circumstances; however, our policies, which are based on emerging science, best practices, and prevailing conditions, are essential for protecting the health and safety of all campus community members.

EXPECTATIONS 

College students are often viewed as irresponsible and not capable of being able to handle this kind of commitment. I know that’s false, and I saw you prove it through your actions last semester. I was so proud of your response, and I’m again imploring you to prove that tired notion wrong. Where we did experience positive cases and potential exposures, it was almost always the result of social gatherings and the failure to wear masks and maintain physical distance. When some people don’t follow the rules, we are all at risk.

The best way to protect our web is to stay in it! The greater Richmond area, like many places across the country, is experiencing widespread community transmission of COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and the campus community is to avoid community exposure as much as possible. We are all happy to be back on campus, but we must work actively to protect the shield that our web provides us.  On-campus students should not go off campus, except for essential reasons, such as a doctor’s appointment. Contactless food deliveries to the doors of dorms and residences will now be allowed. 

Students living off campus must also play their part to keep themselves and our web safe. Off-campus students should practice the same adherence to our policies, limit community exposures, and not host or attend social gatherings with outside guests at their homes or area bars or restaurants. As has been communicated, no Greek recruitment gatherings are permitted on or off campus. We cannot express more strongly the importance of adhering to these policies so that students who have chosen to do so are able to successfully continue their studies on campus throughout the spring semester.

STUDENT CONDUCT POLICIES

Once again, you are required to sign and commit to our Healthy Web Compact. We have updated the Interim Student Conduct Policies that outline our expectations. The key elements of compliance include:

• Following mask and distance requirements
• Staying on campus to the greatest extent possible
• Promptly disclosing symptoms or test results related to COVID-19
• Fully cooperating with contact tracing
• Actively adhering to isolation and quarantine requirements

Violations have consequences that could have significant implications on your college career, including probationary status, revocation of campus privileges, and suspension. Unfortunately, we had to resort to these sanctions on several occasions during the fall semester. We hope to avoid doing so again this spring, but if necessary, we will once again enforce these disciplinary measures to protect the health and well-being of our campus community.

VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE ORDER

An executive order from the governor of Virginia is in effect through the end of this month and does apply to you. Key components include:

• Modified Stay at Home Order/Curfew: All individuals in Virginia must remain at their place of residence between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. Exceptions include traveling to and from work and seeking medical attention.

• Universal mask requirement: All Virginians aged five and over are required to wear face coverings in indoor settings and when outdoors within six feet of another person.

• Reduction in social gatherings: All social gatherings must be limited to 10 individuals. 
  
  

VACCINATION INFORMATION

We are staying in close contact with the Virginia Department of Health and the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia regarding the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines. We have informed state and local officials that the University is willing to, and is making preliminary plans to, hold vaccine clinics for faculty, staff, and students on campus. The timeline and logistics for expanding the Commonwealth’s vaccine program for higher education students are not yet known. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

SAFE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES 

We recognize the fall provided more outdoor opportunities for both safe individual and group activities, and coming back to campus in the coldest months of the year will be challenging in that respect. We are actively planning and researching social opportunities we can safely offer students, particularly in January and February. I realize that many of the activities must be virtual due to distancing, but they will offer opportunities to engage with fellow students. Meantime, I invite you to read this great article about safe socialization by your fellow student Lillian Tzanev, which appeared in The Collegian and notes that there are, even during these colder months, outdoor opportunities for students supported by the University’s Outdoor Adventures and Recreation Program.

We know what we are asking of you is demanding; however, it is critically important to us all as we intend, once again, to buck the trend, challenge conventional wisdom, and maintain the safety and well-being of our community. I know you will join me in protecting our web, just as you did during the fall semester. That will allow us to start and finish the spring semester together, which is a goal we all share.

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students and Families,

We hope this message finds you safe and well in the new year. We are writing to share additional information regarding the spring arrival and testing plans and protocols for the coming weeks.

As was shared before the winter break, necessary adjustments were made to the spring semester move-in plan following an executive order in Virginia and continued concerns about the recent increase of COVID-19 cases in many countries, states, and localities. Full details regarding this message and information may be found here. Additionally, please be sure to review the Spring 2021 Web Ready Checklist to ensure you have the most pertinent information for spring handy.

This letter contains a wealth of necessary and helpful information. Read it carefully and thoroughly to inform your arrival plans. Please note that the details outlined below do not apply to students who plan to study in a fully remote capacity in the spring.

SPRING ARRIVAL REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

As the health and safety of our campus community is paramount, students should self-quarantine for 10 days prior to returning to campus by staying at home to the fullest extent possible, avoiding large crowds and gatherings, avoiding unnecessary travel, washing hands often, wearing a face covering, and keeping a safe distance from other people who do not live with you (at least 6 feet apart). All students must monitor their temperature and symptoms for at least 10 days prior to arrival on campus. Any student who has symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to move in until they meet the following criteria:

• No fever, defined as less than 100 degrees F, for at least 3 days (that is 72 hours of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers, such as Tylenol, Motrin, aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, etc.); AND
• Other respiratory symptoms have improved (for example, cough or shortness of breath); AND
• At least 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared or two negative COVID-19 PCR viral tests are done at least 24 hours apart.

If family members or persons assisting with move-in have experienced any of the above outlined symptoms, they are not permitted on campus. All persons are expected to follow CDC Guidelines. As a reminder, students are only permitted to have one helper for spring arrival/move-in. Students will be given an additional hour after completion of their test to get settled in their rooms. At the end of that hour, all helpers will need to depart the residential areas to allow for physical distancing.

TESTING SCHEDULE, PROCESS, AND LOCATIONS

All students must be tested for COVID-19 on campus prior to move-in. The only exception is for students who both have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of their arrival on campus for the spring semester and provide a copy of their positive test result. All students must complete an Authorization for Release of Testing and Screening Results. Students who are eligible for health services from the Student Health Center must access this form in their Student Health Portal and complete and upload it prior to testing.

All students must register for a testing time slot. If you are an on-campus student, you must register for a time slot via StarRez. All off-campus students must use this form to register for a testing time slot. Students arriving on a date other than the time slot arranged will not be permitted to move-in. This is to ensure the safety of all students returning to campus.

Upon arrival to campus, each student is required to go through a designated COVID-19 testing area. Students will be required to present and swipe their SpiderCard upon arrival to the testing site at check-in. All students will be given one hour to complete their COVID-19 testing. Upon completion of testing, students will be provided additional face coverings and educational information from the University.

The spring move in and testing schedule and locations are as follows:

Friday, Jan. 8
Resident assistants, spring orientation advisors, student-athletes, and students who remained on campus for winter break

• Location: Robins Center, Ambulatory Level
• Parking: Students will park in lot C70

Saturday, Jan. 9, and Sunday, Jan. 10
Students residing in Jeter Hall, Thomas Hall, Gateway Village Apartments, and the University Forest Apartments

• Location: Robins Center, Ambulatory Level
• Parking: Students will park in lot C70

Friday, Jan. 15–Sunday, Jan. 17
Students residing in Dennis Hall, Freeman Hall, Lakeview, Lora Robins Court, Marsh Hall, Moore Hall, Robins Hall, and Wood Hall

• Location: Robins Center, Ambulatory Level
  • Testing on Saturday, Jan. 16, will take place at the Jepson Alumni Center
• Parking: Students will park in lot C70
  • Parking on Saturday, Jan. 16, will be in lot W84

Friday, Jan. 22–Sunday, Jan. 24
Students residing in Gray Court, North Court, South Court, Westhampton Hall, and those residing off campus

• Location: Robins Center, Ambulatory Level
  • Testing on Saturday, Jan. 23, will take place at the Jepson Alumni Center
• Parking: Students will park in lot C70
  • Parking on Saturday, Jan. 23, will be in lot W84

Following the testing process, students will be able to remain with their roommate but must wear a face covering in their room and practice strict physical distancing until their test results are received, which may take 48–72 hours. If upon arrival a student is symptomatic, they will be instructed to leave campus and isolate with their family. If that is not possible, those students will be placed in the University’s designated isolation rooms to await test results. Should this be necessary, the student will be provided further information about the requirements for appropriate isolation per University guidelines.

We appreciate your continued commitment to adhering to these guidelines to ensure the safe return of our students to in-person learning and the residential educational experience. We wish you and your family the best and look forward to seeing you on campus in the coming weeks.

Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Patrick Benner
Director of Residence Life & Housing

Dear University of Richmond Students:

Thank you again for your extraordinary perseverance and goodwill as the University was able to complete a safe in-residence fall 2020 semester.

As we look forward to having students on campus and the start of classes on Jan. 19, 2021, we write with information regarding health and safety for the spring semester. We are counting on the entire campus community to continue rigorous adherence to our COVID-19 response protocols.

We will continue to employ many of our successful strategies from the fall, including testing upon arrival for all full-time degree-seeking students who are living on campus and/or taking in-person classes before attending those classes; however, given the increase in cases nationally and in Virginia, it is necessary to make some adjustments to our plans and ask our community to fully recommit to keeping our community safe.

For your own health and well-being, and that of other students, faculty, and staff, all students should self-quarantine for 10 days prior to returning to campus by staying at home to the fullest extent possible, avoiding large crowds and gatherings, avoiding unnecessary travel, washing hands often, wearing a face covering, and keeping a safe distance from other people who do not live with you (at least 6 feet apart).

Additionally, please note these key changes for the spring semester:

• Academic calendar changes for the spring semester have been developed and are intended to provide students helpful time to rest and restore while remaining on campus.
• Unlike the fall, students cannot be exempted from testing by providing the results of a test taken prior to arrival. Detailed instructions for the campus move-in testing process will be made available in January prior to arrival.
• All students are required to sign and abide by a new version of the Healthy Web Compact, which includes several changes reflecting important lessons learned from the fall semester. You must be connected to your VPN to view the Compact if off campus.
• New interim conduct policies are being implemented to address health and safety concerns.

We have provided additional detailed information below about our spring plans. We are also providing this Spring 2021 Web Ready Checklist to ensure you have the most pertinent information for spring handy. Please note that many of the details below will not apply to students who plan to study in a fully remote capacity in the spring.

We are looking forward with great anticipation to welcoming you to campus in January and another safe and academically enriching semester. All of this begins with a strong and secure start. Thank you for this continued commitment during these unprecedented times.

Be well, stay safe, and see you soon.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

------------------

Spring Start Additional Details

NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND CALENDAR CHANGES

We are actively looking at ways to provide more opportunities for our community to interact in a safe way during the winter months, and we look forward to sharing more with you about those opportunities in early January. The calendar changes for the spring semester will provide traditional undergraduate students helpful time to rest and restore along the way over the course of the semester. As you know, there will be no spring break in order to protect our campus community from COVID-19 and allow for the later start to the spring semester. Among the changes we are developing, we have added one mid-week break day in February and one in early April.

THE UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND SPRING PLAN

The University of Richmond will continue to follow its Reopening Plan, which was submitted to and approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. This plan has been updated for the spring semester and continues to drive our health and safety protocols, including our face covering and physical distancing requirements, COVID-19 testing and contact tracing, isolation and quarantine, cleaning and disinfection practices, and more. The University’s Physical Distance Framework remains in place. Once again, we will begin the semester in the Red Stage.

ADJUSTMENTS TO MOVE-IN SCHEDULE

As we shared with the community last week, it was necessary to extend the spring move-in schedule over a three-week period in order to allow additional time for COVID-19 testing and maximize the resources available to respond to any positive cases among arriving students. If you have not already done so, please sign-in to StarRez and complete the Spring Return/Testing Appointment application.

THE HEALTHY WEB COMPACT

As in the fall, in support of shared responsibility to keep our campus safe, all students who wish to return to campus in the spring must sign and abide by our Healthy Web Compact. You can access the new Compact via this link. You must be connected to your VPN to view the Compact if off campus. The Compact provides an overview of the actions all Spiders need to take to ensure the safety of our web. These steps include performing daily health checks, practicing physical distancing, wearing a face covering, and letting University officials know if you are not feeling well or may have been exposed to the virus. A paramount component of our prevention strategies, which is emphasized in revisions to the Compact, is disclosing to University officials when you have been tested for COVID-19 off campus and the results of that test. We must remain steadfast in our isolation, quarantine, and contract tracing protocols to ensure we are keeping our community safe. Fulsome disclosure of symptoms, potential exposures, and positive test results is a responsibility of all community members, including students, and essential to these efforts.

CHANGES TO CONDUCT POLICIES

In the fall, we instituted interim student conduct policies to help encourage students to abide by the Healthy Web Compact, the Physical Distance Framework, and other health and safety policies and protocols. We are updating these policies, which will be shared in early January, to reflect areas that created concern in the fall. The updated policies will be posted to the COVID-19 website and all students should become familiar with these policies, as they are a reminder that there will be consequences for putting the health and safety of other Spiders in jeopardy.

PREPARING TO RETURN TO CAMPUS — SYMPTOM TRACKING AND PRE-ARRIVAL TESTING

We want to make sure that students are healthy and well when they return to campus. As a result, all students must monitor their temperature and symptoms via the daily symptom tracker that you receive each morning.

Consistent with the CDC’s recommendation, students are strongly encouraged to get a COVID-19 test one to three days prior to their scheduled arrival on campus. This test is not required but will help keep those who are positive for COVID-19 but have no symptoms from infecting others during travel, and it will allow those students to isolate at home rather than on campus. Students who receive a positive test at home should not return to campus and should contact Residence Life and Housing to reschedule their move-in. All students, including those who test before leaving home, will be required to be tested again upon arrival on campus as described below.

TESTING UPON ARRIVAL ON CAMPUS

All full-time, degree-seeking students returning to our campus will be required to be tested for COVID-19 prior to the start of spring classes. All students must be tested on campus. Unlike the fall, students cannot be exempted from testing by providing the results of a test taken prior to arrival. Detailed instructions for the testing process and location information will be made available early in the week of Jan. 4. However, students who have tested positive for COVID-19 within 90 days of their arrival on campus and have provided or will provide documentation of such a test will be exempted from initial screening testing on campus. Please continue to use the Student Health portal to upload documentation of any positive test.

As indicated in our Dec. 15 communication on move-in, residential students will move in and be tested during assigned weekends in January and must sign in to Star Rez to complete the Spring Return/Testing Appointment application in order to reserve a time slot for testing. 

Undergraduate students living off-campus who are not remote and are registered to take classes in person will be tested between Friday, Jan. 22, and Sunday, Jan. 24, and should complete this form to sign up for testing.

Law, MBA, and SPCS students will be tested between Jan. 11 and Jan. 15 and must sign up for a testing appointment using this link.

For a host of additional information regarding our health and safety plans, please visit the University’s COVID-19 Response website.

Dear faculty, staff, and students, 

Today marks a major milestone in our 2020–21 academic year — one that all of us started planning for back in March. It’s the official end of the fall semester, which included 117 days of in-person, residential education. This achievement was only possible because everyone in the Spider community did their part to help protect our web and move us safely toward our goal. We need to take a moment to celebrate this milestone and how fortunate we have been even as we look forward to the spring semester.

From the beginning, it was clear that following key health and safety guidelines were essential to completing a successful semester. The University adopted a mantra that we all took to heart: Six feet. Mask up. Protect our web.

We now know the careful planning and shared responsibility of our community served us well. Thanks to the thoughtful prevention strategies implemented by our faculty and staff — deep cleaning, reconfigured learning spaces, prevalence testing, and perhaps most importantly overwhelming adherence from all of us to wear face coverings and adhere to physical distancing policies — we have seen no evidence of transmission in our classrooms or other facilities, such as dining locations. These same results are mirrored on many college campuses nationally, which adopted and held fast to similar health and safety protocols.

Our data suggests that several of the positive cases that did occur in our community stemmed from instances of non-compliance with our safety guidelines and were the result of off-campus, social gatherings that violated those guidelines. Even in much larger universities that encountered higher rates of positivity or transmission, links to risky behavior and breaking protocols were most often implicated. We end the semester confident that our prevention strategies have been effective thus far and will continue to be emphasized in the new year. 

We are extremely proud of and grateful for our Spider community. And we are optimistic that we will continue to be successful as long as we all continue our shared commitment to the well-being of our community and each other. The arrival of vaccines provides us great hope. But it will be sometime before the vaccine actually begins to have a direct impact on our campus. Our continued vigilance and strict adherence to safety standards must continue. We have been fortunate thus far, but we must remain vigilant through the spring semester. Working together, we are confident that we are up to the challenge.

While we have good reason to celebrate the fall semester, we know this milestone is just half of the academic year. We are actively planning for and excited about the spring semester and will begin welcoming students back to our campus in January following winter break. Be on the lookout for future messages that contain details about our spring plans.

We know it’s been a difficult year, and we applaud all of you for your resilience and helping to keep our community strong during tough times. We hope the winter break will be restful and restorative. Be well, rest, and enjoy your break — safely.

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost 

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Shannon Sinclair
Vice President, Chief Counsel, and Resilience Working Group Chair

Dear Students and Families,

We hope this email finds you safe and well as students complete final exams and transition to a well-deserved break from their studies. We are writing to share important information regarding adjustments to the plans for arriving to campus for the spring semester.

As you are aware, the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, and increasing cases across the country have resulted in added restrictions and protocols in many states and localities, including in Virginia where Governor Northam recently issued an executive order introducing new mitigation measures to slow the spread of COVID-19. The order will remain in effect until Jan. 31, 2021.

Classes will begin as scheduled on Jan. 19. Given the increase in cases nationally and in Virginia, however, it is necessary to extend the spring move-in schedule in order to allow additional time for COVID-19 testing and to maximize the resources available to respond to any positive cases among arriving students. This adjustment will ensure adherence to our health and safety protocols and support a safe spring arrival to campus and the in-person, residential experience.

Please carefully consult the information below as your move-in day and time may have been adjusted, and some students will start the semester remotely. All students must re-register for a time slot for testing.

UPDATED SPRING ARRIVAL SCHEDULE

Note: This information does not apply to students planning to study fully remote in the spring.

Friday, Jan. 8
Resident assistants, spring orientation advisors, student-athletes, and students who remained on campus for winter break

• Students in this group only do not need to re-register for their arrival time and have already received a separate message that will provide an opportunity to sign up for testing.

Saturday, Jan. 9, and Sunday, Jan. 10
Students residing in Jeter Hall, Thomas Hall, Gateway Village Apartments, and the University Forest Apartments

• Students in this group should sign in to StarRez and complete the Spring Return/Testing Appointment application that will be available in the top red bar of the webpage. 

Friday, Jan. 15–Sunday, Jan. 17
Students residing in Dennis Hall, Freeman Hall, Lakeview, Lora Robins Court, Marsh Hall, Moore Hall, Robins Hall, and Wood Hall

• Students in this group should sign in to StarRez and complete the Spring Return/Testing Appointment application that will be available in the top red bar of the webpage. 

Friday, Jan. 22–Sunday, Jan. 24
Students residing in Gray Court, North Court, South Court, Westhampton Hall, and those residing off campus

• On-campus students in this group should sign in to StarRez and complete the Spring Return/Testing Appointment application that will be available in the top red bar of the webpage. 
• Students in this group arriving and testing between Jan. 22 and Jan. 24 will take classes remotely from Jan. 19 until they receive a negative on-campus COVID-19 test result.
• This group will also have their room and board charges reduced accordingly to reflect the later move-in date. These adjustments will be posted to the students’ accounts within the next 7 to 10 days.
• Off-campus students who are not remote and are registered to take classes in person should complete this form to sign up for testing.

New first-year and transfer students will move in according to the schedule above and will then participate in New Spider Orientation. Information on the updated New Spider Orientation will be made available in the coming weeks and will be posted on the New Spiders webpage.

SPRING ARRIVAL REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

• All students will be required to be tested for COVID-19 by the University when they arrive on campus.
• All students, with the exception of those who are scheduled to move in on Jan. 8, must re-register for a time slot for testing.
• Students will be permitted to change their time slot up to 72 hours in advance of scheduled move-in.
• Roommates may not return and be tested during the same time slot.
• Students who have a sibling or live in the same household may sign up for a time slot at the same time as their sibling by contacting residencelife@richmond.edu to submit a request.
• Students will be given one hour to complete their COVID-19 testing and an additional hour to get settled in their rooms. At the end of the hour, all helpers (limit of one per student) will need to depart the residential areas to allow for physical distancing.
• Early arrivals or arriving on a date other than the time slot arranged will not be permitted to ensure the safety of all students returning to campus. 
• More information about the testing process, location, and requirements will be made available soon.

All new and continuing students arriving from outside of the United States should plan to arrive on campus in time for their testing time slot. All previously scheduled time slots for international students will be honored. If your arrival will be delayed or you have questions or concerns, please contact International Education at international@richmond.edu.

We recognize and regret any disruption this necessary shift has caused our students and their families, and we are grateful for your understanding and patience. If you have financial need, and the cost of changes in travel accommodation is burdensome, students may submit a request for financial support here.

We appreciate your understanding and commitment to adapting to these adjustments to ensure the safe return of our students to in-person learning. We wish you and your family the best during these challenging times and the holiday season. Thank you for your continued partnership, and we look forward to seeing you in January. 

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Patrick Benner
Director of Residence Life & Housing

Dear University of Richmond Students, 

We write today looking ahead to the summer of 2021, recognizing you may begin thinking about your summer plans over winter break. Below you will find information about summer school, summer study abroad, summer research, internships, and campus residency.

This information reflects our best thinking based on the experience in the fall semester. It is, of course, contingent on the future course of the pandemic and evolving health and safety protocols.

SUMMER School

• Summer school coursework will be available to students in summer 2021. The schedule can be found here.
• Courses will be offered in a mostly remote format, with a few potential in-person offerings. There will be no hybrid courses, so students who are studying remotely may not enroll for in-person courses.
• General education credit will be available for remote courses that meet the University’s general education curricular requirements.

Study Abroad

There may be limited study abroad courses offered by the University for the summer of 2021. More information will be provided by Jan. 15. Weinstein grants for individual travel that already has other funding may be possible. Please contact the Office of International Education for more information. 

RESEARCH

There will be opportunities for in-person faculty-mentored research on campus. Interested students should consult with their faculty research advisor.

Remote research opportunities may be available in limited circumstances for students living and working in certain states here in the U.S. Remote research opportunities will not be available for students who are living and working outside the U.S. Further information will be available in January.

The deadline to apply for a UR Summer Research Fellowship is Feb. 23 at 12 p.m. Research Fellowship applications will be available at the start of the spring semester.

INTERNSHIPS

Students who are interested in pursuing University-sponsored internships with external employers and organizations may apply for a UR Summer Fellowship by an initial deadline of April 9 at 5 p.m. In order to provide students with more time to find an internship, students may also submit an application by a second, rolling deadline of June 4 at 5 p.m. Students are encouraged to pursue remote internships where possible. Where it is appropriate based on local conditions, in-person internships will also be permissible, contingent on compliance with local public health guidance and the availability of opportunities with external employers and organizations. Applications will be available at the start of the spring semester. Please direct questions to ursf@richmond.edu.

CAMPUS RESIDENCY

Students who will be eligible to live on campus this summer include those enrolled in an in-person summer school class, doing faculty-mentored summer research, participating in a University-sponsored internship in Richmond, and/or training with their teams as student-athletes. We anticipate the need for COVID-19 testing and adherence to all campus health and safety protocols will be required. Information will be available in the spring regarding application deadlines for students who wish to live on campus during one of the defined summer residency periods. To ensure adherence to health and safety protocols and best protect the health and safety of all campus community members, alternate move-in periods will not be permitted.

We hope this information is useful. Please know there will be further updates and information on the summer throughout the spring semester.

Good luck on your final assignments and exams!

With best wishes, 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students,

For many of you, this week signals a major transition as you wrap up the in-person residential experience and leave campus for the remainder of the fall semester and for winter break. Unfortunately, this transition comes at a time when there has been a concerning increase in COVID-19 cases nationwide, so I encourage each of you to remain vigilant and cautious.

As you embark on your journey, I wanted to share with you some information about travel safety, which is in line with recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH).

TESTING BEFORE TRAVEL

If you opt to get tested before you travel, either through the University’s testing offerings or off campus, it is vitally important to have an isolation plan in place in the event your test results are positive. Options include using the University’s designated isolation space or leaving campus by private car. It is also important to remember exposure can happen during travel and would negate a pre-travel negative test for COVID-19. Please consult this additional information from the CDC about awaiting test results.

TRAVEL SAFETY

Traveling alone in a private vehicle is the safest option; however, we know this method of travel is not possible for everyone, and many of you may be traveling using commercial or public transportation such as airplane, train, bus, or rideshare. No matter how you plan to travel, to minimize the risk of exposure, you should always follow the core prevention steps you have been following all semester: wear a mask, physical distance, and wash your hands often. You should also continue these behaviors at your destination.

MINIMIZE YOUR RISK TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT HOME

Should you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19 in your travels or begin experiencing symptoms, please consult with a health care provider. The health department says travelers unable to limit interactions with others or minimize exposure risk may consider quarantining themselves for 14 days after they arrive or getting tested about one week after traveling. 

Additionally, minimize interactions with others by spending short periods of time with smaller groups of people, outside if possible, and avoiding long, indoor gatherings. These recommendations are important all of the time, but especially if you will be seeing older relatives or family members with underlying medical conditions. Anyone (you, your family, or friends) who develops any COVID-19 symptoms, even if symptoms are very mild, should isolate from others and get tested as soon as possible. Additional information about how to navigate the holidays in a healthy way can be found on the VDH website.

I wish you the very best in your travels, and please know your safety and health are not only my top priorities but that of the entire University administration. Thank you in advance for accepting and activating these necessary precautions. 

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, and Families,

We write regarding the unfortunate uptick in positive COVID-19 cases and the number of students in quarantine, which we have continued to witness in recent days. These developments, coupled with the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in the greater Richmond community, compel us to return to the Red Stage of the Physical Distancing Framework effective today.

We will remain in the Red Stage until at least Sunday, Nov. 22. Among other things, our Red Stage protocols limit off-campus outings to essential activities such as health appointments or employment — subject to mask-wearing and appropriate physical distancing. This is especially important since we have reason to believe that most of the increases in positive cases are associated with social gatherings off campus.

The results of our most recent prevalence testing provide some encouraging news. This week there were 368 students tested with only one positive case, while 96 faculty and staff were tested with no positive cases. Our contact tracing suggests that the increase we are seeing in quarantine rates is because two cases had a significantly higher number of close contacts than is the norm. The COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated this afternoon for your reference.

Please note that the Theater Department’s performance of Richard III tonight and tomorrow night, performed outdoors at the Greek theater (with masks and physical distancing required by viewers), will occur as scheduled.

We regret that the shift to Red Stage is necessary at this time but we must proceed cautiously to protect the health of our campus community through the end of the residential portion of our semester and beyond.

Take good care,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Colleagues,

We have just shared a message with our student body and their families about an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases within our student community and an increase in the number of students in quarantine. You will soon see these data reflected in our COVID-19 dashboard.

You can read the full message we shared with students below. As we say in our letter, while we are concerned with this development and the associated behavior of some of our students, the University prepared for this semester with the expectation that the virus would visit our campus. We are well-equipped to manage this uptick in cases and are actively monitoring the results of our prevalence testing for any worrisome developments. We are following our safety protocols and prevention and mitigation strategies, as we have all semester. Our staff charged with responding to these situations have done outstanding work.

As we are seeing a surge of new COVID-19 cases around the country, and particularly among young people, we also encourage each of you to continue following the measures that are keeping our community safe, including wearing a mask, physical distancing, and avoiding unnecessary activities.

We will continue to keep you informed of our response to the pandemic and appreciate all you are doing to support our students as we progress toward the end of our semester.

Thank you,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students,

COVID-19 cases are rising nationally, in Virginia, and locally with adults aged 20–30 representing a growing share of positive cases. This is a significant challenge for our nation, and for colleges and universities everywhere.

UR is not immune to this trend. Just this week we have witnessed an uptick in positive COVID-19 cases among students and an increase in the number of students quarantined as close contacts of those positive cases. You will soon see these data reflected in our COVID-19 dashboard.

While these cases are associated with a variety of circumstances, what they all have in common is evidence of a retreat from the careful and disciplined practices that have helped ensure the safety of our campus and community thus far. They involve small gatherings without masks and physical distancing, and at least one larger gathering at a local bar. They involve predominantly off-campus events. As we have said all along, these types of activities put our community at risk and undermine the health and safety of our web. Students are strongly encouraged to remain on campus, as we have urged all semester.

An increase in cases is not surprising, though it is preventable. The good news is that we are prepared to respond and are following our safety protocols, as we have all semester. Our prevention and mitigation strategies are working, and our testing protocols and isolation and quarantine spaces have been key components of our efforts.

Our University’s Rapid Response Team, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health, is in the process of contact tracing and is reaching out to anyone who may have been exposed in recent days. Many of those individuals have already been placed in isolation and quarantine. We are also actively monitoring our prevalence data for any evidence of increasing positive test results.

We must all remain vigilant in following proper health and safety protocols. At the very top of that list are our requirements to wear a mask, maintain physical distance, and avoid unnecessary gatherings. These measures remain non-negotiable.

Our behaviors now will continue to inform our community health and ability to be in residence into the spring. You owe it to yourselves, to your faculty and staff, to your families, and to one another to continue what you have started and to remain attentive and to take care of yourself this semester and throughout the new year.

Take care and be well,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students and Families,

We are writing to you with two weeks of in-person classes left this semester, a week after Election Day, and as we approach eight months of navigating the global pandemic as a University community. We are so proud of you and your continued resilience in the face of so much — as we deal with the reality of COVID-19 every day, and as you successfully navigate obstacles on campus that we have never before experienced.

We understand how tiring — mentally, emotionally, and physically — this effort is for us all. At the same time, we urge you not to let your guard down.

It’s not just about making it another few weeks, or even until the new year. Our behaviors now will continue to inform our success and health into the spring. As a community we have come together and risen to the challenge, but, unfortunately, we are far from the finish line.

The increase in COVID-19 cases nationwide and in our area is concerning. Now is the time to remind ourselves that we must not become complacent, even as we grow weary from a year with so many challenges. Health officials have warned about the dangers of “COVID fatigue,” a term used to describe when people become less disciplined about their health and safety, and it becomes harder over time to follow protocols because we crave a return to normalcy.

We must all recommit to taking care of ourselves and each other and remain as vigilant as ever about wearing a mask, physical distancing, hand washing, and all public health measures. These measures are critical elements to our success as a campus, and as a community, and we are grateful for all you have done thus far.

Please remember that even activities that may seem low-risk, such as gatherings with friends, are just that — a risk. We ask that you continue to engage in behaviors that help protect you and our community, including following all public health protocols.

As always, if you would like to speak to us for any reason, please just let us know. We are thinking of you — please take care of yourself!

In Solidarity,

Your Deans

Dr. Joe Boehman
Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu 

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni
Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu 

Dear Students and Families, 

Whether we are welcoming you to our campus for the first time or welcoming you back, we are excited to be communicating with you about arriving on campus for the spring semester. 

This letter contains important and helpful information regarding the dates and requirements for returning to campus in January. We encourage you to read it thoroughly to ensure that it informs your arrival plans. We will provide detailed health and safety information, including requirements for pre-arrival health monitoring, in the coming weeks.  

Spring Semester Return REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

In order to maintain the required physical distancing within our residential area, as well as decrease congestion during the return and COVID-19 testing process, the University of Richmond has staggered the testing and arrival process for all students. All students will be required to be tested for COVID-19 when they arrive on campus. More information about the testing process will be made available in coming weeks. 

Roommates may not return and be tested during the same time slot. Students may sign up for a time slot for move-in and COVID-19 testing before they receive their housing and roommate assignment; however, students must coordinate their time slot with their roommates and change their time slot if necessary to ensure they are not arriving at the same time. If necessary, Residence Life and Housing staff will adjust a student’s time slot to ensure appropriate health protocols. If a student needs to change a time slot, please log back into StarRez and choose a new time. Students will be permitted to change their time slot 72 hours in advance of scheduled move-in.

Students will be given one hour to complete their COVID-19 testing and an additional hour to get settled in their rooms. Students will register for a one-hour time slot to ensure they have adequate time to get through the testing and check-in process. Following completion of this step, each student will be given one hour to complete the move-in process to their room or apartment. At the end of the hour, all helpers will need to depart the residential areas to allow for physical distancing.

Spring Return and Testing Schedule

• Friday, Jan. 8
  • Resident Assistants, Spring Orientation Advisors, Student-Athletes, and students who remained on campus for Winter Break
    • Students in this group will receive a separate message that will provide an opportunity to sign-up for testing.
• Saturday, Jan. 9, and Sunday, Jan. 10
  • Students residing in Jeter Hall, Thomas Hall, Gateway Village Apartments, and the University Forest Apartments
    • Students in this group should sign in to StarRez and complete the Spring Return/Testing Appointment application that will be available in the top red bar of the webpage. 
• Monday, Jan. 11, and Tuesday, Jan. 12
  • Students residing in Freeman Hall, Gray Court, Lakeview, North Court, South Court, and Westhampton Hall
    • Students in this group should sign in to StarRez and complete the Spring Return/Testing Appointment application that will be available in the top red bar of the webpage. 
• Wednesday, Jan. 13 – Friday, Jan. 15
  • Students residing in Dennis Hall, Lora Robins Court, Marsh Hall, Moore Hall, Robins Hall, and Wood Hall
    • Students in this group should sign in to StarRez and complete the Spring Return/Testing Appointment application that will be available in the top red bar of the webpage. 
  • Students residing off-campus who are not remote and are registered to take classes in person
    • Students in this group should complete this form.

All students who are not registered as remote only must sign up for a testing time slot, and appointments will be limited for each time slot to increase physical distancing. Early arrivals or arriving on a date other than the time slot arranged will not be permitted.  

Returning students who have a first-year or transfer sibling may sign up for a time slot at the same time as their sibling by contacting residencelife@richmond.edu to submit a request.

All continuing international students should plan to arrive on campus in time for their testing time slot but, in any case, no later than Friday, Jan. 15. If your arrival will be delayed beyond this timeframe or you have questions or concerns, please contact International Education at international@richmond.edu.

New first-year and transfer students will move in according to the schedule above and will then participate in new student orientation. Information on new student orientation can be found at the NewSpiders webpage.

We appreciate your understanding and commitment to adapting to these policies and procedures. We have had a very successful fall semester. We thank you for your partnership and look forward to welcoming you all back in January. 

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Patrick Benner
Director of Residence Life & Housing

Dear Colleagues,

As we enter the holiday season, we are approaching eight months of dealing with the global pandemic. This unprecedented challenge has lasted long beyond what any of us imagined when all our lives first changed back in March. We are writing today to acknowledge that we understand how tiring — mentally, emotionally, and physically — this time is for us all and urge you to not let your guard down.

The increase in COVID-19 cases nationwide and in our area is the perfect time to remind ourselves that we must not become complacent. Health officials have warned about the dangers of “COVID fatigue,” which can include people becoming less disciplined about their health and safety as it becomes harder over time to adhere to the guidelines as we crave normalcy.

We must all recommit to protecting ourselves and each other and remain as vigilant as ever about wearing a mask and physical distancing. We know these important safety measures, as well as other elements of our prevention strategies, have contributed to our community’s health this semester, and we are grateful to each and every one of you for your part in protecting our web.

We must ask that you continue to engage in behaviors that are safe for you and our community. Even activities that may seem low-risk — like gathering for a lunch with colleagues or attending gatherings with friends and family — contain risks, and following COVID-19 health and safety protocols are as important today as they have been throughout the pandemic.

We thank you for continued resiliency and commitment and ask you to please remember our important mantra: Mask Up. Six Feet. Protect Our Web.

Be well,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students and Parents,

Happy November! 

First, a note of recognition and gratitude as we move ever closer to the end of our residential experience for the fall. The commitment of our students to the well-being of their classmates and campus community to date has been an inspiration for all of us. Thank you for all you have done and will do to protect the web.

We are now in week 11 of classes, and we write with information regarding students departing residence halls and the end of fall term. As you know, we will end in-residence learning for most students this semester before Thanksgiving break and will finish classes and exams remotely. The following information should inform your planning for completing the semester.

FALL DEPARTURE

We expect that students will move out of campus housing following their last in-person class prior to Thanksgiving. In-person classes will conclude on Saturday, Nov. 21. All on-campus residential areas will close on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 5 p.m. Students who will not be living on campus in the spring must fully vacate their rooms and remove all belongings. Students planning on spring study abroad must also fully move out, but please know that if plans change with your study abroad program, your housing will be held for you until the start of the spring term.

All students should plan to take with them all personal items they may need during winter break, including items such as clothing, personal hygiene, laptops, medications, and passports and other identification. Students will not be permitted to come back to campus to retrieve items once they have departed campus and their card access has been turned off. Students should also be sure to get all mail and packages at the Post Office and adjust any shipments that may be forthcoming to ensure they reach them at their home location/winter break address.

During pick-ups and departures, masks are required, and only UR students and staff will be allowed in residential buildings or apartments. Families may assist students but will be required to stay outside of residence halls and apartments.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PRIOR TO DEPARTURE

As students prepare to return home, they are strongly encouraged to strictly follow all of the University’s health and safety protocols, to maintain physical distancing, wear masks, avoid even small gatherings, and remain on campus except for required off-campus trips (e.g., doctors’ appointments, employment) in the 14 days prior to leaving campus. Please continue to complete the daily symptom tracker. Students should contact the Student Health Center if they experience any symptoms that may be consistent with COVID-19 prior to the time they leave campus. 

Students who did not attend one of the flu shot clinics on campus should also consider getting a flu vaccine at least two weeks prior to leaving campus. Flu vaccines are available at a number of locations, including CVS and Walgreens.

COVID-19 testing is not required by the University for students leaving campus for break, but students should check to see if the state to which they are traveling requires testing prior to arrival or after arrival. Students who are traveling by plane, train, or bus may wish to get a COVID-19 test after arrival at their destination.

The University will conduct one day of COVID-19 exit testing on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The University will use a PCR test and results are expected to be available within 48 to 72 hours. Unlike regular prevalence testing, this testing is completely voluntary. Space is limited and students who are leaving campus prior to Thanksgiving will be able to seek an appointment in this order of priority:

• Residential students who do not have a car on campus
• Residential students who do have a car on campus
• Other undergraduate and law students.

More information about the process to sign up will be available soon. 

Students may also seek a COVID-19 test at any local community provider. Community providers offer both PCR tests, with results returned in several days, or rapid antigen tests, with results returned the same day. A list of local testing sites is available here. When scheduling an appointment, residential students must take into consideration that they will need to leave campus no later than 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 22. 

Any student already placed in quarantine or isolation before the end of the term will be able to stay until their designated end date. Students also have the option to finish their isolation or quarantine at home should they choose to do so, but must travel by private car and follow all appropriate protocols.

STUDENTS REMAINING ON CAMPUS

A very small number of approved students will remain in residence until the end of term or through winter break. Those who have applied for and been given permission to stay on campus must abide by the University’s current COVID-19 policies and protocols at all times, including the physical distancing framework. Information about dining options and operations over break will be shared in coming weeks with those students approved to stay. If your plans have changed and you no longer need to be in residence on campus after Nov. 22, you must contact Taylor Walsh at twalsh4@richmond.edu by Nov. 13.

ACADEMIC SCHEDULE 

There will be no classes the week of Thanksgiving (Monday, Nov. 23, to Friday, Nov. 27). Classes will resume remotely on the Monday after Thanksgiving (Nov. 30), and we will conclude the fall semester’s classes on Saturday, Dec. 5.

For those transitioning to remote learning for the last week, please know there is support for how best to learn in this mode, as well as for your academic success in general. One useful place to start is the Spider Support website.

Reading days and the exam period will be held remotely, Dec. 6–15. Please see the official academic calendar for more detail.

We hope you enjoy the remaining days of being in-residence. It has been great to have you back on campus, and you have done an amazing job of contributing to the health and well-being of the whole community. We will be in touch soon with move-in schedules and processes for January. Please keep up the good work, and let’s finish strong so that we can maintain our in-person classes until Thanksgiving break.

So, remember: Mask up! Six feet! Protect the web!

Warmly, 

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students,  

I am so proud of all you have accomplished this semester. I am writing to remind you of our shared responsibility to protect our web as we enter the final weeks of our on campus semester, especially this Halloween weekend. 

Over the last two weeks we have seen an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases among students, some of which are connected to small social gatherings where students did not wear masks or maintain 6 feet of physical distance. This experience proves that we cannot become complacent. We must continue to follow our health and safety protocols, wear masks, maintain physical distance, and avoid unapproved gatherings, including this weekend.

Traditional gatherings that come with celebrating Halloween simply cannot happen. Such gatherings would expose our community to the risk of COVID-19 transmission and jeopardize our collective health. 

Here is what we are asking you to do to protect our web and enable us to finish this semester in person: 

• Avoid attending parties or social gatherings, other than approved events happening on campus; 
• Do not go to bars, restaurants, or off-campus houses to celebrate Halloween; and
• Avoid using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors.

It is also important for you to contact the Student Health Center if you are having any symptoms and to be honest with the Student Health Center physicians about your activities. Under our interim conduct policies, information shared with the Student Health Center, contact tracers, or the University’s Rapid Response Team will not be used as evidence in any conduct hearing. 

The University is offering several safe and fun ways to celebrate Halloween. Please do take part. The list of activities can be found here: UR Halloween Activities.

We know that so many of you are really trying to keep our campus safe, and we are deeply grateful, but we need everyone to recommit to this effort. Rumors of off-campus parties are already swirling, and we want to be clear that we will not hesitate to impose our student conduct actions to sanction those who put our community at risk. Some of the violations, such as hosting and attending gatherings, come with harsh penalties that include suspension for the remainder of this semester and all of the spring semester.   

We are now into the final stretch before Thanksgiving. I know you are tired. I’m tired, too, which makes me all the more proud of our work together thus far. Let’s keep up our good work this weekend and throughout the remaining weeks on campus this fall. 

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students,

I hope you are all well as we enter the second half of our fall semester. I’m so grateful for your continued commitment to the health of our community and for the care you’ve shown one another.

Unfortunately, October has brought a surge of new COVID-19 cases across the country, and cases have recently been on the rise in Richmond, increasing the possibility of infection for all of us. We know that COVID-19 is most easily spread by respiratory droplets released when people talk, cough, or sneeze, so any situation where you may be without a face covering or not able to physically distance, especially for an extended period of time, is a risk. In addition to remaining vigilant about avoiding large crowds and other high risk situations, please keep in mind that the following activities carry risk:

• Dining at restaurants
• Attending a backyard gathering
• In-person shopping
• Public transportation

Students are strongly encouraged to stay on campus in the Orange Stage. Use your GrubHub app to eat on campus or get take-out for something different. And, of course, masks on and physical distancing remains vital to health and safety.

We are all feeling the fatigue of the semester, the heaviness of the pandemic, and the anxiety of the election season. You have done such a remarkable job navigating these difficult days thus far. The rest of the semester will be the most challenging yet, and I have no doubt you will rise to the occasion.

Stay vigilant. Finish strong. Let’s protect our web together.

With Gratitude,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students and Families,

As we work together to help ensure the safe progression of our fall term on campus, University staff and faculty are also busy with preparations for our spring semester. We are writing today to update you on several key components of that planning.

Our plans continue to reflect the pandemic environment, and we remain committed first and foremost to the health and well-being of our community. As a result, we will continue to be vigilant about our health and safety protocols — most importantly our mask and physical distancing requirements as well as all the steps we are taking to clean and sanitize our facilities. The ongoing health and safety of our community is something we monitor daily, and we will adjust our plans as needed along the way.

Just as we did for the fall, our plans for the spring semester involve an approach that maintains the University of Richmond’s commitment to providing a top-quality, residential, educational opportunity while also doing all we can to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infection within our campus community. We are confident that all our students will continue to do what is necessary to support a safe spring semester, just as you have been doing this fall.

In line with current conditions, we want you to know the following about our spring plans:

Spring Semester Calendar and Course Specifics

• The first day of classes will be Jan. 19, 2021, and classes will conclude April 23. Finals will take place April 28—May 6.
• There will be no spring break in order to protect our campus community from COVID-19 and allow for the later start to the spring semester.
• As was the case this fall, many courses will be offered in-person while some will be offered fully online or use a combination of approaches. Students may view the spring schedule of classes on BannerWeb beginning Wednesday, Oct. 28.
• In-person classes will continue to be offered in classrooms modified to support active learning while adhering to physical distancing and related safety protocols.
• Advising for spring courses will begin Nov. 2, with priority registration beginning Nov. 9.
• At this time, we plan to hold Commencement ceremonies as detailed at commencement.richmond.edu on the weekends of May 1-2 and 7-8, though those events and their format will depend on the course of the virus.
• More details about the calendar, advising, and registration can be found at registrar.richmond.edu.

Remote Learning

• We recognize some students will not be able to join us in-person for spring term, and the University will offer those students the opportunity to study remotely.
• Students will need to inform the University of their remote study plans by completing this form. More details are available at Studying Remotely - Spring 2021.
• Students studying remotely are strongly encouraged to review and enroll in courses being offered by faculty online, but access to most in-person classes through technology will also be available, as they were this semester.

Spring Housing

The arrival process we followed in the fall was successful, so we intend to replicate it in the spring. Once again, we are planning for a staggered move-in with COVID-19 testing upon arrival. Move-in dates are being finalized, and more specific information and instructions are forthcoming from Student Development and Residence Life. Key information to be aware of right now includes:

• Students will not be allowed to move in except during their assigned time. More details will be available from Residence Life soon.
• New first-year students who are beginning their enrollment in January, as well as first-year students who were enrolled in the fall and who will transition to campus in January, will receive information in the coming weeks on orientation activities. These activities will occur after the assigned housing move-in date.
• Students who were not on campus in the fall and wish to move to campus for the spring semester should apply for housing by Nov. 1 via the Spring Application available in the StarRez Portal.

International Students

We are closely tracking the State Department and CDC websites for information related to travel restrictions and quarantine requirements, and we encourage students traveling internationally to do the same. Please reach out to the Office of International Education with questions or concerns.

Winter Break Period

While we expect that most students will vacate the campus according to our fall calendar, we also recognize that a small number of students may need to remain on campus during the period from Thanksgiving week through the beginning of the spring term. If you need to remain on campus, please complete the “Winter Break Housing Request” available in the StarRez portal by Wednesday, Oct. 14. Late requests will not be accepted. Completing a request does not guarantee approval. Students will be notified of the status of their request by the Office of Residence Life & Housing by Friday, Oct. 23.

Spring Study Abroad

This spring UR will offer limited study abroad programming. The Office of International Education is working with students accepted for study abroad and will also continue to offer opportunities for international students who may not be able to travel to the United States.

Of course, all our planning is contingent upon the containment of the virus on our campus and prevailing conditions elsewhere. We continue to carefully and regularly monitor health conditions at the University, in Virginia, and across the country. Our plans will adapt to changing conditions. We remain grateful for your resilience and personal commitment to our well-being as a community. We all have a shared responsibility for making our fall and spring semesters productive and sustainable.

Thank you for caring for your fellow Spiders and our campus community.

Take good care,
Jeff & Steve

Dear Students and Families,

We have reached October! The campus is beginning to feel like fall, and before long the trees along Westhampton Lake will take on their beautiful fall colors. Thank you so much for your continued good work to help keep our Web safe — we know how much effort it takes, and we appreciate you every day!

We are approaching what would usually be fall break, an opportunity for our community to have a few days of a slower pace in the middle of the semester. Today we are writing to check in with you, to see how you are, and offer some thoughts. While we will all miss an official fall break, we wanted to think together about other ways each of us can rest, reflect, and recharge our batteries.

Below we are sharing some of the many possibilities to take care of yourself, meet new people, have fun, try something new or expand your horizons, think about a career or work on new academic skills to make the rest of the semester easier, or just have some down time. As always, if you would like to speak to us for any reason, please just let us know. We are thinking of you — please take a moment and take care of yourself!

With Spider Pride,
Your Deans

Dr. Joe Boehman
Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu 

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni
Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu 

Want to meet new people? Come to Café con leche at 7 p.m. on Oct. 9, to hang out, play Lotería, and win prizes — cohosted by SOLS, WC, OMA, and LALIS! Register with this link no later than Oct. 7 (today!). And check out Speed-Friending, a chance to grow your web, and meet new people on campus through a fun series of games and activities, including a raffle, co-sponsored by International Ed, LGBTQ Campus Life, OMA, and Spider Firsts. Please register and join us at 8 p.m. on Oct. 16 on Zoom. There will also be a SpiderNight event on Oct. 17 — stay tuned!

For warm conversations and a festive autumn pack of goodies, drop by the Office of International Education from 12–2 p.m. every weekday. Enjoy a break even without fall break!

Looking to host a virtual movie night or watch party? CSI can help!

Interested in Rugby? How about Ultimate Frisbee or Crew? Several Sport Clubs are practicing and recruiting new members. Love hiking and the outdoors? Join OAR and participate in Blue Sky Fund’s Hike for Kids. You can also take a Yoga, Body Pump, or Zumba class, outside or physically distanced in the Weinstein Center for Recreation — see the schedule or use the FusionGO App!


Learn from our alums! Check out how to make Jersey Dirt or Zorch Pizza! Or get some tips on nutrition or golf! Peruse the Welcome to the City series, and explore Richmond, DC, NYC, or Boston! The Office of Alumni Relations offers opportunities throughout the week, including an upcoming interview with actor Jamie McShane, R’88, on Oct. 12. For details about this event and other upcoming programs, please visit Stay Connected.

Want to work on your academic or career-building skills? Feeling a little unfocused, tired of Zoom, and procrastinating more than usual? Check out MACademic Skills: Self-Management for Success, at 5 p.m. on Oct. 14, Part of the SpiderFirsts Right Before Dinner Series — all are welcome, and more information to come in SpiderBytes. Or join one of Career Services’ programs, including Harris Williams Virtual Coffee Chats on Oct. 8, Major & Career Workshop on Oct. 12, or Careers in IT: Stories from SPCS Alumni on Oct. 15.

Nourish your mind, body, and spirit — join the Chaplaincy for Sacred Pause at 4 p.m. on Oct. 9 and 16 (at this Zoom link), Welcoming Shabbat at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 9 and 16 (contact Josh Jeffreys), Midday Prayer at 12:30 p.m. on Oct. 14 (contact Bryn Taylor), or Weekly UR Zen Zoom, at 7 p.m. on Oct. 11 and 18 (at this Zoom link, ID: 861 5517 4492).

Take care of yourself overall! You can go to Student Health for a flu shot, other immunizations, allergy shots, and other care, or get flu shots elsewhere in Richmond. Disability Services and Health Promotion are raffling off a Zen Room Bundle to encourage you to engage in healthy mental well-being activities! Learn how you could win your very own StarLite, diffuser, and essential oil dropper. CAPS has a great YouTube Channel with videos on getting better sleep, calming emotions, improving relationships, and self-care, and you can also check out the NOW New Normal Webinar and Discussion Series; at noon on Oct. 9 (Zoom 991 0906 0333 passcode f58d2fe1). Follow CAPS Outreach Interns for daily tips on motivation, mindfulness, election-season well-being management, and general mental health awareness. Or consider Mindful Monday at noon on Oct. 12.

Thinking about upcoming elections in the United States, or activism and advocacy in general? Want to take care of yourself AND your community? Come to the CCE Brown Bag discussions at 1 p.m.: Power for the People on Oct. 9 or The Politician on Oct. 16. All are invited to Westhampton College’s 2020 Connecting Womxn of Color Conference: Care! Sustainable Activism & Advocacy, held virtually from 2–5 p.m. on Oct. 16. Or watch Jess Morales Rocketto’s talk On Fire: Intersectional Feminism and the 2020 Election, part of the 2020–21 will + WGSS Speaker Series and Latinx Heritage Month.

Interested in Discovering Richmond now that you are more settled on-campus? Join the CCE for virtual Drop-In Advising Monday–Thursday from 2–4 p.m. You can also learn how some Richmond-based advocates and organizers have mobilized networks across the Richmond region to develop networks for mutual aid in the CCE Brown Bag at 1 p.m. on Oct. 8. One way to connect with the greater Richmond region is through direct service — you can learn more from current students about their service work and how to continue it even during a pandemic during Community Hour: Direct Service on Oct. 9 from 3 p.m.

Are you a music fan? The Richmond Folk Festival will celebrate its 16th anniversary on Oct. 9–11, with a virtual event celebrating the roots, richness, and variety of American culture.

For more ideas, information about UR and RVA, and resources for support, keep checking the Smart Spiders Seek Support page on Blackboard, now and all semester long.

Dear Students:

Yesterday the University shared that we are moving from the Red Stage to the Orange Stage in our COVID-19 response later this week. I’m writing to highlight four key points as we make this move.

First: Thank you!

The move to Orange is a testament to the commitment you’ve shown to care for yourselves and others by following our health and safety guidelines. These last several weeks on campus have been an extraordinary test for all of us. You’ve risen to the challenge thus far. Thank you!

Second: Don’t let up!

The move to the Orange Stage is a modest step that maintains most of the health and safety protocols from the Red Stage. Just last week we received word that two more colleges in Virginia are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks. We do not want to have to move back to the Red Stage or end our residential experience before Thanksgiving. It’s up to each of you to help us avoid those situations. So many of you have shared with me how grateful you are to be on campus. I am grateful, too. Now we all must remain vigilant as we near the halfway mark of our time on campus this fall. Let’s finish strong. Don’t forget, you are required to wear your mask properly, fully covering your nose and mouth. Don’t let up!

Third: Remember!

We need your help to keep the campus community safe. An addendum to our Interim Student Conduct Policies for COVID-19 Compliance has been created which encourages students to share information in a timely manner and of their own volition without the fear of that information being used against them in a subsequent conduct hearing. This addendum can be found here.

Unfortunately, we received reports of two off-campus gatherings over the weekend, which are deeply concerning. Please remember that the consequences for hosting events off campus or for having gatherings on campus outside our established guidelines are serious. Aside from the health risks these gatherings introduce to the campus, you face suspension or eviction. We are frequently notified by City/County police and neighbors if such activity is suspected off campus, and will follow-up. Remember!

Fourth: Orange Changes

While continuing strict adherence to mask and distancing protocols, the following are specific changes to student life as we enter this phase:

• Students now have increased opportunity for visitation to other on-campus residence halls.
• Lounges are now open, subject to capacity limits, and masks and physical distancing are required.
• Meeting capacity is increased to 25, but meeting locations must be reserved and approved, and masks and physical distancing are required.
• Outdoor events sponsored by the University or a recognized student organization may include up to 100, but must be approved and held in designated locations, and masks and physical distancing are required.

Thank you for being such wonderful members of the Spider community. Now, let’s work together and keep one another safe so we can finish the semester together.

Best wishes,

Dr. Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

We continue to be grateful for the commitment of our Spider community to persevere during this challenging semester and do what is necessary to ensure the continued health, well-being, and safety of our campus. Even a short walk across campus is a confirmation of our shared commitment to and compliance with the health and safety protocols that protect us all. Thank you.

We are writing to notify you that the University will move to the Orange Stage of its Physical Distancing Framework on October 7 and to provide you with an update on our plan to expand prevalence testing. As you see below, the move to Orange involves very modest changes in our rules to support student well-being, which is intended to strengthen our health and safety resilience.

TRANSITIONING TO THE ORANGE STAGE OF THE PHYSICAL DISTANCING FRAMEWORK

The four stages of the University’s Physical Distancing Framework are intended to promote the health and safety of our community while permitting the University to tailor its requirements to the prevailing conditions on campus and in the local community. We began the academic year in the Red Stage of the Framework, which is the most restrictive of the four stages. It was important to start the school year very cautiously as students, faculty, and staff returned to campus to allow all of us to adjust to the sweeping changes brought on by the pandemic.

We have now completed six weeks of the semester. The incidence of COVID-19 among students, faculty, and staff remains low; the campus community in general is complying with our health and safety protocols; incidents of non-compliance are being addressed; and COVID-19 trends in the local community are currently favorable — though as you will read below, we will have to remain vigilant. Given these conditions and our realistic planning expectation that the pandemic will be with us for the foreseeable future, we have concluded that it is in the best interest of our entire community to take the modest step of moving to the Orange Stage of the Framework on Wednesday, October 7, barring a material change in circumstances prior to that date.

We know students, among other members of the campus community, are, understandably, seeking additional opportunities to engage with each other. We have received reports of students feeling isolated and limited in their ability to connect with other students given some of the requirements of the Red Stage, rules required by conditions prevalent during our opening and first few weeks. The move to the Orange Stage, as described below, will provide additional options for students that are reasonable, prudent, and consistent with prevailing circumstances, reinforcing a commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of our community.

Our ability to move to and remain in the Orange Stage, however, depends on conditions both on and off campus, which we will closely monitor, and continued compliance with the University’s health and safety protocols by everyone in our community. News reports of recent positive cases at the highest levels of government remind us how transmittable the virus is and how quickly health conditions can change. We will be compelled to move back to the Red Stage if we see an upward trend in COVID-19 cases on campus or in the local community. Our ability to remain in the Orange Stage (and avoid a return to Red) will depend on all of us complying with all the applicable health and safety protocols associated with the Orange Stage.

We want to emphasize that the move to the Orange Stage does not mean we are relaxing our important health and safety protocols or letting down our guard. By design, this is a small step. The Orange Stage maintains the vast majority of the health and safety requirements of the Red Stage, including requirements for maintaining 6 feet of physical distance, continuing to wear face coverings, maintaining all existing classroom protocols, maintaining the daily symptom and temperature screening, and continuing our cleaning and disinfection practices. The key differences between the Red and the Orange Stage are listed below and are subject to the important limits detailed in the Physical Distancing Framework:

• Residence Hall Visitors. Students may have other on-campus students visit their residence hall, subject to capacity limits and the requirement to wear face coverings. Students may not have off-campus visitors or overnight guests in their residence hall or apartment.
• Residence Hall Lounges. Residence hall lounges will be open subject to set capacity limits, the requirement to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing, and the requirement to wear face coverings at all times.
• Indoor Meetings, Programs, and Gatherings. The maximum attendance at indoor, on-campus meetings, events, programs, and gatherings will increase from 10 to 25. Attendees of all such meetings, events, programs, and gatherings are required to maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance and must wear face coverings. The host(s) of such events will be responsible for adherence to all safety protocols. They must reserve space and receive approval from the University for the event. The host(s) must also comply with all required training, attendance, oversight, cleaning, and other protocols.
• Outdoor Events. The maximum attendance at University-sponsored outdoor events and approved outdoor events hosted by recognized student organizations will increase from 50 to 100. All such events are required to be registered and approved. Attendees of all outdoor events must maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance and wear face coverings. These events may only be held in locations that have been identified by the University for that purpose and are large enough to permit physical distancing. The host(s) must also comply with all required training, attendance, oversight, cleaning, and other protocols.
• Remote Work. As in the Red Stage, remote work is still encouraged, but, if there are compelling needs, department leaders may begin to increase the number of staff working on campus to the extent necessary to support students, faculty, and staff. It is important to note that the capacity of all work areas is limited to 50% of normal staff levels, wherever possible. Physical distancing and the use of face coverings are required. Supervisors who determine that there is a need to increase the number of employees working on campus should take the necessary time to develop a careful plan and communicate that plan to their teams. Our Human Resources business partners are available to help supervisors develop and communicate plans. Appropriate accommodations will be provided or will remain in place for at-risk employees.

PREVALENCE TESTING

As we move to the Orange Stage, we also plan to modify our plan for prevalence testing of students, faculty, and staff. Prevalence testing involves testing a randomly selected group of asymptomatic people to assess the likely incidence of COVID-19 on campus. Prevalence testing is one component of the University’s comprehensive COVID-19 testing strategy, which also includes diagnostic testing, testing of close contacts, and outbreak-related testing. Under our updated prevalence testing plan, we will increase the percentage of undergraduate students tested from 10% to 15% and increase the percentage of law students and faculty and staff tested from 5% to 10%. SPCS and MBA students will remain at 5%. We are grateful to all of the students, faculty, and staff who have participated actively in our first two cycles of prevalence testing.

We have fared well as a community to date due to our shared responsibility and commitment to the health and safety of all Spiders. We have been vigilant in following the steps necessary to reduce transmission of the virus and have taken seriously our responsibility as a community to protect the health of all. Our great hope and strong intention to finish the semester with our in-person, residential experience intact will depend on our continued efforts and vigorous attention to the health and well-being of each other and our community. So please: Six feet. Mask up. Protect our web.

Take good care,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Colleagues,

I’m writing to inform you of two new COVID-19 testing options available to all faculty and staff, and a change in the use of the on-campus testing clinic.

Concierge service with BetterMed

The University of Richmond has partnered with BetterMed Urgent Care to provide a COVID-19 concierge testing service for all faculty and staff. Under this arrangement, University faculty and staff will need to schedule a telehealth visit with a BetterMed provider and, if the provider determines that a COVID-19 test is appropriate, faculty and staff may schedule a COVID-19 test at a conveniently located Better Med facility within 24 hours after the telehealth visit with the BetterMed provider.

To schedule an appointment register for your appointment online at www.bettermedcare.com/telecare.

1. TeleCare Evaluation: After completing the online registration process, you will receive a phone call from a BetterMed Registration representative. Make sure you tell the representative that you are a University of Richmond employee.
2. Exam: A provider will contact you at your designated appointment time to perform a medical exam and evaluation via telehealth.
3. Scheduling of In-person Test: Better Med will confirm a COVID test appointment time and direct you to a BetterMed Urgent Care facility for an in-person test. Every effort will be made to schedule the testing at the most convenient location, but site capacity may not accommodate your first choice.
4. In-person COVID-19 Test and Results: BetterMed will likely administer a rapid antigen test with results available within 15 minutes. If a PCR test is recommended by the physician, results will typically be available within 48 – 72 hours. The results will be communicated to you at the site shortly after your test or through the Better Med patient portal.

At home testing through Pixel 

Self-initiated, FDA-approved, at-home specimen collection kits from Pixel by LabCorp are covered by the University (cost share waived).

To order the Pixel by LabCorp test kit: Go to: https://www.pixel.labcorp.com/at-home-test-kits/covid-19-test 

1. Complete a screening
2. Provide your Cigna insurance information or health insurance/payment information if you do not have health insurance through the University.
3. Receive your specimen kit from LabCorp
4. Collect your own specimen following detail instructions.
5. Return the specimen to LabCorp using the provided materials.

Results are usually available 1-3 days after sample is received at lab. You must be 18 or older to participate in this testing option.

Coverage for COVID-19 Testing

The University is waiving out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 visits through Cigna, whether you use the two options above, go to your primary care provider (PCP), urgent care center, local health department, or use virtual care. While a diagnosis of COVID-19 cannot be confirmed through virtual medical care, it is still the most convenient and safest way to get the medical attention you may need without leaving home. Contact your PCP, or connect with a virtual care provider on myCigna.com. Employees who do not participate in the University’s health plan are urged to contact their health insurer for information about coverage of COVID-19 related care.

On-Campus Testing Clinic

In light of the superior options available in the community for faculty and staff seeking COVID-19 diagnostic care and consistent with the University’s objective of preventing the spread of COVID-19 on campus, the use of the on-campus testing clinic will be limited to:

• diagnostic testing for students eligible to use the Student Health Center
• testing of asymptomatic close contacts of a member of the University community identified through contact tracing
• prevalence testing
• outbreak testing.

If you have further questions about this new benefit, please call our Covid Care Coordinator at x8811 or email to hr-health-screens@richmond.edu. 

Laura Dietrick
Director, Benefits & Compensation
Human Resources

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

Last month as the fall semester officially began with the start of classes, we wrote to you about the “117 Days of Protecting Our Web” campaign. Led by the University’s Health Promotion and Compliance Team, this campaign focuses on some of the most important aspects of our health and safety guidelines for our community and reinforces accountability, action, empowerment, and gratitude.

We are delighted to have reached our first milestone date today — Sept. 18 — as we continue with our fall semester, with options both in person and remotely.

These past few weeks have focused on our shared responsibility in keeping our web safe and reinforcing our community’s social norms. Wearing a mask and proper distancing protects the entire web, and these actions showcase respect for our community.

Our progress highlights that we are all committing to and respecting our mantra: “Six feet. Mask up. Protect our web.”

We appreciate the partnerships with several community and campus partners to celebrate this first milestone date and support our efforts. For example, Papa John’s has partnered with Dining Services to provide pizza for students in the Heilman Dining Center today at lunch. Details about how other areas are supporting this campaign are available via SpiderBytes.

As we acknowledge our achievement, we also need to remember that our work is far from over. Our shared responsibility of wearing masks and physical distancing must continue. Additional milestone dates include the following:

October 9 — Navigating Social Situations

Protecting your web protects our web.

Sept. 19–Oct. 9 will zero in on navigating social situations. The choices we all make in social situations will not only affect our own health but also the health of everyone we come into contact with.

October 30 — Importance of Contact Tracing

It’s not just about you. It’s about all of us.

Oct. 10–30 will focus on the importance of contact tracing. Contact tracing slows the spread of COVID-19 by letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and then providing help with testing and support.

November 20 — Being Thankful for Our Healthy Web

Many Spiders, One Web

Ahead of the Thanksgiving break, Oct. 31–Nov. 20 will focus on being thankful and showing gratitude for keeping our web healthy. By committing to the Healthy Web Compact, we will keep our campus and each other safe.

December 18 — Carrying Community Home

Your actions make or break our web.

Safely completing the semester will signal that we have all done our part in protecting our web. We will celebrate this major milestone and begin looking forward to the spring semester.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 response website, and please continue to look for more information on how individual areas are engaging with the 117 campaign via SpiderBytes, emails, and campus social media channels.

We thank you for understanding, accepting, and activating our shared responsibility.

We are Many Spiders, One Web.

Sincerely,

University of Richmond Health Promotion & Compliance

Dear Students and Families,

We are in the fourth week of the semester, and we wanted to take a moment to touch base with you. Whether you are a new or returning student, the beginning of the semester can bring both joy and challenges. This semester, the challenges we are facing are significant — as we said in our August letter, the United States continues to grapple with weighty issues of racism and intersectional oppressions, equity, and social justice, and the world is struggling in the face of so many challenges to the health and well-being of individuals and communities. On campus, we are all working hard to take care of ourselves and each other, which requires a lot of effort on each of our parts, every day.

We know that coping with these challenges can be tough, and we want to thank you for all you are doing and let you know that we are thinking of each of you. Today we would like to share some updates about in-person and virtual opportunities, including extracurricular and community-building programs and organizations, and also academic and individual support and resources.

Starting this week, student organizations can host meetings for registered members — a list of student organizations can be found here. There are also opportunities to get involved with student government: the University of Richmond Honor Councils, the Richmond College Student Government Association, and the Westhampton College Government Association.

Programs and events can be found on the UR Calendar or by using the Center for Student Involvement’s URInvolved app, available at the Apple Store and Google Play. The Offices of Common Ground and Multicultural Affairs have great support and programming for all students and for affinity groups, including celebrations in honor of Latinx Heritage Month that have just started, SpiderFirst events for first-generation students, LGBTQ Campus Life events, programs, and groups, and SpiderNights, hosted each weekend by peer Cultural Advisors. International Education is holding in-person advising and conversation from noon to 2 p.m. every weekday, as well as is available for appointments.

The Office of the Chaplaincy offers individual and community engagement through a wide range of religious and spiritual activities; conversations about life, faith, and meaning; and personal attention and support. Many of the larger activities are taking place virtually while smaller gatherings are happening in person in accordance with University guidelines. Register here to sign up for their weekly newsletter, which includes a calendar of programs, or visit their website for more details.

The Weinstein Center for Recreation is open and there are a number of classes offered, including both in-person options held outside and virtual ones. Sports Clubs have just started meeting and practicing this week; to get involved, please check out the listing of active clubs.

The Center for Civic Engagement is dedicated to facilitating connections to the people and organizations that are helping our region thrive. They are hosting virtual Drop-In Advising, Monday through Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m., where you can ask questions about how to connect with community organizations. Weekly programming, including Brown Bag Discussions and Community Hours, are great ways to connect with others. Students can sign up for their newsletter, Spiders in the City. For election-related programming, check out We the People.

CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) is offering ongoing and same-day appointments. CAPS also offers drop-in Well-Being Seminars (three days a week) and many wonderful Groups and Programs. The Thriving in College group (Mondays, 2:15 to 3:45 p.m.) may be especially useful for first-year students navigating their adjustment to college life. Students interested in the Thriving in College group should email Dr. Peter LeViness at plevines@richmond.edu.

Other resources include reservable study rooms in the Library and elsewhere on campus, the Academic Skills Center, Alumni & Career Services, the Speech Center, Student Employment, and the Writing Center.

And, as always, we are here to provide support and guidance — please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Again, thank you for all you are doing to take care of yourself and others. This semester we are truly many Spiders, one web.

With Spider Pride,
Your College Deans

Dr. Joe Boehman
Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu 

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni
Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu 

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

Thank you for contributing to the launch of the semester and the record of campus safety to date. We recognize the sacrifices that are being made by each and every member of our web to make this semester possible, and we remain impressed by the resiliency of our community.

From the beginning, we have known that resuming an in-person, residential educational experience would take an unwavering sense of shared responsibility of all faculty, staff, and students to follow important health and safety guidelines. While we have only started the semester, and have weeks to stay strong together, we are grateful for your continued commitment, as the health and safety of our entire community remains our highest priority.

We want to continue to keep our community informed of our progress related to our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are sharing the following data to highlight some of the outcomes of our collective efforts thus far.

COVID-19 DASHBOARD

Our dashboard is a regularly updated source of information providing the most recent COVID-19 data related to our campus community. As the dashboard presently notes, we have been fortunate to have a low number of cases among students, faculty, and staff. The dashboard is updated weekly, and the metrics will help inform continued decision-making related to campus operations. We know our COVID-19 response website is an important resource for our community. For example, COVID-19-related videos have been viewed nearly 200,000 times. We will continue to update the website with current and helpful information.

PREVALENCE TESTING

Our COVID-19 prevalence testing process is now underway. Prevalence testing involves testing a randomly selected group of asymptomatic people to assess the incidence of COVID-19 on campus. Prevalence testing is one component of the University’s comprehensive COVID-19 testing strategy, which also includes diagnostic testing, testing of close contacts, and outbreak-related testing. We started prevalence tests the week of Sept. 7, and 329 people have been tested, all of whom have been negative for COVID-19. Testing will continue weekly. Results will be reflected via data on the dashboard. The prevalence testing process is detailed here. We appreciate the students, faculty, and staff who will be part of prevalence testing.

STUDENT AND COMMUNITY CONDUCT

We have stressed the collective commitment to making our campus as safe as possible, and we are all taking precautions to ensure the well-being of our campus. Given this commitment, we have made expectations as clear as possible to students about the disciplinary consequences of violations to our Healthy Web Compact. To date, about 150 students have been cited for violations to our safety protocols. Some of these citations have been to students living off campus. Most of those sanctioned have received written warnings, but the penalties for some students have been more severe, including suspension. We are grateful that students, faculty, and staff are completing the daily health survey as diligent attention to one’s health is a crucial aspect of the University’s Healthy Web Compact.

We must all take the continued well-being of our campus seriously. Being respectful of one another and caring for the health of our web means making the sacrifices that are necessary and doing the right thing for all of us. The choices we make not only affect our own safety but also the safety of everyone with whom we come in contact. A successful and healthy semester is a goal we all share.

CLASSROOM ADAPTATIONS

From the basketball courts in the Weinstein Center for Recreation to large conference spaces across campus, students are learning and faculty are teaching in just about every suitable space on campus to allow for proper physical distancing. Each of these nearly 150 classrooms has been outfitted with technology, including cameras and microphones, to support our hybrid learning model and the academic quality of our classes whether in person or remote. We have students logging in from across the country and from all over the world, including China, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan. All faculty, staff, and students have access to Zoom, which is being used to support not only classes but also the many virtual presentations, events, forums, and open houses that are used to keep our communities informed. Since Aug. 24 when classes started, more than 11,000 meetings have been held via Zoom. We know these adaptations can be challenging, and we have seen how hard everyone is working to make improvements each week. We are grateful for everyone’s spirit of cooperation as the pedagogy continues to adapt and improve.

PROTECT OUR WEB

As we continue on the path of 117 Days of Protecting Our Web — the length of the fall semester — we must continue to focus on our shared responsibility to keep our campus safe through face coverings and physical distancing. We know these efforts are working because you — our faculty, staff, and students — are actively responding to the needs of the community by dedicating yourselves to keeping one another healthy and well. Our work is far from over, and we continue to thank you for these actions, which not only protect our web but also demonstrate the distinctiveness of the Spider community. Let’s keep it up.

We recognize that we have not gotten everything right, and we continue to adapt in order to improve and invite folks to access the feedback form that is on the COVID-19 website. We acknowledge we are all facing challenges, and we know it’s hard. We are asking a lot of everyone, and we are grateful that so many have risen to the occasion, which showcases the remarkable strength of our University.

Six feet. Mask up. Protect our web.

Take good care,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, and Parents,

The University of Richmond will begin COVID-19 prevalence testing next week. Prevalence testing involves testing a randomly selected group of asymptomatic people to assess the incidence of COVID-19 on campus. Prevalence testing is one component of the University’s comprehensive COVID-19 testing strategy, which also includes diagnostic testing, testing of close contacts, and outbreak-related testing.

Under our prevalence testing plan, we will test 10% of undergraduate students and 5% of Law, SPCS, and MBA students every two weeks. Testing for students will be limited to those who are taking classes on campus this fall. We will also test 5% of faculty and staff members who are in student- or public-facing roles, including but not limited to faculty teaching in person and certain dining and facilities staff, every two weeks. The Provost’s Office and Human Resources have identified over 1,100 faculty and staff members in student- or public-facing roles. Student-athletes and athletics staff members in medium- or high-contact sports will be tested every two weeks in accordance with NCAA protocols. Undergraduate students will be tested one week, and everyone else subject to prevalence testing will be tested the following week.

Those selected for prevalence testing will receive an email notifying them of the test date and location. The email will include a link to sign up for a specific time slot. Under the Healthy Web Compact, students are required to take a test if selected. We strongly encourage employees, in order to benefit the health and welfare of our entire community, to participate in testing if selected.

Our plan for prevalence testing is based on guidance from local public health officials and will be adjusted as conditions on campus warrant and as alternative types and methods of COVID-19 testing become available. We recognize that some members of the campus community have advocated for a much broader testing regime. The advice we have received from public officials does not support such an approach at this time. They note a high incidence of false positives with such broad testing and caution that such testing could have an adverse impact on the availability of tests and the turnaround time for test results in our local community. As noted, we will continue to adjust our methodology for prevalence testing in light of new developments and as conditions warrant.

The health and safety of our community requires continued strict adherence to our existing safety protocols by everyone. Testing is only one component of our multi-layered approach to promoting the health of the campus community. Please remember to protect our web. Wear your mask and stay six feet apart.

Thank you.

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students,

Today is an important milestone. It’s the first day of classes for the fall semester — a day we have all been preparing for almost since the global pandemic changed all of our lives back in March. Classes are currently in session, both in person and remotely.

As the University of Richmond resumes the in-person, residential educational experience, it is the shared responsibility of the entire campus community — faculty, staff, and students — to follow our important health and safety guidelines.

Wearing a face covering and physical distancing will help us all stay healthy and keep our community safe. It will take all Spiders to respect this responsibility and protect our web. As President Crutcher shared in his email last week, we have an important call to action: “Six feet. Mask up. Protect our web.”

We will safely start and finish the fall semester over the course of 117 days — today to Dec. 18 — only if all faculty, staff, and students understand, accept, and activate our shared responsibility. We are Many Spiders, One Web.

Led by the University’s Health Promotion and Compliance Team, and engaging partners across campus, the campaign outlined below focuses on some of the most important aspects of our health and safety guidelines and five important milestones throughout the fall semester that we look forward to celebrating.

The 117-day campaign reinforces and highlights accountability, action, empowerment, and gratitude. Milestone dates include the following:

September 18 – Our Shared Responsibility
Six feet. Mask up. Protect our web.

Now through Sept. 18, we will focus on our shared responsibility in keeping campus safe and establishing our community’s social norms. Wearing a mask and proper distancing protects the entire web, and these actions showcase respect for our community.

October 9 – Navigating Social Situations
Protecting your web protects our web.

Sept. 19–Oct. 9 will zero in on navigating social situations. The choices we all make in social situations will not only affect our own health, but also the health of everyone we come into contact with.

October 30 – Importance of Contact Tracing
It’s not just about you. It’s about all of us.

Oct. 10–30 will focus on the importance of contact tracing. Contact tracing slows the spread of COVID-19 by letting people know they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and then providing help with testing and support.

November 20 – Being Thankful for Our Healthy Web
Many Spiders, One Web

Ahead of the Thanksgiving break, Oct. 31–Nov. 20 will focus on being thankful and showing gratitude for keeping our web healthy. By committing to the Healthy Web Compact we will keep our campus and each other safe.

December 18 – Carrying Community Home
Your actions make or break our web.

Safely completing the semester will signal that we have all done our part in protecting our web. We will celebrate this major milestone and begin looking forward to the spring semester.

Additional information is available on the COVID-19 response website, and look for more information and specific details about how these achievements will be celebrated via SpiderBytes, emails, campus social media channels, and more throughout the semester.

Of course, it’s important to note that 117 days is just the beginning. While this initial goal focuses on a successful fall semester, our shared responsibility will continue on and off campus for the remainder of this academic year and beyond.

Sincerely,

University of Richmond

Dear Students,

Welcome back! As we prepare to start classes Monday, I feel the excitement and energy of the new academic year. Yet, I also recognize that we all face daunting challenges as we strive to live and learn responsibly with a virus that has disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives. The University has marshaled its resources to the greatest extent possible to promote the health and safety of our shared web. Now it is up to each of us — you, me, faculty, and staff — to take care of ourselves and one another, and to protect our web during our 117 days of on-campus learning.

School reopenings across the country demonstrate that we must embrace our shared responsibility from day one, or we will fail. So, put on your mask, especially when traversing busy walkways and corridors between classes. Stay six feet apart, even in large, open areas such as campus tents and dining spaces. And, kindly, but clearly, remind others to comply with the rules. Even me. None of us is perfect. And all of us need support and encouragement as we learn to adapt to these new behaviors that help keep us healthy.

Speaking up is a powerful way to protect our web, but I know it can be uncomfortable to do so. I encourage you to keep it simple. As I walk or ride my bike across campus, I think, “Six feet, mask up.” This simple phrase reminds me of what I need to do, and you may hear me or others say it aloud if folks need reminding. I encourage you to employ either this phrase or your own creative and respectful approach to inspire your fellow Spiders to embrace our shared responsibility.

The University fully supports you to speak up respectfully, but also to report good faith concerns or questions regarding compliance with our new norms and behaviors. While we encourage you to discuss concerns or questions with your college and student deans (undergraduate, MBA, SPCS, and Law), we also recognize that may not always be an option. If you wish to report concerns anonymously, please use this form, or call the University’s Ethics and Compliance Helpline at 804-287-1800. (For immediate assistance with an emergency, please call URPD at 804-289-8911.) Our goal with these tools is not to be punitive, but rather to help empower community members to preserve community health.

To be sure, our extra precautions can be inconvenient; masks are sometimes irritating to wear; and it is undoubtedly more difficult to socialize with your peers in a world of physical distancing. We will all feel the pull to engage in otherwise typical behaviors that now jeopardize community health, not because we are selfish, but because we are human and find meaning in connection. When you feel the temptation to fall back to pre-COVID-19 behavior, think about how socializing safely will protect you, your friends, and community members, including the families and loved ones of our faculty and staff. Don’t get stuck in quarantine or contribute to an outbreak; let’s have a successful semester.

As we navigate the challenges ahead, please know that the University will be here for you. Thank you for your commitment to caring for yourself and for all your fellow Spiders. And remember: Six feet. Mask up. Protect our web.

Sincerely,

Ronald A. Crutcher
President

Dear Faculty, Staff, Students, and Parents,

As you know, the University of Richmond has been actively planning for the fall semester and continuing to respond to the challenges presented by COVID-19 as we begin the 2020–21 academic year.

Every element of our COVID-19 response has been guided by two fundamental priorities — promoting the health and safety of our community and ensuring an excellent academic experience. Planning teams have considered all federal, state, and local health and safety guidance, including from the Virginia Governor’s Office, the State Council for Higher Education, and public health organizations like the CDC and Virginia Department of Health.

As we welcome our students, faculty, and staff to campus and virtually, we are introducing a new tool to keep you informed. The University of Richmond COVID-19 Dashboard is a source of information to keep you updated on COVID-19 data specifically related to our campus community. The dashboard includes cumulative data about total number of tests, total number of cases, and total number of active cases, as well as information about positivity rates. Additional details and links out to local, state, and national COVID-19 data are also included.

The dashboard will be updated weekly and pulls data from multiple sources to illustrate and track various metrics, which will help inform our continued decision-making related to campus operations. Weekly updates will allow the University to protect the privacy of student and employee information while enabling us to observe and share campus health trends. Students, faculty, and staff will receive a reminder about the availability of new information on the dashboard each Friday in SpiderBytes, our daily digital campus communication.

In addition to this dashboard, the COVID-19 Response website remains a valuable resource for cumulative information about our community standards, health and safety guidelines, and the many steps the University is taking to help reduce the spread, risks, and uncertainties relating to COVID-19.

We thank you for your commitment to keeping our campus community safe. 

Take good care,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students,

We are writing to you during a momentous time in our lives. None of us thought six months ago that the fall semester would begin with students studying both on campus and remotely from around the world. The United States continues to grapple with weighty issues of racism and intersectional oppressions, equity, and social justice, and the world is struggling in the face of so many challenges to the health and wellbeing of individuals and communities.

Never has the idea of community been more important. Community is not only a sense of place, but an action, a coming together in support of a thriving and just community - treating one another with respect and kindness, and helping everyone around us to do the same. We remain dedicated to fostering a campus community that is safe and welcoming for people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities - a campus of compassion, care, and love.

This year, we have the added responsibility to take care of one another as part of a shared web. If you are studying on campus, you have signed and agreed to abide by the Healthy Web Compact. It is vital that we all do our part to help keep the web safe - by wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance, and washing our hands. The actions you take, and decisions you make, will not only affect you, but can impact all those around you. Please take care of yourself, each other, and this place. If you witness behavior that does not follow the Healthy Web Compact, you are encouraged to report it using the form that is located at richmond.edu/compliance/hotline. 

We want you to thrive this year, to be mindful of what works for you, and what helps you be your best self. Please remember to take care of yourself - in mind, body, and spirit, in ways big and small. As you know, there are many resources on campus that can help you — from the College Deans to your academic advisor, from Wellness Coaches to CAPS and Student Health, from the Chaplaincy to University Recreation, and more.

The idea of community as action means taking care of one another; the well-being of each member of our community is the responsibility of everyone. If you see someone who needs help, please help them get help — you can contact our offices, our partners across campus, a hotline, or peer resources. We would also like to remind you of the opportunity to gather together virtually every Friday at 4:00 pm for Sacred Pause, a time to share the sorrows and hopes of our lives and world — all are welcome.

Please be proactive in reflecting upon and discussing our shared values, and doing your best to put those values into action. If you witness or encounter behaviors contrary to these values, as expressed in our mission and regulations, we ask that you reach out to us or one of the many campus resources available.

As the semester starts, we will be offering our full range of student support virtually. We encourage you to contact us to talk about whatever is on your mind, or anything that is important to you. 

Sincerely,

Dean Genoni and Dean Boehman

Dear University of Richmond Students and Families,

I am writing to follow up on the letter I sent last week regarding our Healthy Web Compact. In that letter, I shared the importance of our collective commitment to making our campus as safe as possible. That commitment is shared by all students, faculty, and staff, and reflects our care not only for students, but for all members of our University and city.  The health and safety of our entire campus and surrounding community is our highest priority. 

Given this commitment, I want to ensure your awareness of and be as clear as possible about the disciplinary consequences for violating our Healthy Web Compact. We have developed a set of Interim Student Conduct Policies that outlines our expectations. These policies should be considered with the gathering numbers and regulations as outlined in the various color phases of the University’s Physical Distancing Framework. I will highlight a few of the more egregious violations given the consequences that could have significant implications for your college career.

If you live off campus and host a gathering that violates our safety protocols, you risk automatic suspension from the University for at least one semester. If you live on campus and host a gathering that violates our safety protocols, you will be evicted for the rest of the year. If you attend a gathering of this sort on or off campus you are also at risk of significant disciplinary action.  Other violations of our health and safety guidelines related to physical distancing, contact tracing, and the like could result in being put on formal conduct probationary status.

Since these behaviors involve an immediate risk to the entire campus community, the University may also impose interim actions, such as quarantine, isolation, or revocation of campus privileges.

Please consider this letter as your official notification about these guidelines, since a warning will not be given for a first offense for more significant violations.

My earnest hope is that we will not have to take any of these steps. And I trust each of us will exhibit care, concern, and support for one another during these difficult days. The strength of our web depends on each of us. Thank you for doing your part.        

I wish you well in the few remaining days of summer, and I look forward to seeing you soon.  

Sincerely,

Dr. Steve Bisese
Vice President of Student Development
University of Richmond

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As we draw closer to the start of classes, we want to thank all of you for your tremendous work to prepare to welcome students back to our campus both in person and virtually. We also write to provide an update on COVID-19 testing for faculty and staff and to share information regarding a new COVID-19 tracking app available from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

INITIAL COVID-19 TESTING

The University will provide COVID-19 testing for all faculty and staff who will be teaching or working on campus during the fall semester, on either a full-time or part-time basis. All faculty and staff who will be teaching on campus or coming to campus for business purposes this fall are strongly encouraged get tested, but testing is not mandatory. The testing will be made available at no cost and will be conducted by SecureHealth.

The testing will be conducted on Aug. 26, 27, and 28, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the West Concourse of the Robins Stadium. The testing check-in entrance will be located at Gate 3. Faculty and staff must register in advance for a testing appointment by going to this link: bit.ly/UREmployeeCovidTesting. When registering, please be sure to accurately enter your registration information so that your appointment can be validated upon arrival, which will limit your wait time.

Faculty and staff who wish to be tested must also complete a consent and authorization form. By signing this form, you consent to testing and to providing University officials with access to your test result. The consent and authorization form is available here. Please print and bring a signed copy of this consent and authorization form with you to your appointment. For those who are unable to print the form in advance, we will have hard copies available at the testing location.

Faculty and staff will be notified of the test results when they are available. We expect the results to take at least 48–72 hours, but turnaround time will depend on the capacity of the lab that will run the tests. 

We are also seeking volunteers to help staff the administrative responsibilities associated with the testing. To learn how you can help, please visit bit.ly/UREmployeeCovidTestingVolunteers. Thank you to those willing to volunteer.

PREVALENCE TESTING

As noted in the University’s Return to Work Guide, the University is developing a plan to conduct prevalence testing of students, faculty, and staff. Prevalence testing involves testing of people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been identified as close contacts through contact tracing in order to identify cases of COVID-19. We know that many of you are anxious for details on our plan for prevalence testing, but the public health officials with whom we are consulting regularly have advised us to wait for the results of our initial testing of students, faculty, and staff before designing an effective plan for prevalence testing.

VIRGINIA’S COVIDWISE APP

The Commonwealth of Virginia has developed a new tool to notify people if they are potentially a close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19. COVIDWISE is Virginia’s COVID-19 exposure notification app. You may have already heard about COVIDWISE in the news, as Virginia is the first state in the nation to use the Apple-Google contact-tracing technology built into iPhones and Android phones.

In support of the Commonwealth’s efforts, we have added information about COVIDWISE to our COVID-19 response website.

The COVIDWISE app is a tool that may serve to augment our campus community’s extensive prevention strategies. The app uses Bluetooth Low Energy technology to quickly notify users who have been within six feet of a person who tests positive for COVID-19 for at least 15 minutes and, as a result, may have been exposed to COVID-19. If the app notifies you that you may have been exposed, it will provide further instructions from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) on how to keep you and the people around you safe. VDH notes that the app does not track your location or identity, and it does not store location data.

We ask you to consider downloading the COVIDWISE app on your personal device to contribute to Virginia’s efforts to fight COVID-19. Additional details about exactly how the app works, privacy and security concerns, and much more are available here.

Thank you again for all that each and every staff and faculty member is doing to help safely further the University’s educational mission.

Please take good care.

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Spider parents and families:

My colleagues and I are eager to welcome your students to the University this month. As you know, we’ve been diligently preparing to offer the exceptional educational experience for which Richmond is known, despite our extraordinary circumstances.

Central to our ability to achieve that goal within a safe and healthy environment is establishing a shared set of expectations for all Spiders, outlined in our Healthy Web Compact. We have also asked our faculty and staff to commit to practices and behaviors that research demonstrates will help mitigate health risks within the campus community.

Below is a letter addressing the importance of our Healthy Web Compact and the commitment it represents, recently sent to your student from Dr. Steve Bisese, Vice President of Student Development. I hope you will read this letter and find an opportunity to discuss it as a family before your student returns to campus. As you know, the mission of the University of Richmond is to prepare students for lives of purpose and responsible leadership. The Healthy Web Compact embodies this mission.

To be sure, we understand that the behavioral changes the pandemic necessitates will be hard for your students, and indeed, for all of us. The University is working to ensure students will have mental health support and social activities adapted to our current realities.

Thank you for all you are doing to help prepare your students for this most unusual year, and the support you will provide to them from a distance as we navigate the semester together. You, too, are an important part of our Web, and working together, we will make this the best year possible for all of us.

Sincerely,

Ronald A. Crutcher
President

Greetings from the SpiderShop,

As preparations are well underway for campus to come to life again, I wanted to send you some important information on how the SpiderShop is handling textbook purchases this semester. In order to keep our staff safe and be able to adhere to physical distancing guidelines set forth by the University, the SpiderShop will only be selling textbooks online. Orders can be placed at www.urspidershop.com. Please be sure to chose the textbook reservation option at checkout.

When you return to campus, you will find that we have a SpiderShop branded trailer located on the forum between Gottwald and Heilman Dining Center. This is where we will be handling our textbook pickup, starting Monday August 17. The trailer will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please plan accordingly to pick up your books during those hours. We will not be able to fill any orders in the store or ship to your University post office box. We will also have a small selection of school supplies available for sale at the trailer.

If you live locally but cannot make it to campus during those hours, we can ship your books to you at no cost if your order is over $75. If it is under $75, ground shipping rates will apply. If you have chosen “online learning,” please let us know in the comment section of the checkout page, and if we have digital versions of University printed course packs, we will send them to you digitally versus printed.

The main store will be opening soon for purchases not related to course materials. We will, however, be limiting the number of customers in the store at one time. There is a chance that we will have to ask you to wait outside of the building or return at another time. There will be other changes to the store, all in the name of keeping everyone safe. Please keep in mind that all dates and times listed are subject to change based on the directives coming from the University.

We very much look forward to seeing you all on campus. We are here to help, so if you have questions about your books or any of the changes to the store or campus, please reach out to us either by phone or email.

Be well and travel safe, 

Liz St. John
SpiderShop Director

We hope this email finds you well. We are writing because you have chosen to study remotely for the fall semester. We are looking forward to the fall, with students joining us both in person and from locations around the world. In this letter we are providing some details and information, and we also wanted to take a moment to remind you that while you are studying remotely we will continue to provide support and guidance to you and all members of our global Spider community.

By now you have registered for classes. If you continue to change your schedule during general registration through the add/drop period, please remember that you may enroll in courses offered in either an online or in-person format, with the exception of a few classes that cannot be conducted in a remote format; these few courses are clearly noted as such in BannerWeb. We would also like to add that, whenever possible, we recommend that you try to select online courses, as professors who are teaching fully remote classes have adapted syllabi and class content specifically to this mode of instruction. Please also remember that you must participate synchronously in all classes, meaning you must attend at the time the class is taught, so please consider any differences in time zones when you select your courses. If you are a first-year student studying remotely and you have not yet selected a First-Year Seminar, please contact us as soon as possible, and we can help you register in available spaces in an FYS.

As you prepare for this semester, please remember that you will need reliable internet service, a computer with a camera and microphone, and access to Zoom, both to attend and participate in classes and for advising and other support meetings. You can refer to the Learn Remotely Checklist for additional information on technology needs for remote learning. If you have questions about or difficulties obtaining the technology needed for remote learning, please contact us for assistance.    

Please make every effort to order course materials and textbooks as soon as possible to ensure they are delivered to you before the first day of class. The UR SpiderShop can ship books directly to you. Their website contains course listings and associated textbooks for purchase, and also provides information about electronic versions and external sellers, so that you can determine the best option for you. Course listings are updated frequently as professors finalize syllabi, so if you do not see your classes listed, please check back regularly. Please also note that for some courses all reading materials will be provided online, as PDFs on Blackboard or online resources, and thus these courses will not have materials you will need to order. Boatwright Memorial Library stands ready to assist students studying remotely and has developed their own FAQ page.    

A few notes about the spring semester: information regarding spring housing will be available in October, and registration for the spring will be held in late October. In addition, first-year and transfer students will participate in a spring New Spider Orientation program, to continue to welcome you and help you get settled and acclimate to life on campus. 

This fall our remote student community is truly global, with students living within just a few miles of campus and all around the world. It is important to know that, as a remote student, you may not live on or have access to campus. This requirement is in the interest of the health and safety of the campus community, as you will not be participating in the University’s COVID-19 testing programs or daily health screening requirements. If you nonetheless think that you have a need to be on campus for any reason, please contact us to discuss your request. 

You will, of course, continue to have access to the full range of student support services, resources, and student life programming. We, your deans, are happy to speak with you by phone, Zoom, or another method that works for you, as are your other advisors and mentors. In addition, information about online and virtual programs can be found by contacting offices directly, including tutoring in the Academic Skills Center, Academic Advising, and Career Services. The Center for Student Involvement can help students connect to campus clubs and activities that are available remotely. Please also look for the “Spider Support” option on Blackboard, to find information and resources on myriad topics. Additional services and information are being added as we near the start of classes, so please check back frequently for updates. In particular, we encourage you to continue to look at the Remote Study FAQs website, since new content is added frequently. 

There are some remote student employment positions available, should you wish to have a University of Richmond job while studying remotely. Please be aware there may be complexities related to student employment based on where you are residing and whether or not you have worked on campus in the past. Job listings can be found at https://studentjobs.richmond.edu/, and a virtual job fair will be announced early in the semester. 

You will hear more from us, as you do at the beginning of every semester, so please keep your eye out for future emails. As you look at the information available and plan your semester, please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. As always, it is a joy to be your deans, and we look forward to our new semester together. 

With Spider Pride,

Dean Boehman and Dean Genoni 

Dr. Joe Boehman, Dean of Richmond College
RCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8061 

Dr. Mia Reinoso Genoni, Dean of Westhampton College
WCDean@richmond.edu
(804) 289-8468

Dear UR Students,

As Vice President for Student Development, I oversee twelve offices that have been working diligently to prepare for your arrival on campus. We are so excited to welcome you for the semester. And yet, we all know the year ahead will be unlike any other and will require our very best efforts inside and outside of the classroom.

One of our core values as a Richmond community is that we care for one another. Now, more than ever before, our belief in this value will be on full display. The coronavirus has made clear what we have always known, our health and well-being depend on every member of our community. We are indeed all part of the same web.

Sending students home to finish the semester remotely last spring was devastating for all of us, but especially for our seniors who were not able to experience the great joy of goodbyes, celebrations, and well-deserved recognitions. Completing this year on campus will require diligence and perseverance, and when we do, we will all be justly appreciative and proud.

And that is why we are requiring all students to sign the healthy web compact before beginning the semester. A positive semester on campus depends on every one of us following health and safety guidelines and maintaining a commitment to the continued well-being of our community.

To be clear: activities such as hosting or attending on or off campus parties or gatherings that violate our shared responsibilities will represent a serious violation of our compact and have significant disciplinary consequences. Breaking the compact will also result in having to isolate for 14 days, significantly disrupting the semester. Even more significant than discipline and isolation, however, will be breaking trust with our community by risking the well-being of others. Even as we are all excited to see one another and begin our semester, strict adherence to safety protocols must begin immediately upon your return to campus.

There is great cultural cynicism about the ability of college students to place the health and safety of others before their own desires. I see it differently. Together we have an opportunity to rise to our best selves, to make small personal sacrifices to ensure the well-being of others, and thus to care for each other during difficult times. That’s what the Richmond Web means. We are bound together as Spiders.

So, please do your part. Don’t break our Web. Instead, make it stronger.

Have a wonderful rest of the summer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students and Families,

We write to provide an important update on the initial COVID-19 testing for all degree-seeking students who will be taking classes on campus this fall. Students who plan to study remotely during the fall semester and will not be on campus for other reasons may disregard this message.

REGISTRATION FOR INITIAL TESTING

All students should have registered for testing. Students should report to the west concourse of Robins Stadium at their designated time. If you have not yet done so, please do so as quickly as possible.

• Residential students will be able to sign up for testing and a move-in appointment on StarRez, our online housing software tool.
• Undergraduate students who do not reside on campus must schedule a time for testing by August 10, 2020, using this form.

CONSENT TO TESTING AND AUTHORIZATION TO RELEASE TEST RESULTS

All students undergoing COVID-19 testing must sign a COVID-19 Screening and Testing Authorization for Release of Testing and Screening Results at least three days prior to their scheduled testing date. The Screening and Testing Authorization for Release of Testing and Screening Results is available in the Student Health Portal and may be signed electronically. The parents and guardians of students under the age of 18 will receive the Screening and Testing Authorization for Release of Testing and Screening Results by email with instructions on how to execute and upload the signed document to their student’s portal.

EXEMPTIONS FROM TESTING

A student may be exempted from initial COVID-19 testing under the following circumstances:

• The student will be studying remotely during the fall semester and will not be on campus for other purposes (e.g., use of the library or recreation center);
• The student has a negative viral PCR test administered no more than 72 hours prior to arrival and provides a copy of the lab report upon arrival at the Robins Stadium testing location; or
• The student had a positive viral PCR test for COVID-19 not more than 90 days prior to arrival on campus, has completed their isolation, and provides a copy of the lab report upon arrival at the Robins Stadium testing location. Students who have a positive test within 10 days of arrival on campus should not come to campus until: (1) they have no fever, defined as less than 100 degrees F, for at least three days (that is 72 hours of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers, such as Tylenol, Motrin, aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, etc.); (2) other respiratory symptoms have improved (for example, cough or shortness of breath); and (3) at least 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared or they have and provide documentation of two negative COVID-19 PCR viral tests done at least 24 hours apart.

We look forward to welcoming you back to campus and are grateful for your prompt attention to completion of the Screening and Testing Authorization for Release of Testing and Screening Results.

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Patrick Benner
Director of Residence Life & Housing

Dear University of Richmond Students,

As we prepare to reopen the University of Richmond campus, all faculty, staff, and students are required to complete an online educational module about COVID-19 and the University’s health and safety protocols.

The purpose of this training is to provide you with the information you need to live, work, and learn in the now normal coronavirus environment while maintaining your health as an individual, and the health of our community. After all, we are Many Spiders, One Web.

You can access and complete the training, in approximately 15 minutes, before returning to campus here.

More details about our health and safety plans are available on the COVID-19 Response site.

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Staff and Faculty,

We write to provide you with an update regarding the University’s approach to safely reopening the campus for the fall semester. Our top priority remains promoting the health and well-being of all students, staff, and faculty, which continues to inform our decision-making and planning. It is a shared responsibility to keep our campus community safe in the months to come.

HEALTHY WEB COMPACT AND COVID-19 EDUCATION

Taking care of ourselves, each other, and the University requires the full attention and daily dedication of everyone. All faculty and staff members will be required to complete an online educational module about COVID-19 and the University’s health and safety protocols. As part of that online education, all faculty and staff will be asked to commit to the Healthy Web Compact to demonstrate their shared responsibility for the health and safety of the Spider community. The online education will available in Talent Web later today.

ARRIVAL OF STUDENTS ON CAMPUS

>More of our talented students will begin returning to campus Monday, Aug. 10. Part of the methodical campus arrival process allows for every student who will be taking classes on campus this fall to be tested for COVID-19. The move-in process will begin Aug. 10 for residence and orientation advisors and other students who need to return to campus early. First-year and transfer students will have staggered move-in dates Aug. 14–16 and upper-class students will move in Aug. 19–21. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 24.

RETURNING TO CAMPUS AND WORKING REMOTELY

We extend our sincere gratitude to all of you who have worked so diligently on campus all summer to prepare for the return of students and sustain the important operations of the University. We also want to acknowledge many of you who graciously adjusted to working remotely and have remained busy preparing to teach and provide support to our students this fall.

We anticipate that the University will remain in the Red Stage of our Physical Distancing Framework at the beginning of the semester in which employees are expected to work remotely to the fullest extent possible. With the return of students to campus, however, essential work will involve an in-person presence. Offices and departments should develop schedules that ensure in-person support necessary to fulfill our residential educational mission while continuing to support as much remote work as is practicable.

SUPPORT FOR CHILD CARE AND RESOURCES FOR CHILD AND ELDER CARE

In order to address the challenges that parents and caregivers are facing, the University will contribute $1,200 to a tax-free spending account for all regular full-time employees with children 12 years old and younger. These monies may be used to help offset child care expenses incurred between Aug. 10 and Nov. 30, 2020. We understand that finding daycare services will be more difficult than usual, and to help address that problem, the University will also provide for all regular full-time employees access to Care.com, a national network of child, elder, pet, home, and other care providers, which has an extensive network of providers in the Richmond region. Care.com will help regular full-time employees of the University identify vetted day-care providers. Look for more information from Human Resources about how to access these programs in the upcoming weeks.

RETURN TO WORK GUIDE

A Return to Work Guide has been developed to provide you with details pertaining to the extensive steps the University has taken to mitigate health and safety risks and to inform you of the steps all of us must take every day to take care of ourselves, our fellow colleagues, and our students. The workplace policies and expectations described in the Return to Work Guide are aligned with the University’s reopening plan, which was certified by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia earlier this month. Thanks to the incredible work and contributions of so many staff and faculty since the University transitioned to remote instruction in March, the University has been able to comprehensively prepare for delivering on our signature educational mission during the upcoming fall semester. Of course, if conditions on campus or within our community require the University to move to full or partial remote education in the fall, the University is prepared to do so.

It is important to note that a message addressing student behavioral expectations and requirements was sent to all students on July 20 by Vice President for Student Development Steve Bisese. A shared commitment to individual and community well-being among all students, faculty, and staff is essential for a safe and successful semester. Selected key aspects of the Return to Work Guide are summarized below:

HEALTH AND TEMPERATURE SCREENING FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

The University will require all faculty and staff to begin monitoring their health and temperature on a daily basis beginning Aug. 10 and document their efforts by responding to a daily email provided by Human Resources. Certain departments will also continue their practice of daily in-person temperature and health screenings. Please refer to the Return to Work Guide for more information on Health and Temperature Screenings.

COVID-19 TESTING FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

The University has updated its plan for testing of faculty and staff.

Initial Testing. The University strongly encourages all faculty and staff who will be teaching or working on campus this fall to be tested for COVID-19. We are fine tuning details on a plan for initial testing for those faculty and staff who will be teaching or working on campus in the fall. We will be sharing additional details as soon as we finalize details and carefully consider all available options.

Symptomatic Testing. Faculty and staff who experience symptoms of COVID-19 while on campus will have the option of seeking care from their own health care provider or scheduling an appointment with the on-campus testing clinic where they can have a telehealth visit with a health care provider from BetterMed urgent care.

Prevalence Testing. The University is developing a plan to conduct prevalence testing of students, faculty, and staff. Prevalence testing involves testing of people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 and have not been identified as close contacts through contact tracing in order to identify cases of COVID-19.

There is much more information in the Return to Work Guide, including additional details on the topics mentioned above, plus information on personal health and safety guidelines; workspaces; meetings; travel; temporary work accommodations; and more. There is also an overview of the incredible work performed throughout the summer to prepare our facilities for an in-residence fall semester.

Thank you for all that each and every staff and faculty member is doing to help safely further the University’s educational mission.

Please take good care.

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Student and Parents,

As we eagerly continue our preparation for our return to in-person, residential education this fall, we write to share with you an update on an important component of our reopening plan.

As noted in our Fall Health and Safety Reopening plans, all students will be required to compete a daily health and temperature screening through an online platform, which will launch tomorrow, July 31.

Starting tomorrow, all students will receive an email from Qualtrics, the online survey system housing our daily symptom tracking form. We ask that all students begin completing this survey on a daily basis starting 14 days prior to arrival on campus. Students, except remote study students, will be required to complete this daily survey both prior to their arrival on campus for the fall semester and during the fall semester.

We have posted below an example of what the email will look like. Once you complete the survey, you will receive a completion notification with any additional instructions for follow-up based on survey responses.

Hi Student Name,

All UR community members including students, faculty, and staff are required to monitor their health status daily by completing this daily temperature and symptom screening survey. We suggest you follow a daily routine and always respond to these questions first thing in the morning.

Follow this link to the Survey:
Take the Survey

Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser:
www.SampleSurveyURL.com

Thank you in advance for participating in our shared responsibility to keep our web safe.

Additional details about the University of Richmond COVID-19 response are available on this dedicated website.

Sincerely,

University of Richmond

Dear University of Richmond Students: 

As we eagerly await your return to the University of Richmond, I want to share with you more information about our plans for promoting the health and safety of our students and all members of the campus community. I also want to assure you that we are carefully monitoring the conditions in Virginia and across the country. While we are all excited to return to campus this fall, we recognize that the fall semester will be different in many ways from what we have experienced in the past and we must come together as a community to work to address two of the most significant issues of our time — the COVID-19 pandemic and racial inequality highlighted by national events this summer. I believe that the creativity, determination, and ambition of the Spider community will bring us together in new ways to make our campus a more inclusive and equitable place that puts the health and wellbeing of our fellow Spiders at the top of our collective priorities. I cannot state plainly enough or more strongly that in order for the planned return to be successful, the prevailing attitude must be that each of us is responsible for not only our own health and safety but also the health and safety of fellow students, faculty, and staff.

The heart of the Richmond experience is personal care and attention coupled with high impact programming, advising, and mentoring. As President Crutcher has stated: “we have sought to preserve these hallmarks of a Richmond education while making necessary adjustments to conform to public health guidance to promote health and safety.” While things will, of necessity, be different in the fall, students will return to find a campus dedicated to academic excellence, student-centered care, and wellbeing.

THE UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND REOPENING PLAN

On June 11, 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia issued Higher Education Reopening Guidance, which specified 26 components that colleges and universities in Virginia need to address in their plans to reopen campuses. The Guidance also required each college and university to submit their reopening plans to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) for review and certification. The University of Richmond’s plan has been reviewed by SCHEV and has been found to be compliant in containing the 26 required components of the Higher Education Reopening Guidance.

Our Reopening Plan provides detailed information about the many actions we have taken and will take to promote the health and safety of our campus community as we return to in-person education in the fall. For example, the Reopening Plan describes the University’s Physical Distancing Framework and how areas like dining will be modified to support physical distancing. The Reopening Plan provides detailed information on the requirement for wearing face coverings, our plans for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and providing isolation and quarantine housing for students. It also includes information on our cleaning and disinfection practices and the engineering controls that we are installing in campus buildings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including the installation of UV-C filters and bi-polar ionization within the air handling systems.

Our commitment to the wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff has caused the University to allocate significant financial and other resources to prepare for the reopening of our campus. I am grateful to the many faculty and staff members who have worked tirelessly to develop our plan. I strongly encourage all students and parents to review our Reopening Plan before returning to campus.

THE HEALTHY WEB COMPACT

All Spiders — every student, faculty, and staff member — play a vitally important role in protecting the health of our campus community — what we affectionately call our web. We will be asking all Spiders to act in a way that promotes and protects our web. The choices you make about physical distancing, wearing a face covering, and even washing your hands will have consequences for everyone you come in contact with — friends, professors, staff members, and even your families back home. I cannot stress enough how important it is that each of us takes individual and collective responsibility to take care of one another.

In support of this shared responsibility, all students who wish to return to campus in the fall must sign and abide by the Healthy Web Compact. The Compact provides an overview of the actions all Spiders need to take to ensure the safety of our web. These steps include daily health checks, practicing physical distancing, wearing a face covering, and letting University officials know if you are not feeling well. You can sign the Healthy Web Compact electronically by using this link. If you are under 18, please print the Healthy Web Compact, ask your parent or guardian to sign it, and return it to us following the directions provided here. 

We are also instituting interim student conduct policies to help encourage students to abide by the Healthy Web Compact, the Physical Distance Framework, and other health and safety policies and protocols. Please become familiar with these interim policies when they are posted to our website, as they are a reminder that there will be consequences for putting the health and safety of others in jeopardy. 

PREPARING TO RETURN TO CAMPUS

Pre-Arrival Health and Temperature Monitoring

We want to make sure that students are healthy and well when they return to campus. As a result, all students must monitor their temperature and symptoms for at least 14 days prior to arrival on campus. Information about a health monitoring online platform designated by the University to record this information will be made available in the coming days.

For your own health and wellbeing and that of other students, faculty, and staff, all students are asked to reduce potential exposure to COVID-19 by avoiding large crowds and gatherings, keeping a safe distance (at least 6 feet apart) from people outside your family unit, washing hands often and not knowingly coming into contact with a person who has been diagnosed with the virus for at least 14 days prior to returning to campus. 

Any student who has symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to move in until they meet the following criteria:

• No fever, defined as less than 100 degrees F, for at least 3 days (that is 72 hours of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers, such as Tylenol, Motrin, aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, etc.), AND
• Other respiratory symptoms have improved (for example, cough or shortness of breath), AND
• At least 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared or two negative COVID-19 PCR viral tests done at least 24 hours apart 

If family members or persons assisting with move-in have experienced any of the above outlined symptoms, they are not permitted on campus.

Everyone is expected to follow CDC guidelines.

We will all have to adjust to new ways of socializing due to the importance of physical distancing. Staff in student life are committed to developing social activities that follow these health and safety guidelines.

What to Bring and What Not to Bring to Campus

Students should make sure they bring the following items with them to campus:

• A thermometer to conduct daily temperature screenings;
• We will provide each student with two cloth face coverings, but students should also bring at least two with them;
• Hand sanitizer;
• Fever-reducing medication;
• Allergy medication (if necessary); and
• Disinfecting cleaning supplies for rooms and private bathrooms.

In order to maintain physical distancing in student residences, students should not bring furniture or large items that will reduce floor space in rooms. For more information visit the Move-In Guide. 

TESTING UPON ARRIVAL ON CAMPUS

All full-time, degree seeking students will be required to be tested for COVID-19 prior to the start of classes. The University has engaged SecureHealth to administer viral PCR tests to full-time degree seeking students upon their arrival on campus. This testing will take place in the west concourse of Robins Stadium, and all students must be scheduled in advance. The University will also have an on-campus location for COVID-19 testing for students throughout the semester. Students will be exempted from this testing requirement if they have and provide documentation of a negative viral PCR test upon arrival, provided that the test is administered no more than 72 hours prior to arrival.

Residential Students

Students who will reside on campus will have staggered times for testing and move-in, as described in the Move-In Guide. Residential students will be able to sign up for testing and a move-in appointment on StarRez, our online housing software tool. Residential students should report to the west concourse of Robins Stadium at their designated time.

The first step in the process will be COVID-19 testing. Following testing, residential students will continue through the move-in process and receive their SpiderCard, a welcome pack, and all necessary information and be permitted to move in to their assigned room. Students are able to remain with their roommate while awaiting test results, but must wear a face covering in their room and practice strict social distancing until their test results are received. The results of the COVID-19 test will be provided to students by the Student Health Center. The time for receiving the results may vary, but we expect to have the results within 48 to 72 hours.

If a student has a temperature or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival at the testing location, they will be instructed to leave campus and quarantine with their family in a local hotel pending the receipt of test results. If that is not possible, those students will be placed in the University’s designated isolation rooms to await test results before taking any further action. Should this be necessary, the student will be provided further information about ordering meals and accessing the on-campus isolation space.

Nonresidential Students

Undergraduate students who do not reside on campus must schedule a time for testing using this form. Students are able to remain with their roommate or apartment mates while awaiting test results, but must wear a face covering in their off-campus residence and practice strict social distancing until their test results are received. The results of the COVID-19 test will be provided to students by the Student Health Center. The time for receiving the results may vary, but we expect to have the results within 48 to 72 hours. 

If a nonresidential student has a temperature or symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrival at the testing location, they will be instructed to leave campus and quarantine at their off-campus residence pending the receipt of test results. Should this be necessary, the student will be provided further guidance.

DAILY HEALTH AND TEMPERATURE SCREENING 

All students will be required to conduct a daily health and temperature screening using an online platform approved by the University. The University will provide more information regarding this online platform shortly. Students will be instructed to contact the Student Health Center if they experience symptoms of COVID-19. 

STUDENT HEALTH CENTER AND CAPS

As with other areas of campus, there will be some changes in the operating plans for the Student Health Center and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), but our focus on accessible student-centered care remains unchanged.

The University’s Student Health Center physicians, nursing staff, and practice manager have been integral to the University’s resilience planning and fall reopening preparation work. In addition to providing and maintaining its standard menu of services for eligible students, the Student Health Center has developed clinical protocols for caring for students exhibiting COVID-like symptoms. The Student Health Center will use its electronic medical record platform for scheduling student appointments and will not permit walk-in visits for students with respiratory illnesses or potential COVID-19 symptoms. Students will be asked pre-screening questions via their electronic medical record portal and appointments will be scheduled in staggered slots to avoid potential contact between symptomatic patients.

The University will have an on-campus location for COVID-19 testing for students referred for testing by the Student Health Center. Any student who has symptoms of COVID-19 or is a close contact with a COVID-19 positive individual will be tested at the on-campus testing clinic.

CAPS will continue to offer a wide range of mental health services to currently enrolled, full-time, degree-seeking students. To promote physical distancing and health and safety, CAPS will offer services through tele-counseling and will supplement traditional offerings with programming and services responsive to the mental health needs of students navigating the pandemic. CAPS will continue to offer counseling services via telehealth and other online support services during the 2020-2021 academic year, as conditions warrant.

For additional information regarding our health and safety plans, please review our Reopening Plan and visit the University’s COVID-19 Response website, and the University’s online Move-In Guide. 

Spiders are known for their resiliency, and for their strength. We are all very proud to be the only university in the United States to have a Spider as our mascot, and to demonstrate that same resiliency. We are all part of one web, and it is up to us to protect it and all the Spiders who enrich, enliven, and sustain the University of Richmond.

We are looking forward with great anticipation to your return.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Spider Community:

I write to inform you that after extensive review and deliberation, the member institutions of the CAA and the A-10 have voted to suspend conference competition for 2020. Announcements of this decision were made by the conferences and by our athletics division earlier today. The CAA is the conference in which our football team competes, while the A-10 is Richmond’s home conference for the fall sports of field hockey, soccer, and cross country. Student-athletes will be able to continue to train on campus according to health guidelines.

These were, of course, terribly difficult decisions for our Athletic Director, John Hardt, and me, along with our conference colleagues, to render. Our student-athletes are many of our finest university representatives, and the scholar-athlete experience is a point of great pride and distinction for our University. Our student-athletes work with incredible resolve and diligence throughout the year to prepare to succeed both in the classroom and in their respective sports. We know that this news is especially difficult for them, and we share their profound disappointment.

The health and safety of all our students, including those who compete in our athletics programs, and our campus community must remain our highest priority as we prepare to return to campus in the fall and begin a new academic year. After extensive consideration, we were not convinced that we could ensure the health and well-being of the community in the context of the many complexities associated with a competitive intercollegiate athletic schedule.

No decision has been made at this time concerning a schedule for resuming Spider athletic competition for our fall sports, although we are actively exploring the possibility of moving some of the fall athletic schedule to the spring. We are eager to return to conference-based competition as soon as we are convinced that we can do so safely. We also look forward to a time when all of us can once again gather together to cheer our student-athletes as they continue the tradition of excellence that is the hallmark of Spider Athletics and the University of Richmond.

Go Spiders.

Sincerely,

Ronald A. Crutcher
President

Dear Staff and Faculty, 

We write today to share with you the University of Richmond’s campus reopening plan. As many of you know, on June 11, 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia issued Higher Education Reopening Guidance which specified 26 components that colleges and universities in Virginia must address in their plans to reopen campuses. The guidance also required each college and university to submit their plans to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). The University of Richmond’s plan has been reviewed by SCHEV and has been found to be compliant in containing the 26 required components of the Higher Education Reopening Guidance. 

Our reopening plan is available on the COVID-19 Response website. It provides detailed information about the many actions we have taken and will take to promote the health and safety of our campus community as we return to in-person education in the fall. For example, the reopening plan describes the University’s Physical Distancing Framework and the changes that are being implemented in classrooms, student housing, and dining to support physical distancing. The reopening plan provides detailed information on the requirement for wearing face coverings and our plans for COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and providing isolation and quarantine housing for students. It also includes information on our cleaning and disinfection practices and the engineering controls that we are installing in campus buildings to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, including the installation of UV-C filters and bi-polar ionization in the air handling systems of campus buildings.

A number of you have inquired about the criteria that the University will use to assess conditions on campus and in the local community and to determine whether it is necessary to transition to remote education and work. The reopening plan includes a list of the metrics that will be actively monitored by the Resilience Working Group and its Situation Management sub-committee as it makes recommendations regarding the operating status of the University. 

We encourage all faculty and staff members to review the University’s reopening plan.

We are continuing to make excellent progress on our preparations for the return of students to our campus in the fall. On July 15, 2020, we conducted the first round of COVID-19 testing for the students who have remained on our campus this summer and a small group of student athletes. Our colleagues in facilities are installing UV-C filters and are preparing for the installation of the bi-polar ionizers in buildings across campus. We have identified locations for 12 tents to be installed across campus. The tents will be available for academic purposes, as dining locations, and for co-curricular planning. They are expected to be in place by August 10, 2020, and we will provide further information on accessing the tents for academic purposes. The modular housing units that will be used for isolation and quarantine are expected to arrive on campus this weekend.

While we are moving aggressively to prepare the campus for the fall, we are also carefully monitoring COVID-19 cases nationally, at the state level, and locally, and we are in regular contact with our local public health officials. While the conditions in Virginia, and especially central Virginia, are much better than in some other states, we recognize that conditions here could change rapidly. We also recognize that the conditions in other states could have an impact on our community. The health and safety of the campus community remains our highest priority, and we will continuously monitor conditions and adjust our plans as necessary to meet changing health conditions.

We remain deeply appreciative of the efforts of faculty and staff during this arduous and unprecedented time as our community collectively works to safely provide its outstanding educational program to our deserving students this fall and throughout the coming academic year.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students and Families,

We are very much looking forward to welcoming students back to campus next month. You received information recently about on-campus housing, the move-in process, and plans the University is developing to support campus health and safety. We write today with information primarily about your academic coursework during the fall semester. The University has developed an approach that maintains the University of Richmond’s commitment to excellent instruction while also mitigating the risk of COVID-19 infection within our campus community.  These adjustments require change to campus routines and at times will be inconvenient, but we are confident that University of Richmond students will contribute to the necessary steps to support a successful on-campus semester. Students will also have the option to complete the academic semester fully online as described below.

As a follow up to the information in this letter, we hope you will also join President Crutcher and others for a Zoom conversation on July 22 at 4:30 p.m. EST. You can register for that conversation here.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

The health and safety of the campus community is our highest priority as we plan for the coming academic year. The University has developed and will continue to develop robust protocols and policies intended to promote the health and safety of all members of the campus community. For 14 days prior to arrival on campus, students are required to monitor their temperature and symptoms and to engage in risk reduction practices, such as avoiding large crowds and gatherings and maintaining safe distance (at least 6 feet apart) from people outside of their family unit. UR is also following the CDC recommendations regarding quarantine after international travel. Students should not come to campus if they are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. All students will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival on campus, and additional testing will be conducted throughout the semester. Students may be exempted from testing upon arrival if they have a negative test result from a test taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival on campus.

We are also closely monitoring national, state, and local COVID-19 trends. At present, Virginia is not experiencing the surge in COVID-19 cases that other states are seeing. We know that our community’s behavior will be essential to maintaining campus health and safety this fall. All students, faculty, and staff will be asked to sign a Healthy Web Community Compact, which is a commitment to following the University’s health and safety procedures and a demonstration of our shared responsibility for the health of the Spider community. The University will circulate the Healthy Web Community Compact and provide more detailed information regarding our health and safety policies and protocols over the next few weeks.   

ACADEMIC CALENDAR 

As previously announced, Fall 2020 classes will begin on August 24. There will be no fall break this year, and students should plan to return home for the semester on Saturday, November 21, or Sunday, November 22. There will be no classes the week of Thanksgiving (Monday, November 23–Friday, November 27). Students will complete the last week of fall classes, November 30–December 4, and the study period and final exams remotely. A small number of students who are unable to return to their home and/or for reasons of visa continuity will remain on campus through the end of the semester and the break. 

MODES OF LEARNING

The University of Richmond is known for its small classes and highly accessible faculty who put student learning first. Faculty are spending the summer preparing for your arrival and carefully considering the best way to deliver an outstanding learning experience under the constraints imposed by the current health situation. There are some subjects and approaches that cannot be accommodated in existing spaces given physical distancing guidelines (e.g., some labs) or that are not suited to the new spaces/safety guidelines (e.g., some language instruction), and these classes will be taught partially or fully remote. In addition, faculty who are at high risk or living with someone at high risk will be teaching their courses remotely. But all of our courses, no matter how they are delivered, will retain the hallmarks of a Richmond education — interactive, student-centered, and personal. In addition, our student support services — such as student involvement, career services, academic skills, counseling and psychological services — will be in full operation.  

While we are eager to reconvene our academic community in person, we recognize that not all students will choose to or be able to return to campus. We are committed to helping each and every student continue to make academic progress, even if they are unable to be in residence this fall. International students face particular challenges this year. Our hybrid approach this fall includes most of our in-person classes also being available to non-resident students who need to study remotely. Students who will not be in residence on campus and wish to take fall term classes remotely may submit a request here.

CLASSROOMS 

To support the health and safety of our community, many classes will take place in larger spaces, and some courses have moved partially or fully remote. Because of the limited number of large spaces available for classroom use, some classes have also changed the time at which they are offered or the building in which they typically meet. Face coverings and physical distancing will be required for both faculty and students in all classrooms.

REGISTRATION

Registration for returning students will begin on Monday, July 20, and will follow the registration rotation schedule here. During this registration period, students may register for up to 5.5 units. Students may view the updated schedule of classes and their current schedule, which include courses for which they previously registered, on BannerWeb beginning Wednesday, July 15. As noted, a number of classes had to be moved to meet physical distancing guidelines. Some classes have been moved online as well; these classes will be marked in BannerWeb. Students will need to review their schedules for potential time conflicts due to these changes and be prepared to rectify the conflicts during the registration period. Additional information and instructions may be found here.

Registration for first-year students will begin on August 3. Additional information about registration and course selection for new students can be found here. 

As our planning work continues, we recognize that conditions may continue to change. We intend to provide the excellent, personalized education for which Richmond is known while protecting our campus community and remaining adaptable and responsive to change. To do this, each of us must commit to the practices and procedures necessary to safeguard community health and to limit the spread of COVID-19. Indeed, every student has a role to play and a shared responsibility for making our fall semester successful and sustainable. Thank you for your commitment to caring for your fellow Spiders and our campus community. We look forward to reconvening the University in this most unusual year.

Sincerely, 

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Members of the University Community,

I write to share with you a letter of support I sent this evening to our international students. The restrictive new regulations proposed this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement are antithetical to our University’s shared values, and we will do everything in our power to protect the ability of our international students to live and learn with us. I am grateful to the many community members who have offered creative suggestions and expressions of care and support as we work together to ensure international students can participate in the full range of learning opportunities offered at the University.

With gratitude,

Ronald A. Crutcher

*****

Dear International Students:

I am writing to you, and will share this message with all members of our community, because of our deep and shared concern about the new regulations proposed this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which would restrict the ability of international students to participate in the full range of learning opportunities offered in the United States. You are valued and integral members of our community, and we will do everything in our power to protect your ability to live and learn with us, even as our nation and the world confront the global pandemic.

During this challenging time, we assure you that the University of Richmond stands with you and is advocating strongly on your behalf. We are working with other universities and with influential educational associations — the American Council on Education, the Institute for International Education, the American Association of Colleges & Universities — as well as our elected representatives, to change these rules. Harvard and MIT late yesterday filed a lawsuit challenging the regulations. All told, the current moment presents a critical opportunity for higher education in the United States to reaffirm its commitment to you, our international students, who bring invaluable and diverse perspectives, dedication to learning, and intellectual energy to our campuses.

Under these new guidelines, the University’s plans for the fall are classified as a hybrid model since we are committed to our signature face-to-face classroom teaching with some online learning. We want the full range of this blended learning experience to be available to you and will continue to do everything we can on your behalf. My own life and career were forever changed for the better through my deep engagement with Germany as a young musician and scholar. You deserve a similarly rich and immersive learning experience at the University of Richmond, and we are proud to have you as Spiders and vital members of our community. 

UR’s Office of International Education will contact you with more detailed information soon, and Dean Merritt and her colleagues will continue to respond to your questions as you make your plans during this difficult time. I am grateful for the many expressions of care and support and creative suggestions from our faculty and staff as we seek to address the current travel restrictions and now these new guidelines, which may still be amended in the next few weeks.

Thank you all for bringing the world to Richmond and enriching campus life. Please know that we are thinking of you and look forward to sharing the best that higher education has to offer, even at such a challenging time.

Sincerely,

Ronald A. Crutcher
President

Dear Students and Families,

Whether we are welcoming you to our campus for the first time as an incoming student or welcoming you back as a returning student, we are excited to be communicating with you about arriving to campus for the fall semester. 

In anticipation of your arrival, our staff in residence life and housing, facilities, dining, and campus operations and services have been working around the clock to ensure a meaningful and inviting experience while also preparing for the physical distancing that is absolutely required to keep our community safe. We know the importance you place on the learning that occurs within a fully residential setting. This letter contains a wealth of important and helpful information. We encourage you to read it thoroughly to ensure that it informs your arrival plans.

PRE-ARRIVAL HEALTH MONITORING AND TESTING AT MOVE-IN 

As the health and safety of our campus community is paramount, all students must monitor their temperature and symptoms for at least 14 days prior to arrival on campus. Information about a health monitoring form or app designated by the University to record this data will be made available in the next few weeks. Any student who has symptoms of COVID-19 will not be permitted to move in until they meet the following criteria:

• No fever, defined as less than 100 degrees F, for at least 3 days (that is 72 hours of no fever without the use of medicine that reduces fevers, such as Tylenol, Motrin, aspirin, ibuprofen, paracetamol, etc.), AND
• Other respiratory symptoms have improved (for example, cough or shortness of breath), AND
• At least 10 days have passed since the symptoms first appeared or two negative COVID-19 PCR viral tests done at least 24 hours apart

If family members or persons assisting with move-in have experienced any of the above outlined symptoms, they are not permitted on campus. All persons are expected to follow CDC Guidelines. 

Upon arrival to campus, each student is required to go through a designated COVID-19 testing area. Following the testing process:

• If a student is asymptomatic, they will continue through the move-in process and receive their SpiderCard, a welcome pack, and all necessary information and be permitted to move in to their assigned room. Students are able to remain with their roommate but must wear a face covering in their room and practice strict social distancing until their test results are received, which may take up to 48 hours.
• If upon arrival a student is symptomatic, they will be instructed to leave campus and isolate with their family. If that is not possible, those students will be placed in the University’s designated isolation rooms to await test results before taking any further action. Should this be necessary, the student will be provided further information about the requirements for appropriate isolation per University guidelines.

As students get settled in their rooms and await test results, a range of dining options will be available. Resident assistants and orientation advisors will reach out to students to touch base and offer support. Students will also be able to enjoy time outside on our beautiful campus while adhering to our campus health and safety guidelines, including wearing a face covering and physical distancing.

More information about the testing process will be made available in the near future as details are finalized. This website contains the most updated information, so we encourage you to check it regularly. 

MOVE-IN DATES, REQUIREMENTS, AND GUIDELINES

In order to maintain the required physical distancing within our residential area, as well as decrease congestion during the move-in and COVID-19 testing process, the University of Richmond has staggered move-in for new and returning students. Students will be able to sign up for a move-in appointment on StarRez, our online housing software tool.

New Students

• Move-in for students participating in transition programs (Roadmap/Endeavor, Multicultural Pre-O, and Appalachian Trail Adventure) will be Friday, Aug. 14, as these programs will begin Saturday, Aug. 15.
• Move-in for entering first-years and transfers will occur Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16.
• Incoming international students should make every effort to arrive to campus Friday, Aug. 14, to provide adequate time for testing on campus, which ends Sunday, Aug. 16. You will be receiving emails from International Education throughout the summer about the international orientation program, including how to participate if you cannot make it to campus by the arrival date. Please contact International Education at international@richmond.edu with questions. 

Returning Students

• Returning students will move in between Wednesday, Aug. 19, and Friday, Aug. 21.
• Returning students will sign up for a time slot based on their residential area, and appointments will be limited for each time slot to increase physical distancing.
• Returning students who have a first-year or transfer sibling may sign up for a time slot at the same time as their sibling by contacting residencelife@richmond.edu to submit a request.
• All continuing international students should plan to arrive on campus no later than Wednesday, Aug. 19, to provide adequate time for testing on campus, which ends Friday, Aug. 21. If your arrival will be delayed beyond this timeframe or you have questions or concerns, contact International Education at international@richmond.edu.

To select a move-in time, all students must sign in to StarRez and complete the Move-In Appointment application that will be available in the top red bar of the webpage. Before signing up for a time slot for move-in, each student must read and accept the Housing Addendum. This step is required for all students. Students who do not accept the housing addendum will not be permitted to sign up for a time slot or complete the move-in process.

Roommates may not move in during the same time slot. Students may sign up for a time slot before they receive their housing and roommate assignment; however, students must coordinate their time slot with their roommates and change their time slot if necessary to ensure they are not arriving at the same time. If necessary, Residence Life and Housing staff will adjust a student’s time slot to ensure appropriate health protocols. If a student needs to change a time slot, please log back into StarRez and choose a new time. Students will be permitted to change their time slot 48 hours in advance of scheduled move-in.

Students will be given three hours to complete their testing and move-in process. Students will register for a one-hour time slot to ensure they have adequate time to get through the testing and check-in process. Following completion of this step, each student will be given two hours to complete the move-in process to their room or apartment. At the end of the two hours, all helpers will need to depart the residential areas to allow for physical distancing. We recognize this time will not allow for immediate decorating of rooms, but room decoration can occur during the period students are awaiting test results.

Early Arrivals

New students will not be permitted to arrive on campus prior to Aug. 14. Returning students will not be permitted to return to campus prior to Aug. 19, with the following exceptions:

• Student athletes approved by Resident Life & Housing and Athletics
• Resident Assistant and Orientation Advisor staff
• Siblings (or students living at the same permanent home residence) if one is a new student

We know we are providing a lot of information and some components of this process require more time for our staff to finalize details. As mentioned above, to further assist students and families, we have created a dedicated website that will be updated as information becomes available. Please be sure to check this site regularly prior to your arrival in August to ensure you have the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the move-in process and amenities that will be open and available to students and families during move-in and orientation.

We appreciate your understanding and commitment to adapting to these policies and procedures. Both the health and safety of our campus and the quality of the residential educational experience will depend on our community coming together with everyone doing their part. In advance, we thank you for your partnership. 

Sincerely,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Patrick Benner
Director of Residence Life & Housing

Dear Staff and Faculty,

As we approach the 4th of July holiday weekend, we write to provide you with an update of the University’s return-to-work expectations for the month of July. For over four months, the University of Richmond community has risen to the occasion with everyone working with empathy, determination, and flexibility so that the University may successfully and inclusively continue to pursue its educational mission. This is an extraordinarily challenging time for higher education in the United States, and the University of Richmond, while better positioned than many colleges and universities, is not insulated from the risks and uncertainties presented by COVID-19. Our campus community has demonstrated remarkable resiliency and we are extremely grateful for your efforts during this continuing challenge.

As you may know, the Commonwealth of Virginia plans to transition to Phase 3 — also called “Safer at Home” — of the Governor’s Forward Virginia plan, beginning July 1, 2020. The University will, however, remain in the Red Stage of our Physical Distancing Framework to provide time to implement the health and safety measures identified through our resilience planning. During the Red Stage, employees are strongly encouraged to work remotely to the fullest extent possible, but some faculty may need to return to campus and division and department leaders may begin to bring back to campus employees whose work is essential to preparing campus for the fall.

In fact, the campus preparation work has picked up over the past two weeks as the University’s outstanding Campus Operations team, working in shifts to accommodate appropriate physical distancing, has begun the immense task of planning for and implementing a wide array of health and safety interventions. This work includes the installation of modular housing units on campus to serve as isolation and quarantine spaces for our students; connecting UV-C and ionizing filters to building air-handler systems; creating signage and physical barriers to encourage appropriate physical distancing; identifying spaces throughout campus that can serve as classrooms; and deploying hand sanitizing and disinfecting wipe stations across campus. The University is remaining in the Red Stage, in part, so that this critically important work can be executed as efficiently as possible.

We are pleased to convey that temperature screening processes have been successfully established for the University facilities, dining, and public safety personnel when they arrive on campus for their work shift. The University is currently working to implement an automated daily health monitoring process that will be required of all faculty and staff for the benefit of the entire campus community.

We recognize that some of the University’s non-exempt, hourly employees may continue to experience a reduction in hours worked. We are pleased to confirm that the University will continue to pay regular full, part-time, and limited term non-exempt employees based on their regularly scheduled hours until informed otherwise. Division and department leaders should continue to determine how offices will be staffed and responsibilities fulfilled during July, consistent with the Physical Distancing Framework. Staff should not return to campus unless they have been asked by their supervisor to return.

Finally, we wanted to update you that beginning July 15, approximately 120 student-athletes will return to campus. These students will follow the University and NCAA health and safety guidelines, which include daily health monitoring and temperature screening for 14 days prior to campus arrival; COVID-19 testing and strict physical distancing upon arrival; and participating in small groups for physical conditioning during the first two weeks of being back on campus.

Thank you again for your efforts to support the University during this very challenging time, and we wish you the very best for a restful and safe 4th of July holiday weekend.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Class of 2020,

Congratulations once again on your graduation from the University of Richmond. In the face of unprecedented circumstances, you completed your education with determination and grace. I write to you today with an update on plans for an on-campus celebration of your Richmond graduation and all of your accomplishments.

Class of 2020 Commencement exercises and corresponding graduation weekend activities will take place in spring 2021. Please save the following dates and times:

Saturday, May 1, 2 p.m.
Richmond School of Law

Sunday, May 2, 2 p.m.
Jepson School of Leadership Studies
Robins School of Business

Friday, May 7, 5:30 p.m.
Master of Business Administration

Saturday, May 8, 9 a.m.
School of Professional and Continuing Studies

We are aware that some schools around the country and here in Virginia have promised commencement ceremonies for 2020 graduates this fall. The health and safety of the Spider community, including our graduates and their families, is our top priority. We are implementing significant and rigorous health protocols for the fall semester that include limitations on the size of gatherings, events, and meetings. These protocols preclude us from hosting traditional commencement exercises on campus this fall.

In surveying and talking with members of the Class of 2020, we know there is strong desire for a true weekend celebration, full of the traditions in which you had hoped to participate. We want the Class of 2020 to enjoy all the programs and celebrations we traditionally offer during commencement weekend, and our commencement committee will work hard to make it a very special experience for graduates and their families.

As we continue to finalize our plans please visit commencement.richmond.edu for updates. The health and safety of our community continues to be our top priority, and public health guidance will continue to inform our planning for your commencement events. If conditions change that affect our ability to welcome you back to campus on these dates, we will inform you as soon as possible.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we continue to work to create a safe and healthy home for all Spiders to learn, live, and celebrate. We wish you good health and look forward to welcoming you back to campus next spring.

Sincerely,

Ronald A. Crutcher
President

Dear Faculty and Staff, 

As noted in President Crutcher’s letter last week, the University is planning to resume in-person instruction and our residential educational experience this fall. Given this news and the release of reopening guidelines from Governor Northam for institutions of higher education in Virginia, we are pleased to share with you our next steps.

RED STAGE OF PHYSICAL DISTANCING FRAMEWORK

The University remains steadfast in our commitment to the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.  In accordance with Phase Two — also called “Safer at Home” — of the Governor’s Forward Virginia plan, beginning on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, the University will formally initiate the red stage of our Physical Distancing Framework. During the red stage, employees are strongly encouraged to work remotely to the fullest extent possible, but division and department leaders may now begin to bring back to campus employees whose work is essential to preparing campus for the fall.

Division and department leaders will continue to determine how offices will be staffed and responsibilities fulfilled during this stage, consistent with the Physical Distancing Framework. Employees should not return to campus unless they have been asked by their supervisor to return. Faculty and staff who may be at high risk for COVID-19 as defined by the CDC are encouraged to request an accommodation by completing the Request for Modified Work Arrangement form. 

GOVERNOR’S REOPENING GUIDELINES 

The Governor has announced specific guidelines for Virginia’s college campuses, acknowledging that reopening higher education in a safe and sustainable manner is a statewide priority.

Campuses opening throughout the Commonwealth must:

• Continue to follow the phases of the Virginia Forward plan outlined by the Governor
• Meet health criteria outlined by public health officials, including enhanced social and physical distancing, cleaning measures, and efforts to mitigate infection spread
• Address the health needs and special circumstances of students, faculty, and staff
• Submit a comprehensive reopening plan to the State Council of Higher Education that considers the population of the campus and outlines plans for monitoring, detecting, and addressing infection

The University of Richmond will work closely with the Virginia Department of Health, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and local health departments to ensure adherence to these guidelines and will be submitting our plan for reopening to SCHEV in the coming weeks. Details of our health and safety plans are available at http://www.richmond.edu/coronavirus.

As our community plans for this transition, the health and safety of the campus community will remain our primary concern and a successful semester will require a shared commitment from all of us. We appreciate your support, collaboration, and resilience, and will continue to keep you updated on developments as our planning continues.

Stay well,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students,

The University of Richmond has continued to engage in careful and comprehensive planning in recent weeks as we prepare to reopen our campus and begin the new academic year. Our planning is guided by two fundamental priorities: promoting the health and safety of our entire campus community and ensuring an excellent academic experience for you. Today, I write you to share important updates about our plans for the fall semester.

FALL SEMESTER

I am pleased to affirm that the University intends to resume in-person instruction and the residential educational experience at the beginning of the fall semester, as originally scheduled. Consistent with the published academic calendar, fall semester classes will begin August 24 and the semester will end December 18. We are, however, making two important modifications to the academic calendar, informed by public health guidance. Fall Break will be eliminated and in-person courses and student residency will end prior to Thanksgiving. The final week of classes and the study and exam period will occur remotely after Thanksgiving.

More specifically, our plans are as follows:

• In-person classes will conclude on Saturday, November 21.
• Students will move out of campus housing following their last in-person class in order to return home prior to Thanksgiving.
• There will be no classes the week of Thanksgiving (Monday, November 23 to Friday, November 27).
• Classes will resume remotely on the Monday after Thanksgiving (November 30).
• Classes conclude for the fall semester on Saturday, December 5.
• Reading days and the exam period will be held remotely from December 6–15. Please see the official academic calendar for more detail.

As always, provisions will be made for students who cannot return home at Thanksgiving or between semesters, overseen by the Richmond and Westhampton College deans’ offices. No decision has been made at this time about the spring calendar.

Let me offer some additional information on issues that I know are important to you, and, indeed, crucial to the success of the coming academic year: academic life, student housing, our robust health and safety planning, and the new norms that we all must adopt given the continued presence of COVID-19. 

Academic Life

The University of Richmond is known for dynamic instruction in small classes organized around robust discussion, group problem-solving, and personal faculty attention. In our planning, we have sought to preserve these hallmarks of a Richmond education while making necessary adjustments to conform to public health guidance to promote health and safety.

All in-person classes will be assigned to a classroom that allows for appropriate physical distancing. Some classes will need to be rescheduled to provide an appropriately sized room. To that end, the University will hold classes at all available times (including evenings) and days of the week, as well as convert many campus spaces that have traditionally been used for other purposes to academic classrooms.

Our faculty, where possible, will offer classes simultaneously in person and remotely for students who are high risk for COVID-19 and wish an accommodation or need to be out of class due to illness or quarantine. Students who are high risk for COVID-19, as defined by the CDC, may request an accommodation by completing the University’s request for disability accommodations. Finally, some classes, such as those taught by faculty who are at high risk for COVID-19, will only be offered remotely (and will be noted as such in the online catalogue).

Residential Life

In addition to resuming on-campus instruction and safeguarding the health of our community, we also set a goal of safely housing as many students on campus as possible, given the University’s commitment to offering a meaningful residential education experience. After carefully analyzing whether our residence halls have the capacity to allow for necessary physical distancing, we have determined the University is able to offer its customary residential experience in a manner consistent with public health guidelines. All students who registered to live on campus this fall will be able to do so.

In the majority of cases, students’ original room assignments will remain unchanged, since nearly all our rooms, apartments, and suites have sufficient square footage to allow for full occupancy under the physical distancing guidelines required for residential education. We have, however, eliminated triple rooms and converted them to doubles, while also converting some additional rooms to singles. The Residence Life and Housing Office will work directly with all students affected by these changes, as well as with students who had planned to study abroad in the fall and will now enroll on campus. We are currently evaluating the opportunity for students who had intended to study abroad to reside in a nearby hotel. More information about these plans will be provided to impacted students in July.

In the event that any students contract COVID-19 during the semester, we have secured sufficient residential capacity for isolation and quarantine. These rooms will be on campus in modular units, not within residential buildings. Please know that if you do become ill, the University will be there for you to ensure you receive the proper care and support.

Health, Safety, and Resilience

As we continue to prepare for the fall, I cannot stress enough that the health and safety of the campus community has been of paramount importance in our planning efforts. Ensuring the health of the campus community is a responsibility we all share and will require a shared commitment from all of us as we modify the way we live, learn, and work together.

The University’s Resilience of Operations Working Group, in consultation with an infectious disease specialist and other physicians, has identified complementary interventions to mitigate the campus risks associated with COVID-19. The University will invest aggressively in a series of strategies, which taken as a whole, will augment community health and safety. They include:

• A rigorous and phased Physical Distancing Framework that will apply to all aspects of campus life, including dining facilities, libraries, and classrooms
• COVID-19 testing and contact tracing protocols
• Daily health and temperature screenings for students, faculty and staff
• Plans and resources for isolating students who test positive for COVID-19 and quarantining close contacts, including the provision of health care and the ability to participate in classes remotely
• Clinical protocols for treating COVID-19 and meeting student health care needs in the Student Health Center
• Cleaning and disinfecting protocols consistent with CDC standards
• Plans designed to promote healthy building environments, including enhancements to air handling systems

We will write you throughout the summer with more information about our health and safety measures for the fall, including details about how our Physical Distancing Framework will work in practice. These measures may be eased during the fall if conditions on campus and in the local community permit.

Returning to Campus and Community Life

Appropriate testing and screening protocols will be in place for all faculty, staff, and students. To promote physical distancing, student move-in for all classes will be phased over a period of several days, rather than having all first-year students arrive on campus on the same day, followed by all upper-class students returning on the same day. Other adjustments to daily life will be necessary beyond the classroom precautions outlined above. Campus dining operations and formats, for example, will be adjusted. Cloth face coverings are, at present, required (and may likewise be required in the fall semester) in all buildings, including classrooms, dining facilities, common areas within residence halls, and in outdoor settings where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain. We will provide additional information about returning to campus and community life over the summer.

A Shared Responsibility

We have always been a community of Spiders inhabiting a shared web that connects and sustains us all. That will never be truer than in the coming academic year. Each of us must do our part to take care of ourselves and one another — remaining flexible in ever-changing circumstances, adopting new norms, and adhering to public health requirements that will limit the spread of COVID-19 and protect the most vulnerable among us. This semester will be unlike any other, but the reward for embracing our shared responsibility will be great: a return to our treasured residential and academic community where all members can thrive

Contingency Planning

It is important to note that while we are fully committed to resuming residential education, we understand that public health conditions and the course of the pandemic may change at any time. Should conditions ultimately preclude campus residency, we will be prepared to support the continued academic progress of our students as well as job and internship placements, student activities, clubs, and counseling.

NEXT STEPS FOR STUDENTS

From now through July, you will receive additional information about the fall semester, including: the timeline and process for open registration when students are informed of schedule and classroom reassignments that have been made in order to ensure adequate physical distancing — and will be able to make changes to their schedule; details regarding our anticipated staged move-in process; and for first-year and transfer students, facts about orientation and transition programs. In addition, we will continue to provide information about health and safety measures, including instructions related to screening for COVID-19. And we will continue to confer with a student advisory group on plans for the fall.

In the meantime, we invite you to attend a Zoom-based conversation about our fall plans:

• Incoming student and parent meeting: Wednesday, June 17, at 4:30 p.m. EST
• Returning student and parent meeting: Thursday, June 18, at 4:30 p.m. EST

Incoming students may register for the Wednesday meeting here, while continuing students may register for the Thursday meeting here.

These meetings will be recorded for those who cannot attend live. When you register for a meeting, you will have the opportunity to submit questions. University leaders and I will respond to your questions and discuss the University’s continued planning for the year ahead.

I would like to conclude by reassuring you that all of us are working intently to prepare for a safe and enriching fall semester for our students. Much has already been asked of every member of our community, including our students and their families, and there are surely more challenges ahead. But I know that together we will continue to meet this moment with creativity, determination, generosity, and success — and, once again, demonstrate the distinct and transformative power of a Richmond education.

I look forward to staying in touch with you over the summer and to welcoming our new and returning students in the fall, to an active and vibrant Richmond campus and to another academic year of significant achievement by our students.

Please continue to take good care of yourselves and each other.

 
With best wishes,

Ronald A. Crutcher
President

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

It has been an unbelievably tumultuous spring. In my 43 years of experience in higher education, I have never seen anything like the staggering array of challenges that have coalesced over the past three months. We have experienced the worst public health crisis since 1918; the most severe economic downturn since the Great Depression; and the most widespread civil rights activism since 1968. As we, as a nation, grapple with this moment, I know everyone is experiencing great uncertainty. Among the many hopes we share are a yearning to return to our intellectual home at the University of Richmond to do what we do best: preparing students for lives of purpose and making a difference in our community and beyond.

Today, I write you to affirm that the University intends to resume in-person instruction and the residential educational experience this fall. Consistent with the published academic calendar, fall classes will begin August 24 and the semester will end December 18. We are, however, making two important modifications to the academic calendar, informed by public health guidance. Fall Break will be eliminated and in-person courses and student residency will end prior to Thanksgiving. The final week of classes and the study and exam period will occur remotely thereafter. Please see the official academic calendar for more details.  

We reached these decisions guided by two fundamental priorities: promoting the health and safety of our community and ensuring an excellent academic experience for our students. During our planning process, we considered numerous scenarios and formats to determine how best to adapt to COVID-19 and achieve these priorities. Strongly supported by a number of working groups and more than 75 faculty, staff, students, and administrators, we examined alternatives to the traditional semester format, including block and module structures that would allow students to complete a smaller number of classes on a compressed schedule. We also considered scenarios that would reduce density on campus at any given time. I am grateful to our colleagues for exploring those options in schools and divisions across the University and offering candid assessments. I am also grateful to everyone who participated in discussions, asked questions, and offered feedback at Spiders in the Know, Faculty Senate meetings, and other forums. I am likewise grateful to our student advisory group for their thoughtful input.

The extensive work of our colleagues — enhanced by consultation with faculty, staff, and student leadership; public health experts; the academic deans; members of the President’s Cabinet; and the Board of Trustees — generated two primary findings:

• First, based on the work of the Resilience Group and the best available public health information, we can implement interventions consistent with public health guidance to mitigate risk.
• Second, shifting to a different, unfamiliar academic format for just one year would not serve the quality of our education, would be burdensome for faculty and staff, and should be avoided unless necessary for health reasons.

Consequently, the Contingency Planning Steering Committee and I concluded that our traditional format is the best structure for the University of Richmond at this time — and that, with assiduous planning and the diligence of all of us throughout the semester and academic year, we can return to our treasured residential academic experience while adhering actively and consistently to crucial public health guidance.

The University is known for dynamic face-to-face instruction in small classes organized around robust discussion, group problem-solving, and personal faculty attention. We believe that we can preserve these hallmarks of a Richmond education while making necessary adjustments to promote the health and safety of all in our community. We recognize that these changes will place additional demands on our faculty and staff. Please know how incredibly grateful I am for your dedication, which makes this all possible.

As conveyed in Jeff Legro and Dave Hale’s May 29 update on academic preparations, we will ensure that all classes are assigned to a classroom that allows for appropriate physical distancing. As their message also noted, however, it is still important for faculty to prepare to teach their courses both in person and remotely for several reasons: 

• There will be students who are at high risk for COVID-19 who will need to take classes remotely.
• Other students may need to take classes remotely at some time during the semester because they are in isolation or quarantine or are appropriately staying away from class due to illness.
• We must be prepared for the possibility that the course of the pandemic and public health circumstances may compel us to resume full remote instruction, though we certainly hope that will not be the case.

I am grateful to our Remote Working Group for working to identify and ensure we address challenges and suggestions faculty and students have raised based on their experience this past spring. The University is — and will remain — committed to supporting and equipping faculty and students to succeed in both a remote and blended learning environment. 

Below you will find useful additional information related to next academic year, from teaching preparations and classroom assignments to ongoing contingency planning and health, safety, and resiliency planning. I encourage you to review this information carefully. I also encourage you to read the letter I am sending to students and parents about the fall semester, which can be found here. In addition to information about classes, its key points are:

• Appropriate COVID-19 testing and screening protocols will be put in place. These will include some screening measures that students must implement prior to their return to campus.
• Student move-in for first-year and upper-class students will be phased over a period of several days to facilitate rigorous screening and physical distancing as students return to campus.
• In the event that they are needed, we have acquired modular units that will provide for appropriate isolation and quarantine space for students, outside of the residence halls.

We are emphasizing to students their shared responsibility for sustaining the circumstances that will make residential education and on-campus instruction possible amid the pandemic. We will continue to make clear that students’ adherence to new norms and public health guidance is imperative. That is likewise true of all of us as faculty and staff. Each of us must do our part to take care of ourselves and one another. The year ahead will be different — and at times surely difficult — but the reward of once again being together will be significant.

In all my years in higher education, I have never looked forward more to the beginning of a new academic year. Like you, I am hearing regularly from our students that they are eager to return to campus — and in the case of our first-year students, to take their places in our community and make it their home. And like you, I am excited to help them grow and thrive as we reanimate our vibrant community. Thank you for everything you have done — and will do — to make this fall semester possible. As I wrote to our students, much has already been asked of each of you — and there are surely more challenges ahead — but I know that together we will continue to meet this moment with creativity, determination, generosity, and success.

It is a privilege to be part of this exceptional academic community and to work alongside you daily to advance our shared commitment to academic excellence and the transformative power of a Richmond education.

With best wishes and deep gratitude,

Ronald A. Crutcher
President

FALL SEMESTER

Academic Calendar

Consistent with the published academic calendar, fall classes will begin August 24 and the semester will end December 18. Fall Break will be eliminated and in-person courses and student residency will end prior to Thanksgiving. A decision was made not to start the fall semester earlier than the 24th to allow time for critical health and safety preparations and for international students facing visa and travel hurdles to arrive.

More specifically for traditional undergraduate students, in-person classes will conclude on Saturday, November 21; students will move out of campus housing following their last in-person class in order to return home prior to Thanksgiving; there will be no classes the week of Thanksgiving (Monday, November 23 to Friday, November 27); classes will resume remotely on the Monday after Thanksgiving (November 30); and classes conclude for the fall semester on Saturday, December 5. The full number of instructional days is preserved in this model due to the elimination of Fall Break. Reading days and the exam period will be held remotely; please see additional detail in the full academic calendar. As always, provisions will be made for students who cannot return home at Thanksgiving or between semesters, overseen by the Richmond and Westhampton College deans’ offices. No decision has been made at this time about the spring calendar.

Classroom Assignments

All classes will be assigned to a classroom that allows for appropriate physical distancing. It will be necessary to reschedule some classes to provide the appropriately sized room. The University will use all available times and days of the week to schedule classes, and will convert many campus spaces not traditionally used for class meetings into classrooms.

The University completed an inventory of all existing spaces to determine the capacity for each room in keeping with our physical distancing guidelines. The Registrar’s Office will contact department chairs and schools in mid-June with information about physical distancing arrangements for classrooms and scheduled classes that will need to be relocated. The office will collaborate with departments and faculty to identify the most appropriate teaching spaces for their courses and associated schedule changes. Students will also be advised of the likely need to make adjustments to their course schedules, given changes that are likely to be associated with classroom reassignments. 

Teaching Preparation

Though we are committed to resuming face-to-face instruction in the fall, it will be important for all faculty to be prepared to teach their courses in both in-person and remote formats for several reasons: 1) there will be students who are at high risk for COVID-19 who may need to take classes remotely (and as with faculty and staff, a process will be established for students who are at high risk to request an accommodation); 2) other students may need to take classes remotely because they are in isolation or quarantine or are appropriately staying away from class due to other illness; 3) we must be prepared for the possibility that the course of the pandemic and public health circumstances will compel us to resume full remote instruction.

In preparing syllabi, faculty should also be mindful that for safety reasons our policies this fall will discourage any travel, even local off-campus travel, contingent on conditions and prevailing health guidelines at the time. This will affect Community-Based Learning courses and Sophomore Scholars in Residence courses, among others. 

In preparation for the unique demands of the coming year, the Provost’s Office will continue to augment and communicate to faculty about a variety of development opportunities offered through the Faculty Hub beginning in June. The University is also working to equip as many teaching spaces as possible with the technology needed for faculty to offer simultaneous face-to-face and remote instruction. Additional spaces will be available for small group meetings, office hours, and similar gatherings of limited size in which social distancing protocols can be observed.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR HIGH-RISK FACULTY AND STAFF

Faculty and staff among the groups the CDC has identified as at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19, or who live with someone who is high risk, may request an accommodation. For course planning purposes, faculty were asked to indicate their intention to do so by submitting a form by this past Monday, June 8. Information for staff seeking to request an accommodation will be issued shortly. The University is in the process of developing guidelines for evaluating any COVID-19 related requests from staff and faculty for accommodations. We will provide further guidance to departments, divisions, and schools related to requests of faculty and staff that arise as a result of the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19 while ensuring that the University is able to meet its obligations to our students.

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND RESILIENCE

The health and safety of the campus community is our paramount concern. Promoting the health of the campus community will require a shared commitment from all of us as we modify the way we live, learn, and work.

The University is implementing the best practices identified in the Governor’s phased “Forward Virginia” plan for gradually easing public health restrictions in Virginia, as well as the current recommendations from the University’s Resilience of Operations Working Group. This Group is consulting with an infectious disease specialist and other physicians to identify a range of complementary interventions designed to mitigate the campus risks associated with COVID-19, which, taken as a whole, will promote community health and safety. These include: 

• A rigorous and phased Physical Distancing Framework
• Cleaning and disinfecting protocols consistent with CDC standards
• COVID-19 testing and contact tracing protocols
• Daily health and temperature screenings for students, faculty, and staff
• Plans and resources for isolation of students who test positive for COVID-19 and quarantine for close contacts
• Clinical protocols for treating COVID-19 and meeting student health care needs in the Student Health Center
• Plans designed to promote healthy building environments, including attention to air quality
  
  

Physical Distancing Framework

One key aspect of the University’s resilience planning is a Physical Distancing Framework, a summary of which is available here, and the entire Framework can be viewed here. It provides staged requirements for all key aspects of campus life. Color-coded from red to green, the framework allows physical distancing protocols to be relaxed as the situation improves. The implementation of the framework will correspond, generally, with the Governor’s Forward Virginia plan. We will notify the campus community as we move carefully and deliberately through the stages of the framework based on the conditions and needs of our campus community.

Face coverings

A reminder that effective June 3 and until further notice, the University requires faculty, staff, students, contractors, and visitors on University property to wear a face covering in University buildings, classrooms, common areas of residence halls, and in outdoor settings where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Additional information can be found here. We will procure additional face coverings for faculty, staff, and students for the fall, and students will be required to wear face coverings in the classroom if public health circumstances require.

CONTINGENCY PLANNING

It is important to note that while we are fully committed to resuming residential education, the University must and will continue to plan for the possibility that public health conditions and the course of the pandemic may change at any time. Should conditions ultimately preclude campus residency, either prior to the beginning of the fall semester or during the fall semester, full remote learning would again be the necessary recourse. We certainly hope that will not be the case. Nevertheless, informed by the experience of this past spring, and the valuable perspectives that students and faculty have provided, several working groups are focusing on essential elements of planning for the remote contingency. Their work addresses means to ensure that remote instruction is of the highest possible quality and ways in which the most meaningful student activities can be adapted to a remote environment.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We write to provide an update regarding Governor Northam’s Forward Virginia phased re-opening plan and the University’s continued focus on ensuring the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff.

Governor Northam’s Forward Virginia Guidelines

Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 65, Phase Two of the Governor’s plan will go into effect today for most of Virginia, with the exception of the City of Richmond and the Northern Virginia Region. The Phase Two Forward Virginia Guidelines, Safer at Home, provide guidelines for all business sectors, including best practices for physical distancing, cleaning, and disinfection, as well as enhanced workplace safety. Executive Order 65 encourages institutions of higher education to continue remote learning where practical. Executive Order 65 does permit institutions of higher education to offer in-person classes and instruction, provided an institution complies with all applicable requirements under the "Guidelines for All Business Sectors."

The Impact to the University

The majority of our campus resides in the City of Richmond and, as a result, the University remains in Phase One of the Forward Virginia plan. At this time, the University will remain in the current modified operating status, with employees working remotely to the fullest extent possible. We recognize, however, that a number of you have responsibilities relating to essential functions, research, and facilitating remote learning that cannot be accomplished remotely. We also recognize that the nature of essential functions and critical research will evolve as we move through the summer and begin preparations for the fall. Individual division and department leaders will continue to determine how offices will be staffed and responsibilities fulfilled under the current modified operating status.

Resilience of Operations

As our community plans for a transition back to work and residential education on our campus, the health and safety of the campus community is our paramount concern. Promoting the health of the campus community will require a shared commitment from all of us as we modify the way we live, learn, and work.

The University is at work implementing the best practices identified in the Forward Virginia guidelines for Phase Two, as well as the current recommendations from the University’s Resilience of Operations Working Group, which is consulting with an infectious disease specialist and other physicians to identify a wide variety of complementary interventions designed to mitigate the campus risks associated with COVID-19, which, taken as a whole, will promote community health and safety. These include:

• A rigorous and phased Physical Distancing Framework
• Cleaning and disinfecting protocols consistent with CDC standards
• COVID-19 testing and contact tracing protocols
• Daily health and temperature screenings
• Classroom space configured to provide six feet of space between students and a larger buffer area between the faculty member and the students
• Plans and resources for isolation of students who test positive for COVID-19 and quarantine for close contacts
• Clinical protocols for treating COVID-19 and meeting student health care needs in the Student Health Center
• Plans designed to promote healthy building environments, including the enhancements to air handling systems

A Physical Distancing Framework has been developed for the University and will serve to guide our approach to gradually resuming operations on campus. A summary of the Physical Distancing Framework is available here, and the entire Framework can be viewed here.

The Physical Distancing Framework provides staged requirements for all key aspects of campus life. Color-coded from red to green, the framework allows physical distancing protocols to be relaxed as the situation improves. The implementation of the framework will correspond, generally, with the Forward Virginia phases, but we will move in a careful and deliberate manner through the stages of the framework based on the conditions and needs of our campus community.

We are finalizing the implementation of those measures needed to begin adjusting the University’s modified operating status and work within the Red Stage of the framework. We will notify the campus community when we commence the Red Stage and as we move through the subsequent stages of the framework.

We appreciate your continued patience, support, and resilience as our campus community adjusts to the evolving circumstances presented by COVID-19.

Stay well,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Across the University, in each of the schools, and in every division, you have done what is needed to assist our students in getting the best education possible and prepare for lives of purpose. Thank you for that and for all the effort and concern you are contributing to address this incredibly demanding situation.

Today we write to share information and guidance regarding academic matters and necessary preparations related to the upcoming year in order to address some of the uncertainty and questions we now face. While we continue to consider three broad scenarios for the fall — fully residential, fully remote, and hybrid — the University aims to complete a full academic year on campus, if this is possible consistent with our commitment to health, beginning in fall 2020. Our labors and attention now will be critical to meeting the challenges the University will face in the coming year and continuing to provide our students with an extraordinary education, even in these new circumstances. We will be sustained by our commitment to our students and the supportive collaboration that has strengthened our community to respond to the effects of COVID-19.

CAMPUS HEALTH AND SAFETY

As the University plans for a return to residential education in the fall, the health and safety of faculty, staff, and students is our primary consideration. In consultation with infectious disease and health care experts, the University’s Resilience of Operations Working Group is identifying a wide variety of complementary interventions designed to mitigate the campus risks associated with COVID-19, which, taken as a whole, will support community health and safety. The University is working to implement, among other things:

• Rigorous and phased physical distancing guidelines
• Cleaning and disinfecting protocols consistent with CDC standards
• COVID-19 testing and contact tracing protocols
• Daily health and temperature screenings
• Classroom space configured to provide six feet of space between students and a larger buffer area between the faculty member and the students
• Plans and resources for isolation and quarantine of students who test positive for COVID-19 and close contacts
• Clinical protocols for treating COVID-19 and meeting student health care needs in the Student Health Center
• Plans designed to promote healthy building environments, including cleaning and disinfecting protocols

Face coverings: Although Governor Northam’s May 26 Executive Order regarding cloth face coverings does not apply specifically to higher education, we will begin to require wearing cloth face coverings. We have ordered cloth face coverings for those faculty and staff currently working on campus and for those students currently residing on campus. We will provide additional information regarding the effective date and requirements for wearing cloth face coverings and how to obtain a cloth face covering in the next few days through a SpiderByte message and via the COVID-19 webpage. We will procure additional face coverings for faculty, staff, and students returning in the fall, and students will be required to wear face coverings if so designated by public health and University guidelines.

There have been many questions about ordering COVID-19 supplies. Please know that the Resilience of Operations Working Group is the sole University entity tasked with planning, procuring, and appropriately distributing necessary health supplies and equipment, including hand sanitizer; cloth face coverings for students, faculty, and staff; and PPE for health care providers and other designated staff. The sourcing and purchasing of COVID-19 supplies and equipment will be done centrally by the University’s COVID-19 Procurement Team. We will continue to provide updates to the campus community on health and safety plans and policies.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR HIGH RISK FACULTY AND STAFF

The CDC has identified groups of people who are high risk for serious illness from COVID-19. Faculty and staff who are at high risk for complications from COVID-19 or who live with someone who is high risk may request an accommodation. For purposes of scheduling classes for the fall semester, faculty who wish to request a high-risk accommodation should complete the attached form by Monday, June 8, 2020. The University will provide the same form to staff members who wish to seek an accommodation later in the summer. The University is also in the process of developing guidelines for evaluating any COVID-19 related requests from staff and faculty for accommodations.

We will provide further guidance to departments, divisions, and schools related to requests of faculty and staff that arise as a result of the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19 while ensuring that the University is able to meet its obligations to our students.

TEACHING PREPARATION

Though we are preparing to provide face-to-face instruction in the fall, faculty should also be preparing to teach their courses in a remote format. After such a challenging spring, this is a hard pivot, but as President Crutcher has noted, this will be a summer like no other.

If we are fully residential in the fall, there is still a need to prepare to teach beyond simply face-to-face residential instruction. For example, even in a full residence scenario there will be students who will have to take classes remotely because they have a high-risk condition for COVID-19. Other students may need to take classes remotely because they are in isolation or quarantine or are being safe by staying away from class due to other illness. In some circumstances, instructors may find it desirable to offer parts of their course online while saving class time for meetings with smaller groups of students to better facilitate discussion in a classroom suited to physical distancing requirements. And of course, we must be prepared for the possibility we will have to switch all our instruction to full remote should health circumstances require it.

We cannot fully know ahead of time what courses will have students that require remote learning. To support our students who are at high risk or who are isolating for shorter periods for safety reasons, and to ensure the ability of all students to make progress regardless of the circumstances, it will be important that all instructors prepare to teach simultaneously both face to face and remotely in the same class. Instructors should also begin to think about how they would offer their course remotely should conditions before or during the semester require a rapid shift.

In preparing syllabi, faculty should be aware that for safety reasons our policies this fall will discourage any travel, even local off-campus travel, contingent on conditions and prevailing health guidelines at the time.

It is highly recommended that faculty members take advantage of the variety of development opportunities offered though the Faculty Hub beginning in June, and as well as any training in our schools, to prepare for remote and synced face-to-face/remote teaching. The University is aiming to equip all teaching spaces with the technology needed for faculty to offer simultaneous face-to-face and remote instruction. The University will support both faculty and students who use the variety of institutionally-designated tools such as Blackboard, Zoom, Panopto, etc. Information Services will continue providing training in coming months.

CLASSROOM ASSIGNMENTS

As we prepare for fall courses, we seek to ensure that all classes are assigned to a classroom that provides appropriate physical distancing. An inventory of all existing spaces is currently underway to determine a capacity for each room that is in keeping with our physical distancing guidelines. Once that inventory is complete, the Registrar’s Office will be working with each department and school to discuss the physical distancing set-up for classrooms, identify classes that need to be relocated, and to collaborate with departments and faculty about the most appropriate teaching space for their courses. Given the importance of physical distancing, many classes may need to be rescheduled to provide the appropriate size room, and the University will be using all available times and days of the week. Many rooms that have not traditionally been used as teaching spaces may also be utilized. The Registrar’s Office will be contacting department chairs and schools in mid-June with information about classrooms for their courses and to collaborate on revised classroom assignments and associated schedule changes.

It is unusual to be at the end of May and already turning our attention to the fall semester. Yet is also true that the work we do now will be important for our success in offering the best education to all our students, supporting those in residence and those that cannot be in residence, and meeting the other challenges these uncertain times impose. We will be communicating more about the academic year in the weeks to come while continuing to consult with stakeholders as the University finalizes plans.

Thank you for the extra effort this entails and for all you are doing in your own work and beyond to contribute to the efforts of our whole community to do what we do best: educate Spiders for an unpredictable and complex world.

Take good care,

David B. Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer<

Jeffrey W. Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As a follow-up to our message on Friday, May 22, we write today with an update on summer activities and fall semester interim event/meeting policies.

Summer Residency: Courses and Research

All Summer II course instruction will be conducted remotely. As you know, the University remains in modified operating status with employees working remotely to the fullest extent possible. The Commonwealth has only just entered Phase One of the Governor’s Forward Virginia plan of reopening, and the City of Richmond has delayed implementing Phase One. These conditions — and the status of the pandemic that informs these conditions — unfortunately do not allow the University to offer students summer residency for Summer Session II. 

We realize that this decision also affects the planned research projects of many students and faculty that are so important in our education and scholarship. We regret that in-person research opportunities will not be possible this summer.

Students who were planning to participate in faculty-mentored research on campus after June 15 should consult with their faculty research advisor about the possibility of deferring their award to summer 2021. Students who have begun their research remotely and had planned to be on campus for research later in the summer should consult with their faculty research advisor to determine if the project will conclude or remain online.

Internships

Students who are interested in pursuing University-sponsored internships with external employers and organizations may apply for a UR Summer Fellowship by Monday, June 1, at 5 p.m. Remote internships may begin as soon as the fellowship is awarded. In-person internships are permitted to begin as early as June 15, contingent on compliance with local public health guidance and the availability of opportunities with external employers and organizations; students may only pursue a University-sponsored in-person internship in their home community or in Richmond. For Richmond-based internships, on-campus housing will not be available. Please direct questions to ursf@richmond.edu.

This information about Summer II courses, research, and internships has also been communicated to students.

Summer Camps and Youth Programs

It is also necessary to cancel all camps and conferences scheduled to be held on campus during summer 2020, including overnight and day camps sponsored by Athletics and and Little Scholars camps for children of faculty and staff. We recognize the importance of these camps to faculty and staff families, but like many other organizations and institutions, we have come to the conclusion that it is not feasible to offer these opportunities safely in the current and anticipated public health circumstances. 

Events

Finally, all summer events and performances at the Modlin Center have been cancelled and, with few exceptions, the University will not host any third-party events on campus during the summer. In addition, the annual employee appreciation trip to Busch Gardens scheduled for July 31 has been cancelled. To express the University’s appreciation for everyone’s efforts during this challenging time, Friday, July 31, will be a paid holiday. Employees needed to work that day to perform critical systems maintenance will be able to take the paid holiday at another time.  

While we know many of these decisions about summer activities may be disappointing, we believe these steps are the right and necessary thing to do to ensure the safety of our community and help the University appropriately prepare for a return to campus residency and instruction as soon as practicable. 

Fall Space and Events Policy

Looking ahead to fall, as discussed at Spiders in the Know and other meetings, we are focused on preparing for the safe return of faculty, staff, and students to campus and putting in place the policies and capacity necessary to allow a full academic year of instruction on campus. The Resilience of Operations Working Group is charged with developing robust plans to help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 as we resume campus operations and residential instruction. As you know, these plans will include detailed physical distancing guidelines, based on public health guidance, that will apply to all aspects of campus life and operations, including classrooms, co-curricular programs, housing, dining, student activities, and offices.

To enable us to meet the expected physical distancing requirements for classrooms, academic needs will be the first priority for much space on campus this fall. Accordingly, interim policies have been developed for University meetings and events on campus for this summer and fall. Please review these policies at the earliest opportunity to learn how they apply to your program. As you will see, with few exceptions, the University will not host any third-party events on campus through fall 2020. 

As always, we thank you for your ongoing vital contributions to helping ensure the University’s ability to navigate the considerable challenges the pandemic presents and to continue to offer an exceptional educational experience to our students this summer and in the coming academic year. 

Sincerely, 

David B. Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer 

Jeffrey W. Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We have appreciated the opportunity to talk with many faculty and staff at recent meetings — including the May 11 end-of-year Faculty Meeting and today’s Spiders in the Know program and Faculty Senate meeting — about the University’s planning for the coming academic year in response to continuing COVID-19 challenges. We want to make certain that all faculty and staff have access to the same information and so write now to summarize important information conveyed at these meetings. We want to make certain you are aware of our ongoing fall planning, including planning to ensure the safest possible environment when campus operations and instruction resume; the FY 21 budget and further financial planning; and the timeline for additional decisions. 

FALL PLANNING

The intention of our planning, as conveyed in President Crutcher’s April 29 message (see below), is that the University will complete a full academic year of instruction on campus if at all possible beginning in fall 2020. To that end, we are intently focused on preparing for the safe return of faculty, staff, and students to campus. We are grateful to the more than 75 faculty, staff, and administrators on working groups and to the many others in schools and divisions working aggressively on essential aspects of planning.

Health and Safety

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our central concern. The ability to implement plans designed to protect the health and safety of the campus community and which comply with available public health guidance is the determining factor for resuming campus operations and residential education in the fall.

As you know, a Resilience of Operations Working Group is charged with developing robust plans to help mitigate the risk of COVID-19 as we resume campus operations and residential instruction. This group and its subcommittees, working in consultation with an infectious disease specialist at VCU and other external health care experts, are developing protocols for the phased return of employees and students to campus after the current stay-at-home order is lifted. As part of its charge, the Working Group is developing:

• Detailed physical distancing guidelines, based on public health guidance, that will apply to all aspects of campus life and operations, including classrooms, co-curricular programs, housing, dining, student activities, and offices
• Policies for accommodations for those at higher risk from COVID-19
• COVID-19 testing protocols
• Contact tracing plans
• Plans and resources for isolation and quarantine of students who test positive for COVID-19 and close contacts
• Clinical protocols for treating COVID-19 and meeting student health care needs in the Student Health Center
• Plans designed to promote healthy building environments, including cleaning and disinfecting protocols

In addition, the group is charged with ensuring the procurement and appropriate distribution of necessary supplies and equipment, including hand sanitizer; cloth face coverings for students, faculty, and staff; and PPE for health care providers and other designated staff. The sourcing and purchasing of COVID-19 supplies and equipment will be done centrally by the COVID-19 Procurement Team, in collaboration with the Office of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing. Additional information about the process and how to make requests will be made available in the next couple of weeks.

Ultimately, the success of our resilience planning depends on the participation and support of every member of our community in adhering to new norms — and to adapting to further changed circumstances presented by the pandemic as those circumstances arise. Our community has repeatedly demonstrated this spring that we are up to this challenge.

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Next week, we will communicate a final decision about summer activities on campus after June 15.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

The financial impact of COVID-19 on higher education is profound, as the mission and business model of many colleges and universities in the United States is built around a core commitment to residential undergraduate education. That is certainly the case for the University of Richmond, and while our financial resources allow us to address the pandemic from a position of financial well-being, the University will face potentially very painful budgetary decisions if we must again provide a non-residential, remote learning educational program in the fall of 2020 and/or the spring of 2021.

FY 21 Budget

Last week, the Board of Trustees approved the University’s operating budget for the 2020–21 fiscal year (FY 21). While this budget reflects significantly reduced revenue — and thus significant cost reductions were required to ensure a balanced budget — it nevertheless represents the financial “best-case scenario” for the coming year, as it assumes resuming residential operations and on-campus instruction.

The FY 21 budget also assumes, as outlined in our April 9 message, a decrease in tuition, room and board revenue, as enrollment may be below original projections and we anticipate increased need for student financial aid due to the economic impacts of COVID-19 on families. Annual fund contributions are also expected to be lower than originally anticipated due to changed economic circumstances. Finally, steep declines in the financial markets require a decrease in expected spending from the endowment in FY 21. Nevertheless, we have maintained the FY 20 level of budget support from the endowment, and we are grateful for the Board’s support of this recommendation to help the University address the extraordinary and sudden challenges caused by COVID-19.

A balanced budget for FY 21 was achieved primarily as a result of the following previously announced budget reduction measures, in addition to the temporary change to our endowment support policies, which combined will offset a nearly $15 million shortfall:

• Eliminating faculty and staff merit pay increases for FY 21
• A 10% reduction of non-compensation budgets for every school and division at the University
• A significant reduction to the University’s capital project plans for FY 21
• Voluntary salary reductions taken by the President, Executive Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents, Academic Deans, Spider Management Company leadership team, and three of the University’s head coaches
• A hiring freeze

These actions obviously affect every area of the University, and we are grateful for the commitment all schools and divisions have demonstrated to adjusting to these new financial realities while protecting the excellence of a Richmond education.

Additional Financial Planning

As noted above, the budget recently approved is the best-case scenario. We are also continuing to pursue other permanent budget savings across the University, as we must assume that the University will experience additional financial stress as a result of COVID-19-related issues and that a rebound from the economic collapse associated with COVID-19 will be long and slow.

The most serious scenario is if external conditions do not permit the University to resume residential education and classroom instruction for the coming academic year. Again, the safety of our community is paramount, and while it is our intention to resume on-campus instruction, we must be prepared for fully remote instruction if that is required to ensure the safety of our faculty, staff, and students.

As we have conveyed in recent meetings, if the University must continue remote instruction, the revenue shortfall could exceed $40 million per semester; remote instruction for the entire academic year could represent a loss approximating more than 25% of the FY 21 operating budget. This shortfall would primarily be the result of receiving no room and board revenue and significantly reduced tuition revenue for remote instruction.

We, along with President Crutcher, want to be candid with you about this possibility and about the difficult decisions the University would face to withstand these enormous financial challenges. Financial steps that could be necessary include the following:

• Temporary reduction or elimination of University contributions to retirement accounts for all employees and perhaps adjustments to other employee benefits
• Salary reductions for all faculty and staff
• Employee furloughs and/or position eliminations
• Reduction of non-essential spending

As you know, faculty and staff compensation and benefits represent more than 60% of our operating budget, and thus, a significant decline in revenue would likewise require reducing those costs. We fully recognize that our talented faculty and staff are what make a Richmond education and student experience exceptional, and the University is committed to supporting our employees to the extent possible in implementing these decisions. We certainly would not take any of the steps outlined above lightly, but some combination will likely become necessary, and all may prove necessary in scenarios where we have reduced students enrolled and/or not on campus. In our financial planning work, we will continue to consult with faculty and staff through the Faculty Senate, the Planning and Priorities Committee, and the Benefits Committee on matters that fall within their respective areas.

It is our hope to have sufficient information by early July about expected public health conditions, which, combined with the conclusions of the working groups, will enable President Crutcher to make and announce a decision about whether residential education will be possible in the fall as envisioned. While that planning continues, President Crutcher, the President’s Cabinet, and the Academic Deans will also develop a framework to guide any decisions about employee furloughs or position eliminations that might be necessary should we confront demanding financial circumstances. We all will be working very hard to avoid this. We recognize the strain that this uncertainty adds to an already stressful situation for faculty and staff and their families, and the University will proceed with the greatest care and will communicate developments as expeditiously as possible.

As we work toward a definitive announcement regarding the 2020–21 academic year no later than early July, we will continue to provide regular updates on all of our planning work. We also encourage you to contact working group chairs with any suggestions or information you would like to share with them. And we welcome your ideas via the Contingency Planning website here. 

Finally, as always, we thank you for your partnership, leadership, and determination as the University navigates these extraordinary circumstances. Our success will depend on the engagement of every member of our community. We are enormously fortunate to have such talented and dedicated faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and we are committed to working with you to ensure that the University meets the challenges immediately before us, emerges stronger than ever from the global crisis that COVID-19 has engendered, and continues to offer our students a life-changing education and experience — in the academic year ahead, and indeed, for generations more to come.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Members of the University of Richmond Community,

I am writing to notify you that we learned late last night an employee of a painting contractor who recently worked on the Queally Athletics Center construction project was diagnosed with COVID-19. The individual was last at the construction site on Thursday, May 14. The individual is in isolation and receiving care following protocols from their health care provider and the Virginia Department of Health. The other employees of the painting contractor who were on-site with the diagnosed employee are in quarantine and will not return to campus until they have been tested. 

While the painting contractors were not in direct contact with members of the campus community, the University will reach out to any individuals who may have been on the job site recently. Early this morning, an outside company cleaned the area where the individual worked, the stairs leading to the site, as well as handwashing sinks and porta-johns the individual may have used.

The health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and all individuals who work on our campus is our highest priority. We realize a case of COVID-19 on campus creates a heightened sense of anxiety and concern. The University coronavirus page offers a number of resources to help community members stay healthy and cope with the strain this period is placing on all of us.

As a reminder, as we work together to mitigate the spread of this disease, it is important that you continue to practice healthy habits:

• To the fullest extent possible, follow physical distancing practices by remaining at least 6 feet away from others.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
• Wear a face covering in public.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with saliva, whether in your living or social environments.
• Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.

Additional information is available from the CDC.

Thank you all for your continued support and compassion during this challenging time.

Stay Well,

Brittany Taylor Schaal
Emergency Management

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We write to address Governor Northam’s Forward Virginia phased re-opening plan. As we continue to respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation, our focus remains on ensuring the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff and contributing to the community-wide effort to “flatten the curve” of the pandemic. 

Governor Northam’s Forward Virginia Guidelines

Pursuant to the Governor’s Executive Order 61, Phase One of the Governor’s plan will go into effect today for most of Virginia; however, the Governor has granted a two-week delay for the City of Richmond and localities within Northern Virginia. The Phase One Forward Virginia Guidelines, Safer at Home, outline general and certain industry-specific standards. Executive Order 61, however, requires institutions of higher education to continue to “cease all in-person classes and instruction, and cancel all gatherings of more than ten individuals.” Executive Order 61 does permit institutions of higher education to continue to operate in order to facilitate remote education, perform critical research, or perform essential functions, provided that physical distancing requirements are met.

Phase One reminds individuals that it is safer to stay home, while easing some of the restrictions currently in place. The guidelines permit, among other things:

• Non-essential brick and mortar retail establishments to open if established mandatory requirements are met.
• Beauty salons, barbershops, spas, massage centers, tanning salons, tattoo shops, and other locations where personal care or personal grooming services are performed to open if mandatory requirements are met.
• Religious services to be conducted according to specified requirements.

The Impact to the University

At this time, the University will remain in the current modified operating status, with employees working remotely to the fullest extent possible. We recognize that a number of you have responsibilities relating to essential functions, research, and facilitating remote learning that cannot be accomplished remotely, such as supporting our students who remain on campus, remote learning, research, the student residence move-out process that begins Monday, and other essential University functions. Individual division and department leaders will continue to determine how offices will be staffed and responsibilities fulfilled under the current modified operating status. Modified work schedules should continue for those employees who have responsibilities that cannot be accomplished on a remote basis. Additionally, meetings should continue to be held virtually. 

Future Plans for a Gradual Resumption of Campus Operations

The health and safety of the community remains our priority. The Resilience of Operations Working Group is developing a staged framework that will guide our approach to gradually resuming campus operations. Additional information about this approach will be shared in the coming weeks. 

We are continually updating the University’s COVID-19 response webpage with the latest information available. We invite you to review the page here.

Thank you for your continued patience, support, and resilience as collectively we adjust to our now normal environment.

Stay well,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students and Families,

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these difficult times as we have worked to develop a safe plan to allow students and families to return to campus to retrieve belongings. The office of the Governor of Virginia has now confirmed that colleges and universities may permit students to return to campus to retrieve belongings, providing that appropriate physical distancing measures are put in place. Accordingly, the Office of Residence Life & Housing has developed the following schedule for retrieving belongings that includes all on-campus residents. It is important to read the following plan, schedule, and instructions carefully.

PERSONAL/SELECTED INDIVIDUAL TO RETRIEVE BELONGINGS

Provided that conditions permit, the University will allow students to return to campus to retrieve their belongings on a designated schedule beginning the week of May 18. Students will follow the following schedule:

• May 18–24: Students living in Gateway Village Apartments, University Forest Apartments, Gray Court, and Lora Robins Court may return; and
• May 25–31: Students living in Freeman Hall, Jeter Hall, Lakeview, Thomas Hall, North Court, South Court, Atlantic House, Pacific House, and Law Housing, may return; and
• June 1–7: Students living in Dennis Hall, Marsh Hall, Moore Hall, Robins Hall, Wood Hall, Keller Hall, and Westhampton Hall may return.

Move-Out Guidelines

• Check-out will occur daily between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mondays–Sundays.
• If you, your family member, or designated person are not feeling well or have experienced symptoms such as fever, a cough, and shortness of breath in the last 14 days, please do not return to campus at this time. All persons are expected to follow CDC Guidelines.
• To allow for social distancing:
  • Students may only bring one additional individual with them to campus to assist with the move-out and/or pickup process, and;
  • Students must follow these additional guidelines to limit the number of persons within each residential area:
    • Residence Hall and Law Housing Move-Out:
      • Students must to sign-up for a two-hour time slot for their designate week to retrieve your belongings. Sign-ups will be limited to 10 students per building during a two hour period. Please plan your travel accordingly. 
      • Sign up for a time slot to retrieve your belongings here.Sign on to StarRez (DUO required), click on Move-Out Appointment in the red bar, and follow all instructions on the page. You will receive a confirmation email of your time slot.
    • Gateway Village Apartments (GVA), University Forest Apartment (UFA) Move-Out:
      • Students in GVA apartments ending in an even number and UFA apartments ending with A, C, E, and G should plan to move out their belongings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
      • Students in GVA apartments ending in an odd number and UFA apartments ending with B, D, F, and H should plan to move out their belongings on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
      • Limited volume and controlled access will be granted on Sunday for those who were unable to retrieve their belongings on one of their designated days.
      • Access will be controlled and restricted each day as scheduled for safety.
    • Gray Court, and Lora Robins Court Pickup:
      • Gray Court and Lora Robins Court residents will be able to pick up their items in a “drive-thru” fashion at the following locations:
        • Gray Court — Weinstein Center
        • Lora Robins Court — Jepson Alumni Center
      • Students and families in Gray Court and Lora Robins Court should follow the outlined schedule to promote distancing and efficiency:
        • Monday and Thursday — Gray Court 1st Floor and Lora Robins Court 1st Floor residents
        • Tuesday and Friday — Gray Court 2nd Floor and Lora Robins Court 2nd Floor residents
        • Wednesday and Saturday — Gray Court 3rd Floor and Lora Robins Court Ground and 3rd Floor residents           
        • Sunday — Staffing and assistance will be provided for those who were unable to pick up their belongings on one of their designated days.
      • Students/families will pull up and stay in their vehicles and while University staff bring students items to the vehicle to be loaded. Students and families will be provided an information sheet and should depart to sort organize items.
  • Bring a mask or cloth face covering with you, while you are in the building everyone will need to keep their mouths and noses covered at all times. You should also bring hand sanitizer.
  • Roommates should communicate with one another to increase physical distancing/responsible behavior by coming on different days and assist with packing and/or storage arrangements to limit the number of individuals on campus.
  • If a student chooses to designate a friend or family member to retrieve their belongings, the student must provide the person access to the room via remote entry.
  • Students, family members, and/or designated persons will be limited to 2 hours for move out in all halls and 3 hours for apartments. All persons should come prepared to pack/remove items quickly and sort, etc. once they return home.
  • No overnight stays will be permitted. Please explore options for staying in hotels if an overnight stay is necessary. 
  • Students with keys (University Forest Apartments, Atlantic House, Pacific House, and Law Housing) must leave their keys on the desks within their room in the provided envelope. Key envelopes will be taped to each room/apartment door. Students must write their name, room/apartment number, and student ID number on the envelope before they depart their room. Students who must mail their key, in a padded envelope, should do so by Monday, June 15, to the following address: 
    Residence Life & Housing
    246 Richmond Way, Whitehurst 103
    Richmond, VA 23173
  • Please do your best to remove all belongings, dispose of any trash, and clean your room/apartment as best you can. If you are choosing to donate any item(s), please leave them in your room or apartment and ensure these item(s) are properly marked for donation. Any personal belongings left in a room or apartment following the week of move-out will be donated or discarded.
  • University officials will be present on site to enforce safety protocols.

UNABLE TO RETURN DURING YOUR DESIGNATED WEEK?

• Alternate Week for Retrieval of Belongings: The number of time slots will be expanded during this time, but will be monitored to limit only 10 students per building per time slot. Students and families will still be required to follow all move-out guidelines as listed above. Sign up for a time slot to retrieve your belongings for the week of June 8–14 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. here. Sign on to StarRez (DUO required), click on Move-Out Appointment in the red bar and follow all instructions on the page. You will receive a confirmation email of your time slot.
• Storing/Shipping Belongings: For those students who need assistance with storage options, we ask that you work with one of the following vendors. For those unable to return to retrieve their own belongings, collaborate with a roommate and/or designated person. To increase physical distancing and safety, this process will not start until the week of June 8. Students will need to work directly with the one of the following companies to have their belongings stored or shipped to them at the student’s cost. Students that need financial assistance for storing or shipping options, should complete this formand your respective dean will be in touch with you.
  • University Affiliated Companies:
    • College Truckers: https://www.collegetruckers.com/
      • College Truckers Pricing:https://www.collegetruckers.com/pricing
    • Quality Moving Services: https://www.qmovingservices.com/
    • Team Logistics:http://www.summerstorage.com/newaccount.html

We hope that you and your family remain well. We know that you have been anticipating this information, and we appreciate your cooperation with these plans for a safe move-out.

Sincerely,

Steve D. Bisese
Vice President for Student Development 

Patrick B. Benner
Director of Residence Life & Housing

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

We hope you are faring well. Thank you for all your efforts teaching and supporting our students, operations, and each other in circumstances that have so profoundly affected our work, our families and friends, and our lives. This was an enormous task: we did it by working together and with our formidable Spiders who resolutely continued their studies from across the country and world. On May 9 we will post a virtual celebration of the Class of 2020, stalwart leaders in UR resiliency. We deeply appreciate all you have done to make the completion of the semester possible and to continue to successfully and safely operate the University during this extraordinary time.

We all yearn for some semblance of ordinary life. As a University that means looking ahead to the beginning of fall term, to the return of our students, to the renewal of the residential education and meaningful relationships that make UR special. With health and safety our foremost concern, we are intent on having students in residence in the fall, as President Crutcher noted in his April 29 letter to the University community. We will also be ready to offer a full year of credit to our students, no matter what the circumstances.

Given the current uncertainty around conditions at the end of summer, it is important to plan for multiple possibilities. Our ability to assess the best path forward and then successfully navigate it will be critical to the education we provide next year and to the well-being of our University community. We want to outline briefly the planning process ahead, one that will depend on each of us and our collective efforts.

Three Scenarios

Three potential operating scenarios provide the structure for our planning. We are intently focused on some version of a full residential semester, though it may not be “normal” as we anticipate some level of COVID-19 threat will remain. We are preparing to mitigate that risk with a variety of tactics and tools and allow for modified start and end dates to fall semester as needed.

The second scenario is full remote learning with no students in residence. We would make the choice of remote instruction only if we must. If we have to go with this option, we will prepare to do it well, with the personal attention, services, and support for social interaction that are hallmarks of a Richmond education.

The third scenario involves a hybrid of reduced student residency mixed with remote learning, or a full year of academic credit offered over twelve months versus the typical nine. In both cases, a hybrid option might be desirable should circumstances require fewer students on campus than a full residential approach.

Organization

To explore these scenarios, we have established working groups that will examine the challenges before us along with the possible strategies and approaches to address them successfully. Collectively seventy-five faculty and staff have been asked to participate in particular groups based on the different areas of expertise needed in this complex and expansive planning work. Each group has a specific charge and a steering group will coordinate and integrate their work as needed. The list of the Contingency Planning working groups and their charges can be found here (accessible to faculty and staff; login required).

What Can You Do?

We recognize we are asking much of our community during an extraordinarily difficult time. As we move toward the usually anticipated summer, our individual and collective work, as well as our lives, will continue to look different than ever before. This is hard and will continue to be hard. Through collaboration, communication, and self and community care, we can succeed and ultimately strengthen our campus community.

We are grateful to the individuals in the Contingency Planning working groups for taking on this intense and complicated work in a short timeframe. These groups cannot do the planning and implementation work alone: it will take input, flexibility, and resolve from us all. The stakes for the quality of our education, our ability to serve our students, and the standing of the University are significant. Our success will hinge on our ability to work together to develop and support the best version of Richmond’s exceptional education in the coming year.

We are also appreciative for the willingness of so many who have sent ideas and offered to help address the unfolding challenges we face. This is critical because each of us has work to do if we are going to succeed — whether it is redesigning a course that might be residential or remote (or both at the same time), preparing how our responsibilities or unit might respond to any of the three scenarios, or communicating with others about how best to partner in this dynamic environment.

Please do reach out to the appropriate chairs of the working groups with any suggestions or materials you want to share with them. You can also submit ideas and materials on the Contingency Planning website here (accessible to faculty and staff; login required).

Timeline and Communications

Our planning will be informed by governmental and public health guidelines and by the latest knowledge on how we can prevent, treat, and manage COVID-19. By early June we aim to finish an analysis of the scenarios and develop a plan of specific options for how we approach next academic year. We envision a more definitive public announcement regarding the 2020–21 Academic Year at Richmond in July.

The pace of work will be fast but we intend to communicate relevant updates. Groups will be reaching out to different University members and units for information and input on their efforts. We will be meeting virtually with various stakeholders along the way at gatherings such as the University Faculty Meeting, Spiders in the Know, and special forums that may be desirable at particular points.

Thank you again for all your efforts to date and for all the work that is ahead. The University of Richmond is known for a life-changing education and experience. Together we will ensure that standard for next year and the many years that follow.

Take good care,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear University of Richmond Community,

As I write, our students are taking their final exams at the end of an unprecedented spring semester, while the University is engaged in planning for the 2020–21 academic year. The educational aspirations of our student body, along with the health and safety of students, staff, and faculty, remain the University’s highest priorities. Guided by these priorities, we are intent on returning to a residential education this fall. Our commitment to support vigorously the University’s academic mission by providing a high-quality, personalized educational experience for our students is unwavering.

The seriousness and fluidity of the global and national health crisis reminds us that our plans remain subject to change and that guidelines from government and public health agencies will be essential factors in our planning. Likewise, progress on testing, health monitoring, treatments, vaccines, and strategies that mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will be critically important.

The University’s planning efforts at this point are both purposely expansive and squarely aimed at ensuring that our students will be able to earn a full year of academic credit. We are also committed to sustaining as many of the personal and residential hallmarks of a UR education as possible. Specifically:

• We intend to complete a full academic year of on-campus instruction beginning in fall 2020. This may require adjustments to our operations and academic calendar.
• To ensure safety and continuity, we are developing a multi-pronged approach to enhance our community’s capacity and resilience to manage COVID-19 challenges.
• In order to align with government and public health guidance and/or mandates, we are working through scenarios that allow for flexibility and adjustments to teaching and campus life as needed.
• Only if necessary will we consider remote learning. If we must pivot to this scenario, we will provide high-quality remote learning and the developmental, social, and career supports that help our students to grow and thrive at UR and beyond.

We recognize that students, families, staff, and faculty need timely information to make plans. So please know we will communicate regularly about University decisions impacting our students and academic mission. Making prudent, wise, and informed decisions requires time to collect relevant information amid enormous flux and uncertainty. We are grateful for your patience as we identify, plan, and prepare for a range of options. As we strive to provide timely progress updates, we also invite you to visit our dedicated COVID-19 website for updates and answers to frequently asked questions.

Thank you all for working with us on Richmond’s exceptional education. As I have often said of late, Richmond is such a special place because of you. I wish each of you and your families safety, good health, and moments of calm during these difficult times.

Sincerely,

Ronald A. Crutcher
President

Dear Gray Court and Lora Robins Court Residents,

We are writing to you to provide information on plans for packing and storing your personal belongings in Gray Court and Lora Robins Court.

We have been working hard to develop a plan to prepare Gray Court and Lora Robins Court for potential summer housing or other needs. As such, we must pack and store all student belongings that are remaining within each room. We will be working closely with Quality Moving Services, a company that the University has previously had very good experience. They are reliable and licensed professionals that have worked closely with the University community on many past projects.

The first step in initiating this process is for you to complete THIS FORM by Friday, April 24. The form will help identify your belongings within your room. Beginning, Monday April 27, this information will be used as a much needed guide for our staff and Quality Moving Services to appropriately pack and label your belongings. All belongings will be stored on campus within secure climate controlled locations until we are able to reunite you with your belongings. Due to storage space limitations, bulk items (e.g. personal refrigerators and non-University furniture) will be stored separately in a secure location on campus and held for students until they return for the fall semester. All bulk items will be removed starting next week by University staff in order to create additional room for the moving company to work efficiently and effectively.

We understand and appreciate you may have concerns and additional questions. Please know we will take genuine care of your belongings. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff continues to be our top priority. Working within the guidelines provided by the Governor, we are developing a plan for you to pick up your belongings and will communicate it as soon as we are able to finalize the dates. We continue to recognize and regret the disruption that this pandemic has caused our students and their families, and we are grateful for your understanding and patience.

We wish you and your family the best during these difficult times.

Stay well,

Steve Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Patrick Benner
Director of Residence Life & Housing

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We write to provide the campus community with an important update regarding the financial implications for the University of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We echo the sentiments expressed last week by President Crutcher in his letter to faculty and staff. Our community’s response to the ever-changing challenges presented by the pandemic has been remarkable as the University community has worked collectively to sustain our academic mission and support our talented students. In recent weeks, faculty have swiftly redesigned their courses to engage students remotely, while staff in every unit in the University have assisted students in getting home, urgently moved critical operations online, and dedicated themselves to supporting the students who remain on campus and those who must now be supported from afar.

As you know, this pandemic has produced a major global financial disruption with an unpredictable duration and impact. The effects in our country have been sudden, staggering, and for many families and businesses, devastating. The University of Richmond has been a careful steward of its resources — and especially tuition dollars — over many decades, but we are most certainly not immune to this sudden and steep economic downturn. As a result, we must take thoughtful, swift, and appropriate action to ensure that the University is able to advance our educational mission throughout this crisis and beyond.

The University has incurred significant expenses (totaling several million dollars) this spring in responding to the pandemic, putting significant pressure on our FY20 budget (i.e., the current fiscal year ending on June 30, 2020). Those expenses have included pro-rated room and board refunds and one-time expenses related to the transition to remote learning. We are also committed that through the end of this fiscal year (June 30), we will continue to compensate regular full-, part-time, and limited-term non-exempt, hourly employees based on their regularly scheduled hours even if their schedules have been reduced. Through offsetting savings and other means, however, we estimate that the University can avoid a budget deficit for the current fiscal year ending June 30. That cannot be said for many institutions, and indeed at present, it cannot be said for the University of Richmond for the next fiscal year.

As we work to finalize the University’s operating budget for the next fiscal year (July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021, or “FY21”), we anticipate that the financial downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will have a material, adverse impact on the University as every significant University revenue source will fall short of what had been planned originally. The current crisis will have unpredictable effects on enrollment. Steep declines in financial markets will require the University to decrease expected spending from the endowment. And students are likely to require more financial aid next year as families also face the financial consequences of this pandemic. As a result, we are forecasting a shortfall in the range of $10 to $12 million in the FY21 University budget.

Working in consultation with President Crutcher, we have determined that in order to address our budget challenges and ensure that the University can continue to effectively pursue its educational mission, the University must take the following actions:

1. Effective immediately, the University will implement a hiring freeze for currently unfilled faculty and staff positions. We recognize that it will be essential to fill some positions in the coming months and we will establish a process to review requests from schools or divisions to exempt specific open positions from the hiring freeze policy.
2. There will not be a merit salary pool increase for employees in FY21 as the University will implement a salary freeze for all faculty and staff for next year. We fully recognize the impact of this measure on our faculty and staff and their families, and we regret that it is necessary. It is especially painful as so many members of our community have worked so tirelessly and effectively this spring in response to the extraordinary challenges COVID-19 presented to our academic mission. In addition to this salary freeze for faculty and staff, President Crutcher, along with the two of us, will take a 10% reduction to our salaries throughout FY21. We are grateful that all vice presidents and academic deans have agreed to take a 5% salary reduction to each of their respective salaries.
3. Working with the University’s Facilities Management team, we will delay or defer many smaller capital projects originally planned for this summer. The University will also scale back plans for future campus construction projects and associated spending.
4. We are asking each division and school at the University to identify continuing budget savings equivalent to 5% and 10% of the division/school’s non-compensation operating budgets. The University’s Planning and Budget Office has provided instructions to each vice president and academic dean to identify these specific budget reductions, which are envisioned for FY21 (i.e. beginning July 1, 2020).

We recognize that these are significant steps, but this is the fiscal reality that all higher education institutions now face. It is imperative that the University responds proactively to the financial challenges associated with COVID-19 so we can sustain our mission, vision, and values in both the near term and, as is our responsibility, for years to come.

Meanwhile the University must also continue contingency planning work for the coming academic year, as it is impossible to predict at this time the extent and duration of COVID-19 — or its effects in our region — and when we will be able to resume regular operations of our residential community. As you know, we have already reoriented our summer sessions to remote instruction even as we hold on decision-making regarding campus residency after June 15. It is fully our hope and intention — as we know it is yours — that the University will be able to operate in the fall as planned. That will depend, however, on the public health circumstances at that time. Thus, it is imperative to be prepared for a range of scenarios and the operational, financial, and teaching and learning implications of those scenarios.

We will certainly keep the University community apprised as the FY21 budget and other plans for the coming year continue to develop.

We deeply appreciate your cooperation and goodwill as we collectively work to successfully navigate this global health crisis and its attendant financial impact on the University of Richmond. The University has, as you know, weathered extreme financial circumstances over its nearly 200-year history. With generosity, determination, and remarkable resilience, the University community has always risen to the occasion and as a result, the institution has, each time, emerged still stronger. With your help, we know that we will do so again. We are grateful for your partnership.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, and Parents,

Change and uncertainty have become our constant companions, but so has the ability of our community to work together to adapt during these challenging times. It has not been easy, and we have been asked to do many things we never imagined would be needed. Yet our classes are meeting, students are advancing in their coursework, and we are making progress. Thank you for all you have done and for your efforts ahead.

I write today with important information that will allow you to plan for undergraduate (A&S, Jepson, and Robins students) summer sessions, student research and internships, and activities on campus in the coming months. Due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus, all classes for Summer Session I and most classes for Summer Session II will be taught online. University of Richmond courses for Summer 2020 that are approved for general education credit will count toward general education requirements regardless of the format of delivery (i.e., in-person or online).

The campus will not open for face-to-face instruction for Summer Session I. This means that there will be no students in residence on campus before June 15. For the period after June 15 and Summer Session II, we continue to plan for the possibility for on-campus residency depending on conditions.

This has implications for the following:

Summer Session I Classes

Most classes in summer school that had been scheduled to begin in May are now scheduled for online delivery. Those that are not offered online will either switch to that format or be cancelled. Instructors should contact their summer program directors for further information.

Summer Session II Planning: Two Paths

Many faculty and students are making decisions now regarding Summer Session II. To facilitate their planning, most Summer Session II classes are already listed as being offered online. This provides certainty that courses that may be needed for academic progress or graduation will be available, even as we continue to evaluate the right time to return to on-campus residence for students.

We have a number of programs and research opportunities for students that would benefit from being on campus even as most classes are remote. We are intent on resuming normal operations as soon as is safely possible and are hoping to return to campus by the start of Summer Session II. A decision for residential opportunities during Summer Session II could be made as late as early June. We are delaying decision-making on residency in the hopes that students and programs that need to be on campus will be able to return to campus for Summer Session II after June 15.

Those classes or programs that cannot be held remotely, or cannot await a later decision on residency, will either be cancelled, postponed, and/or instructors will be in touch with students with additional information.

This two-path plan allows for the possibility of residency while providing certainty around the courses and credit opportunities that will be available this summer. Information on summer housing, should it be available after June 15, will be sent later this spring.

Summer Research with Students

The current situation raises a number of challenges for faculty-mentored summer research for undergraduate students planned for this summer. Summer research is an important opportunity in a University of Richmond education, but we must prioritize the health and care of our community. Therefore:

• Given that we are in the midst of a pandemic, some faculty may no longer be able to mentor students either in person or remotely, and some students may no longer be able to participate in the experience.
• The decision to continue to offer the student research experience depends on both faculty and students. In the first instance, the faculty member must decide if it is feasible. If the faculty member is able to proceed, then the option to continue with the research experience this summer lies with the student.
• Research projects can be pursued using online mentoring as early as May 11.
• Research projects may be able to commence in person June 15 and run for 7 weeks, pending the decision on Summer Session II residency.

For more information on summer research, including details regarding these options for faculty and students, please carefully review the Guidance on Summer 2020 Student Research.

University Sponsored Internships

The UR Summer Fellowship deadline for internships, which had been suspended, will be moved to April 17, 2020. In order to provide students with more time to find an internship, students may also submit URSF applications by a second deadline of June 1, 2020.

Given the current circumstances, in-person internships for which undergraduate students are receiving University funding or course credit (University-sponsored internships) will not be permitted to begin before June 15, and all planned in-person internships will need to occur in the student’s home community or in Richmond, Virginia, to ensure maximum flexibility given the current uncertainties about mobility and safety. Students planning in-person internships should be prepared for the possibility that in-person work will not be able to commence as planned in June, as that decision will be made based on then-current public health guidance.

If an internship can be pursued remotely, remote internships will be eligible for URSF funding; URSF guidelines, including the requirements for remote internships, can be found here.

Required information sessions will be available online. Other University-sponsored internship and clinical placement programs for undergraduates will follow the same guidelines, with in-person placements prohibited until at least June 15.

Students should contact their dean or program director for more information about their specific program. Career Services is also available to assist students as they continue to pursue internship and job opportunities; please find more information and schedule an appointment here.

Thank you for your adaptability, creativity, thought, and care in how we can best conduct great courses and meaningful research opportunities and internships that work within our circumstances. And thank you for engaging and supporting each other. This online world can be lonely at times; please don’t hesitate to reach out.

I hope that you and yours are faring well.

Take good care,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

We write to address Governor Northam’s most recent executive order and announce an extension of compensation for regular full, part-time, and limited term, non-exempt employees through May 9, 2020.

As the University of Richmond conducts its second week of remote education, we encourage each of you to consider the remarkable manner in which you have responded to the ever-changing conditions we face. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the University of Richmond, as it has on colleges and universities across the country. In the past two weeks, you have had to develop and implement practices for the delivery of remote education, assist our students as they return to their homes across the country and the world, maintain support for those students who must continue to reside on campus, and shift to remote work arrangements, even while others remain on campus working to serve our students and maintain the safety of our community. Our shared strength, resilience, and commitment to our students and each other made all of this possible.

As we respond to the evolving COVID-19 situation, we have been and must continue to be guided by our highest priorities, which are ensuring the health and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff, making certain our students can complete their coursework this term, providing support to students in need, and contributing to the community-wide effort to “flatten the curve” of the pandemic. We are closely following and complying with guidance and directives from the state and federal government.

Governor Northam’s March 30 Executive Order

Yesterday, Governor Northam issued a new, temporary “stay-at-home” order that will remain in place until June 10, 2020, unless rescinded earlier. The full text of the order is available here. The order allows people to leave their homes for a number of reasons that are applicable to our work on behalf of the University and to each of you personally. The order permits, among other things:

• Traveling to and from one’s residence and place of work;
• Traveling to and from an educational institution; and
• Institutions of higher education to continue to operate for purposes of facilitating remote learning, performing critical research, or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing requirements are maintained.

These provisions are critical to us, as some members of our community must continue to have access to our campus for student support and research purposes.

The University’s Compliance with the Executive Order

The University is already in compliance with the key aspects of the Governor’s new order. The University has shifted to remote work to the fullest extent possible and will continue remote work through June 10, unless the executive order is lifted. The University has also moved to remote education, prohibited gatherings of 10 or more individuals, and adjusted staff and work schedules. The residence halls, the Commons, the Heilman Dining Center are accessible to the students who remain on campus, but all other academic and administrative buildings are accessible only to faculty and staff. We will monitor our operations to ensure continued compliance with the executive order.

Support for Employees On Campus

We recognize that a number of you have responsibilities that cannot be accomplished on a remote basis and your work is critical to supporting the students who remain on campus, remote learning, research, and other essential functions. We are grateful for your dedication to the University and we are committed to protecting your health and safety. We are asking all individual division and department leaders to continually assess their staffing needs and work schedules and to use all possible means to promote social distancing for employees who must remain on or travel to campus.

We recognize how stressful this situation is on you and your families and know that many of our non-exempt, hourly employees have experienced a reduction in the number of hours worked. As a result, through the pay period ending May 9, 2020, the University will continue to pay regular full, part-time, and limited term non-exempt, hourly employees based on their regularly scheduled hours if their work hours are reduced as a result of the move to a modified work schedule. We are continuing to consider our options for pay periods following May 9. We are continually updating the University’s COVID-19 response webpage with the latest information available. We invite you to review the page here.

Once again, we are so grateful to all of you. Through your outstanding efforts and your care and compassion for our students and each other, we will emerge from this time of fear and uncertainty as a stronger and more united Spider family. There is no doubt that there will be more questions than answers over the next few weeks, but we will do our best to respond to your questions and concerns and to communicate new information promptly.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

I am writing in follow-up to the message I sent to you on March 18, 2020, to provide information on plans for reuniting students with their belongings.

As you are aware, the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve. The White House and CDC in recent days issued more stringent guidance regarding social distancing and travel. Today, the Governor of Virginia issued a “stay-at-home” order that will remain in effect until June 10, 2020.

Given the new guidance and orders, we are suspending the previously shared plan for retrieval of belongings that was to start the week of April 13. The University will communicate with students and families regarding the protocol for the retrieval process once a final plan is determined. Our continued goal is to provide a safe environment and organized procedure for students to retrieve their belongings when we are able to allow them to return to campus.

We understand and appreciate your concerns. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff continues to be our top priority. Our Emergency Management Team’s work is informed by the advice of public health experts and guidance from the CDC and Virginia Department of Health.

We recognize and regret the disruption that this has caused our students and their families, and we are grateful for your understanding and patience.

I wish you and your family the best during these difficult times.

Stay well,

Steve D. Bisese

Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students and Families,

I am writing, as a follow up to President Crutcher’s message of March 16, 2020, to provide additional information regarding prorated adjustments of student housing and board charges for the Spring 2020 semester as a result of our community response to the COVID virus. First and most importantly, please accept our sincere gratitude for your grace and patience as we work through the many details associated with the University’s move to remote instruction for the remainder of the Spring semester. We recognize that this decision has significant and varied implications for our students and families but, as President Crutcher shared in his earlier message, ensuring the health and well-being of not only our students, faculty, and staff, but also the wider community, is essential at this time.

In determining the adjustments for student housing and meal plan charges, the University calculated the time away from campus as constituting 43.75% of the semester. Accordingly, we will be issuing a credit of 43.75% of the Spring semester room rate, adjusted to reflect the pro-rata portion of any University scholarship or grant aid received for the semester. Students living in University housing will receive a minimum credit of $330.

Credits for meal plans will be calculated in two parts. First, students will receive a credit of 43.75% of the portion of the meal plan not attributable to dining dollars, adjusted to reflect the pro-rata portion of University scholarship or grant aid received for the semester. Second, students with dining dollars will be credited for the unused cash balance as of March 25. Students will be credited dollar-for-dollar for the unspent balance — it will not be prorated nor will it be adjusted for University scholarship or grant aid.

In addition to housing and meal charges, students will also be credited for parking and graduation fees. Students holding University parking permits will be credited for 43.75% of the cost allocable to the Spring semester. For those students who applied to graduate in May, your graduation fees will be fully credited to you.

The Bursar’s Office is currently working to update each student’s account for these adjustments. For accounts that have a credit balance after these adjustments have been applied, a refund will be issued in the student’s name no later than Friday, April 3. Students with direct deposit will receive a confirmation email from the University’s Accounts Payable department. All others will receive checks mailed to their off-campus address. The Bursar’s Office (bursar@richmond.edu) stands ready to assist you with any questions regarding these adjustments to your account.

Once again, thank you for your patience and understanding as we work through the numerous issues associated with the COVID-19 crisis. We are pleased with the effective manner in which our students and faculty have adapted to the educational realities of our current situation. Still, we know that the crisis has disrupted the close level of personal interaction which is and will always remain a hallmark of a University of Richmond education. We look forward to the day we can resume our normal operations and welcome everyone back to campus.

Sincerely,

David B. Hale
Executive Vice-President & Chief Operating Officer

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

As faculty and students reconnect with one another on this first day of remote classes, I write to share some information regarding changes to the undergraduate registration process for fall 2020 courses in Arts & Sciences, Business, and Jepson. We are implementing these changes to provide students with more time to meet with their advisor as we move to remote learning, support students in meeting their academic requirements, and ensure that students who are currently planning to study abroad in fall 2020 also have the opportunity to express their course registration preferences, should they need to have a change in plans. Please note that planning for fall study abroad is proceeding as usual; we are adopting this new process so that all of us are prepared for any contingency.

The changes are as follows:

Students Planning to Study Abroad in Fall 2020
While the current circumstances have resulted in some students returning to their home communities before their spring 2020 study abroad experience was complete, we know that global learning and reflective experiences in another culture are essential elements of a Richmond education and have long been a hallmark and point of pride for us. For students planning to study abroad in fall 2020, the Office of International Education will be conducting the usual orientations for students remotely. During these meetings and in the materials students receive from IE and/or the program abroad, students will be given information regarding course registration at the university or program in which they plan to participate abroad in the fall. This is all the standard procedure for study abroad.

While we remain hopeful that students will have these opportunities in the fall, we can’t predict what will happen over the next several months around the world. We recognize that students may choose to change their plans or may be constrained by lingering disruptions in access to global travel. To prepare for these possibilities, we are also inviting students who plan to be abroad in the fall to provide their preferences for fall classes at UR. In order to provide those preferences, please log into BannerWeb to complete the fall 2020 registration survey beginning April 13 (see schedule below). Under the Personal Information tab choose Answer a Survey. The fall 2020 registration survey and related instructions are available there. Please do not attempt to register through the regular process; the system will not be available to those who have committed to a study abroad program.

Students Planning to Study on Campus at UR in Fall 2020
For students who are planning to study on campus at Richmond in the fall, there will also be a few adjustments to the registration process.

Rising seniors will be able to register for up to 5.5 units, as is customary.

Rising juniors, sophomores, and entering first-year students will be able to register for a maximum of 4 units when registration opens.

We know that many students enroll in more than four units each term in order to complete their major(s) and degree requirements, and that some programs require additional units for professional licensure or post-graduate opportunities. We plan to expand to the usual 5.5-unit limit for sophomores and juniors during an additional registration period in the summer, but it is important to create a 4-unit limit for the period of spring registration, so that we can adjust for additional course capacity if there are areas to which study abroad remains restricted next fall.

Registration Dates
The fall 2020 course schedule will be live Wednesday, March 25, for students and advisors to view available courses. As Provost Jeff Legro mentioned in his update last week, advising and registration dates have been changed to provide students and advisors more time to connect with one another remotely:

• Begin Advising Monday, April 6
• Priority Registration Monday, April 13–Friday, April 24
• Course Preference Survey for Fall Study Abroad Students: available beginning Monday, April 13
• Extended Registration: Monday, April 27–Friday, May 29

The link to the Registration Rotation can be found here: https://registrar.richmond.edu/registration/undergraduate/rotation.html. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Office of the Registrar (registrar@richmond.edu).

Thank you for your understanding and your flexibility as we make these adjustments to ensure that we can support all of our students and their academic plans for next fall. We are eager to have everyone back on campus and look forward to your return and the reconstitution of our vibrant Spider campus community.

Thank you,

Susan Breeden
University Registrar

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, and Parents,

These days are filled with our efforts to adapt to new circumstances and transition to remote teaching and learning that will begin next week. We face highly unusual and trying times and we need to address them with appropriate measures. Today I write with important and encouraging news about temporary changes to grading procedures and academic rules as well as advising for undergraduate students in Arts & Sciences (A&S), the Robins School of Business (RSB), and the Jepson School of Leadership Studies (Jepson).

Temporary Academic Policies

We recognize that the day-to-day turmoil and uncertainty is stressful; conditions students and faculty are facing vary widely both in dealing with the COVID-19 threat and in managing remote learning. To address our unparalleled conditions, forward-thinking faculty have introduced, and yesterday the Faculty Senate thoughtfully deliberated and recommended, proposals to change grading options as a special exception limited to courses undertaken in the spring of 2020. The Senate also recommended a temporary policy change for summer 2020 related to general education credit. I approve of the recommendations (full information here), which provide for the following:

• For each course they are enrolled in, undergraduate students in A&S, RSB, and Jepson will have the option to receive a standard letter grade (A-F) or to opt for Credit/Credit with a D/No Credit (C/CRD/NC). If a student earns a CR or CRD, they will earn a unit toward graduation for the course. Grades of CR/CRD/NC will not affect a student’s grade point average. Those who opt for a standard letter grade would have those grades count as usual in their GPAs.
• Students may choose Credit/Credit with D/No Credit until the last day of classes, Friday, April 24, 2020, at 5 p.m. EDT.
• The withdrawal deadline has been extended. Undergraduate students in A&S, RSB, and Jepson may now withdraw from a course until Friday April 24, 2020, at 5 p.m. EDT. The transcript will note the withdrawal with a ‘W’.
• For the spring 2020 semester courses only, I, M, and V grades will not be permitted for undergraduate courses offered in A&S, RSB, and Jepson.
• For students who may be planning to enroll in summer school at the University of Richmond, courses offered for A&S, RSB, and Jepson students during summer 2020 that are approved for general education credit will count toward general education requirements regardless of the format of delivery (i.e., in person or online).

The aim of these options is to allow students flexibility in deciding what makes most sense for them in these exceptional and fluid circumstances. The spring grading options and extended withdrawal deadline have different implications for student GPAs, plans for subsequent semesters, and post-graduate work, as well as progress toward the degree. Please read this information closely. I strongly encourage students to talk with your academic advisor about your plans for grade options this semester along with your fall schedule during academic advising.

Advising

To facilitate the shift to remote instruction and to allow time to prepare for remote advising this year, we will shift the beginning of Fall 2020 registration from April 6 to April 13. Registration advising week will now begin on April 6. The full schedule for registration and advising can be found here. Helpful information for advisors can be found in Academic Advising Online.

I was proud yesterday to be part of a collective effort and discussion that advanced both student welfare and the quality of our education. I want to acknowledge and thank students who reached out on this issue, our faculty who proposed novel ways to address the challenges, and a Faculty Senate that moved thoughtfully and swiftly to advance recommendations. We will continue to learn, work, and help each other. I am confident that we will make the shift, bumps and all, to high quality remote instruction and learning. We can do this: together.

Sincerely,

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

I am writing in follow up to President Crutcher’s message of March 16, 2020 to provide information on plans for reuniting students with their belongings.

As you are aware, the COVID-19 situation continues to worsen, including here in Virginia. The White House and the CDC have just issued stringent new guidance limiting group interactions to no more than 10 and some communities are considering “shelter-in-place” orders.

The University of Richmond is working diligently to safeguard the health and well-being of the students who remain on campus, as well as its faculty and staff, by adapting our operations to be consistent with the most recent public health guidance. For that reason, students are not permitted to return to campus to retrieve their belongings at this time. We understand and regret the disruption that this has caused our students and their families and we are grateful for your understanding and patience.

We have developed a plan to allow students to obtain essential materials now and to retrieve their other belongings later this spring. This plan is consistent with public health guidance and minimizes the risk to the campus community. The key elements of that plan are as follows:

• Academic Materials and Medications. Students who have an immediate need for academic materials or medications, must complete this form. We will gather the requested materials and pack and ship them to you as quickly as possible.
• Retrieving Belongings. Provided that conditions permit, the University will allow students to return to campus to retrieve their belongings on a designated schedule beginning the week of April 13. Students must follow the following schedule:
  • April 13 – 19: Students living in Lora Robins Court, Keller Hall, Westhampton Hall, Thomas Hall, Robins Hall, and Marsh Hall may return;
  • April 20 – 26: Students living in Gateway Village Apartments, Jeter Hall, Moore Hall, Gray Court, and South Court may return;
  • April 27 – May 3: Students living in Dennis Hall, Wood Hall, North Court, and University Forest Apartments blocks 160, 470, 472, 474, 476, 481, 483, 486 may return; and
  • May 4 – 10: Students living in Freeman Hall, Lakeview Hall, Atlantic House, Pacific House, Law Housing, and University Forest Apartments (blocks 162, 164, 166, 168, 170, 172, 191, and 193 may return.
• Storing Belongings. The University is developing a plan for those students who cannot return to campus and wish to store their belongings over the summer. Detailed information regarding storage options and assistance will be provided as soon as these plans are finalized with campus and community partners.
• Extraordinary Circumstances. If you are facing extraordinary circumstances that cannot be met by the plan outlined above, please complete this form. For health and safety reasons, the University will only consider extreme situations for a possible exception to this plan.

As we have all experienced, the COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly and may necessitate changes in our plan. We will notify you promptly if any changes are necessary.

Once again, I understand how difficult this is for each of you and appreciate your flexibility and understanding.

Sincerely,

Steve D. Bisese
Vice President for Student Development

Dear Members of the University Community,

I write to convey important further decisions necessitated by national efforts in response to COVID-19. The University will move to remote learning for the remainder of the spring semester, shift to remote work for employees to the greatest extent possible, and celebrate the Class of 2020 Commencement at a later date this year.

These are decisions that we do not take lightly, but that we nevertheless believe are important. They are undertaken in response to the now clear guidance from the Centers for Disease Control recommending that throughout the United States for the next eight weeks, any gathering consisting of 50 people or more be cancelled or postponed.

I know how disappointing this news about classes and Commencement is, especially to our graduating students and their families. During our initial planning, we held open the option for students to return to campus to complete the spring semester and to hold Commencement in May as scheduled. However, the continued rapid spread of COVID-19 in the United States and the quickly evolving guidance from public health officials have forced us to conclude that these options are no longer possible. I regret that these circumstances require us to significantly change how we live, work, and study together this spring.

Remote Instruction Extended Through Remainder of Spring Semester

I am so grateful to our exceptional faculty and staff for their efforts to transition to remote instruction while maintaining our standards of educational excellence and close collaboration with our students. The care and concern that our faculty and staff have for our students is a hallmark of a Richmond education, and that commitment will continue to guide us as we teach and engage with students remotely through the regularly scheduled semester and exam period.

In line with the strong recommendation of public health authorities, I am also notifying the students currently remaining on campus to make plans to return to your home. We recognize each of you has a different situation and some of you may need to reside on campus. Be assured we will take care of you and work with you to find the best possible solution for the remainder of the semester. In the next day or two, Student Development professionals will write to you with further information.

Students who are no longer on campus will receive detailed instructions in the next couple of weeks for moving or storing your belongings that remain in University housing. Should you have an immediate need for academic materials or medications, please complete this form. I ask that you do not return to campus to retrieve belongings until instructions for how to do so are communicated to you by Housing and Residential Life.

I know this decision will significantly inconvenience those who traveled to campus to retrieve belongings over the weekend. I am sorry we were not able to make this determination sooner; as you know, public health guidance has changed rapidly and significantly with yesterday’s announcement from the Centers for Disease Control.

In addition, the University will determine the most appropriate and expedient ways to process prorated adjustments for room and board expenses, as those fees assumed students would remain in residence for the remainder of the semester. More information about this process, which we know is very important to students and families, will be forthcoming as soon as feasible.

Class of 2020 Commencement Celebration

As noted above, in line with the updated CDC guidance regarding limiting gatherings, the University will celebrate the Class of 2020 Commencement later in the year. I deeply regret this outcome. Members of the Class of 2020, you have worked so hard and deserve every celebratory moment that traditionally accompanies the final weeks of the semester and our Commencement exercises. You will always be a special class for us, known for your grit and ability to weather difficult circumstances, people you want by your side when there is a challenge. Hear me when I say that I and other University leaders will do everything we can to reunite you on campus and celebrate your many accomplishments and your unique place in University history as soon as we can. We will be in touch directly with information as plans develop.

Shift to Remote Work for Employees

As noted above, for our staff and faculty, we are shifting to remote work to the fullest extent possible until further notice. Thank you all for your determination, dedication, and ingenuity in adapting at breakneck speed to support our students and the community. I am especially grateful to those who have worked to ensure the well-being of our students who have remained on campus, those working to ensure the operations of the University continue smoothly, and those supporting our faculty in transitioning to remote education. While we ask that those who can work remotely do so, and at the direction of the leaders of their division, the campus will remain accessible to employees and to students preparing to transition off campus. Facilities such as labs, computer rooms, studios, practice rooms and classrooms, however, are closed to all except faculty who need them for remote teaching and/or research.

Employee Payroll and Leave Adjustments

To our faculty and staff, we know the rapid and near-constant changes to the ways we all go about our lives at and outside of work are causing significant distress and difficulties for everyone. We have extended the Interim Pay Policies for non-exempt employees through April 11 and we have broadened employee eligibility for paid leave. Please refer to the University’s Interim Policies for more information.

Conclusion

In the days ahead, I humbly ask for your empathy, patience, and understanding. This global public health crisis has upended so many established norms in so many aspects of life, including those that have long governed university life. Responding has required change at a pace unfathomable just a week ago. But please know that caring for our community and delivering on our educational mission will always guide our decisions.

We realize that this communication will leave you with questions and concerns. We pledge to remain in frequent contact with you in the days ahead, and urge you to visit our COVID-19 response website regularly for updates. I hope that you and your families weather this threat in good health. Please take care of yourselves and one another.

Sincerely,

Ronald A. Crutcher
President

Dear Members of the University Community,

I write with an update on the University’s planning regarding the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19. As president of the University, my highest priorities right now are ensuring the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff — and making certain our students can complete their coursework this term.

To ensure we can continue to advance these goals, we will suspend classes next week to allow our faculty time to prepare for a likely move to remote instruction beginning March 23. Unless the situation regarding COVID-19 improves dramatically, we plan to continue remote instruction until at least April 3. We will be reassessing conditions during that period to determine opportunities to return to the classroom.

Students who are currently out of town for spring break should not return to campus during the period of remote instruction. Students presently on campus should return home immediately, if at all possible.

These are difficult decisions to make, but I believe they are necessary to fulfill our educational mission and protect the health of our community and the many other communities to which we are connected. Public health authorities predict COVID-19 will continue to spread, with potentially severe impacts on the healthcare system’s ability to provide critical care. Our actions will minimize our community’s exposure to the disease and ensure the ability of our students to complete their course work this semester. This action also reduces the risk of substantial disruption in university operations that might arise from a COVID-19 outbreak on campus. In particular, if COVID-19 cases occurred on campus, we would be unable to maintain a quarantine system that meets required public health standards for our students, and successfully conclude the semester. As those entrusted with not only the education but the care of our students — as well as the health of our faculty, staff, and community members — these are risks we are quite simply unwilling to take.

One of the hallmarks of a Richmond education is the close faculty and student collaboration in which we all take such great pride. I know our actions represent a significant disruption to our educational model, as well as to our daily operations and routines, and will require considerable sacrifices from each of us. I especially regret the impact a transition to remote learning will have on our graduating seniors, whose time remaining on campus is the most limited.

While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus, a case was diagnosed just today in nearby Hanover. We are taking the following immediate and proactive measures to reduce the risk of community exposure to COVID-19:

• Classes will be suspended next week. If a student must return to campus to pick up belongings, we ask that they limit their time in their residence halls to no more than two hours. You may access additional information on our student instructions page.
• Students with extenuating circumstances, such as international students, will have until Friday, March 13, at 5 p.m. to request an exemption to remain in on-campus housing. Those wishing to request an exemption from this directive must submit a petition (DUO login required). We expect that exceptions will be extremely limited.
• Faculty will prepare next week for the transition to remote instruction beginning March 23. Our community should be prepared for an extended period of distance learning.
• Currently we are not closing the university campus. We expect most buildings, such as the libraries, to remain open. Recognizing that the situation can change, deans and managers should consult their continuity of operations plans and assess functions that could be supported by faculty and staff working remotely, should that need arise in the future.
• The University will continue to support a limited on-campus population. Students who are given permission to remain in campus housing should be aware that access to most facilities and services will be limited and student activities and gatherings suspended, until further notice.

We recognize that our community will have many questions in the days and weeks ahead and have established a dedicated webpage where you can find the latest information and announcements regarding our institutional response to COVID-19. We invite you to refer to the page regularly for updates. We will be in contact at the end of the week regarding additional aspects of our operations, including previously scheduled campus events and university travel.

I am especially grateful to our Emergency Management Team, who continue to work tirelessly to monitor the situation, assess the risks we face, and develop proactive contingency plans in line with expert public health guidance. I also want to thank all of you for your patience, understanding, and resilience during this challenging time for our campus, our nation, and indeed our world.

To our students, I know that being away from this place we all call home will be difficult. But I am confident that you are well-equipped to adapt to these unique circumstances and successfully continue to learn and grow.

To our faculty, I know that transitioning to remote instruction mid-semester presents many challenges. But I am grateful for the extraordinary efforts you will make in continuing to provide our students with the excellent education for which Richmond is known.

And to our staff, I know that responding to this situation will ask much of you as we work to extend the University’s operations in new ways. But I am grateful for everything you have done and will continue to do to ensure we fulfill our institutional mission and our commitment to our students.

While today we face a novel health threat, time and again, I have watched our community come together to care for and support one another through extremely difficult situations. I know this moment will be no exception. Take good care of yourselves, and each other.

Sincerely,

Ronald A. Crutcher

We write with a brief update on the University’s planning regarding COVID 19. We will provide you with a more detailed communication of the University’s plans and interim policies by the end of this week, including policies for travel and returning to campus.

As you know, the COVID-19 situation is evolving rapidly both in the United States and abroad and we are planning for a range of scenarios from now into the fall semester. Currently, there are no cases on campus and three confirmed cases in Northern Virginia. As outlined in our emergency management plans, the University’s Executive Policy Group and Outbreak Control Team are meeting regularly to assess the situation, develop contingency plans, and make decisions to support the health and safety of our community and the operations of the University.

Planned Travel

We encourage all members of the campus community to give serious consideration to cancelling or postponing any non-essential professional or personal travel plans that you have between now and June 1, 2020. As noted above the University will be issuing interim policies, including travel policies, relating to COVID-19 by the end of this week. If you are making travel arrangements, you should avoid buying non-refundable tickets.

All students, faculty, and staff who are traveling over Spring Break internationally or to New York, Washington, or California or other domestic locations significantly affected by COVID-19 must complete University’s travel reporting form before their return. This is required for both University-sponsored and personal travel.

Recommended Health Precautions for COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Risk of contracting COVID-19 is dependent on individual exposure. As we are beginning to see community transmission of COVID-19 in the United States and around the world, it is important to practice good self-care habits, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
• Cover your cough;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
• Don’t share food or drinks;
• Get adequate rest and maintain healthy lifestyles (e.g. proper nutrition, exercise) to help ensure health;
• Avoid close contact, including handshakes and hugging; and
• If you get sick, stay home and rest.

If you suspect that you may have been exposed to COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms, please call your physician right away and follow the advice that they provide to you.

Cleaning of Campus Buildings

University Facilities has made the cleaning of high touch areas, such as door knobs, the priority and established defined cycles for disinfecting. University Facilities continues to closely monitor the situation and follow recommendations from the CDC for higher education settings.

Signs regarding proper hand washing are being placed in all public restrooms across campus.

Also, we encourage campus community members to make use of the UR hand sanitizers located in high traffic areas including the Commons, Boatwright Library, Heilman Dining Center, and all other retail dining locations.

Additional Information, Updates, and Questions

The University has developed a specific website for University of Richmond COVID-19 policies, updates and FAQ’s, which can be found here. This website will be updated regularly.

You may submit questions regarding COVID-19 planning to: em@richmond.edu. We are getting a number of questions from across campus and will respond to your message as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to protect the health and safety of the campus community.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear University of Richmond Students, Faculty, and Staff:

We continue to closely monitor the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The current situation both globally and in the United States is dynamic and we have seen rapid increases in confirmed cases in affected locations. The safety and health of our students, faculty, and staff remains our highest priority. We write today to notify the campus community about the cancellation of University-sponsored student travel over spring break. We also urge all those in our community to be conscientious regarding personal travel over spring break and to register your international travel with the University as indicated below. Additionally, the University’s Outbreak Control Team has been and will continue to meet regularly to prepare for a range of scenarios in which COVID-19 could further impact our campus.

Update on International Travel

Regrettably, the University has decided to cancel all University-sponsored international travel involving students over spring break. As we have seen over the last week, COVID-19 cases are increasing rapidly and we expect the situation to remain extremely fluid over the next two weeks. We are concerned about the potential for exposure to COVID-19 and the evolving impact that this health situation is having on international mobility. There is too much uncertainty about the ability of our community members to return to the United States without interruption of travel due to quarantine or other restrictions. We recognize that this decision will be deeply disappointing for the students and faculty scheduled to travel over spring break, but after much consideration we determined that it is in the best interest of the members of our campus community. The Office of International Education will work with affected faculty and staff regarding the cancellation of these trips.

We will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation and have not yet made any decisions regarding University-sponsored travel during the summer or fall.

The Office of International Education is in close communication with students who are currently studying abroad to provide support and information, and to help them make informed decisions about their travel plans.

For those of you planning personal travel abroad over spring break or in the next few weeks, please be advised that the conditions in your international travel destination may change without warning, especially in locations severely impacted by COVID-19. As such, if you are planning an international trip, be mindful of potential disruption to your reentry to the United States.

All students, faculty, and staff who have recently traveled or are planning to travel internationally this semester for any reason — personal or University-related — are asked to complete the online travel reporting form. The information gathered via this form will help insure the safety of our campus and will be used by the Office of International Education and/or the Office of Human Resources to proactively communicate with individuals or groups as necessary.

The following general resources may be helpful if you have international travel plans, including:

• The CDC Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) website with FAQs, situation updates, and travel information
• U.S. Department of State Information regarding travel advisories
• The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to facilitate contact with local U.S. Embassies

As a reminder, the residential buildings and many dining facilities on campus remain open over Spring Break.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update

University officials remain in communication with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) regarding COVID-19. As of today, there have been 86 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States. There are no reported cases in Virginia as of this time.

Individual risk is dependent on exposure. As with any virus, we remind you of the importance of using good self-care habits, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Cover your cough
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
• Don’t share food or drinks
• If you get sick, stay home and rest.

The University’s Facilities team continues its ongoing practice of disinfecting high touch areas, such as door knobs, across campus. Also, we encourage campus community members to make use of the UR hand sanitizers located in high traffic areas including the Commons, Boatwright Library, Heilman Dining Center, and all other retail dining locations.

For additional information about COVID-19, please see the University’s FAQs. Information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the VDH.

The University continues to prepare for the potential impact of COVID-19 and will continue to provide updates to the campus community.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Members of the UR Community:

We write to provide additional information regarding the coronavirus and University-sponsored travel to China, and to express solidarity with our community members who may be affected by this health challenge.

Coronavirus Update

The World Health Organization has officially named the 2019 novel coronavirus COVID-19. You may hear references to the coronavirus or COVID-19 in public health announcements and in the news media.

University officials have been closely monitoring the evolving news about this illness for several weeks and have been in communication with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). As of today, there have been 15 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States, and there are no reported cases in Virginia. All of the confirmed cases involved individuals who either traveled to Wuhan, China, where the virus was first detected, or were in close contact with someone who had traveled to Wuhan.

For additional information about COVID-19, please see the University’s FAQs. Information is also available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the VDH.

As with any virus, we remind you of the importance of good self-care habits, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your cough.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Don’t share food or drinks.
• If you get sick, stay home and rest.

University-Sponsored Travel to China

The U.S. State Department recently issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory stating “Do Not Travel,” to mainland China. The CDC also issued a warning against all nonessential travel to China. The University of Richmond will not approve University-sponsored travel to China by students, faculty, or staff while these alerts remain in place. It is possible that this situation could change or will continue through the spring and into the summer, and we will provide updates as appropriate.

The Office of International Education is in contact with and has been supporting students whose study abroad plans for the spring semester included travel to China. The University will also provide support and guidance for UR students who live in China as they contemplate options for returning home at any time.

The University stands ready to support members of our Spider family who are from or have personal ties to the impacted areas. We recognize this can be an anxious time and encourage you to reach out to any of the resources available on campus including the College Deans Offices, the Office of International Education, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), the Office of Human Resources, or the Chaplaincy.

The University will continue to closely monitor this health risk with the expectation that guidelines and recommendations will change and will provide updates when warranted.

Sincerely,

David Hale
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Jeffrey Legro
Executive Vice President and Provost

Dear Members of the University Community,

Your health and safety is always a priority for us. We write to share that the University is monitoring reports regarding the novel coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan City, China. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the symptoms for patients with this coronavirus have included mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

We are following guidance provided by the CDC and Virginia Department of Health (VDH). The risk to the people currently in the United States is deemed low; however, it is flu season and there are precautions we can take to prevent the spread of all communicable diseases, like the flu.

All members of the campus community are encouraged to get a flu shot and to see their physician if they develop flu-like symptoms. Additionally, the best preventative steps for any communicable disease include simple but important measures to practice as part of your daily routine, but especially during flu season:

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds or more with soapy water;
• Avoid sharing anything that has come in contact with saliva, whether in your living or social environments;
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and wash your hands immediately after; and
• Get adequate sleep and eat well-balanced meals to ensure a healthy immune system.

The University will continue to work closely with partners at VDH to prepare for, screen, and prevent the spread of illness and keep our community safe. For additional information and the most up-to-date details, visit the VDH website (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novel-coronavirus/). If the situation warrants, we will follow up with additional communication, and we are always available to respond to individual inquiries.

Sincerely,

Lynne Deane
Medical Director, Student Health Center