Fall 2024 Orientation

A closeup of an RIT student wearing sunglasses during orientation.
 

New Student Orientation

Welcome Days

New Student Orientation for students starting their RIT journey in the Fall of 2024 will kick off with Welcome Days on Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19.

Schedule for Welcome Days

Both Welcome Days (Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19) have the same offerings. Feel free to attend one or both days depending on your schedule. Detailed event descriptions and programming information is available for students to view in the Orientation App.

Welcome Events

  • Move-in for First-Year Students
    8 a.m.-6 p.m.
    If you are living in RIT Housing, you can check in for Orientation before or after your scheduled move-in appointment. If you have a late move-in time, you can park and attend activities before moving in or participate on the opposite day. Learn more about the RIT Move-in process 
     
  • Resource Fair
    9 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Gordon Field House and Activities Center (GOR)
     
  • Orientation Check-in - ALL STUDENTS MUST CHECK-IN FOR ORIENTATION.
    9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
    Gordon Field House and Activities Center (GOR)
     
  • Academic Advising: Tips for New Students and Families 
    Hale-Andrews Student Life Center (HAC), Rooms 1320-1325
    10-11 a.m. and 4-5 p.m.
     
  • Lingo Bingo
    11 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Gordon Field House and Activities Center (GOR), Reception Room
     
  • Affinity Welcome Lounge
    2-4 p.m.
    Student Alumni Union (SAU), Fireside Lounge
     
  • Welcome to RIT Presentation
    7-8:30 p.m.
    Gordon Field House and Activities Center (GOR)

Open Hours and Shuttles

  • Campus Shuttles
    7 a.m.-Midnight
    Various Stops - Please refer to the RIT app for bus stop locations and a schedule.
     
  • Campus Stores
    9 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Monroe Hall (MON), Room 1040 (Campus Store)
     
  • Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships: Open Office Hours 
    Sunday, Aug. 18 - 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
    Monday, Aug. 19 - 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
    Bausch and Lomb Center (BLC), Second Floor
     
  • Campus Tours
    10 a.m.-3 p.m.
    Gordon Field House and Activities Center (GOR)
     
  • Goodbye, Goodbuy!
    10 a.m.-4 p.m.
    Gene Polisseni Center (GPC), Lower Level Concourse
     
  • Food Trucks
    11 a.m.-7 p.m.
    Gordon Field House and  Activities Center (GOR), Outside
     
  • Retail Shuttle
    Noon-8 p.m.
    Pick-up Locations: F lot, Greenleaf Court (near residence halls), and Global Village
     
Sign up to receive alerts about inclement weather

Our text alert system will communicate important announcements regarding inclement weather emergencies on Move-In and Welcome Days.  Text RITORI to 888777 to receive important information and alerts.
Please encourage any family members or friends who will be on campus with you to sign up for weather alerts, as well.


 

New Student Orientation

Our formal Orientation program will commence at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 20 with our Orientation Kick-Off and Meet your Orientation Leader (OL) program in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center. This program is designed to introduce you to other new students and all RIT has to offer. Your OL will help you to navigate Orientation week, become familiar with the campus, and participate in a series of fun educational and social programs. We cannot wait to meet you and welcome you to our RIT Tiger family! 

Get excited for New Student Orientation by reviewing the high-level schedule below. A detailed schedule of events will be available in early August.

RIT Orientation 2023 App shown on a cell phone screen

RIT Orientation 2023 App

Navigate your Orientation journey through the CampusGroups app or by visiting campusgroups.rit.edu on your web browser. 

Follow the instructions below to view the Orientation schedule in the CampusGroups app.

  1. Download the CampusGroups app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
  2. Search for and select RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) 
  3. Select RIT Orientation 2023
  4. Select RIT Orientation 2023 Login to log in using your RIT account

If you are viewing the app on an Android device, please note that PDF links within the app, such as the “Meal Schedules” document, will appear as a blank page. To view PDF documents, please exit the CampusGroups app and go to your device downloads/files. The CampusGroups app will display a faint orange bar below the black header showing the status of the download. Please note that this status bar is not always accurate – it is best to check your device downloads/files. If you experience any issues accessing PDF files, please check-in with an Orientation team member and/or report the issue and someone will be in touch to assist you. 

Academic Day 
Aug. 23, 2023

Academic Day will assist in acclimating you to your academic program. You will visit your college, meet your academic advisor, attend social events, and learn about resources that will help you succeed at RIT. Academic Day is an opportune time to ask specific questions regarding your fall semester schedule. 

Convocation 
Aug. 24, 2023

Convocation serves as a formal academic ceremony that marks the beginning of your educational journey. The president, provost, deans, faculty, and staff will greet and congratulate you on becoming an RIT Tiger as they look forward to supporting your years of learning. Families will have the opportunity to view a live stream of the event.

More than Meets the "I": Stories that Dive Deeper

RIT is a community that embraces all students, faculty, and staff from different cultures, perspectives, and beliefs. Join us to find your home away from home and learn the many resources available to support you at RIT.

Healthy Start
Aug. 24, 2023

At RIT, we work to ensure each student is developed holistically. The Healthy Start program will help you focus on health and well-being as you begin your RIT journey. This program is a fun, engaging, and safe space where you can learn about RIT's wellness programs and services.

RIT 365 Liftoff 
Aug. 25, 2023

Experiential learning and hands-on experiences are at the heart of RIT 365 - a one-of-a-kind course taken by incoming first-year students at RIT. Liftoff is your introduction to the Plan-Do-Reflect cycle with your RIT 365 facilitators and classmates. Here, you will build the foundation for a sense of community and belonging at RIT.

Social Activities 

Aug. 20-27, 2023

Throughout your Orientation experience, you will have an opportunity to engage in fun, relaxing, and educational activities. Activities and events are hosted by RIT clubs, organizations, and campus departments, and will help you build connections to the RIT community.

New Student Orientation Schedule

All incoming students and families will attend one of two Welcome Days (Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19). The schedule of events is the same for both Welcome Days, so students and families can attend activities on either day.

All incoming students are required to check in for Orientation. 

Welcome Day programming will include:

  • Orientation Check-in
  • Resource Fair & Fun Zone
  • Residential Move-in for students living in RIT Housing
  • Affinity Lounges
  • International Student Orientation
  • Welcome to RIT Presentation
  • Parent & Family Happy Hour
  • Night Social Programming

All incoming students and families will attend one of two Welcome Days (Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19). The schedule of events is the same for both Welcome Days, so students and families can attend activities on either day.

All incoming students are required to check in for Orientation. 

Welcome Day programming will include:

  • Orientation Check-in
  • Resource Fair & Fun Zone
  • Residential Move-in for students living in RIT Housing
  • Affinity Lounges
  • International Student Orientation
  • Welcome to RIT Presentation
  • Parent & Family Happy Hour
  • Night Social Programming
  • Late Orientation Check-in
  • Orientation Kick-Off
  • Meet your Orientation Leader (OL)
  • Specialized Orientations (Performing Arts Scholars, ArtEx, Accelerated Scholars, Access Services)
  • Residential Building Meetings
  • Commuter Orientation
  • Night Social Programming
  • Academic Day
  • More that Meets the “I” (Diversity Program)
  • Night Social Programming
     
  • Class Photo and Tiger Walk
  • New Student Convocation
  • Orientation Group Time
  • Academic Day Part II
  • Wellness Program
  • Night Social Programming
     
  • Connect & Serve Presented by RIT 365 and the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement
  • Honors Program Orientation
  • ALANA Student Welcome
  • Rainbow Welcome
  • Night Social Programing
     
  • Orientation Group Time
  • Orientation Fest 
  • Night Social Programing
  • Specialized Orientations (Women in Engineering, Women in Computing, COMS, and ROTC)
     

Celebrate the end of Orientation and the start of your semester with fireworks and our TigerFest kickoff!

Learn more about TigerFest

Orientation App

Orientation App

To navigate your full Orientation journey, download the CampusGroups app or visit campusgroups.rit.edu on your web browser. 

View the Orientation schedule in the CampusGroups app:

  1. Download the CampusGroups app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
  2. Search for and select RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology)
  3. Select RIT Orientation 2024
  4. Select RIT Orientation 2024 Login to log in using your RIT account

Virtual Orientation

RIT Virtual Orientation displayed on a computer in front of a grey background

Jump start your Orientation experience with our RIT Virtual Orientation. The virtual orientation experience will provide you with important information; including an introduction to services and resources, to help you successfully launch your RIT journey.

You must complete all modules before your in-person Orientation begins. Feel free to go through this program at your own pace. If you need to take a break, you can log back in at any time and pick up where you left off.

Write down your questions and bring them with you to in-person Orientation. The orientation team is eager to answer any questions you may have about your RIT journey.