Family Orientation Newsletter July 14, 2026

In This Message

Requirements and Resources–Campus Engagement
- Campus Engagement
- Campus Traditions
- Student Employment
Navigating the Transition
- College 101 Webinar Recordings
- Parking and Transportation
Let's Talk About It

Three images from a student organization fair: club members standing at an Outing Club table, students playing a tabletop game, and a wide view of a crowded event space filled with student organization booths and attendees.

Requirements and Resources
Campus Engagement

Campus Engagement

Students arrive on campus with a variety of hobbies and interests. Your student might choose to connect with a club similar to one they participated in during high school or join one in search of a new interest or activity. Campus involvement has many benefits, including building friendships, better academic outcomes, and the development of “soft” skills. With over 300 clubs and organizations on campus, there is something for all interests.

Your student will have the opportunity to learn about campus involvement during the Tiger Activities Fair, which takes place during TigerFest (Aug. 23-29). Students can start searching for clubs now using RIT CampusGroups.

The Student Life Team (SLT) offers programming specific to RIT’s Deaf and hard-of-hearing students, including late-night educational programming, spiritual/religious and civility exploration workshops, self-advocacy and community accountability mentoring programs, social and cultural programs, fraternity and sorority event collaborations, and club/organizations.

"Encourage your student to check out any and all clubs they are interested in. I always feel nervous making new connections, but in my experience, clubs are extremely welcoming of new members and I’m glad I joined!"
-Stelle

Campus Traditions

At RIT, we celebrate our tiger pride through many campus-wide events and traditions. Kicking off the year during the first week of classes is TigerFest, where students can connect with other students, learn about different resources on campus, and discover ways to get involved. Our seasonal events—FallFest, FreezeFest, and SpringFest—encourage students to take advantage of the changing seasons in Rochester and find activities no matter the weather. Encourage your student to learn more about our campus traditions and plan to attend the many Fests! Don't forget to save the date to return to campus for Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend!

Student Employment

There are many benefits to working during the semester, including making friends, earning late-night pizza money, and engaging in the campus community. Additionally, students who work have been found to do better in classes and often develop strong time management skills. Students seeking on-campus employment will need to produce several forms of unexpired, original identification. A driver’s license AND social security card together, or a passport on its own, are commonly acceptable forms of ID. Find a complete list of acceptable documents and information on how students can apply for jobs on campus on the Student Employment Office website.

"I began to view my jobs as less of a way to make money, and more of a learning opportunity. Campus jobs give you a community of friends, life skills, and a strong edge to your resume."
-Emmett

Navigating the Transition

College 101: Laundry, Roommates, and Life Outside the Classroom

In case you were unable to attend our webinar (or want to go back to review!), a recording can be found on the Orientation website.

Parking and Transportation

If your student will be bringing a car to campus, they will need to register their car with Parking and Transportation and purchase a parking permit. There are transportation options for students without cars, including the RIT shuttle, the weekend shopping bus, and the Public Market Bus.

Let's Talk About It

What student groups do you hope to explore?

There are many ways to get involved, and college is the perfect time to check out a new hobby or continue with a favorite.

How will you balance studying and a part-time job?

Studies show that having a part-time job helps students better balance their workload and succeed academically. Chat with your student about what kind of campus job they’d like and help them get started on a resume.

Sincerely,

Chelsea Petree, Ph.D.
Director, Parent and Family Programs
Rochester Institute of Technology
parents@rit.edu