Latest Updates

As we continue to monitor and respond to the challenges of COVID-19, we’re committed to keeping the entire RISD community up to date—students, faculty, staff and our neighbors alike.

Stay informed by reviewing the latest updates to this site.

On-Campus PCR Testing Discontinued after February 15: RISD will discontinue onsite PCR testing for Spring 2023, due to continued and consistent low usage numbers. Students will still be able to request PCR testing via appointments with Health Services.

More info

February 6, 2023


COVID and Flu Vaccination Clinic: RISD is hosting a vaccination clinic next Wednesday, January 25, from 9–5 pm at Thompson House. The clinic is voluntary and open to students, faculty, and staff. It will include the new bivalent COVID-19 booster and the seasonal flu vaccine. Your insurance information will be requested. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required.

January 18, 2023


Updated Wintersession Protocol: Rhode Island’s COVID-19 community transmission status has recently changed to high. As a result, we are adjusting our protocols and prioritizing the health and safety of our community accordingly.

Until further notice, 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. If needed, medical-grade masks are available for free at RISD Public Safety offices at 30 Waterman Street, 15 West and at Thompson House.

Students and faculty are reminded that 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).

Please also take advantage of free, on-campus PCR testing at Thompson House. Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure space is available.

January 4, 2023


Free COVID-19 antigen tests: In anticipation of increased travel and gatherings for the Thanksgiving holiday, two free COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are available for any member of the RISD community. There is no testing requirement; this is an entirely voluntary program.

Tests are available at the RISD Mailroom during normal business hours and at Public Safety 24/7.

November 17, 2022


RISD is hosting a COVID-19 Vaccination clinic next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, October 12, 13, and 14th. The clinic is voluntary and open to students, faculty, and staff. It will include the new bivalent COVID-19 booster. Although insurance information will be requested, there is no cost to anyone who receives the vaccination. Purple Shield Medical will be the health provider for the administration of the vaccine.

To ensure space is available, pre-registration is required.

Wednesday, October 12
12–6 pm
20 Washington Place, Room 102
Register

Thursday, October 13
4–8 pm
20 Washington Place, Room 102
Register

Friday, October 14
9–1 pm
15 Westminster, 1st floor lobby
Register

Please contact Health Services if you have any questions.

OCTOBER 4, 2022


Return to Mask Optional—Mask Friendly:
As of June 21, 2022, indoor and outdoor mask wearing is optional for individuals on campus except at Student Health Services, where masking will continue to be required.

CDC and our health experts strongly encourage individuals who are unvaccinated/unboostered, and or at high risk, to continue to wear masks for their own health protection. Very importantly, we will continue to support masking for any individual based on their own personal situation or comfort level. As a campus we plan to be “mask friendly” to anyone who prefers to continue to wear a mask on campus. We will continue to make masks available during business hours at Public Safety (Waterman and 15 West).

JUNE 21, 2022


Open Testing Discontinued for Summer: Open asymptomatic PCR testing will be discontinued during the summer.

JUNE 14, 2022


Mask Mandate Reinstated: Starting Tuesday, May 24, 2022, masks are required in all indoor settings on the RISD campus, and in all indoor settings for RISD-sponsored events. MAY 23, 2022
Testing Updates: RISD’s Dashboard is now updated weekly with the total number of PRC tests and the total number of positive test results since April 11, 2022 APRIL 18, 2022
Close Contacts and Isolation: Close contacts who are vaccinated, boostered and asymptomatic are NOT required to quarantine/isolate APRIL 18, 2022
Town Hall Recordings: April 12 employee and student Town Hall recordings now available APRIL 18, 2022
FAQ Update: FAQ page updated in response to questions raised at the Town Halls APRIL 18, 2022
Protocol Changes: Starting April 11, RISD will modify masking, testing and travel protocols MARCH 21, 2022
DISCLOSE NOW: RISD is considering rolling back some COVID protocols following spring break—Disclose Now! MARCH 15, 2022
Testing Results: RISD has had a total of 52 positive results out of 3,336 tests since February 17, 2022 MARCH 15, 2022
Booster Numbers: 90.3 percent of the vaccinated RISD community has received a booster shot MARCH 15, 2022
Booster Disclosure: It is not too late for students to upload booster verification and employees to disclose booster status MARCH 1, 2022
New Upload Process: Employees may now upload off-site test results via Workday MARCH 1, 2022
Booster Numbers: Only 61 percent of the vaccinated RISD community has received a booster shot FEBRUARY 15, 2022
Booster Disclosure: Students must upload COVID-19 booster vaccination records and employees must disclose booster dose status by February 16, 2022 FEBRUARY 15, 2022
Spring Arrival Testing: All students, faculty and staff must PCR test upon arrival FEBRUARY 15, 2022
Town Hall Recordings: Recordings now available for Faculty, Staff and Student Spring Town Halls FEBRUARY 15, 2022
Spring Protocol: RISD announces COVID-19 protocols for Spring 2022 including reduced testing protocol, continued mask requirements, reduced travel and event restrictions, and a return to flexible work arrangements FEBRUARY 8, 2022

*Updates listed from newest to oldest


Wintersession Protocol Changes: Updates have been made to Wintersession policies and are effective January 1 in light of the surge of cases from the Omicron variant.

DECEMBER 23, 2021


New Booster Policy: All students are required to receive a COVID-19 booster and employees are required to disclose booster dose status by February 1, 2022.

DECEMBER 23, 2021


Wintersession Arrival Testing: All students, faculty and staff on campus in January must test within 72  hours of arrival. Sign up available now.

DECEMBER 23, 2021


Vaccination Status: 97% of the RISD community is now fully vaccinated

DECEMBER 7, 2021


End of Semester Testing: RISD provides optional exit testing for students ahead of the winter break

DECEMBER 7, 2021


Town Hall Recordings: Recordings from RISD’s November town hall meetings are now available

DECEMBER 7, 2021


Increased Open Testing: All faculty, staff and students strongly encouraged to test 5–7 days after gathering or traveling

NOVEMBER 18, 2021


Booster Vaccine: All RI residents, education workers and residential students are eligible for the booster vaccine

NOVEMBER 18, 2021


New Protocol for Wintersession and Spring: RISD has announced the revised protocols for Wintersession and Spring 2022

NOVEMBER 15, 2021


Wintersession and Spring protocol: RISD will announce revised protocol for Wintersession and Spring 2022 on November 15

NOVEMBER 9, 2021


Post-Halloween Open Testing: Anyone who attends a gathering over Halloween weekend is encouraged to test the week of November 8

OCTOBER 26, 2021


Wintersession and Spring protocol: RISD will announce revised protocol for Wintersession and Spring 2022 in mid-November

OCTOBER 26, 2021


Open Testing: RISD offers weekly Open Testing appointments. Sign up links are posted on Friday mornings

OCTOBER 12, 2021


Flu Clinic: RISD will offer flu shot clinics for faculty, staff and students on October 13 and November 4

OCTOBER 12, 2021


Brown Fitness Center: Brown Recreation memberships available to RISD faculty, staff and students and their families

OCTOBER 12, 2021


Mask Reminder: Face Coverings are required in all indoor spaces at all times

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021


Isolation Protocol:

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 10 days

  • Symptomatic individuals isolate for 10 days from symptom onset.
  • Asymptomatic individuals isolate for 10 days from the positive test result.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021


Open Testing: RISD offers weekly Open Testing appointments. Sign up links are posted on Friday mornings

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021


Campus Access: Individuals must participate in Surveillance Testing when called upon in order to maintain campus access

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021


Change in Isolation Protocol: Per a recent RI executive order, anyone who tests positive must quarantine for ten full days, regardless of vaccination status

SEPTEMBER 14, 2021


WS Travel Courses Canceled: Due to global conditions—including variable international vaccination rates and shifting travel mandates—RISD has decided to cancel all Wintersession travel courses

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021


EHP Paused: The pause on RISD’s European Honors Program (EHP) has been extended through Spring 2022 in order to implement recommended improvements to the program

SEPTEMBER 13, 2021


Vaccine Approval: The FDA announced approval of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 Vaccine

AUGUST 31, 2021


Building Hours: Campus buildings will be open daily from 6:00 AM to 2:00 AM

AUGUST 31, 2021


Fall Reopening: RISD will relax public health protocols and shift to Near Normal protocol on August 16

AUGUST 11, 2021


Students: It’s not too late to upload your required vaccination record!

Employees: Faculty and Staff who have not uploaded the required vaccination status disclosure – Upload Now!

AUGUST 2, 2021


*Updates listed from newest to oldest


Travel update: New RISD-sponsored travel policies for summer and AY21/22

JUNE 29, 2021


Tillinghast access: Tillinghast Farm exterior spaces now accessible to RISD community with active ID

JUNE 29, 2021


Library access: Fleet Library reopens June 28th, by appointments only

JUNE 22, 2021


Museum access: Advance tickets required for access to the RISD Museum

JUNE 22, 2021


Employee job aids: Instructions for uploading employee vaccination status via Workday are available at workday.risd.edu.

JUNE 7, 2021


Mask Update: RISD no longer requires masks OUTDOORS on campus

JUNE 5, 2021


Please get vaxxed!

Faculty and staff required to disclose vaccine status

Students required to upload vaccine verification 

MAY 25, 2021


RISD Museum re-opening: RISD Museum is opening to the public in June

MAY 25, 2021


Vaccination and testing: Vaccinated individuals must continue to participate in surveillance testing to monitor for breakthrough infection

MAY 18, 2021


Summer planning: RISD anticipates changing to Near Normal protocols on August 16th

MAY 18, 2021


Access to campus:

Faculty and staff campus access will remain unchanged for summer.

Only students with prior approval will be allowed to access RISD’s campus this summer.

MAY 18, 2021


New CDC guidance: RISD will maintain all current mask and social distancing protocol, despite new guidance from the CDC.

MAY 14, 2021


Employee vaccine disclosure: Faculty and staff must disclose vaccination status by August 1st.

MAY 14, 2021


Student vaccination required: Vaccines are mandated for all students and verification must be uploaded by August 1st. 

MAY 14, 2021

*Updates listed from newest to oldest


Governor Raimondo announced new restrictions for Rhode Island colleges and universities and we have confirmed with the Governor’s office what this means for RISD.

  • RISD can continue to keep academic shops and studios, and the associated instructional activities, functioning as currently through the end of the fall semester.
  • Teaching and learning activities that can be conducted in an online mode without sacrificing the learning outcomes should migrate to online instruction.
  • Existing online courses should continue to be conducted online.
  • Residence halls will remain open as planned through the end of the fall semester.

DECEMBER 1, 2020


Wintersession campus access: Only specific individuals will be allowed access to campus during Wintersession

DECEMBER 1, 2020


New limit on social gatherings: RI Executive Order limits the size of indoor and outdoor gatherings to 10 people

NOVEMBER 10, 2020


Avoid travel for Thanksgiving: Students will need to quarantine if traveling out of state for Thanksgiving

NOVEMBER 10, 2020


Elections Monitoring Group: This new group has been formed to assess increased risks to public safety due to the election

NOVEMBER 3, 2020


New CDC definition: The CDC has updated their definition of a close contact

OCTOBER 27, 2020


New testing location: Surveillance testing has moved to 224 Benefit Street

OCTOBER 20, 2020


Outdoor classrooms: All tents will be removed November 9

OCTOBER 20, 2020


Positive case FAQ’s: New FAQ’s added about RISD’s response to positive cases

OCTOBER 13, 2020


Thanksgiving Break: Travel is discouraged over the shortened break

OCTOBER 13, 2020


Updated Student Health Services hours: Health Services is offering evening hours and weekend hours

OCTOBER 13, 2020


Positive case protocol: Learn about RISD’s positive case protocol if someone is found positive during surveillance testing

OCTOBER 6, 2020


Wintersession: Start making plans for Wintersession

OCTOBER 6, 2020


Surveillance testing: Approximately 1275 tests will be conducted each week

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020


Monitoring groups: Three new monitoring groups created to support the institution

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020


MyRISD app: New features added to the MyRISD app

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020


Surveillance testing: RISD will now test 50% of the on-campus population each week

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020


Outdoor eating areas: Various outdoor eating areas have been created on campus

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020


Testing updates: Baseline arrival testing has revealed three positive cases to date out of 2,689 tests

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020


Testing Dashboard: New testing dashboard now available to display daily testing data

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020


Student Arrival Quarantine: Quarantine will end for on campus students September 12-16

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020


QLess app now live: The QLess app will be used to schedule appointments at key service points

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020


Move-in underway: September 2 is the final day of move-in, with optional academic and co-curricular programming beginning September 3

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020


Testing updates: Baseline arrival testing has revealed zero positive cases to date out of 1,484 tests

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020


Academic buildings open September 17: Students can begin to access academic buildings on September 17

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020


Employee recognition: Take a moment to help recognize a colleague who has gone above and beyond during this crisis

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020


New Health Services Staff: Several staffing changes have been made to support Health Services during the COVID-19 pandemic

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020


Move-in weekend: Resident students begin move-in and baseline COVID-19 testing on Saturday, August 29, followed by two-week quarantine

AUGUST 25, 2020


Contingency planning: Response plans are in place in the event of high COVID-19 case counts on campus

AUGUST 25, 2020


Employee testing: Walk-up and drive-in testing now available to all RISD employees at 18 Congdon Street

AUGUST 25, 2020


Staff public health training: All staff must complete online public health training by Saturday, August 29

AUGUST 25, 2020


Academic resources reopening: Fleet Library, RISD Museum, Nature Lab and other spaces will reopen for students, faculty and staff

AUGUST 25, 2020


Arrival testing: Testing in progress through August 28 for on-campus staff, begins August 29 for resident students

AUGUST 18, 2020


Isolation/quarantine housing: The 3rd and 4th floors of 15 West will exclusively house quarantining and isolating students this fall

AUGUST 18, 2020


Self screening: All community members coming on campus must self-screen using the MyRISD assessment and reporting tool

AUGUST 18, 2020


Reduced campus access Several RISD facilities now open only to students, faculty and staff

AUGUST 18, 2020


Air filtration report: External assessment and recommendations for all campus buildings available for view

AUGUST 18, 2020


Facilities updates: Work continues to prepare campus buildings for the fall

AUGUST 18, 2020


Virtual public health training: Mandatory training now accessible for all students, faculty and staff

AUGUST 18, 2020


Arrival testing: Updated schedule for arrival testing for students, faculty and staff

AUGUST 11, 2020


Self screening: The daily self assessment tool is now available on MyRISD

AUGUST 11, 2020


Contact tracing: All RISD community members should participate in contact tracing

AUGUST 11, 2020


Employee support: New employee health coordinator will support employees with COVID-related issues

AUGUST 11, 2020


COVID-19 signage: Installation of signage in progress through mid-August

AUGUST 04, 2020


Virtual public health training: Mandatory training begins mid-August for all students, faculty and staff

AUGUST 04, 2020


New gathering restrictions: The State of Rhode Island has lowered the limit on in-person gatherings to 15 people maximum

AUGUST 04, 2020


Facilities updates: Work underway to prepare campus buildings for the fall

AUGUST 04, 2020


COVID-19 testing: Understand RISD’s testing protocols for all students, faculty and staff on campus this fall.

JULY 28, 2020


Masks: Everyone on campus is required to wear a face covering, which will be provided by RISD upon arrival.

JULY 28, 2020


De-densification: New exterior spaces and updated bathrooms will promote social distancing and bolster safety.

JULY 28, 2020


Quarantine update: RI regulations now require quarantine or proof of negative test for travelers arriving from high-risk areas in US.

JULY 17, 2020


Remote instruction requests: Students who can’t return to campus this fall may submit a formal request for remote instruction.

JULY 17, 2020


Canvas LMS training: Training sessions for faculty will begin this summer.

JULY 17, 2020


New student housing: RISD will offer students housing options at The Edge College Hill this year.

JULY 16, 2020


Course lookup tool: Preview which courses in the Fall will be in-person, online-only or hybrid.

JULY 10, 2020

RISD Campus Preparations

Recordings of Community Town Hall Meetings

Student Town Hall

August 24, 2022


Faculty/Staff Town Hall*

August 23, 2022


*To access, please use your RISD email credentials.

Student Town Hall

April 12, 2022


Faculty/Staff Town Hall*

April 12, 2022


Student Town Hall

February 15, 2022


Staff Town Hall*

February 10, 2022


Faculty Town Hall*

February 10, 2022


 

*To access, please use your RISD email credentials.

Student Town Hall

November 17, 2021


Staff Town Hall*

November 17, 2021


Faculty Town Hall*

November 16, 2021


Staff Town Hall*

September 30, 2021


Student Town Hall

August 19, 2021


Faculty Town Hall

August 19, 2021


Staff Town Hall

August 17, 2021


Student Town Hall: AY 21-22: Planning Framework

April 15, 2021


Staff Town Hall: AY 21-22: Planning Framework

video*
presentation

April 14, 2021


Faculty Town Hall: AY 21-22: Planning Framework

video*
presentation

April 12, 2021



*To access, please use your RISD email credentials.

Staff Town Hall: Spring Semester Preview*

video
presentation

February 4, 2021


Faculty Town Hall: Spring Semester Preview*

video
presentation

February 3, 2021


All-staff Meeting*

December 17, 2020


Campus Update: Faculty

October 21, 2020


All-staff Meeting*

September 16, 2020


Move-in & Quarantine Webinar

August 20, 2020


Faculty and Staff Q&A Session*

July 23, 2020


Incoming Undergraduate and Transfer Students

June 20, 2020


Current Undergraduate and Graduate Students

June 18, 2020


Incoming Graduate Student Town Hall

June 18, 2020


Faculty Meeting*

June 17, 2020


All-staff Meeting*

June 17, 2020


All-staff Meeting*

May 6, 2020


All-staff Meeting*

April 15, 2020


Community Town Hall

March 20, 2020


Community Town Hall

March 4, 2020


Community Town Hall

March 4, 2020



*To access, please use your RISD email credentials.