IMPORTANT Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
En español
March 29, 2020
Dear Campus Community,
As we prepare for the upcoming week, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for helping us transition to learning, teaching and working remotely. While we continue to navigate these challenging and uncertain times, your patience, resilience and willingness to adapt and work together are truly inspiring.
Over the weekend, Governor Gina Raimondo announced even more stringent mandates to flatten the curve of the coronavirus (COVID-19), including a stay-at-home order for Rhode Islanders, 14-day self-quarantine for visitors from any state and limitations on social gatherings to no more than five (5) people – the same five people. In light of the Governor’s Executive Order and as we continue to adjust to this rapidly changing situation, I would like to provide updates on two topics: yesterday’s announcement of the Rhode Island National Guard (RING) led COVID-19 testing site to be housed on campus and changes to library and technology services.
COVID-19 Testing Site
This morning, members of our senior leadership team met with representatives of the Rhode Island National Guard (RING) to offer the college’s full support of the new COVID-19 testing site to be housed on our campus. As I indicated yesterday, the secure testing site will be located in Parking Lot B, the college’s main commuter parking lot, with the goal of testing up to 300 people per day.
While RING personnel will park in the Rec Center parking lot, the self-contained testing site in Parking Lot B will house portable restrooms, testing equipment and other necessary items that will enable approximately 50 medical and security personnel to safely and securely complete their work. Following their shifts, and after appropriate decontamination, disposal of testing attire (i.e., scrubs, masks, etc.) at the site, these assigned personnel will utilize shower facilities within the Recreation Center before leaving each day. The college, RING and RI EMA will work together to ensure that the Recreation Center is sanitized and disinfected according to healthcare standards.
I want to emphasize that personnel from the testing site will not be interacting with people or campus facilities outside the designated areas (Parking Lot B and the Recreation Center). Members of our campus community should not be entering any spaces being utilized by testing site personnel.
Please note that testing at the site will now begin on Tuesday, March 31. Testing will be by appointment only and will occur between the hours of 9 a.m.–3 p.m., seven days per week. Please do not try to show up to the testing site for any reason or contact RING to schedule a test. If you believe you need a test for COVID-19, contact your primary care provider first.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) will place additional signage to direct increased traffic on the campus.
Once again, the college proudly supports the state’s efforts to significantly increase the amount of testing across Rhode Island and we fully anticipate that the college’s operations will continue uninterrupted.
Changes to Technology and Library Services
Computer Labs
Effective Tuesday, March 31, the college will close all computer labs. We recognize that this may cause difficulties for those who rely upon the college’s computer labs for educational purposes. Please visit the technology support page of the RICremote website for information about accessing free Wi-Fi from local and national providers to support your remote learning and teaching needs.
If you have hardware or technology related issues, please email helpdesk@ric.edu. The Help Center will be available from 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Fridays. The Help Center is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
Adams Library
Effective Monday, March 30, Adams Library will be moving to a closed-stacks model, which means that the building will be closed, but services will continue.
Students, faculty and staff members may request books, laptops, and scanning of non-circulating materials, by sending an email to adamscirc@ric.edu or submitting a request form on the Library’s homepage.
To arrange for retrieval of those items, students, faculty and staff are asked to call 401-456-8126 upon arrival at the library and have their RIC ID ready. At that time, items will be brought to the main library lobby on the quad for pick-up during regular hours, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Items may also be returned to the Library in the same manner during regular hours.
To renew items by phone or for interlibrary loan and course reserve questions, please contact the Access Services department at 401-456-8126; have your RIC ID barcode ready.
Assistive Technology Lab
The Assistive Technology Lab located within the library is also not open to the public. Students with disabilities who have questions or need services related to Assistive Technology should contact the Disability Services Center at dsc@ric.edu for assistance.
OASIS and Learning for Life
While OASIS and Learning for Life (L4L) are encouraging people to engage with them through virtual means whenever possible, for the time being, their offices will be open for situations that require an in-person visit. Students who do need to visit in person can enter the program offices on Library Road. The former rear door of the library, across from the Fogarty Life Science building, is accessible. Staff members ask that you call them when you get to the door and they will come to greet you.
Stay Informed. Stay Connected.
As the virus and the response continue to evolve, please make sure to check our website for any updates or send us an email at stayinformed@ric.edu if you have any questions .
Thank you for your continued support of our students and our campus community.
Yours in education,
Frank D. Sánchez
President
