RIT Parent Newsletter

News and Dealines

Connection is Prevention Week
Counseling and Psychological Services and Health Promotion are hosting RIT’s 3rd annual Connection is Prevention Week, September 9-13. This week recognizes National Suicide Prevention Week by honoring those lost to suicide and students impacted by those losses, supporting students who may be struggling with their mental health or suicidal thoughts, and fostering a caring and connected community. Events are planned throughout the week to carry out these initiatives including promotional yard signs communicating resources and support, educational tabling, a candlelight vigil, and an upbeat event featuring interactive student-led booths promoting suicide prevention through mental health awareness, stigma reduction, connection, and support. For more information about Connection is Prevention and National Suicide Prevention Week at RIT, students can visit the Campus Groups page.

Study & Work Abroad Fair
The Study & Work Abroad Fair will be held on Wednesday, September 18 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Student Alumni Union Lobby and Fireside Lounge. This fair gives students the chance to meet organizations that will jump-start their international experience, including opportunities to study, co-op, and volunteer abroad. Representatives will also be available from each college to help your student best understand program options for their major.

Students can also enter a lottery to win a FREE passport. Ten U.S. passports will be given away courtesy of the RIT Education Abroad Office. Students should stop by one of the welcome tables at the fair to find out how to enter the lottery (eligibility requirements apply).

Students can visit the Study & Work Abroad Fair website for more details about the fair.

Fall Career Fair
The Fall Career Fair will be held on Wednesday, September 25 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Gordon Field House. The Career Fair 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 also have the opportunity to attend specialty career fairs this fall including:

Accounting: September 17
National Labs Day: October 16
NTID: October 17
Civil Engineering: October 23

Career Fair Clothing Opportunities
There are two opportunities for students to prepare to dress for success at the Career Fair this fall:

Bern’s Closet, run by the Division of Diversity & Inclusion, offers students professional clothing items donated by RIT staff, faculty, and Greater Rochester community members. Bern’s Closet is open year-round at the RIT FoodShare, and the special Career Fair event will take place on September 23 at 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Fireside Lounge (Student Alumni Union). Clothing is free to students on a first-come, first-served basis.

JCPenney Suit Up is an event in partnership with the Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education. At this event, students can receive 30% off career dress apparel—including sales items which can lead to 60% off—at the Marketplace Mall JCPenney location on Sunday, September 15 from 6-8:30 p.m.

My Bus Home
My Bus Home arranges one-way and round-trip transportation for all academic breaks in private, fully-insured motor coach buses with restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a DVD player. The buses pick up on campus and go to/from central locations in:

Plymouth Meeting & Allentown, PA; Bridgewater, NJ
NYC; Jericho & Islandia, Long Island
White Plains & Albany, NY
Ludlow & Newton, MA; Londonderry, NH
Mechanicsburg, PA; Columbia, MD; Arlington, VA

The estimated round-trip fares are between $159.00 and $199.00. Fall semester reservation deadlines are:

Fall break: September 17
Thanksgiving break: October 28
Winter break home: November 23
Winter break return: December 17

Student Profile

Experiences of a Commuter: Maddie Soufleris
Maddie Soufleris is a second year Psychology student from Rochester, NY. In this interview, she shares her experiences as a commuter student.

Why did you decide to move off campus?
I decided to move off campus in order to live with my friends. Originally, I was supposed to live in an on-campus apartment. Because there are so many people who prefer on-campus housing we would have had to split up our group. Moving off campus was financially friendly for me this year.

What are some things students/families should consider when making the choice to live off campus?
Transportation options—making sure you have a way to get to and from class is vital because you don’t want to get stuck not having a ride—especially if you cannot drive. Be sure to read lease agreements fully and make sure to think about how the utilities, etc. will be covered.

What have you found to be the biggest challenges to living off campus?
One of the biggest challenges of living off campus is finding the drive to go to class. When you live on campus it is easier to motivate yourself because you’re already at RIT. When you’re a commuter, you have to push yourself a little more to make sure you’re getting on campus and attending class and activities. I stay on campus as much as I can and during breaks; I hang out in the Commuter Lounge.

How do you get to and from campus?
I drive to campus every day and I currently have a general parking pass but I am on the wait list for a reserved parking pass! If students get the general parking pass, it can be hard to find a “good” parking spot and sometimes it can be a little bit of a walk to your class. However, if you park over in B lot on residential side of campus, a shuttle comes every 15 minutes to take you over to academic side. There are always open spots in B, so this is a great alternative to searching for parking on the academic side. Student should be sure to research parking permit and campus shuttle options.

What should parents know about off-campus living?
Parents should know that off-campus living can be a little bit harder than living on campus, but it has lots of benefits too. Rent can be less expensive than other options if you are splitting a house or apartment and you’re not required to buy a meal plan (tip: there are commuter meal plans available and you can also load dining dollars onto your account in any amount so you can make sure that your student can eat on campus!)

How do you stay involved and engaged on campus?
I am in a couple different organizations and clubs on campus like RIT Gay Alliance, the Center for Residence Life, and of course the Commuter Lounge. I spend a lot of my time in between classes in the lounge because everyone is accepting and open to new friendships. I love socializing in the lounge or even just sitting on the study side and studying for a couple hours.

What are your tips for other off-campus or commuter students?
My biggest tip for any commuter student is to get involved! RIT has a huge selection of clubs and organizations—I guarantee you will be interested in at least one! The Commuter Lounge is also a fantastic resource to meet other commuters and find that community aspect of college that you might feel like you are lacking. Check your emails for different event notifications and make sure to attend some events during Commuter Spirit Week (Sept 16-20)!

Information and Updates

Kitchen Away from Home Cookbook
We are excited to announce the second edition of the Kitchen Away from Home Cookbook! This cookbook—created with your recipes!—is a great way for students to begin to learn their way around the kitchen. Cookbooks make a great holiday gift and will be available for you to purchase for your student later this fall.

We are seeking recipes in six categories:

Early Morning Meals: Easy-to-make breakfasts to help Tigers get their day started.
No Kitchen? No Problem: For Tigers living in residence halls, these meals require a microwave or less.
Simple Suppers: Recipes with only a few ingredients for Tigers just learning to cook.
Sweet Tooth Satisfied: Sweet treats, baked goods, and general desserts to complete your meal!
Dine N' Dash: Meals and snacks to prepare ahead and grab on your way out the door.
Master Chefs Only: Advanced recipes for cooks with a little more experience in the kitchen.

To submit a recipe, please fill out this form.

Into the ROC
Into the ROC gives students the opportunity to explore the unique challenges and cultural treasures in the greater-Rochester community. Participants spend an evening during the week or a few hours on the weekend either doing community service with a local non-profit or enjoying a local play, comedy show, museum, or other cultural experience in the city.

The fall Into the ROC schedule includes Mt. Hope Cemetery clean up, Rochester Running Tour, an Ethnic Restaurant Tour, and more. Interested students can register on the Center of Leadership and Civic Engagement Campus Groups page.

Essential Study Techniques
Some students find once the semester starts that their current study habits are not adequate for college success. The Academic Success Center (ASC) is offering Essential Study Techniques, a free course, to help students in this situation. Essential Study Techniques meets twice a week for seven weeks. Classes begin either September 16 or October 15. Students can contact the Academic Success Center for more information and to register for either section.

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 August, we asked what your biggest concern is for the upcoming year. One-third of you said career planning/co-op. Other top responses included academics, time management/study skills, and mental health/ wellness. Please take a moment to answer our September question.

Parent Question of the Month
Question: Does RIT offer a shuttle to/from the airport for students?

Response:
We do not have a regular shuttle, however, Student Government frequently offers a Break Bus into break (not for the return) that goes to the airport, bus station, and train station. This service is free to students. Other than that, we tend to recommend Uber or Lyft—the airport is very close to RIT so it’s a quick ride!

Featured Photo
In case you don’t follow the Parent and Family Programs Facebook page, here’s what you’ve missed: Your student may notice a new addition to campus—swing sets! This is a great way to go back to their childhood and take a break from the stress of college life.

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