On- and Off-Campus Housing

Many changes have been made to RIT housing to improve safety, including allowing only two students to a room in residence halls and limiting occupancy in elevators.

New York State and CDC Travel Advisory Information

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued a travel advisory that requires people traveling from states with high community transmission of COVID-19 to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to New York. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has an international travel advisory in place.

Learn more

Move-in Guidelines

Additional days are being offered for move-in to allow for physical distancing. New students will move in from August 12 to 15. Returning students will move in from August 16 to 18.

Students must select an appointment for move-in at myLife.rit.edu. No early arrivals can be approved.

Due to COVID-19 health and safety considerations, students will be allowed one adult guest to accompany them into their building on campus during move-in. Their move-in guest will only be permitted to be in their room and building for one hour. Guests helping with move-in do not need a COVID-19 test before coming to campus.

Select move-in appointment

Health and Safety Considerations

Reduced occupancy
In order to promote physical distancing, only two students will be allowed to room together in residence halls. Additional rooms are being made available at the RIT Inn and Conference Center for the first time to first-year students.

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

Air purification
RIT is installing bipolar ionization systems in its residence halls, apartments, and academic buildings to help neutralize viruses, bacteria, allergens, mold, and other airborne contaminants.

Enhanced cleaning
Cleaning in restrooms and high-touch areas including lobbies and elevators will occur twice a day in residence halls.

Physical distancing
Elevators in residence halls will have limited occupancy. Face masks will be required in common spaces. And an app will be available to enable students to hold virtual appointments with the housing office.

Off-Campus Housing

Students concerned about issues regarding off-campus housing can reach out directly to landlords to discuss options. Additionally, the Off Campus and Commuter Services team in RIT’s Center for Campus Life can provide information and resources about the rental process.

Learn more about commuter resources

Related Story

A person cleaning a desk in the dorms.

July 17, 2020
Staggered move-in at RIT planned to promote safety
Approximately 2,900 new students will be arriving at RIT over four days beginning Aug. 12, rather than on a single move-in day, which was the procedure in past years. All residence hall rooms are limited to two students and occupancy will be reduced in elevators to promote physical distancing.

Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

We continue to work through a myriad of issues regarding the start of the fall semester. We know that many students’ planned arrival dates could be impacted by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s travel advisory for states with high infection rates. More information is available on the NYS Travel Advisory Information webpage.

Move-in for new students will be spaced out between August 12-15, and August 16-18 for returning students. Students must make an appointment in advance for move-in. No early arrivals can be approved.

To ensure we are maintaining physical distancing procedures and proper safety precautions, students will be limited to having only one guest at a time to assist them in the drop-off zones and moving into the building. If other guests come to campus, they will need to wait elsewhere on campus to limit the number of people in the drop zones and in the building. If other guests wish to assist in the drop zones or inside the building, they will need to trade places.

Family members and friends helping with move-in do not need a COVID-19 test, but they do need to observe the visitor policy. Faculty and staff helping with move-in do need a COVID-19 test before coming to campus. RIT is requiring all employees to get a COVID-19 test and provide proof of a negative result using the RIT Employee Self Serve portal prior to coming to campus.

Air purification ionizers are being installed in residence halls and apartments, and paper towel dispensers are replacing hand blowers in residence hall bathrooms. Cleaning will occur twice a day in bathrooms and high-touch areas including lobbies and elevators. Everyone is expected to wear a face mask when in common areas.

Guests are not permitted in on-campus housing prior to confirmation from RIT that a residence hall may be opened to guests. Once permitted, guests are limited to only RIT students.

  • No more than one guest per resident at any time.
  • Physical distancing and maximum occupancy requirements should be maintained throughout the guest visit.
  • Any guests in the room/apartment must be agreed upon by room/suitemates or the visit must happen in a common area of the residence hall, or in a one-person bedroom.
  • Personal aides, nurses, caregivers, or any other reasonable accommodations provided to students with disabilities are not considered guests.