Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour returns to RIT April 18, 19, and 20!

Get off the beaten path and explore the edge of believable with captivating stories on the big screen from the 46th Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival. Stand on the highest peaks, ski the steepest slopes, and be a part of the gripping adventures waiting for you.

Eating Well On-Campus

We asked Dining Services’ new Registered Dietitian, Marisa Bellanca MS, RD, about her favorite healthy meals on campus. If you are looking to make healthier options on campus, Marisa is a great resource. Here are some of her top tips for eating well on-campus:

• Check out Gracie’s Naan Bar station. It is offered about twice a month. Try the spicy shrimp Masala for a flavorful addition to your meal. Shrimp not your thing? There are several protein options such as chicken and tofu!

• Get a Noodle Bowl from Global Grille. This station offers a variety of protein foods (chicken, tofu, eggs, pork belly) with numerous vegetables, such as bok choy, corn, carrots, mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Assemble into a bowl with homemade broth. Yum! You don’t need to eat salad to get veggies in your diet on campus!

• Did you know the veggie burger at Crossroads is made in-house? It packs in a ton of vegetables-- first ingredients are mushrooms & garbanzo beans. It also contains flax seeds, which makes this veggie burger a great source of fiber.

• You can’t beat a classic grilled chicken breast sandwich on a whole wheat roll from Commons. This sandwich contains a lean protein (meaning it contains less fat than other protein foods, like red meat), and the roll has more fiber than a regular white roll.

COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Requirement

The university recently announced the COVID-19 booster vaccine deadline has been extended to May 15 for those eligible to receive the booster. For more information on booster eligibility, visit the CDC booster shot eligibility webpage.

Vaccination site resources are available to help you locate COVID-19 vaccine options in the area, including vaccine appointment options offered in Monroe County. Monroe County offers a variety of mass vaccination sites throughout the week with the ability to schedule an appointment in advance online or by phone with transportation assistance.

Upon receiving your COVID-19 booster vaccine, you must complete the COVID-19 Booster form under the "My Forms" tab in the RIT Wellness Portal.

Decrease Stress - Turn up the tunes!

Looking to reduce stress and improve your mood? Music is a great way to do just that! Listening to music causes the brain to release dopamine. It also acts as a distraction and may help focus attention away from something stressful. Dance, sing or move to music today! It can help relieve stress and stimulate your brain.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, listening to new music can stimulate your brain and provide a new source of pleasure. While listening to music you know and enjoy causes a strong brain response and dopamine release. Try listening, playing, or creating to see what works best for you.

Each week, we are sharing a financial wellness tip to help you make the connection between financial management decisions, your overall wellness, and student success. Money touches every aspect of our lives, and a lack of financial literacy can cause unnecessary stress and negatively impact our mental and physical health.

Tax Tips for College Students

Can you believe we are headed into the final weeks of the semester?! Spring break has come and gone, and you may have a packed to-do list of tests and projects that you’re focusing on.

But did you remember to file your taxes? The deadline to file your returns this year is April 18! You are required to file your taxes if you made over $12,000. If your employer withheld taxes but you didn’t quite earn $12,000, you may be eligible for a refund. You can even file for free and with help through many credible tax service sites which can be found at IRS Free Filing Options.   

Tax Tips:

• You can earn extra credit on your taxes. Depending on your filing status, you may be eligible for the Lifetime Learning Credit or the American Opportunity Tax credit.  

• Apply for scholarships. Ask your Financial Aid or Academic Advisor where to find scholarships through RIT or outside sources. Not only do Scholarships provide money for college, but they are tax free.

• Did you pay some of your student loans this year? If so, you can deduct student loan interest from your taxes.

• Are you independent? If your parents no longer claim you as a Dependent on their tax forms, you may be entitled to more deductions. 

• Know your geography. If you are from out-of-state and have earned income in NYS, or any other state, you will likely have to file a federal income tax return AND multiple state income tax returns.

• Don’t be in a rush! Take your time filing your taxes to avoid mistakes. We also recommend avoiding automatic refund programs. Even though they allow you to receive your refund the same day you file, you are often charged a large fee (percentage of your refund) to get that quick money. E-file yourself using the IRS Free Filing options and you can get your refund fairly quickly if direct deposited to your bank account. 

For other tips, and help, visit the IRS’s Tax Benefits for education site at IRS Education Center. 

Did you miss any of the Money Mondays sessions this semester? These sessions covered topics on budgeting and savings goals, understanding the key elements of a job offer, strategies for evaluating multiple offers, and how to negotiate your salary requirements. You can find recordings of the sessions on the Financial Literacy website. Follow the Financial Literacy Team on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more financial tips and tricks.

For additional events and event information, go to rit.edu/events.