COVID-19 Update for Students

Additional details regarding in-person instruction, beginning Sept. 7

Dear students,

As highlighted in Dean Rodriguez’s follow-on to Provost DesRoches’s message earlier this evening, we will return to in-person course participation and delivery next Tuesday, September 7, after the Labor Day holiday. We will not continue to offer Zoom as a mechanism for connecting to courses with 65 or fewer students. The delivery plan for courses with enrollment above 65 will be shared directly through the course Canvas site.

Our expectation is that you participate in courses, in real time, as scheduled, in person. Masking and testing policies remain in place.

This message explains the accommodation and recording access request process for students who are experiencing symptoms of COVID, or are ill, and staying at home. 

Accommodations and Recording Requests

• Recordings – without live engagement – will be provided via Panopto.
• Recordings of classes will NOT be made available to all students. 
• If you are sick, experiencing symptoms, or directed to isolate or quarantine by the Rice Crisis Management Team, you must stay home. If you test positive or experience symptoms, complete the Health Report Form as soon as possible. 
  • If you are sick, a recording can be made available to you. 
  • We do not provide recordings in the case of absences that result from work or professional conflicts with class meetings, or personal discretionary conflicts and travel.
  • For students who are out of class for two or more consecutive days, the expectation is that you have reportable symptoms or illness that has been shared with the Crisis Management Team via the Health Report Form.
• To request a recording, complete the form at this link for each class session recording you need to access: (the recording will be provided to you within 24 hours after approval). 
  • Please fill in a detailed rationale that explains your need for the recording when you submit your request. 
  • Questions or request issues with recordings may be directed to Adam Herman, aherman@rice.edu.
• If you have a learning need or challenge for which you would like to request an accommodation, please reach out to the Disability Resource Center, by calling 713.348.5841 or e-mailing adarice@rice.edu.

Some COVID-era considerations:

• If you are coming to campus for class and you are fully vaccinated, you should continue to schedule weekly COVID testing appointments. If you are not fully vaccinated, you should continue to schedule twice-weekly tests, at https://coronavirus.rice.edu/schedule-test

With best wishes to you as we return to in-person class delivery and participation,

Adam