Academics
RIT administrators expect students will enjoy a more traditional fall semester, albeit one with masking requirements. Most classes will be held in person and related academic activities will resume. Courses that were formerly instructed as A/B splits will be mainly in person, and most spaces will operate at nearly full capacity for on-campus instruction, research, campus programs, and services. Grading returns to letter grades from pass/fail, with the understanding that faculty and staff will work with students to maintain academic continuity if specific situations arise.
RIT’s international and graduate student populations who may still be impacted by restrictions brought about by COVID-19 are encouraged to reach out to the RIT Graduate School or International Student Services.
The university is monitoring evolving CDC guidance, particularly in light of the spread of variants, and will respond to changing campus conditions as necessary.
Commencement
Commencement is scheduled for May 6-7, 2022. RIT plans to host in-person ceremonies with guests, in accordance with public health guidance and RIT’s Safety Plan. Please check the Commencement website for the most up-to-date information.
Course Modalities for Spring Semester
RIT is offering a mix of in-person, blended, and online course offerings in the spring. This will enable us to meet the physical distancing and reduced occupancy requirements for our instructional spaces. With six-foot physical distancing and reduced occupancy requirements in place, classroom spaces will look much different. Course modalities and course schedules are listed in SIS.
Flex Option
This spring, RIT will offer students two new course options, a HyFlex option and Dual Track option. Both offer flexibility for students to manage their class participation from a distance while meeting all course expectations. It is the instructor’s choice to offer either or neither of these options. These options are displayed as class attributes in SIS when students register.
Study Spaces
The Frank Ritter Ice Arena was converted into a large study area with approximately 200 available seats. Students sit at the ends of six-foot tables arranged on the rink’s cement floor. WiFi and power are available. Masks must be worn at all times, and no eating is permitted in the study space. Student attendants are available during Ritter Arena study hours: 7:30 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, and 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday.
Students can also study from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday in Slaughter Hall, room 2210-2240. The open study area can accommodate approximately 50 students.
RIT’s Wallace Library continues to offer individual study rooms and open study areas, although at reduced capacity. There are new protocols that enable students, faculty, and staff to take full advantage of the library’s resources as safely as possible.
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February 15, 2021
![illustration showing the August 2021 calendar in between two potted plants.]()
Fall 2021 semester classes anticipated to begin Aug. 23
With spring semester in full swing, RIT’s Fall Academic Planning Committee has been working to make recommendations to the university’s executive leadership for the upcoming fall semester.
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February 8, 2021
![two students wearing face masks playing table tennis.]()
Three recharge days scheduled this semester
RIT’s spring semester this year features three recharge days for students to take a break from classes and studying. The days—Feb. 23, March 24, and April 22—feature several optional activities students may participate in either in-person, drop-in, or virtually.
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February 1, 2021
![RIT's digital campus map.]()
RIT Campus Maps features study spaces
RIT Campus Map is a handy resource for finding a place to study. The interactive website includes a feature for identifying the availability of nine different spaces, without having to walk across campus, especially during the winter months.
