For students
It takes each of us acting responsibly together to promote safety in our learning, work and living environment. We appreciate the input we have received from students, families, faculty and staff so far and it continues to help shape planning efforts. The VCU Return to Campus plan follows Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Virginia Department of Health, city and VCU Health guidance. To be together means we are responsible together.
Required Responsible Together course
All students are required to complete the Responsible Together Course by Tuesday, Aug. 24, or by the time you arrive on campus for move-in, on-campus classes or to access any activities on campus. This is course is now available in Canvas for all students who are registered for at least one Fall semester course. Visit the Responsible Together Course information page for details and how to access the training course.
Student vaccine requirement
Vaccination will be required for all students who live, learn, work or will be on campus for any reason (excluding those with religious or health exemptions). The requirement also applies to students who are enrolled in virtual classes (unless the degree program is one of VCU's entirely online degree programs).
- Students attending fall classes must report their vaccination (if the vaccine requires two doses, both doses should be reported) to University Student Health Services no later than July 15
- Health Sciences students and those taking summer classes should receive and report their vaccinations sooner, if possible
For more information about full vaccination, documentation requirements, religious and health exemptions, confidentiality and vaccine manufacturers, see the vaccine FAQ.
- Students who receive vaccination exemptions must follow safety guidelines for their health and for the health of our community, including but not limited to: wearing a mask, routine surveillance testing, completing daily health checks, and continuing to follow public safety measures including quarantine procedures. Entry Pass requirements will apply and entry will be allowed if the proper public health measures are followed.
- Vaccinated students are exempt from masking, daily health checks, surveillance testing and quarantine requirements. Entry Pass requirements will continue to apply; however, your Entry Pass will default to a green check.
If you have not yet received your COVID-19 vaccination, you can make an appointment on-campus through University Student Health Services or at a provider near you (search vaccine availability at www.vaccines.gov).
Additional details and information
There are no longer physical distancing requirements or density restrictions in campus spaces, including classes, events, meetings, research laboratories and gatherings. Facilities and signage will be updated over the summer to reflect this change. Unvaccinated community members and visitors must follow CDC guidelines for indoor and outdoor activities.
Vaccination will be required for all students who live, learn, work or will be on campus for any reason (excluding those with religious or health exemptions). The requirement also applies to students who are enrolled in virtual classes (unless the degree program is one of VCU's entirely online degree programs). Survey results show strong majorities of students, parents, faculty and staff support this requirement. Students attending fall classes must report their vaccination to University Student Health Services no later than July 15; Health Sciences students and those taking summer classes should receive and report their vaccinations sooner, if possible. Students who receive a two-dose vaccination must report completion of both doses. This requirement will allow our students to safely learn, live, gather and experience college at its best. For more information about full vaccination, documentation requirements, religious and health exemptions, and vaccine manufacturers, see the student vaccine FAQ.
Students can make an appointment online through University Student Health Services web portal or can search for an appointment near them by using the CDC tool Vaccines.gov.
VCU Vaccine Corps is dedicated to training and preparing VCU and VCU Health volunteers to staff VCU Health COVID-19 vaccine events. Volunteers can be VCU students, faculty, staff or VCU Health team members. VCU Vaccine Corps needs to fill a variety of roles, including greeters, traffic controllers, vaccinators and more. Learn more about how to get involved, visit vaccinecorps.vcu.edu.
Students returning to campus in the fall received starter supply kits with hand sanitizer, spray disinfectant and launderable face coverings. For the spring semester, starter supply kits are available to students and employees with a VCU ID at University Student Commons and Hunton Student Center while supplies last. Additional supplies are made available for free at vending machines throughout both campuses. For details, see the “Supplies” section on the Public Health Measures page.
If you forget a face covering, free disposable masks may be picked up at various locations. Please check this spreadsheet for locations and times.
The fall 2021 Schedule of Classes is now available and includes descriptions of the course modality (how the course will be taught: in-person, online, or a combination). Faculty must honor the course modality for which a student has registered. Additional in-person sections of courses may be added to the schedule at the discretion of the dean, department and faculty based on classroom and laboratory availability.
Students can check their fall schedule on eServices and have the opportunity to update their schedules now through the end of the add/drop period.
Follow these four steps to help you better understand your schedule and how you can make changes.
Step 1: Watch this 4-minute video to learn how to quickly identify any modality or time changes to your schedule.
Step 2: Find answers to your questions on the Keep on Learning website. New freshmen will find this guide particularly helpful.
Step 3: Reach out to your undergraduate academic advisor or graduate program director if you have questions about making changes to your schedule.
Step 4: Get prepped to Start Strong with our start-of-the-semester how-to-guide.
Student success remains the core of the VCU mission and our goal is to provide resources to help new and returning students successfully navigate academic life. For example:
- Computer access scholarships
- "Are You Ready for Online Learning" module
- 24/7 student support for online and blended learning
- Keep on Learning website, including resources and academic for a strong semester
- Keep Pursuing Your Goals website, including resources related to academic and financial advising
- Early Alert Reporting and student self-referral
- Home network troubleshooting
All VCU study abroad programs remain cancelled through summer 2021. This applies to all education abroad program types including, but not limited to, faculty-led, exchanges, direct-enroll, third-party provider, independent study, internships, service-learning, and non-credit-bearing education abroad; this includes programs facilitated by the Global Education Office (GEO) as well as those administered by other units. The summer petition deadline is now passed.
Starting Aug. 15, 2021, study abroad programs will resume operation for the fall semester with the following restrictions:
- Per CDC guidelines, individuals who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 should refrain from all university-sponsored international travel, including, but not limited to, study abroad and international exchange programs.
- Study abroad programs in the U.S. Department of State Level 1 and 2 countries are permitted. All students must coordinate international travel plans through GEO and follow all GEO registration requirements and CDC guidance for international travel.
- Requests from students interested in participating in study abroad programs in U.S. Department of State Level 3 countries for whom education abroad is deemed essential to fulfilling academic degree requirements and/or whose participation is sponsored by nationally competitive awards will be considered by petition to VCU's International Travel Advisory Committee. A final decision will be made by the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs or the senior vice president for health sciences and CEO of VCU Health System. Students should work with GEO to petition and register their travel if approved.
- University-sponsored travel to U.S. Department of State Level 4 countries is not permitted.
- Study abroad travelers must:
- Follow CDC guidance for international travel and follow general public health considerations such as handwashing, cleaning/disinfection and respiratory etiquette.
- Follow all airline and destination entry requirements, such as testing, vaccination, mask wearing and quarantine. Students should be aware that if they do not follow the destination's requirements, they may be denied entry and required to return to the United States. Students should check with the Office of Foreign Affairs or Ministry of Health or the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Country Information page for destination-specific entry requirements.
- Enroll in VCU's international health insurance plan with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) to cover health care and emergency evacuation while abroad.
- Students who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 should discuss their study abroad plans with their health care provider.
Students may face unpredictable circumstances accessing medical care if they get sick or injured in their host country. Routine health care and emergency medical services may be impacted by COVID-19 at the destination.
VCU will continue to monitor guidance from the CDC, U.S. Department of State, and Virginia Department of Health, as well as the destinations’ offices of foreign affairs and ministries of health to make recommendations regarding VCU’s programs abroad. In the meantime, students are encouraged to explore virtual global learning program options and visit the Keep on Studying Abroad website for ways they can maintain momentum in planning their study abroad experience.
Review the latest guidelines for personal travel as well as university-sponsored travel. Students residing in VCU residence halls should contact University Student Health Services and refer to the Residential Life and Housing website for additional self-quarantine and isolation requirements.
VCU Parking and Transportation offers several long-term and temporary parking accommodations for students. View details at parking.vcu.edu/parking/students.
Learn about the safety measures GRTC and VCU shuttles have put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Navigating the anticipated stressors of daily life can often be challenging enough. When unexpected stressors emerge or when we are faced with uncertainty, it can be tough to know how to cope. Try out some of these tips and resources for health and wellness to see if they are a right fit for you.
VCU implemented a temporary policy for the 2020-21 academic year for managing COVID-related absences which can be found at https://provost.vcu.edu/planning/absence/. Further, VCU recognizes that some students who previously did not need Section 504 Academic Accommodations, and who have a qualifying condition or disability, may now need support or assistance.
The university recognizes that some students who previously did not need Section 504 Academic Accommodations, and who have a qualifying condition or disability, may need support or assistance during the return to campus process. A modified approach for the temporary and more permanent need for accommodation has been developed and implemented to provide students with full access to programs and activities related to their academic majors. Because every case is different, student requests are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Please share your need for an accommodation with the Student Accessibility and Education Office, or for MCV Campus students, the Division for Academic Success, after you have worked directly with your faculty member.
Visit the Admissions & Aid website for details on virtual tours, info sessions and chats with current students as well as everything you need to know about joining the Ram family.
There are hundreds of details involved in each of these measures and considerations. Your input is very helpful as we plan for the return. Climatext, a real-time data collection tool developed by VCU Information Technology and the Division for Inclusive Excellence, is part of the university’s proactive monitoring and response plan to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Climatext gauges the sentiment of faculty, staff and students through a series of “pulse” surveys, which include short prompts or questions designed to provide a high-level snapshot of thoughts and feelings about a particular topic at a particular moment in time. Register with Climatext.