Information for Families

Welcome, Tiger Families!

We are so excited for you to join the Tiger family! Whether your student is just starting their college experience or is transferring to RIT, we know this is a big transition for your family. We at RIT know the important role parents and family members play in their student's life. You will be a major support to your student -- not just during their transition to RIT, but throughout their entire college experience.

The transition to college—or a new college after transferring—can be overwhelming and your student will need your support. Reminders and assistance from you will be helpful as your student begins to navigate campus on their own.

The Parent and Family Programs office is here to support you during this transition and beyond. Please connect with our resources and reach out with any questions along the way.  

Make sure that you receive the most up-to-date information delivered directly to your inbox, by asking your student to verify your email address at rit.edu/studentcontact.

Chelsea Petree headshot
Chelsea Petree
Senior Associate Director, Campus Life and Director Parent Prg
585-475-4198
cappfp@rit.edu

Parent and Family Programs
parents@rit.edu

Parent and Family Checklist

To prepare yourself and your student to start their academic journey at RIT, here are a few key things you can get started.

Ask your student to go to rit.edu/studentcontact to confirm that your email address is accurate in our system.

Family members will receive Family Orientation Newsletters, which will be delivered in December and January to the email address provided on their student's RIT application. Please review these email newsletters in detail, as they contain important information that will help you support your student as they prepare to launch their RIT experience. 

A good first stop for your questions about RIT, visit the parent website to find campus resources and information about how to support your student. Check out the Parent and Family Programs website

Support your student in working through their New Student Checklist. 

The New Student Checklist will help your student navigate all of the required action items they must complete before they arrive at RIT. It is important to note that some action items contain important deadlines, so we encourage you and your student to review the full checklist as soon as possible.

 

Spring Orientation is a one-day program scheduled for Friday, January 9, 2026. Students will have the opportunity to: 

  • Learn more about your RIT experience 
  • Meet with your college or academic program 
  • Attend sessions and a resource fair, introducing you to various RIT offices and resources 
  • Meet other incoming students 

Encourage your student to register for Spring Orientation by Monday, January 5, 2026.

Parents and families are welcome and encouraged to join their student on campus during Welcome Days on Sunday, August 17, and Monday, August 18. Students living in RIT Housing will select their Move-In Day/Welcome Day in July. Welcome Day highlights include first-year residential move-in, Orientation check-in, a campus resource fair, informational presentations by campus leaders, and social programming for students and families. All events on Welcome Days are open to students and their family members. 

View the Family Schedule for Welcome Days

Text RITORI to 888777

Welcome Days Emergency Alerts

Important announcements regarding inclement weather emergencies on Move-In and Welcome Days will be communicated through our text alert system.

Text RITORI to 888777 to receive important information and alerts.

Please encourage your student and any family members or friends who will be on campus with you to sign up for weather alerts, as well.

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. The Tiger Parent Bootcamp will be held on Thursday, June 26, or Tuesday, July 8. Both will be held at 7 p.m. EST.

View the Bootcamp recording

 

Join staff from Orientation, Parent and Family Programs, Residence Life, and RIT Housing for an overview of what to expect on Welcome Days. We will cover the move-in process, the Welcome Days schedule, and Orientation program highlights. Two webinar dates are available: Tuesday, Aug. 5, and Thursday, Aug. 7. Both programs will be at 7 p.m. EST.

View the webinar recording

 

We look forward to welcoming you and your student to campus on Sunday, Aug. 18, or Monday, Aug. 19. Students living in RIT Housing will select their Move-In and Welcome Day in mid-July and students who plan to commute are welcome to attend either Welcome Day. 

View the Family Schedule for Welcome Days

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. 

Resources

Find information about being an RIT parent with the following Parent and Family Programs resources:

Subscribe to the RIT Parent Newsletter
Our monthly newsletter delivers the most current information to parents, including upcoming deadlines, campus events, and information about campus resources. Subscribe to our mailing list to get the RIT Parent Newsletter delivered directly to your email inbox.

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Follow us on Facebook
Our Facebook page is designed to connect families to RIT through photos of campus and students, information about what's happening at RIT, and provide you opportunities to connect with other parents.

Visit the RIT Parents Facebook page

Parent and Family Programs Website
A good first stop for your questions about RIT, visit the parent website to find campus resources and information about how to support your student.

Visit the Parent and Family Programs website