08/10/2017
Update
Subject: RUSM Plan for Continuation of the Medical Sciences Course of Instruction
Dear RUSM Students,
It is a pleasure to announce that after the devastation of Hurricane Maria to the Dominica Campus, Ross University School of Medicine (RUSM) is working on plans to resume its medical sciences course of instruction with a target start the week of Monday, October 16, 2017, on a uniquely fitted cruise liner that will be ported off the coast of St. Kitts in the West Indies. The current plan is for this to be a temporary arrangement to enable our students to resume their course of instruction as quickly as possible, and to do so in a manner that assures the quality and content of instruction that you received on Dominica. While we are still in the early planning stages, and things are progressing quickly, we expect that students will continue studies on the ship through December (until the end of the September semester) and we are exploring our location options for continued studies beyond that. The next locale is still being determined, but we can assure you that we are working diligently on a number of promising opportunities.
There were a number of objectives considered when deciding where and when to resume classes. Our principal considerations included:
· Quickly reclaiming medical educational progress expected for the September semester
· Maintaining the quality and rigor of medical instruction at RUSM
· Keeping your testing milestones on track
· Minimizing the disruption of your medical school timeline
· Keeping the RUSM community in a single location
· Rapidly redeploying our seasoned medical educators
· Balancing school work and recreation
Of the many options we considered, establishing a temporary campus off the shores of St. Kitts was the solution that best met the aforementioned goals. While we are still working through some of the details and regulatory and licensing requirements to clear the path for pursuing this option, the ship is being reconfigured to enable us to support the many activities that occurred on the Dominica campus, like teaching, food services, lodging, and entertainment. Moreover, resuming classes on a cruise liner off St. Kitts also allows us to draw upon resources available at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), our longstanding sister graduate school under the Adtalem Global Education brand. Their proximity to our ship offers additional instructional, professional, and recreational opportunities for faculty, staff, and students. Travel to and from the ship to St. Kitts will be possible.
A preliminary set of questions and answers is below. By Tuesday, October 10, the Office of Student Services will contact you individually to expand on the information below and address your specific questions, including providing travel information. Please note that students should prepare to travel to St. Kitts October 10-15 via charter flights from Miami. We ask that you continue to be patient and refrain from calling with questions as the Student Services team will contact you individually as soon as possible.
Just one week ago we completed the evacuation of our campus community after having endured the strongest hurricane on record to impact Dominica. We have made much progress toward resuming with our medical sciences course of instruction, yet there remains work ahead. Rest assured knowing there is a dedicated team that is leveraging resources internationally to manage the orchestration of logistics and work through the process of regulatory approvals. Please remain attentive for additional posts as we finalize the details for this unique and exciting next phase in your medical career.
Q&A Regarding RUSM Academic Continuity
What should I do next?
Please click on the link sent to you via email to indicate if you plan to return to RUSM this semester. Information must be submitted by Sunday, October 8 at 6 p.m. EST.
Do I need a student visa to enter and study in St. Kitts?
In order to determine if you need a visa to study in St Kitts, please visit the SKN government website.
Please note it is a global travel standard that your passport has at least one year’s validity on it and is in good working condition.
What are the travel arrangements?
Once we finalize this option, RUSM will book and coordinate all student and faculty travel to St. Kitts. Students and faculty will be contacted with details about their itinerary. RUSM will assume costs for flights.
Can I bring my pets on the cruise ship?
No, pets are not permitted except medical service animals (e.g., physical or sensory support animal). Emotional support animals, even with documentation, are not permitted due to housing regulations.
Is there schooling for children?
At this time we are still determining the options for educating children. More information will be provided in the next several days.
Will I still have financial aid?
We are working to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for continued use of federal financial aid.
How can I get my belongings I left behind in Dominica?
The aftermath of Hurricane Maria created conditions that required a swift evacuation off of Dominica and we have not returned to the campus for an official inventorying of items, as such, we do not have a current accounting of any property left on the campus. At this point we do not know when the campus will be re-opened for occupancy.
