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
Director
Parent and Family Programs
Student Affairs
585-475-4198
parents@rit.edu
Family Engagement
Family members play an important role in supporting their student's transition to RIT. Throughout the orientation process, families can access resources, receive communications, and participate in opportunities designed to help them learn about the university and prepare for their student's arrival.
Families of students starting in the fall semester have opportunities to engage through Family Orientation programming and a series of communications throughout the summer. For students beginning in the spring semester, family engagement is provided primarily through targeted communications and resources shared in the months leading up to Spring Orientation and the start of classes.
Common Orientation Terms
- Family Orientation Newsletter
Sent every Tuesday throughout the summer, this weekly newsletter helps you understand campus resources, important deadlines, and what to expect as your student prepares for life at RIT. You’ll find tips, resources, and conversation starters to support your student through the transition to college. To change your email preferences, have your student update your email address at www.rit.edu/studentcontact.
Miss one? View the archive
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Welcome Days
Our Orientation program kicks off with our Welcome Days on Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18. Monday is the primary Welcome Day and will include activities such as first-year residential move-in, Orientation check-in, resource fair, campus tours, a parent and family lounge, and social programming. Tuesday morning is much more laid back with limited formal programming (e.g., first-year residential move-in, 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.
- Orientation
Orientation, beginning on Tuesday, August 18, and continuing through Saturday, August 22 is a series of events, activities, and opportunities developed to assist students in their transition to life at RIT.
- Orientation Check-In
All students, including residential and commuter students, must check into Orientation on Welcome Days.
- Commuter Students
These students are any first-year students who do not live in RIT Housing and reside at home with a family member.
- Transfer Students
These are students who, after high school, started college elsewhere and are entering RIT with credits from another college or university.
- Transfer Orientation
Transfer students have two options for their Orientation program, one that follows the traditional New Student Orientation experience and another that offers programming throughout the fall semester. Direct your student to the Transfer Orientation page to learn more.
- Orientation Leader (OL)
Orientation Leaders are RIT students who are responsible for leading a group of new students throughout the week.
- Virtual Orientation
Your student will jump-start their Orientation experience with our mandatory RIT Virtual Orientation. Virtual Orientation will provide your student with important information, including an introduction to services and resources, and help them successfully launch their RIT journey. Parents can view the information by logging in as guests.