Welcome to the first edition of Read This for the fall 2021 semester! Check your inbox every Sunday evening for the updates and deadlines that you need to know the navigate the week ahead. And watch for the @Rochester e-newsletter every weekday morning for University news, institutional updates, events, and opportunities for students.

The University requires all undergraduate and graduate students who plan to enroll and be on campus for the 2021–22 academic year to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Students arriving to campus from locations that do not have easy access to an approved vaccine can be vaccinated through UHS, at the pharmacy at Strong Memorial Hospital, or at a nearby pharmacy.

Students who need the vaccine upon arrival should email uhscovid19@uhs.rochester.edu as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. From August 18 to 24, UHS will provide the Pfizer vaccine to arriving students and will schedule those who need a second dose three weeks later. Additional vaccination schedules are also available outside of these dates; schedule an appointment through UHSConnect. Students who want the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine will need to go off campus.

The Strong Memorial Hospital Outpatient Pharmacy (located in the hospital lobby) offers free, walk-in COVID-19 Pfizer vaccines for all University students and employees Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 3 to 5 a.m. Please bring your University ID badge and your health insurance card. Note: This is for the primary vaccine series only; boosters are not currently approved by New York State and are not part of this vaccination effort.

As noted in a message sent to all students at the end of July: On Monday, August 16, any student who is not vaccinated and has not received an exemption, or who doesn’t intend to be vaccinated upon arrival, will have their classes removed from their schedule and a registration hold will be placed on the student record until the student completes the vaccination requirements. Additionally, these students will not be allowed to move into campus housing. These actions will also need to be taken for students who may be fully vaccinated, but who have not uploaded proof of this vaccination through the UHSConnect portal. August 31 is the deadline to request 100 percent financial tuition reimbursement.

Meal plan changes will be accepted through Saturday, September 4. The $25 modification fee applies. If you are increasing the size of your meal plan, the modification fee will be waived. Change forms can be found on the Dining Services web page. Email completed forms as a pdf or Word document attachment to mealplans@services.rochester.edu; email questions to the same address.

Online deposits to URos, declining accounts: Deposits to URos and declining accounts can be made online. The minimum deposit is $25. Visa, MasterCard, and Discover are accepted.

The due date for all outstanding financial aid requirements is Wednesday, September 8. Students with outstanding financial aid documents and requirements will continue to receive bi-weekly email reminders of those requirements. Students can also find a list of these materials under the “Required Documents” page of their FAOnline portal. Students who have not submitted all required documents by that deadline will no longer have their need-based financial aid anticipated on their billing statement. Contact your financial aid counselor with questions.