Frequently Asked Questions
We want you to have all the tools you need to weather this crisis calmly and stay in the best possible health.
Table of Contents
RISD Vaccination Protocol
Students
Eligible* students are required to receive a COVID-19 booster shot prior to their arrival to campus. Anyone who has already received an approved exemption from a COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be exempt from this requirement. Students seeking an exemption from the vaccine or booster*, must fill out a request form on the student patient portal.
*Students who are not yet eligible to receive a booster should not request exemption and can wait until eligible and boosted to upload booster verification.
Employees
Employees are required to disclose whether they have received a COVID-19 booster shot.
Booster eligibility depends on the time since completing the primary series of a vaccine. Please visit the Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) website for more details.
To find a vaccine location or sign up for a booster, please visit VaccinateRI.org.
Students who are not yet eligible to receive a booster must wait until eligible and boosted to upload booster verification. An exemption is not required.
For students, RISD requires COVID-19 vaccination (including booster shots when eligible) in addition to the current required vaccinations. For employees, RISD strongly encourages vaccination (including a booster shot) but does not require it. RISD requires employee vaccination and booster disclosure (letting the institution know whether you’ve been vaccinated).
No. All students are required to be vaccinated (and boosted when eligible) in order to attend RISD except those granted approval for exemptions due to medical or religious reasons. The form can be found on the Health Services portal. Students can also request a leave of absence/deferral for one academic year and start/return Fall 2023.
According to the CDC, the best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated and boostered. Studies show that fully vaccinated and boosted people are less likely to spread the virus to others, even if they do get COVID-19. At more than 85 percent community booster rate, RISD is a highly vaccinated/boostered environment, so the risk of transmission is significantly reduced, and the risk of serious illness is low.
Health and Safety
While masks are not mandated for any on-campus events, RISD strongly recommends wearing a high-quality, well-fitting mask for all indoor settings and for RISD-sponsored events to help protect against COVID-19.
This recommendation applies to classrooms—including open floor plan studio or home spaces—as well as common spaces in dorms (i.e. in the lounge and in workrooms).
Approved masks are also available for free at RISD Public Safety offices at 30 Waterman Street and 15 West, and at Thompson House.
RISD’s population is highly vaccinated and boostered, with a community primary series vaccination rate of over 95 percent, and a community booster rate of over 86%. Vaccination and boosters are required for all students (medical and religious exemptions notwithstanding), and all employees are required to disclose their vaccination and booster status. Vaccines and boosters are the most effective tools in limiting the transmission of COVID-19 and mitigating serious illness, and RISD strongly encourages all employees to get inoculated.
Students and employees are encouraged to continue monitoring their own health — both in relation to COVID-19 and other contagious illnesses — to help keep our communities healthy. If a student or employee is feeling symptomatic, they will be directed to consult with Student Health Services (students) or notify their supervisor and consult their healthcare provider (employees).
RISD maintains a thorough cleaning protocol for campus facilities. Bathrooms are sanitized daily, and high-touch areas are cleaned frequently. Additionally, hand sanitizer stations are available throughout campus facilities to encourage frequent handwashing and air filtration will continue to be prioritized.
The CDC recommends using KN95, KN94 and N95 masks for approximately one week, or no more than five times/days in general. Surgical/medical procedure masks should only be used once. Do not wash and reuse medical-grade masks. Medical-grade masks should be replaced if they get wet or dirty.
RISD will continue to prioritize high levels of air filtration and will maintain an increased frequency of regular maintenance, continue to set exterior air setting to the maximum permitted by the system design, adopt MERV 13 HVAC filters as the RISD standard in all fixed mechanical systems, and continue making stand-alone HEPA ventilation units available until ASHRAE or CDC guidelines recommend otherwise.
RISD continuously monitors several key indicators in Rhode Island and the surrounding area. As part of this oversight we monitor CDC community risk levels, hospitalization levels, COVID-related activity on neighboring campuses, and the availability of institutional resources to support the health and safety of the RISD community. A campus-wide evacuation would be highly unlikely in the case of a significant outbreak of positive cases, as it is typically safer to shelter in place rather than travel while infected.
In case of a significant increase in the rate of transmission on campus, RISD may need to revert to more restrictive protocols including a mask mandate, random PCR surveillance testing, social distancing, and, in the extreme case, a temporary return to online instruction.
If you seek a modification to RISD’s COVID-19-related processes or equipment because of a medical condition or a religious belief, please contact Student Affairs (students) or Human Resources (employees).
Any employee who is at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, or who shares a household with someone at high risk, may submit a written request to RISD Human Resources for a job-related accommodation. Learn more.
Working at RISD
Standing and ad hoc meetings should be done in a modality that best supports the meeting’s overall goal. Meetings may be conducted either in person, virtually via Zoom, or hybrid to accommodate hybrid employees.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 , you are encouraged to test at home with an antigen test or to contact your healthcare provider about taking an off-campus COVID-19 test.
According to the CDC, the best way to protect unvaccinated family members at home is to get vaccinated yourself. Studies show that fully vaccinated people are less likely to spread the virus to others, even if they do get COVID-19.
RISD is a highly vaccinated environment. Community members wanting to protect unvaccinated children at home can take additional precautions, such as wearing face coverings indoors and practicing physical distancing when possible.
While the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission does allow employers to ask and collect information on employee vaccination status, this information is considered confidential medical information under the ADA*. For this reason, RISD does not share vaccination information with supervisors / managers and they should not ask employees about their vaccination status.
*Note that this is different from HIPAA, which applies to entities such as health care providers, health plans, or health care clearinghouses. RISD is not a HIPAA-covered entity.
As of April 11, 2022 RISD is a mask-optional / mask-friendly campus; mask-wearing remains welcome on campus. In addition, community members are invited to respectfully interact with their colleagues / classmates to express their preferences regarding COVID-19 health safety practices. However, no individual can require another individual to adopt a practice beyond those that are institutionally sanctioned. You may ask a colleague or classmate to wear a mask, but are not required to disclose any personal medical information. RISD expects that the community will engage in personal interactions with respect and tolerance. If you feel that you are at increased risk and require an accommodation, your first course of action should be to contact Health Services (students) or Human Resources (employees).
Testing
Symptomatic employees should contact their Primary Care Physician or administer a self-test using a commercially available rapid antigen test. Symptomatic students should contact Student Health Services for a PCR test. Additionally, open asymptomatic PCR testing will be available to the RISD community throughout the month of September.
Positive Cases
RISD finds out about positive cases in one of two ways: Reports from Color’s onsite testing and vaccination software for all on campus test results, or a self report from an employee or student who tests positive at an off-campus testing site or via a self-administered test.
Students
Students living in a single room with a private bathroom who test positive have the option to remain in their residence. Students who reside on campus may move to a RISD-designated isolation space in a nearby hotel or room on campus, secured by RISD for this purpose. Students who live off campus will continue to isolate themselves as their off-campus residence. Students in isolation must remain in their room except to use the bathroom, visit Health Services, or collect food.
Employees
Employees are required to isolate at home. Employees may request Paid Special Leave to care for themselves, and then use regular sick time. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
Additional details can be found on the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.
You should isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
If an employee receives a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result off-campus they should contact their primary care provider and follow appropriate isolation guidelines.
Students who receive a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result are required to report the positive to RISD Health Services (401-454-6625 or health@risd.edu) during normal business hours. Students who receive a positive test after hours are required to notify Public Safety at 401-454-6666. Students who test positive are required to isolate for a full 5 days and then wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days. Students are advised to discuss their isolation status with their faculty, supervisors, and close friends. Students will work with Health Services for their isolation requirements.
Campus and Residential Life
RISD finds out about positive cases in one of two ways: Reports from Color’s onsite testing and vaccination software for all on campus test results, or a self report from an employee or student who tests positive at an off-campus testing site or via a self-administered test.
Students
Students living in a single room with a private bathroom who test positive have the option to remain in their residence. Students who reside on campus may move to a RISD-designated isolation space in a nearby hotel or room on campus, secured by RISD for this purpose. Students who live off campus will continue to isolate themselves as their off-campus residence. Students in isolation must remain in their room except to use the bathroom, visit Health Services, or collect food.
Employees
Employees are required to isolate at home. Employees may request Paid Special Leave to care for themselves, and then use regular sick time. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
Additional details can be found on the CDC’s website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html.
You should isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
If an employee receives a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result off-campus they should contact their primary care provider and follow appropriate isolation guidelines.
Students who receive a positive PCR or rapid antigen test result are required to report the positive to RISD Health Services (401-454-6625 or health@risd.edu) during normal business hours. Students who receive a positive test after hours are required to notify Public Safety at 401-454-6666. Students who test positive are required to isolate for a full 5 days and then wear a well-fitting mask for an additional 5 days. Students are advised to discuss their isolation status with their faculty, supervisors, and close friends. Students will work with Health Services for their isolation requirements.
Domestic and international travel are permitted and employees and students must follow the current Rhode Island State travel guidelines.
Travelers are encouraged to check COVID-19 policies, vaccination levels and community spread levels for their intended destination prior to booking travel. If you have any concerns about the health safety status of your destination, please contact RISD Global for a risk assessment to inform your travel plans.
Yes, both domestic and international travel is permitted and institutionally supported.
Yes. Students may host visitors in the residence halls.
RISD faculty and staff seeking access to Brown facilities and programs will be subject to Brown’s visitor and guest COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
Brown students, faculty and staff are required and deemed to be fully vaccinated and can access, as appropriate and allowed, facilities and programs on the RISD campus.
Yes. CSI offers in-person programming and support for clubs and organizations, which can host in-person activities.
RISD will return to indoor seating in dining venues in accordance with state guidelines and outdoor dining space will also continue to be available.
Isolation meals will be available using the Grubhub app for both Portfolio and Met.
Glossary of COVID Terms
Close contact is the term used for individuals who have been within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 2 days before illness onset (or, for asymptomatic patients, 2 days prior to specimen collection) until the time the patient is isolated.
Contact tracing – the process of identification of persons who may have come into contact with an infected person. It is also the subsequent collection of further information about these contacts to determine if they will need to quarantine because they are considered a close contact of that infected person. All members of the RISD community are encouraged to use the Crush COVID app and/or keep a journal of daily contacts.
Instruction during WS and Spring Semester, 2022, will continue to be offered in one of three modes: hybrid, in-person, or online. Please note that the definitions have been edited somewhat from those used for Fall Semester, 2021, to provide more clarity for faculty, students, and families.
- Cloth face covering – a fabric mask that covers the nose & mouth with at least two layers of fabric, not vented; it is the preferred method of protection at RISD.
- Disposable/Surgical mask – a disposable mask that creates a physical barrier between the mouth and nose of the wearer and potential contaminants in the immediate environment; a single-use face covering that must be discarded after use.
- N95 (medical grade) – Professional respirators, called N95 respirators, are medical devices designed to prevent exposure to tiny droplets that can remain suspended in the air. Health care workers who wear them undergo a fit-test to find the right make, model, and size to ensure a tight seal. N95 respirators are currently in very short supply and should be reserved for health care providers and first responders.
- N95 (construction grade) – Construction grade N95 masks, or standard N95 masks, are occupational masks that filter tiny droplets but do not have as tight of a seal as medical grade N95 masks.
- Vented dust mask – a face covering used in some shops to protect the user from dust particles. Not sufficient for viral protection because it does not protect others from exhaled particles of the user. Must be used in combination with a cloth face covering.
Isolation is used to separate people—either infected with coronavirus or being tested for such an infection—from people who are not infected. People who are in isolation should stay in place until it is determined that they may be around others. Students isolating on campus will not be allowed to leave their isolation room, will have all meals and other services delivered to the room, and the student will be contacted by Student Health Services daily for a health check.
- Test-Pending Isolation – Symptomatic individuals who are being tested for COVID-19 and waiting for results must isolate. Residential community members will be moved temporarily to isolation housing; students living off-campus should isolate at home. A negative test means one can leave isolation; a positive test means that isolation will continue.
- Test-Positive Isolation – Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but do not need hospitalization will be required to isolate. Those isolating will be allowed to return to classes/work upon meeting the RIDOH guidelines for ending isolation.
A Learning Management System (or LMS) is a centralized online platform for instructional materials and asynchronous interaction, which allows faculty and students to engage meaningfully in teaching or learning in online or hybrid learning environments.
Positivity Rate indicates the percentage of tests that come back positive for COVID-19 out of all tests conducted. In general, a high positivity rate indicates that not enough testing is being conducted to understand the true spread of the disease; a positivity rate of 5% or below is generally regarded as “good.”
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others, to prevent potential spread of disease. Students quarantining on campus will not be permitted to attend any in-person classes or events, and may not have visitors, but they may engage in their classes remotely and go on solo walks to maintain good health.
- Close Contact Quarantine – Unvaccinated individuals who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 will need to quarantine for 10 days. Students will be able to stay in place if they are in single rooms or will be placed in special housing if they are in a shared room.
- Arrival Quarantine – RISD will not require arrival quarantine, also known as a “quiet period” for fall 2021.
Reproduction Rate (R0 or R-value) indicates the average number of people that one person with COVID-19 is likely to infect in a population without any immunity (from previous infection) or any interventions. If the average R0 in the population is greater than 1, the infection will spread exponentially. If R0 is less than 1, the infection will spread only slowly, and it will eventually die out.
- Baseline/arrival testing – the testing that will happen at the beginning of the semester of all students and employees who will be on campus. It is the means by which we will create both a testing baseline and the surveillance testing pool.
- Surveillance testing – the systematic screening of a sample of the population, including asymptomatic individuals, to identify cases.
- Diagnostic testing – when a symptomatic person is tested, to determine if they are positive for COVID-19.
RISD defines vaccination as being up to date on the COVID-19 vaccine, including a booster dose when eligible. RISD accepts vaccines approved for emergency medical authorization by the FDA or the World Health Organization.
Updated 1/20/2022
