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Family Orientation Newsletter

In This Message

  • Family Connections and Support
    • Parent Access & Student Privacy (FERPA) 
    • Reminder: Complete the New Tiger Family Survey 
  • Requirements and Resources-Academics
    • Know Your Student’s College 
    • Student Class Schedules
    • Course Materials and Computer Recommendations
    • Disability Services Office
  • Let’s Talk About It
Students collaborating at a table indoors, a group gathered in a circular outdoor campus space, and individuals studying on bright green seating in a common area.

Family Connections and Support

Parent Access & Student Privacy (FERPA)

As your student enters college—whether as a first-year or transfer—they take on more responsibility for their information. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), students control access to their educational records. These records include grades, academic progress, financial information, and disciplinary records. RIT staff cannot share specific details without your student’s permission. They can answer general questions and may encourage your student to be part of the conversation.

If you’re used to managing accounts, it’s a transition. Students can grant you access to select information, like billing, through eServices. You’ll use your own login and only see what they choose to share. We encourage you to talk with your student early about how they plan to share important information with you, so expectations are clear before the semester begins.

For more information, including tips and conversation starters, visit the Parent and Family Programs website and watch the What is FERPA? Series of Queries video.
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High school
vs.
College

  

In high school, parents have access to all records, grades, and assignments, as well as easy access to teachers.

In college, students are in charge of their records and parents can only access certain pieces that students grant them access to.
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"Maintaining grades in college can be tougher than in high school! It’s important to support your student through their academics, even if their grades aren't perfect."
-Emmett

Reminder: Complete the New Tiger Family Survey

If you haven’t already, please take a minute to respond to the New Tiger Family Survey. Your responses will help guide our communications over the summer and into the fall.

Take the survey >

Resources and Requirement-Academics

Know Your Student’s College

Most students know their major—but not always their college. It’s helpful to know both, especially during Orientation. Use the Programs of Study website to match your student’s major with their college. Some may surprise you (for example, engineering technology is not in the College of Engineering).

Student Class Schedules 

Your student will be automatically registered for their first-semester classes by their academic department. Schedules will be available in early August. Students will receive an email to their RIT account when their schedule is ready, along with information about purchasing course materials.

Schedules are designed to meet general education and program requirements. During Orientation, students can meet with their academic advisor to review their schedule and ask questions.

Please make sure your student completes all required academic-related tasks on the New Student Checklist by June 30 so their schedule can be created accurately.
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"Students will likely have a lot more flexibility with their coursework than in high school-I know I did! Talking to friends about their classes is a great way to learn about various courses and opportunities in their major."
-Stelle

Course Materials and Computer Recommendations
A close-up shot shows a person's hands typing on a silver laptop keyboard. The person's forearms, clad in a red long-sleeved shirt, are visible as their fingers rest over the black keys of the laptop.

To help your student choose the right device for their program, the RIT Campus Store has compiled computer recommendations by college so your student can purchase with confidence.

As an Apple® Authorized Campus Store, the RIT Campus Store offers exclusive RIT education pricing on Mac and iPad products. Dell PCs, RIT apparel and merchandise, tech accessories, and a wide range of school, art, and photo supplies are available for purchase online or in-store.
Entrance to the RIT Campus Store inside a bright, modern campus building. A large sign reading “RIT Campus Store” hangs above an open retail area with clothing, merchandise, and displays visible inside.

When your student receives their course schedule in early August, they will also receive information about course materials and purchase options through the online bookstore.

Disability Services Office

The Disability Services Office (DSO) supports students by providing accommodations and addressing barriers that may impact their experience at RIT. Disabilities can take many forms, including visible or hidden, temporary or permanent, and may relate to mental health, learning, chronic illness, communication, or mobility. Support is available across academic, residential, and co-curricular experiences, helping students start their RIT journey feeling confident and prepared.

Families can play an important role by encouraging early conversations about DSO, reviewing documentation, and helping students reflect on strategies that have worked well in the past. As your student takes on a more independent role, your support as a coach can make a meaningful difference.

Learn more about applying for an accommodation >

Get DSO tips to support your student's transition >
 

High school
vs.
College

  

In high school, students may have an IEP or 504 plan that teachers are automatically aware of and help facilitate. 

In college, students have to self-advocate by applying for accommodations and sending them to instructors each semester.
Two photos showing groups gathered on campus: on the left, a large group wearing RIT apparel at an outdoor event, including a person in a bright orange mascot-style hat; on the right, four people stand together on steps outside a campus building.

Let's Talk About It
 

Which email did you put down for my contact information?

  

Typos happen, as do email address changes. We want to make sure your student put down the best contact information for you in the system.

 

How do you anticipate talking to me about your grades?

  

You will no longer have access to your student’s grades as you did in high school. It can be helpful to have an open discussion about your expectations around grade sharing prior to their arrival on campus.

Chelsea Petree

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