Family Orientation Newsletter June 23, 2026

In This Message

Requirements and Resources-Living On (and Off) Campus
- Move-In Appointment Times
- Commuter Students
- Making the Most of Dining Plans
Navigating the Transition
- Laundry
- Residence Hall Packing List
- Fridges and Microwaves
- College 101: Laundry, Roommates, and Life Outside the Classroom
Let’s Talk About It

Students and families gather outside a residence hall during move-in, unloading belongings from large bins and carts; individuals sort bags into containers and transport bins through a building hallway using rolling carts and moving equipment.

Requirements and Resources-
Living on (and off) Campus

Move-In Appointment Times

Students living on campus must select a move-in appointment. They will receive an email on Tuesday, June 30 with instructions about how to select their move-in appointment. Move-in takes place during Welcome Days:

Monday, August 17 | 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18 | 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Students living in RIT Housing must have an approved photo for their RIT ID before they can pick a move-in appointment time. They will get their ID during Move-in.

Details and instructions for move-in will be shared later this summer.

Welcome Days reminder: Monday, August 17 is the primary Welcome Day, and will include activities such as Orientation check-in, a resource fair, campus tours, a parent and family lounge, and social programming. Tuesday morning (August 18) is much more laid back with limited formal programming (e.g., 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.

Commuter Students

Even if your student is not living in an on-campus residence during their first year, starting at RIT will still be a transition for your family. Here are some tips to pass along to your commuter student on how to prepare:

Plan your route to campus, including a backup. Check traffic for your class times, and if you take the bus, know your schedule and alternate routes.
Register your vehicle and purchase a parking permit through the MyParking Portal. This is required for all vehicles that will be parked on campus. View commuter parking permit options >
Consider getting a commuter meal plan for those long days on campus.
Register to attend Commuter Welcome (Tuesday, August 18).
Explore the support resources and engagement opportunities on campus designed specifically for first-year commuter students. Check out the RIT Commuters website >

Commuter students must check in to Orientation on either Monday, August 17, or Tuesday, August 18, and their Orientation program will begin on Tuesday, August 18.

Making the Most of Dining Plans

College dining has come a long way. RIT offers 20 dining locations, from dining halls and cafés to grab-and-go and convenience stores. First-year meal plans include Gracie’s Meals and Dining Dollars, giving your student the flexibility to explore and find their favorites.

Here are a few things you can do this summer to help your student get excited—and prepared—for dining at RIT:

Review Meal Plan options for first-year students. First-year students living on campus are required to choose a meal plan, which can be done in the myLife Portal. If a student does not select a meal plan, one will automatically be added to their account.
Compare Gracie's Meals and Dining Dollars >
Explore dining locations. Hours and menus will be different during the semester, but a quick scroll can highlight to your student the variety of options.
If your student has allergies or dietary restrictions, suggest they make an appointment with our registered dietitian to discuss their needs and make a plan for eating on campus.

"It’s a lot of fun to try all the dining locations offered, branch out, and find favorites. I have a dietary restriction, and there were multiple options for me at the majority of places."
-Stelle

Three campus dining scenes: a self-service beverage station, a staff member plating food at a serving line, and a close-up of gloved hands preparing food with an “RIT Dining” shirt visible.

Navigating the Transition

Laundry

One of the main reasons washers and dryers break down in RIT housing is misuse. Make sure your student knows how to use a basic washer and dryer, how much detergent to use, and when to separate colors. If you haven’t already, stop doing their laundry this summer so they can practice before arriving on campus. Our laundry rooms were recently refreshed—help us keep them that way!

Tip: Please send liquid detergent. We do not recommend detergent pods or beads in the washers.

"Encourage your student to do laundry once a week. Regular washing helps you stay fresh and makes shared spaces more comfortable for everyone."
-Stelle

Residence Hall Packing List

While it’s helpful to prepare early, don’t worry if you don’t have everything your student needs right away. There are plenty of retail options near RIT, along with weekend bus service. Be sure your student packs required forms of identification, as a photo ID is needed for things like opening a bank account and obtaining an Employment Eligibility Card.

View the Residence Hall packing list >

Fridges and Microwaves

A micro-fridge (microwave/refrigerator/freezer) will be provided in all residence halls and RIT Inn rooms to allow students to prepare and warm their food. Students are not allowed to bring their own refrigerator.

For a student's insights on what to pack, watch the What should my student bring for their first year? Series of Queries video.

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

With so much to think about this summer, it will be easy to forget to talk to your student about the everyday skills they will need at college. Join current students and RIT staff for tips on how to prepare your student for real-life tasks such as laundry, living with a roommate, getting a campus job, and more.

Plan to participate in one of two sessions:

Tuesday, June 30 | 7 p.m. | Register to attend >
Thursday, July 9 | 7 p.m. | Register to attend >

Let's Talk About It

What are you most looking forward to about living in the residence halls?

Sharing a room is a new experience for many students. It's important to be aware of potential challenges, but equally as important to be excited!

Have you connected with your roommate yet?

Be sure your student talks to their roommate this summer to get to know them and have discussions about how they will share their living space.

Sincerely,

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