Pre-arrival Information

• WHEN TO ARRIVE
• IMPORTANT DATES
• ARRIVAL INFORMATION
• ACCOMODATIONS FOR EARLY ARRIVAL
• HEALTH INFORMATION
• INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION SESSIONS
• TRAVEL TIPS
• SHIPPING BELONGINGS

WHEN TO ARRIVE

Welcome to the RIT community! The information provided here will help you as you plan for your arrival at RIT. Fall 2012 move in date is Saturday, August 25, 2012. If you are beginning your studies at RIT in Winter, Spring or Summer quarters, you may move into your RIT housing on the day before classes begin.

IMPORTANT DATES

Remaining International Orientation Dates for the 2011 - 2012 Academic Year:

Spring Quarter (2011-3) - Friday, March 23, 2012

Summer Quarter (2011-4) - Friday, June 8, 2012

Fall Quarter, 2012

Saturday,     August 25, 2012 - Move-in Day for International Students

August 25 - 27, 2012 - International Orientation

Monday,    September 3, 2012 - Day, evening, and online classes begin

RIT Institute Calendar. Check for more details.

 ARRIVAL INFORMATION

RIT is located within 7 miles of the Rochester International Airport. If you are arriving by plane, you should take a taxi from the airport to the campus. The taxi fare is approximately $20. If you are arriving by bus or train, you should choose the destination of Rochester, New York and take a taxi from the train station or bus terminal to the campus. The ride will be about 20-30 minutes and the taxi fare will vary.

Students arriving in New York City (NYC) by plane should book passage through to Rochester, which is an additional one-hour flight. You may also take a train or bus from New York City, which will take an additional 8 hours to reach Rochester. Allow yourself enough time to travel from the NYC airport (LaGuardia, Kennedy, or Newark) to the train station or bus terminal, as ground transportation in NYC can be time consuming.

If you are assigned campus housing, the Housing Operations Office will contact you with more details regarding move-in dates and procedures. Check the website at On-Campus Living for more information.

 ACCOMODATIONS FOR EARLY ARRIVAL

If you will arrive in Rochester prior to the arrival date above, you should make arrangements to stay in an area hotel. You should make a reservation at the hotel/motel before you arrive, and be sure to ask if there is an RIT discount rate. RIT does not offer early arrival accommodations. Following is a list of area hotels/motels for your reference:

Hotel	Address and Phone Number
RIT Inn and Conference Center	5257 West Henrietta Road (585) 359-1800
Radisson Hotel	175 Jefferson Road (585) 475-1910
Courtyard by Marriott - Brighton	33 Corporate Woods (585) 292-1000
Red Roof Inn	4820 West Henrietta Road (585) 359-1100
Best Western Rochester Marketplace Inn	940 Jefferson Road (585) 427-2700
Super 8 Motel - Rochester/Henrietta	1000 Lehigh Station Road (585) 359-1630
Holiday Inn Henrietta	1111 Jefferson Road (585) 475-1510
Wellesley Inn	797 East Henrietta Road (585) 427-0130
Microtel Inn - Rochester	905 Lehigh Station Road (585) 334-3400

HEALTH INFORMATION

Health History and Immunization Forms

All students registered for 4 or more credit hours and born after January 1, 1957 need to comply with New York State and RIT immunization requirements.

New York State law requires proof of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella through either 2 MMR shots or positive blood titers for each disease. New York State also requires all students, regardless of age, to sign a meningococcal awareness form.

RIT requires students age 26 and under to have the meningitis shot.

IMPORTANT: All health forms must be either mailed, faxed, or emailed to the Student Health Center BEFORE you arrive on campus.
Email: ritshc@rit.edu Attention: Belinda
Fax #: 585-475-7788
Mailing address:
Rochester Institute of Technology
Student Health Center
117 Lomb Memorial Dr.
Rochester, NY 14623

Required immunizations need to be submitted no more than 30 days prior to the start of classes in order to avoid a delay in registration or interruption of classes for which you are enrolled. Contact the Student Health Center at (585) 475-2255 with questions. Additional information and forms are available at www.rit.edu/studenthealth.

Health Insurance

• Insurance is required for all international students and each F-1 and J-1 student is automatically enrolled the Student Accident & Sickness plan. (Charge is assessed on your bill for 6 months coverage in fall and again in spring.) You can add dependents. The health insurance is optional if you are a US citizen.
• If you have your own coverage, you can come to ISS during the first 2 weeks of fall and waive (cancel) the RIT insurance if you do not want it. Please bring proof of your own coverage.
• Details of the RIT insurance are here: http://www.universityhealthplans.com/intro/RIT.html

TRAVEL TIPS

If you are traveling from abroad, keep your passport, I-20 or DS-2019, other important documents, and your money on your person at all times. Immigration documents must be presented at the port of entry to the United States. Contact the nearest U.S. Consulate for a copy of the booklet United States Customs Hints for Visitors. This booklet will help you clear customs without loss of any of your possessions.

During travel, you should carry a small bag with personal items, a change of clothing, and any valuable items in case your luggage does not arrive in Rochester when you do. You should contact the airline or other carrier with which you will be traveling to find out about any luggage weight, size, or quantity restrictions. Be sure to label your luggage with your name, address, and telephone number, both at home and at RIT.

You should bring enough money to cover your expenses while traveling. We recommend that you carry at least $50 in U.S. $1 bills, and coins (preferably quarters), as you may need them for telephone calls, airport shuttles, taxis, etc.

Remember that most of the RIT housing available for graduate students is not furnished. In many cases, the apartment will be empty. You should have something to sleep on for your first night on campus.

The weather in Rochester is varied. It is usually hot and humid from June through September, and cold and snowy from November through March. Other months are moderate in temperature. You will need a heavy wind and rain resistant coat, waterproof boots, and gloves for the cold months. Students usually wear comfortable, informal clothing to attend classes.

SHIPPING BELONGINGS

Students living in RIT apartments should not send their belongings ahead. Please DO NOT send baggage to International Student Services or Graduate Enrollment Services.