RIT Parent Newsletter

News and Deadlines

Fall Arrival Guides
The 2019 Fall Arrival Guides are now available and contain the information your student needs about arriving on campus over the next week. The Arrival Guides include: important dates, what to bring checklists, and specific information for new and returning students. Reminder: returning students can move back to campus on August 19 or August 21-25.

Goodbye, Goodbuy!
Goodbye, Goodbuy! is a student-run initiative that provides both new and returning students the opportunity to furnish dorms and apartments at affordable prices. Last spring during move-out week, Goodbye, Goodbuy! collected over 35 tons of goods left behind from students, which will be on sale during move-in week. Inventory includes items such as: furniture, clothing, fans, lamps, fridges, televisions, and speakers, as well as items that students might have forgotten to bring to campus (hangers, school supplies, and kitchenware). The sale will be on August 20-23 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Ritter Arena. Students interested in volunteering at Goodbye, Goodbuy! (and receiving a $5 coupon) can sign up online.

Global Day of Service
The RIT Alumni Association invites parents to join the RIT community at the 5th Annual Global Day of Service on Saturday, September 7. This program brings Tigers from around the globe together to volunteer in their local communities. For a complete list of regional service projects please click here. Just a few hours of your time can have a big impact.

Fall University-Wide Career Fair
The Fall Career Fair is early this year—Wednesday, September 25. The Career Fair, held in the Gordon Field House, draws over 250 companies, ranging from small tech firms to Fortune 500 companies. Students need to bring their student ID to the Career Fair to be admitted. Students can also attend specialized career fairs throughout the fall, including the Accounting Career Fair on September 17. More information about specialized career fairs will be included in the September newsletter.

Brick City Weekend
Brick City Homecoming and Family Weekend registration is now open! Brick City Weekend (BCW) is on October 18-20 and features events for the whole family. While browsing the schedule, here are some suggestions for family-favorite events:

Taste of Rochester-Sample local wine, craft beer, and favorite Rochester foods with other families.
Friday Evening Fun-Check out the variety of events happening in and around the Student Alumni Union including food trucks, giant games, escape rooms, and building your own party hat.
Dueling Pianos-Offered twice on Friday night, this high-energy show sells out so reserve your space quickly!
Family Fun Zone-Play arcade games, check out the bounce house, and build your party hat.
Pumpkin Chunkin’-CET students compete using human-powered mechanical equipment that they've designed and built to launch pumpkins.
SG Distinguished Speaker-Student Government is excited to welcome Anderson Cooper as this year's distinguished speaker. Tickets for this event will go on sale on August 26.
No Voice Zone-Experience an RIT tradition and Deaf culture, and learn a few basic signs.
Men’s Hockey at Blue Cross Arena-RIT’s Men’s Hockey Team takes on Merrimack in downtown Rochester. Be sure to also check out the free shuttle to downtown from campus.
Dash & Dine-there are three options for this event! 5k run/walk only; Brunch at Gracie’s only; or a discounted combo.

Program Profile

“Bank” On Campus with Advantage Federal Credit Union
Advantage Federal Credit Union has been a part of the RIT community since 2011 when they merged with Priority One Credit Union, who had served the RIT community and their family members since 1978.

While there are ATMs for other banks at RIT, this is the only financial institution on campus. The credit union offers convenient banking for RIT employees, faculty, students, and staff right in Global Village, with many benefits:

Fee-free checking accounts with instant issue debit card. Students can get their own “Tiger account” with an RIT tiger debit card
Convenience—located on campus in Global Village
Three ATMs on campus
Allpoint ATM network—55,000+ surcharge free ATMs nationwide
Free online banking and bill pay
Real-time alerts to protect students’ accounts
Co-op shared branching network gives members over 5,000 locations nationwide free and easy access to their accounts

Students can open an account online or in the Global Village location.

Advantage Federal Credit Union has been around since 1931, established by the Rochester City School Teachers as the Teacher’s Credit Union. They continue to serve the City School District, along with Rochester’s top employers including University of Rochester/Highland Hospital, Rochester Regional Health, RIT, and over 70 more employee groups.

Advantage is a strong supporter of RIT and the surrounding Rochester community. For additional information, please visit the AFCU website.

Information and Updates

2019-2020 Academic Calendar
For any questions about breaks and important dates, please refer to the 2019-2020 Academic Calendar. Remember: classes begin on Monday, August 26!

Campus Mailing Addresses
Please be aware of updates to campus mailing addresses if you plan to send something to your student. You can find all updated address formats on the Mail and Care Package page of the RIT parent website.

Care Packages
RIT Care Packages is an exclusive gift service provided by RIT Dining. Care Packages are $35 each or you can save by ordering all six. Other ordering options include cakes and cookies to celebrate ‘just because’ or special occasions. Care packages have a specific timeline (see website for order deadlines and delivery dates); other items can be ordered within 48 hours of anticipated delivery date. Visit the Care Packages website to learn more.

Designated Smoking Areas
In effort to create a healthy working, learning, and living environment, RIT is a tobacco-restricted campus. All smoking and use of tobacco products (including e-cigarettes) are restricted to six designated tobacco areas on all university-managed properties. Please refer to the RIT campus map to locate designated smoking areas when you visit and remind your student about these areas if they smoke.

Parent Poll
Each month, we ask parents to respond to our Parent Poll and provide feedback on a topic related to RIT, your student, and you. In July, we asked how your student is spending their summer. Most are working a summer job (47%), or a co-op/internship (30%). Please take a moment to answer our August question.

Parent Question of the Month
Question: How can I change the email address RIT has on file for me?

Response: There are two places to update your email address: The RIT Parent Newsletter is its own database-you can add, remove, or change your email address at any time on this website. Your student should also update your information in their student record, which is the official location of parent information. They can update parent and emergency contact information at: www.rit.edu/studentcontact.

Featured Photo
In case you don’t follow the Parent and Family Programs Facebook page, here’s what you’ve missed: a chalk version of Balloon Ritchie greeted College and Careers guests in July—and the real thing will be on campus for Orientation next week!

News and Deadlines

Program Profile

Information and Updates

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