Office of the Registrar

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.

Why do I need a student ID?
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 a PIN number?
PIN stands for Personal Identification Number. It is a six-digit number you select the first time you access the Student Information System (SIS) via your computer or when registering by telephone. Every time you try to access the phone and on-line registration systems, you will always be prompted to provide your PIN number. This provides added security to your records. Do not use your birth date or all zeros when selecting your PIN number.

What do I do if I forget my PIN number?
If you have forgotten your PIN number, call the Registrar's office at 585/475-2821 or contact us via e-mail at 605ask@rit.edu. We cannot read your PIN number, but we can clear the field so that you can enter a new number.

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:

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

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?
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 six days of a quarter beginning on the first day of classes. A student can drop classes on-line via the SIS 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 six days of the quarter have passed, and through the end of the 6th week of the quarter, if a student wishes to remove him or herself from a class, the student must complete a "Course Withdrawal Request Form". The completed form should be submitted to the instructor and to the department for appropriate signatures. A grade of "W" is assigned to that course, and the withdrawal becomes part of the student's permanent record. Before you decide to withdraw from a course, you are encouraged to discuss your performance or concerns with your instructor.

Where will I receive my grade report?
At the end of each quarter the Office of the Registrar collects the grades from the faculty and enters them into the student record system. If you have your DCE account, you may check the Student Information System (SIS) and view your grades on-line.

For Fall and Winter quarters, grade reports are sent to student department mail folders. For Spring and Summer quarters grade reports are mailed to student home addresses. For first year students and for students under the age of 21, an additional copy of their grades is mailed to the home address at the end of each quarter.

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.

Registrar's Home Page