Office of the Registrar
F.A.Q.
Welcome
to RIT!
We thought you would find it helpful if we addressed some of the most frequently asked questions new students have about the Registrar's Office. Additional information can be found in our quarterly Schedule of Courses.
Two of the most important items on your "to do" list should be to get your student ID card and your DCE computer account. You will need to have a picture ID available when you come to the Registrar's Office to obtain an RIT ID card. This can be your driver's license, learner's permit, high school ID or passport.
Every student is required to have a student ID card. Your card is required for access to Institute facilities such as Wallace Library and the Student Life Center; to participate in the RIT meal plan; and to use the FLEX debit account for services throughout the campus. It is also your "ticket" to RIT campus events. Once you are a registered student and have your ID, you can request your DCE account through Information & Technology Services (ITS).
What should I do if I lose my ID card?
Lost cards should be reported to Campus Safety immediately. During regular business hours the Registrar's Office and Food Service can also deactivate the lost card in order to prevent unauthorized use of your ID. Come to the Registrar's Office to obtain a new card. There is no fee for your original card, but there is a $5.00 replacement fee if your card is lost or damaged. Cards which fail to perform in any RIT reader, and do not show signs of abuse, will be replaced at no charge.
What is a DCE account and what can I do with that?
You can use your Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) account for e-mail, access to the Student Information System (SIS), group conference notes, Internet access, the ability to set up your own web site, and more. You may be required to submit coursework on-line or participate in on-line group discussions for class. These are only a few of the possibilities. Go to the ITS website for additional details.
What is the Student Information System (SIS)?
This is one of the most widely accessed sites on-campus. Using your DCE account, you can enter the system in one of two ways. Through the RIT VAX Network you can select SIS and follow the screen prompts.
Or, select Info-Center/SIS at the top of the page and follow the screen prompts.
Once in the Student Information System you can:
You or your parents should submit the insurance form to the Registrar's Office. We will send an official verification of your enrollment to the company. Enrollment verifications are requested for a number of reasons, but generally are needed by students to support such things as financial aid scholarships and loans, students discounts, dental and health insurance, apartment rentals and auto loans.
Requests can be mailed to:
Rochester Institute of Technology
Registrar's Office
George Eastman Building
27 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623-5603
or faxed to: 585/475-7005
What's the difference between "dropping" and "withdrawing" from a class?
The Drop/Add period is the first seven days of a quarter (including weekends) beginning on the first day of classes. A student can drop classes on-line via the Student Information System, at his or her department, or at the Registrar's Office. When a student drops a class during this time frame there is no record kept that will show on an official transcript.
Once the first seven days of the quarter have passed, and through the end of the 8th week of the quarter, if a student wishes to remove him or herself from a class, the student may withdraw via the Student Information System. A grade of "W" is assigned to that course, and the withdrawal becomes part of the student's permanent record. In processing the request, the student, the student's instructor, the student's advisor and the student's home program or department head will be notified via email. Students are strongly advised to consult with their advisor and instructor before they withdraw from a course.
Where will I receive my grade report?
At the end of each quarter, instructors input grades online. Once entered, students receive an e-mail of the grade entered, and may view their grades online via the Student Information System.
I have a question about my academic record. Where do I go for information?
As far as your academic record goes, your first stop should be your academic department, and your academic advisor. One of the first things you should do is find out who your academic advisor is, and keep in touch with him or her as you progress in your career at RIT.
Where can I find information on registration deadlines, policies and procedures?
The quarterly Schedule of Courses available in your department and at the Registrar's window includes information on registration dates, Drop/Add and withdrawal deadlines. It should be a good resource for you.
What are the responsibilities of the Registrar's Office?
There are a range of responsibilities that come under the "umbrella" of the Office of the Registrar. This office is in charge of insuring the integrity of academic records, and the maintenance of those records for both current and former students. The office publishes the quarterly Schedule of Courses, and is responsible for planning, processing and monitoring all registration activity. Students can register for courses by telephone, mail, fax, in-person and on-line through the VAX computer network and via the World Wide Web.
The Office of the Registrar is also responsible for the systems that support course, final exam and classroom scheduling. The staff coordinates drop/add activity; processes withdrawals, change of grade and other records maintenance; records AP and transfer credit; produces class lists and grade rosters; mails grade reports; provides enrollment and degree verifications; and generates transcripts and academic advising reports. ID cards are supplied by the Registrar's Office.
Personnel evaluate international students' credentials; act as a resource for questions regarding policies, procedures and accreditation of other post secondary institutions; coordinate degree certification and the mailing of diplomas; and provide academic and management information and reports.
How can I contact the Registrar's Office?
You can reach us by phone at 585/475-2821 or by e-mail at 605ASK@rit.edu.
What are the hours for the Registrar's Office?
Regular hours for Fall, Winter and Spring quarters:
Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
During the first 6 days (Drop/Add period) of Fall, Winter and Spring quarters:
Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Summer hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
We thought you would find it helpful if we addressed some of the most frequently asked questions new students have about the Registrar's Office. Additional information can be found in our quarterly Schedule of Courses.
Two of the most important items on your "to do" list should be to get your student ID card and your DCE computer account. You will need to have a picture ID available when you come to the Registrar's Office to obtain an RIT ID card. This can be your driver's license, learner's permit, high school ID or passport.
- Why do I need a student ID?
- What should I do if I lose my ID card?
- What is a DCE account and what can I do with that?
- What is the Student Information System (SIS)?
- My parents received a request from their insurance company requiring proof that I am a full-time student. How and where do I get this information?
- What's the difference between "dropping" and "withdrawing" from a class?
- Where will I receive my grade report?
- I have a question about my academic record. Where do I go for information?
- Where can I find information on registration deadlines, policies and procedures?
- What are the responsibilities of the Registrar's Office?
- How can I contact the Registrar's Office?
- What are the hours for the Registrar's Office?
Every student is required to have a student ID card. Your card is required for access to Institute facilities such as Wallace Library and the Student Life Center; to participate in the RIT meal plan; and to use the FLEX debit account for services throughout the campus. It is also your "ticket" to RIT campus events. Once you are a registered student and have your ID, you can request your DCE account through Information & Technology Services (ITS).
What should I do if I lose my ID card?
Lost cards should be reported to Campus Safety immediately. During regular business hours the Registrar's Office and Food Service can also deactivate the lost card in order to prevent unauthorized use of your ID. Come to the Registrar's Office to obtain a new card. There is no fee for your original card, but there is a $5.00 replacement fee if your card is lost or damaged. Cards which fail to perform in any RIT reader, and do not show signs of abuse, will be replaced at no charge.
What is a DCE account and what can I do with that?
You can use your Distributed Computing Environment (DCE) account for e-mail, access to the Student Information System (SIS), group conference notes, Internet access, the ability to set up your own web site, and more. You may be required to submit coursework on-line or participate in on-line group discussions for class. These are only a few of the possibilities. Go to the ITS website for additional details.
What is the Student Information System (SIS)?
This is one of the most widely accessed sites on-campus. Using your DCE account, you can enter the system in one of two ways. Through the RIT VAX Network you can select SIS and follow the screen prompts.
Or, select Info-Center/SIS at the top of the page and follow the screen prompts.
Once in the Student Information System you can:
- Register for courses
- Drop and Add courses to your schedule
- Review, update and change the following addresses:
- home
- 2nd home (for separated or divorced parents)
- local (on-campus)
- next of kin (for emergency contacts)
- billing
- 2nd emergency address
- View your quarterly charges, financial aid credits, and account payments
- Request a refund or transfer funds
- Review your enrollment verifications and registration holds
- Check your grades, class schedule, Grade Point average (GPA) statistics, and view open and closed courses, degree information, the GPA calculation model, your Academic Advising Report (AAR) and quarterly exam schedule.
- Change your PIN number
- Sign up for your Liberal Arts concentration
- Sign up for an on campus apartment
You or your parents should submit the insurance form to the Registrar's Office. We will send an official verification of your enrollment to the company. Enrollment verifications are requested for a number of reasons, but generally are needed by students to support such things as financial aid scholarships and loans, students discounts, dental and health insurance, apartment rentals and auto loans.
Requests can be mailed to:
Rochester Institute of Technology
Registrar's Office
George Eastman Building
27 Lomb Memorial Drive
Rochester, NY 14623-5603
or faxed to: 585/475-7005
What's the difference between "dropping" and "withdrawing" from a class?
The Drop/Add period is the first seven days of a quarter (including weekends) beginning on the first day of classes. A student can drop classes on-line via the Student Information System, at his or her department, or at the Registrar's Office. When a student drops a class during this time frame there is no record kept that will show on an official transcript.
Once the first seven days of the quarter have passed, and through the end of the 8th week of the quarter, if a student wishes to remove him or herself from a class, the student may withdraw via the Student Information System. A grade of "W" is assigned to that course, and the withdrawal becomes part of the student's permanent record. In processing the request, the student, the student's instructor, the student's advisor and the student's home program or department head will be notified via email. Students are strongly advised to consult with their advisor and instructor before they withdraw from a course.
Where will I receive my grade report?
At the end of each quarter, instructors input grades online. Once entered, students receive an e-mail of the grade entered, and may view their grades online via the Student Information System.
I have a question about my academic record. Where do I go for information?
As far as your academic record goes, your first stop should be your academic department, and your academic advisor. One of the first things you should do is find out who your academic advisor is, and keep in touch with him or her as you progress in your career at RIT.
Where can I find information on registration deadlines, policies and procedures?
The quarterly Schedule of Courses available in your department and at the Registrar's window includes information on registration dates, Drop/Add and withdrawal deadlines. It should be a good resource for you.
What are the responsibilities of the Registrar's Office?
There are a range of responsibilities that come under the "umbrella" of the Office of the Registrar. This office is in charge of insuring the integrity of academic records, and the maintenance of those records for both current and former students. The office publishes the quarterly Schedule of Courses, and is responsible for planning, processing and monitoring all registration activity. Students can register for courses by telephone, mail, fax, in-person and on-line through the VAX computer network and via the World Wide Web.
The Office of the Registrar is also responsible for the systems that support course, final exam and classroom scheduling. The staff coordinates drop/add activity; processes withdrawals, change of grade and other records maintenance; records AP and transfer credit; produces class lists and grade rosters; mails grade reports; provides enrollment and degree verifications; and generates transcripts and academic advising reports. ID cards are supplied by the Registrar's Office.
Personnel evaluate international students' credentials; act as a resource for questions regarding policies, procedures and accreditation of other post secondary institutions; coordinate degree certification and the mailing of diplomas; and provide academic and management information and reports.
How can I contact the Registrar's Office?
You can reach us by phone at 585/475-2821 or by e-mail at 605ASK@rit.edu.
What are the hours for the Registrar's Office?
Regular hours for Fall, Winter and Spring quarters:
Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
During the first 6 days (Drop/Add period) of Fall, Winter and Spring quarters:
Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
Summer hours:
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.