Family Orientation Newsletter July 7, 2026

In This Message

Good to Know
- Virtual Orientation Reminder
- Academic Advising and Support
Navigating the Transition
- College 101: Laundry, Roommates, and Life Outside the Classroom
- Welcome Days Schedule
- Deaf Culture at RIT
Let's Talk About It

Student stands in front of large orange RIT letters while another person takes a photo on a sunny campus lawn.

Good to Know

Virtual Orientation Reminder

Please remind your student to complete the RIT Virtual Orientation. This mandatory Orientation experience provides students with important information, including an introduction to services, and helps them successfully launch their RIT journey. They should complete all modules by the start of RIT’s in-person Orientation. Parents can also view the Virtual Orientation as a guest.

Academic Advising and Support

The new academic workload in college can be a shock for many students, and some struggle developing and implementing time management and study skills. There are many academic support services at RIT, including college-specific support options. One primary resource your student can rely on is their academic advisor. Advisors can help incoming students transition to RIT, understand and navigate their curriculum, connect to RIT resources, and integrate into the community. Students new to the university will meet their primary academic advisor during Orientation and are required to meet with their advisor during their first year. NTID-supported students are also assigned an additional advisor who can provide personal, social, career, and academic counseling services that are available to deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Students can find their academic advisors listed on SIS.

"Encourage your student to seek help if they feel stessed about their academic performance. There are always more resources that their professors, advisor, and peers can connect them with."
-Stelle

High School
vs.
College

In high school, a student’s school counselor may have access to the student’s course progress, including gradebook, attendance, and assignments, as well as detailed information related to support resources a student utilizes.

In college, students will need to share information with their advisor about their coursework and support services they are using. Academic advisors do not have access to gradebooks, attendance, or course progress. They also cannot access records for services such as disability accommodations, health center, and counseling center.

Students pose in orange “Welcome Home Tigers” shirts, staff hand out gray RIT T-shirts at a table, and a student in an RIT cap holds a tote bag during check-in.

Navigating the Transition

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

If you missed the webinar last week, you can find the recording on the Orientation website. The session will be repeated on Thursday.

Thursday, July 9 | 7 p.m. | Register to attend >

Welcome Days Schedule

Our Orientation program kicks off with Welcome Days on Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18. Monday is the primary Welcome Day and will include activities such as first-year residential move-in, Orientation check-in, resource fair, campus tours, a parent and family lounge, and student social programming. Tuesday is much more laid back with limited formal programming (e.g., first-year residential move-in, Orientation check-in) and the opportunity to run errands, get to know campus, and spend time with your student before heading home. We encourage families to attend Monday's activities even if your student will be moving in on Tuesday morning. You can find the Welcome Days schedule on the Orientation website.

Deaf Culture at RIT

One of the most unique aspects of RIT is that it is home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID); more than 1,100 Deaf and hard-of-hearing students study at RIT. Hearing students will interact with the Deaf community in courses, residence halls, and campus events. There are many ways hearing students can be involved in Deaf culture, including ASL courses and learning through peer-to-peer opportunities like No Voice Zone.

"Deaf culture at RIT is really immersive. Events have interpreters, your student will make Deaf friends, and you'll see ASL all the time. I'd totally recommend students learn basic signs like thank you and hello for ease of communication!"
-Emmett

Let's Talk About It

Have you emailed your advisor? What did you talk to them about?

We want students to have a healthy relationship with their advisor, and they should never hesitate to reach out with questions.

Do you plan to learn ASL?

Encourage your student to take advantage of the unique RIT opportunity to learn about Deaf culture and ASL!

Sincerely,

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