Students,
It’s so exciting to see campus come to life as first-year students move into residence halls and begin their first days as part of our community!
As you know, vaccination and a negative COVID test are required to return to campus. Thank you to all of you who submitted your vaccination cards and are following all protocols as you move into your residence halls and return to campus. If you have questions about our protocols or move-in, you should visit our FAQs. If you have questions that are not covered there, you can email studentlife@rhodes.edu or submit to the COVID Question and Comment Form.
Vaccination Requirement
We continue to process newly submitted vaccination cards. Those who have not submitted your vaccination cards will have until September 30th to do so before being put on personal leave. As a reminder to returning students, if you are not vaccinated, then you are not permitted to access campus. Your vaccination cards should be uploaded to Medicat, if you have not done so already.
All students should bring with them a photo or copy of their vaccine card, as some students may be required to re-upload copies to Medicat before being permitted to move in or attend the first day of classes.
Having a photo of your vaccine is a good practice, should it become required for travel or events and activities here in Memphis.
Returning students who have not submitted their vaccine cards or whose cards are not clear enough to read in Medicat will receive a communication later today from Student Life to re-upload their card before arriving on campus. Please be responsive to any emails or texts you receive on this matter to prevent delays in your arrival on campus.
Academic Classes
While we are excited to return to in-person classes this semester, students should expect flexibility in course delivery. There may be circumstances that lead to classes being remote on a temporary basis. You should expect to hear from your faculty members when and if that need arises.
Asymptomatic Testing
We will continue to update our health and safety protocols based on public health advice, which will be fluid based on the ongoing situation on campus and in the community. While testing is currently only required for those who have not been vaccinated because of special circumstances, if cases rise, we are prepared to move towards targeted asymptomatic testing of some vaccinated students.
Meeting and Event Guidelines for Student Events
I know many of you are interested in our meeting and event guidelines for student events, and so I wanted to share the updated guidelines here. Student organization leaders should direct their questions to Mikayla Woodward, Coordinator for Student Activities, at woodwardm@rhodes.edu.
Convocation
We are postponing Opening Convocation until after Fall Break when we can all gather together to observe this special Rhodes tradition. At that time our community will be on campus and fully vaccinated. This will allow us all to be together safely to celebrate our campus community and academic mission. We are excited to continue with other Welcome Week events, which can be found here for first-year students and here for the Class of 2024.
Class of 2025 Honor Pledge Ceremony
On August 22, the Class of 2025 will be attending their formal dinner with President Carroll Stevens, followed by the traditional Honor Pledge ceremony. The Refectory will be quite busy, returning students are encouraged to eat after 6:15 p.m. that evening.
Lynx Life
I have heard from many of you how happy you are to be on campus, and that we will all work together to act responsibly and do what is required to make a fulfilling on-campus semester possible. I will be in touch weekly to share updates, so be sure to watch your email for those important updates.
If you would like more real-time updates, please consider following me on Instagram at Rhodes_mhw. I will update you regularly this term with messages about health and safety, as well as other information about student life.
I am grateful for all you have done to follow our return to campus protocols, and am sure you join me in thanking faculty and staff who are working tirelessly to adapt to changing circumstances to make this return possible.
I look forward to seeing you around campus.
Be Well,
-mhw
Meghan Harte Weyant, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Life