COVID-19 (Novel Coronavirus) Updates

To our RUSVM Community:

The health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and our island communities are of paramount importance to us. As we continue to monitor the rapidly evolving public health situation, please be assured we are taking the necessary precautions to lower the risk of exposure and do our part to curb the spread of the virus.

On Friday, March 13, we made the decision to shift all courses online for the remainder of the semester. We believe this decision, consistent with best practices from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), will best protect our RUSVM community.

While the news and virus itself can be disruptive to our everyday lives, our focus remains clear: we will continue to utilize on our breadth of experience to maintain academic continuity for our students and to keep our campus operations running.

We are very fortunate that the strength of our online education capabilities enables us to be agile and adaptable, providing a well-orchestrated learning experience. Our learning management system is built to fully support online education, and our faculty constantly update themselves on new technologies and learning modalities. In fact, RUSVM was recently awarded title of Apple Distinguished School for our dedication to providing a creative, active learning environment for our students.

While we approach this changing public health situation with great confidence in our education abilities, we empathize with our students, faculty, staff and communities. Certainly, no one is immune to the stresses of balancing life’s priorities or this significant change. We are here to answer questions, and to help guide and support our students every step of the way.

Passion for our mission and unwavering commitment to our students’ health, safety and education journey are at the heart of what we do. We are grateful to have your trust and appreciate your patience and flexibility as we navigate this rapidly evolving situation.

ACADEMICS

How will the Vet Prep Program be affected for the Spring 2021 Semester?

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, our Vet Prep curriculum will be delivered through a remote online learning modality for the Spring 2021 semester.

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. With this is mind, we want to share some changes to the January start for our Vet Prep program.

Vet Prep for the January 2021 semester will be 100% online in a virtual, interactive learning environment.

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. We successfully delivered Vet Prep virtually over the summer and this fall.

Our goal remains to re-open campus as soon as global conditions allow, and we are committed to helping you successfully transition to life in St. Kitt’s at the appropriate time. We will provide detailed information on the re-opening of campus with plenty of time to accommodate planning.

How will my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program be impacted in January?

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 is mind, we have made the following changes to the January start for our incoming DVM students.

For the January 2021 semester, all Semester One DVM classes will be 100% online in a virtual, interactive learning environment.

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. To provide you with the best educational outcomes, courses with a substantial hands-on, practical component have been moved to the Summer 2021 semester. In turn, courses with a mainly lecture-based format have been moved to the Spring semester for delivery in the first semester of study. 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.

With travel restrictions still in effect and anticipated to continue into the Spring, we feel this approach provides the most stability, allowing you to stay focused on your studies. 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.

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 2020 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 is mind, we want to share some changes to the September start for our incoming DVM students.

For the September 2020 semester, Semester 1 DVM classes will begin online in a virtual, interactive learning environment with an anticipated shift to campus in January 2021.

Since transitioning to remote online learning in March, RUSVM has strengthened our virtual-teaching platforms and expanded our online-learning opportunities. 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. To provide you with the best educational outcomes, courses with a substantial hands-on, practical component have been moved to the Spring 2021 semester. In turn, courses with a mainly lecture-based format have been moved to the Fall semester for delivery in the first semester of study. 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.

While this does delay your move to campus, we are committed to helping you and your peers successfully transition to life in St. Kitt’s once you arrive. We will continue to keep you informed on timelines and request you do not make any travel plans until the University provides guidance to do so. We will provide detailed information on the re-opening of campus including a return to live, in-person instruction with plenty of time to accommodate planning.

Will I have the option to defer a semester if I’m unhappy with the online format?

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

I need additional resources to help me with online learning. Who can I contact?

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 [email protected].

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.

Will my tuition be reduced?

Tuition and fees will remain as published for the September semester. RUSVM 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.

Is the campus open now?

Campus is gradually reopening for essential operations. For RUSVM community members who remain on St. Kitts, we continue to work toward opening the campus for those who wish to take advantage of campus access. While all Fall 2020 lectures will be delivered online, we will provide access to study spaces and the ability to use the internet. You will receive more information soon on new procedures for accessing and maintaining social distancing on campus.

I’m going to be a new student. How can I connect with other students?

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 [email protected].

TRAVEL

CAN I MOVE TO ST. KITTS FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER?

Yes. While the borders are open, you can move when you feel it is safe to do so. Also, based on the Prime Minister’s monthly address it was announced the border will be open on October 31, 2020, however, travel protocols and regulations have yet to be announced.

Can I move back to St. Kitts before the Spring Semester?

Yes. If both your local government and St. Kitts lift international travel restrictions, then you can move when you feel it is safe to do so. At this time, we do not know when the St. Kitts airport will resume international service.

Will I be able to bring my pet(s) back to island?

It depends on when you return. As directed by the government of St. Kitts, students are not allowed to bring their pets with them at this time.

Can my spouse accompany to the island?

We are encouraging spouses not to return to St. Kitts for the Fall 2020 semester. The government has provided strict regulations and protocols for RUSVM students to enter the country. It is expected that changes to protocols and regulations may change as the pandemic rapidly evolves. We will continue to update you as we learn of changes.

Will all students be required to be tested for COVID-19 before traveling to St. Kitts?

Yes. Students will be required to be screened and tested for COVID-19 before departing for St. Kitts.

Will I be quarantined when I return to island?

Yes. At this time, there is a mandatory 14-day period of quarantine once you return to island. As the situation rapidly evolves, current protocols could shift.

COVID-19

What is the status of the COVID-19 virus on St. Kitts?

The island of St. Kitts has been declared free of COVID-19 by the Ministry of Health on St. Kitts. https://www.looptt.com/content/cmo-fact-check-st-kitts-nevis-still-free-covid-19

What if I test positive for COVID-19 on the island?

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