COVID-19 UPDATES

We are excited for you to join our Rossie family and cannot wait for your veterinarian medicine journey to begin! As you may already be aware, Vet Prep for the May 2021 semester will be 100% online in a virtual, interactive learning environment.

During this pandemic, we continue to evaluate our academic planning for 2021 while monitoring the recommendations of public health authorities. We have taken a measured approach to our campus operations throughout the pandemic, focusing first and foremost on our community’s safety while ensuring the quality of our students’ education. 

While the mode of delivery may be different, we are confident you will receive a first-class learning experience. Vet Prep includes a robust remote program with live and on-demand video lectures, interactive review sessions, and access to virtual faculty hours. 

Our goal remains to bring you to campus as soon as global conditions allow, and we are committed to helping you successfully transition to life in St. Kitts at the appropriate time.

We are excited for you to join our Rossie family and cannot wait for your veterinarian medicine journey to begin! In this unprecedented COVID-19 environment, we continue to evaluate our academic planning for 2021 while monitoring the recommendations of public health authorities. We have taken a measured approach to our campus operations throughout the pandemic, focusing first and foremost on our community’s safety while ensuring the quality of our students’ education. With this in mind, we have made the following changes to the May start for our incoming DVM students.

For the May semester, DVM classes for Semester One will be held online beginning May 10, 2021, with an anticipated return to campus around mid-semester.  Your first semester will include a robust remote program with live and on-demand video lectures, interactive review sessions, and access to virtual faculty hours. Once on campus, you will continue with 100% online lectures, and begin in-person practical experience labs. The shift is designed to help maximize online learning and the change in course sequence should not impact your ability to learn the course content.

We know that you were looking forward to moving to campus and we look forward to welcoming you to St. Kitts at the appropriate time.

Ross Vet has been returning cohorts of students to the island in a phased approach. We are pleased to be able to offer some in-person academic experiences and support alongside virtual activities and learning.  We are confident our online education capabilities provide a thorough and well-orchestrated learning experience for our students.  Our learning management system is built to fully support online education, and our colleagues constantly update themselves on new technologies and learning modalities.

You have the option to defer, however, there will be graduation implications.

The Student Success Center offers high-quality academic support programs and services to help you succeed as a student. Our services include individual study-strategy appointments, academic coaching, teaching assistance, and learning workshops. Should you need additional support contact StudentSuccessCenter@rossvet.edu.kn.

We recognize the anxiety you may have for continuing your studies online. There can be a wide range of feelings and reactions. Review the RUSVM Counseling Center’s resources for managing anxiety and fear <link to SPP PDF on anxiety> or contact the RUSVM Counseling Center.

Tuition and fees will remain as published. Ross Vet has invested significantly in the infrastructure of the organization (maintenance of buildings, student support services, animals) that must be maintained until we can bring you back to campus.  We have also invested heavily in bringing traditional in-person experiences to life in rich, virtual formats. The CARES Act did provide relief funds to some higher education institutions, but foreign institutions (outside the US) were not allocated any funds.

For specific questions about any reimbursements, you can reach out directly to the Student Financial Aid office.

Our campus is open and operational.  As we welcome more students and colleagues back to campus, strict safety protocols have been implemented to mitigate risks and maximize the well-being of the Ross Vet community.  A health screening survey has been implemented and is mandatory for all students, staff, and visitors requesting to be on campus.  Social distancing protocols must be followed while on campus.

There are several ways for you to connect with future classmates. One of the easiest ways to connect is to join one of Ross Vet’s private Facebook groups. If you haven’t received any invites yet, please reach out to our Student Experience Team at StudentExperience@rossvet.edu.kn.

We ask that you do not make any travel or arrangements at this time. We will provide specific travel dates and additional instructions in the coming weeks.

Yes. While the borders are open, you can move when you feel it is safe to do so. We encourage you to wait to travel until we announce your semester arrival window. Should you choose to return independently before your cohort, please be sure to visit the St. Kitts Tourism webpage to review all government protocols for entering the country.

How you arrive on St. Kitts and whether or not your animal has been approved through the Office of Student Disability Services determines whether or not you can bring your pet.

For RUSVM Arranged Flights: At this time, Ross Vet can only accommodate approved service animals and emotional support animals on Ross Vet arranged flight options and at our campus residences.

For Commercial Flights:  Both airline rules and approval from the St. Kitts Chief Veterinary Officer will determine if you can bring your pet to St. Kitts. For more information, e-mail quarantineassistantstk@gmail.com.

Please be advised that commercial airlines may have separate guidelines and requirements necessary for travel to St. Kitts with a service animal, emotional support/therapy animal, or pet. An airline’s approval or categorization of an animal is separate and apart of Ross Vet’s jurisdiction and recognition. Any categorization of this type would not be valid under Ross Vet policy.

For assistance bringing a Service Animal or an Emotional Support Animal approved through the Office of Student Disability Services (with accommodation notification letter) to campus on a Ross Vet-arranged charter flight, please contact David Satterlee at dsatterlee@rossvet.edu.kn.

The borders are open and the decision to have others accompany you is ultimately your decision. Should you return independently, please be sure to the St. Kitts Tourism to review all government protocols for entering the country.

Yes. All travelers to St. Kitts are be required to be screened and tested for COVID-19 before departing for St. Kitts. Visit https://www.stkittstourism.kn/travel-requirements for more information.

 Yes. Currently, there is a mandatory minimum 14-day quarantine once you arrive on the island. Visit https://www.stkittstourism.kn/travel-requirements for more information.

Rising Semester Two - You will muster in Miami on May 2, 2021, for COVID-19 testing and depart for St. Kitts on May 5, 2021, if your test is negative, and you have not been exposed to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.   Students in Puerto Rico will depart for St. Kitts on May 5, 2021, if your test is negative, and you have not been exposed to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.   

Incoming Semester One - You will muster in Miami on June 1, 2021, for COVID-19 testing and depart for St. Kitts on June 4, 2021, if your test is negative, and you have not been exposed to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19. Students in Puerto Rico will depart for St. Kitts on June 4, 2021, if your test is negative, and you have not been exposed to individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19.   
 

When booking your flight to Miami, Miami International Airport is your flight destination.

Book your flight now. You must arrive in Miami by your cohort muster date. 

Semester 2: Sunday, May 2, 2021

Semester 1: Tuesday, June 1, 2021
 

If you indicated in the survey you plan on taking the University-organized charter, your name has been added to the manifest. You will not need to book a separate ticket for the charter. 

If you have not received a flight survey and plan to take advantage of the University-organized charter, please reach out to David Satterlee, director of student experience, at dsatterlee@rossu.edu.kn as soon as possible. 
 

You are required to have a valid passport. Please be ready to show your passport to a verified agent at each airport. 

Passengers can travel with one checked bag (cannot exceed 50 lbs.) and one carry-on bag (cannot exceed 10 lbs.). Any liquids over 3.4oz (100ml) and any sharp objects must be placed in a checked bag.

You are responsible for arranging transportation to Miami. On the day your charter flight departs, we will provide a shuttle to the airport for all passengers from the Embassy Suites Hotel to Miami International Airport.

Students accessing the charter flight in Puerto Rico will need to arrange for transportation to the airport.

On the day of your flight to St. Kitts, check-in will open approximately two hours before flight departure time and will close one hour before departure.

You are responsible for arranging transportation to Miami or San Juan.

If you arrive in Miami before your muster date, you are responsible for the cost of your accommodations and meals.

Through a cost-sharing plan with the University, you will be responsible for covering a portion of the costs associated with your flight to St. Kitts, testing, and quarantine housing. For students, your fees will be billed to your student account and are covered by Financial Aid. For community members/VIPs, we will provide a secure link for payment.

Once you arrive on campus, you are responsible for your meals. Both food and grocery delivery services will be available.

Please contact DSatterlee@rossvet.edu.kn immediately if you are unable to arrange transportation to Miami or San Juan.

Embassy Suites at Miami International Airport

3974 NW South River Drive, Miami FL 33142

+1 305 634 5000.

You will be assigned a room at the Embassy Suites at Miami International Airport. At check-in, you will need to present your ID and a credit card for any incidentals you may incur.

The Embassy Suites Hotel provides a complimentary shuttle from Miami International Airport to the hotel.

It is a requirement of the government of Saint Kitts & Nevis that all individuals traveling to the island must show a negative COVID-19 test obtained no later than 72 hours before your date of travel. If you do not have a test result available, you will not be allowed to board the aircraft.

For your convenience, testing for COVID-19 by Lab24 will be scheduled. Your testing time and date will be communicated to you in travel communications.

Hampton Inn

6530 Av. Isla Verde,

San Juan, Carolina 00979, Puerto Rico

You must arrive early to guarantee that your test result is available in time for your scheduled departure. You are required to wear a face cloth covering and maintain social distancing while standing in the line.

If you live far away from the address above and will have difficulty arriving at the time specified, you may need to travel to the city one day before testing.

You will receive a travel guide closer to your muster date. This travel guide will detail testing times, dining procedures, and will include required health/re-entry surveys that will need to be completed.

VIPS can be accommodated in campus housing assuming the VIP can share a single room in quarantine.

For the purposes of running an approved quarantine facility, at this time we can only accommodate approved Service Animals (SA) or approved Emotional Support Animals (ESA) in campus residences. To receive approval for SAs or ESAs for campus housing, please email the accommodations office at rusvmaccommodationscoordinator@rossvet.edu.kn. 

Please note, for students who arrive on St. Kitts ahead of your cohort, there are strict limitations for the number of persons allowed on campus at any given time.  For that reason, you will not have access to campus until the rest of your cohort is out of quarantine.  

You may choose to make arrangements and return ahead of the time your cohort is returning. In such an instance, you are responsible for arranging your flight to St. Kitts, all COVID-19 testing requirements, and quarantine accommodations. It is your responsibility to ensure that your plan allows you to progress with your class and resume labs simultaneously with them.  We have put together a guide for you to review to assist you. Please be sure to visit the St. Kitts Tourism webpage to review all government protocols for entering the country.

Yes, the same protocols are required for all travelers entering St. Kitts, including those who are vaccinated. If you received the COVID-19 vaccine, we recommend traveling with your documentation.

If you choose to return on your own, you may find additional information about bringing your pets on the CVO website.

For the most up to date information, please view covid19.gov.kn.

First, isolate yourself from others should you feel any of the following symptoms and contact a health professional:

• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fever
• Chills
• Muscle pain
• Sore throat
• New loss of taste or smell

If you are a current student or colleague on the island, please contact RUSVM Health Services promptly at sknursing@rossvet.edu.kn.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you will be transferred to a government-run quarantine facility for isolation.

All colleagues and students must complete a weekly health screening survey to access campus. Colleague and student surveys are due by Mondays at 11 am. This is a mandatory requirement to gain entry to the campus. You may be asked to return home until you can submit the survey and be properly screened.

Yes. Individuals are required to wear a cloth face covering and should wash their hands often.

Precautions can be taken to minimize your risk and prevent exposure and spread of the disease.

We must work together to take common-sense precautions that can reduce the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19. 

Per CDC guidelines

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, if soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home.
• Practice social distancing with people outside of your home. Stay at least 6 feet from other people.
• Wear a cloth face covering when around others.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Clean and frequently disinfect common work surfaces.
• If you or a family member develops a fever and symptoms of respiratory illness, such as a cough or shortness of breath, or are experiencing cold- or flu-like symptoms, work with to alert appropriate contacts and practice social distancing.