University of Rochester students, faculty, and staff:
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Rochester has relied on the best information available to make sound policy decisions and keep our University community safe and healthy. From the very beginning, we listened to the expert guidance of our medical professionals, and like our local, state, and federal agencies, we used measurable data and reliable science to guide our recommendations and protocols.
Now, with Governor Hochul’s recent decision to let New York’s COVID state of emergency expire, and with increasing empirical evidence that the Omicron variants of COVID are less likely to cause severe disease in infected individuals than influenza, we are continuing to reassess some of our guidelines and protocols. This reassessment also follows an examination of the health and safety practices at our peer institutions and our neighboring colleges and universities. After surveying and speaking with key representatives at over 20 peer schools, we determined it was time to revise some of our COVID-related practices, and to treat the virus like we do other illnesses.
Face Masks
Effective immediately, masking will no longer be required on University campuses or on University transportation/shuttles. The face mask tier system of determining mask wearing indoors will also be discontinued; however, since masking is still an effective method to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and many other contagious illnesses including the flu, we expect people who are experiencing symptoms of COVID or other contagious illnesses to isolate if possible, and wear a well-fitting mask if isolation is impossible. We continue to encourage anyone who chooses to wear a mask to do so. It is important to remember that masking is a personal choice, and no individual should be shamed or ridiculed for choosing to wear one.
Masks will continue to be required in our medical, patient-facing facilities (or “Blue Zone”) and in University Health Service (UHS) spaces. URMC students and employees should visit the URMC Intranet for more information (login credentials required).
We will continue to monitor our area’s infection rates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and we will use those data, along with information about the seriousness of new COVID variants, to determine if there is a need to re-implement a face mask requirement on our campuses. Face masks will be an infection prevention measure if cases surge in the community.
COVID reporting
We are also pausing the requirement that students report symptoms or positive COVID-19 tests to UHS. Instead, we continue to encourage everyone to stay up to date with their vaccinations and boosters, and we expect you to take proactive steps, as described above, to protect those around you if you are sick or have symptoms of COVID or other infectious illnesses. Students can continue to pick up a free COVID test kit at Rush Rhees Library, the Goergen Athletic Center, the Student Living Center at Eastman, and at any UHS office.
Boosters
UHS has bivalent COVID booster shots available for students. Because of refrigeration and storage requirements for the vaccines, the boosters will be available only at UHS. Students can schedule an appointment through UHSConnect. Additionally, students and employees can make appointments at one of the local pharmacies to receive their Omicron-targeting booster. Many pharmacies now have the bivalent booster vaccine in stock and offer it free by appointment.
Medical, dental, and nursing students must continue to follow the COVID-19 Healthcare Provider Vaccination Policy, which adheres to specific New York State regulations. More information is available here: View the policy.
Isolation
We are adjusting our quarantine and isolation policies to better match the practices at our peer institutions. Moving forward, most students who test positive should continue to isolate in their room, leaving only while masked to use a bathroom or pick up food to eat in their room.
Likewise, in the absence of risk factors for severe disease, roommates will be expected to continue living in their rooms and to follow all health and safety guidelines. In conjunction with the isolation protocols, UHS will determine on a case-by-case basis any special housing needs for well students with high-risk health conditions; most of these accommodations will be at Whipple Park.
Students who are at increased risk of severe illness if they test positive or share a room with a student who has tested positive should contact UHS at (585) 275-2662 to discuss these housing and treatment options.
We expect instructors to continue to accommodate students who need to physically isolate when experiencing symptoms of contagious illnesses to protect those around them.
Staying Healthy
A reminder that UHS provides important tips for staying healthy, which include washing your hands often with soap and water, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and getting your flu shot. We anticipate a particularly active flu season, and we have collective responsibility to ensure that our community remains healthy. URMC students, faculty, staff, and volunteers are eligible for free flu shot clinics, and a flu shot clinic for students will also be held on October 20 on the River Campus. A clinic is also being scheduled for the Eastman School of Music campus, with details available soon.
The face of COVID is changing, and we need to change with it. Of course, if infection rates rise, or if there is a significantly greater risk of spread in our community or on our campuses, we will revisit these policies and revise them as needed. Please be assured that the University and its senior leadership will continue to rely on the best data and information we have available to make sure that the University of Rochester remains a safe and healthy place where all can learn, live, and work.
Sincerely,
David Figlio
Provost and Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education
Liz Milavec
Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance and Chief Financial Officer
This message was sent via email to the University community on October 4, 2022.