R.I. vaccination updates

bryant.edu/reopening Friday, March 26, 2021 Bryant’s commitment to the health and safety of our community has kept us strong through the past year. We have addressed difficult challenges together and preserved, as much as possible, the integrated academic excellence and purposeful residential experience that is a hallmark of our university. This shared goal requires continued collective commitment from all of us. Our COVID test positivity rate for this week is relatively stable, but has increased slightly from last week. We need to stay vigilant and in a steady state with test positivity through the next six weeks to finish our spring semester classes as planned. Essential policies that limit social gathering size to those you live with remain critical. Social gatherings are how COVID-19 spreads, and to keep everyone safe we are continuing increased Public Safety in our residents halls and townhouses. It is important that all members of the community continue wearing masks, maintaining social distance, frequent handwashing, and avoiding unnecessary trips off campus. If we all work together we can keep Bryant strong and finish strong. Commencement Planning Since we announced our preliminary Commencement plans earlier this month, we have heard from many of you offering ideas and suggestions. We have taken all Commencement perspectives and suggestions into consideration. Almost all suggestions included a request that we explore innovative options for a limited number of guests to view the Class of 2021 Commencement ceremonies on campus, as well as to reconsider an in-person Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020. We are pleased to share that in the last 24 hours we received information on the size of outdoor gatherings that will be permitted in Rhode Island beginning on May 1. The new standards increase the number of people able to attend an outdoor ceremony and now make it possible for us to host in-person ceremonies, including two guests for each graduate, for both the Class of 2020 and Class of 2021 events. We are delighted with this news and will share updated information as soon as we have the authorization to proceed with the adjusted plans now being finalized. We are all in this together and appreciate everyone’s patience. Attention Seniors Please place your Cap & Gown order for Commencement by visiting: https://bryant.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome Place your order by April 4 to ensure delivery in time for Commencement. You have the option to send regalia to either the bookstore, for on campus pickup, or to your home. Questions: please call the Bookstore x6240 or email commencement@bryant.edu Vaccination Updates We know that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at preventing COVID-19 disease, especially severe disease, and that COVID vaccines are held to the same safety standards as other vaccinations. Bryant Health Services encourages all our community members to get vaccinated once they become eligible. Rhode Island plans to open vaccination eligibility to everyone ages 16+ who “lives, works, or goes to school in Rhode Island” on April 19. This includes our international community members. Some members of the Bryant community are already eligible for vaccines, depending on their age, certain medical conditions, or type of employment. Check your eligibility status and register for a vaccine appointment when eligible at https://covid.ri.gov/vaccination. New appointments are regularly added on Tuesdays beginning at 9 a.m. and Fridays beginning at 5 p.m. Once you have received both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID vaccines or one of the single-dose Janssen vaccine, please email a copy of your vaccine card to bhs@bryant.edu. You are considered “fully vaccinated” when two weeks have passed since you received your second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or the single dose Jannsen vaccine. Once “fully vaccinated,” you should still wear a mask, wash hands frequently, practice physical/social distancing, report symptoms on your Health Checker app, and continue to participate in Bryant’s COVID-19 surveillance testing program. The Rhode Island Department of Health has created a Frequently Asked COVID-19 Vaccine Questions which can be found at https://covid.ri.gov/vaccination/covid-19-vaccine-faqs Telehealth In addition to the Bryant Health Services in-person well and sick clinic visits, Health Services continues to provide telehealth appointments via the HIPAA-compliant Zoom for Healthcare platform. We ask that you call Health Services at 401-232-6220 to schedule either in-person or telehealth appointments. Summer Session Registration and 2021-22 Academic Calendar Building on the popularity of Bryant’s wintersession program, registration for Summer Session 2021 at discounted tuition rates is open. All classes will be taught remotely. Undergraduate Summer Day I: May 26 through June 30 Undergraduate Summer Evening: May 26 through July 21 Undergraduate Summer Day II: July through August 5 For more information about Summer Session 2021 including cost and the start and end of classes, click here. Bryant has also announced the Academic Calendar for Fall 2021-Spring 2022. Learn more (.pdf) DOWNLOAD THE HEALTH CHECKER APP For Bryant reopening questions, please email reopening@bryant.edu

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