Family Orientation Newsletter June 29, 2021

Prepare Your Student
- Move-In Appointment Times
- Immunization Reminder
- Health Resources
- Commuter Students
Today’s Parent Tips
- Packing Lists
- Fridges and Microwaves
- Rochester Weather
Coming up in the Tiger Resource Series
Ask Your Student About

Move-In Appointment Times
All students living on campus are required to select a Move-In appointment time prior to arriving on campus. Students will receive an email this week with instructions on how to select their move-in appointment.

Move-In dates and times are:

Sunday, Aug. 15, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Monday, Aug. 16, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Immunization Reminder
New York State law mandates that all college students provide proof of vaccinations. If you haven’t already, make sure your student is up to date on immunizations and has submitted their completed forms to the Student Health Center prior to arrival in August. Forms and information can be found on the Student Health Center website.

Health Resources
RIT has many resources to help our students be healthy. It is important, however, to understand the scope of care RIT provides in order to ensure that all students find the care they need on or off campus.

The Student Health Center provides primary and urgent care services for RIT students in a culturally sensitive manner. For chronic health needs and conditions that are beyond the Student Health Center’s scope of practice, students should work with a primary care provider from home or a specialist in the Rochester community.
Counseling and Psychological Services mental health providers understand the complexities of student life and support students’ mental health needs through short-term, goal-focused individual therapy, group therapy, drop-in sessions, and more. Students who are currently seeing a mental health professional or need long-term or specialized treatment should continue treatment with their provider, if possible, or connect with a mental health specialist in the Rochester area.
NTID Counseling & Academic Advising Services counselors provide personal, social, career and academic counseling services to all deaf and hard-of-hearing students at RIT.
Case Management is available to assist students in connecting to resources on- and off- campus, as well as helping students navigate complex personal problems such as insurance, hospitalizations, financial issues, and housing/food insecurity.

Commuter Students
Even if your student is local, starting at RIT will still be a transition for your family. Here are some tips to pass along to your commuter student on how to prepare:

Know the best route to campus. It may be a familiar drive, but make sure you know what traffic will be like during the time you are heading to class. If you will be taking the bus, familiarize yourself with the bus schedule, including alternative routes.
Get a parking permit on the Parking and Transportation website. This is required for all vehicles that will be parked on campus.
Consider getting a commuter meal plan for those long days on campus.

Check out the RIT Off-Campus Commuter Services website and learn about the support resources available to commuter students on campus.

Packing Lists
What to bring checklists are available as you help your student prepare for life at RIT:

Be sure they pack required forms of identification—students are required to provide a photo ID to obtain a bank account, University ID Card, and Employment Eligibility Card.

While it’s good to prepare early, don’t panic if you don’t have everything your student needs right away! Not only is there a lot of retail just down the road from RIT for last-minute shopping, but students have two opportunities during Move-In to pick up needed items:

Goodbye, Goodbuy! is a student-run thrift sale that will run during Move-In and Orientation.
There wlll be shuttles to Target, Wegmans, and Walmart on all three Move-In Days for students and families.

Advice from a current RIT parent

“Don't stress if everything isn't perfect in the packing phase. They need much less stuff than we think that they need. They are in a great place at RIT, and they will thrive there.”

Fridges and Microwaves
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.

Rochester Weather
Rochester experiences the whole range of seasons; make sure your student has light summer clothing, warm winter clothing, and everything in between! Good winter clothing includes: a heavy coat, winter boots, hat, mittens, and scarves. Remember, however, that your student won’t need winter clothes right away, so don’t stress out if it doesn’t get packed in August.

If your student will have a car on campus, it’s good to keep a small shovel and an ice scraper in the trunk. If you are from a warm climate, don’t fear-there are many ways to have fun in the cold months! For example, sledding, skating, hot chocolate, and Freeze Fest.

To get a glimpse of what winter is like, you can watch the Rochester Weather video.

Wellness Webinar
Tuesday, June 29; 7-8 p.m.

Here at RIT, you can develop a vision for how you want to transform and grow to have a balanced and holistic lifestyle that involves your entire being: physical, emotional, and mental health. RIT provides innovative and inclusive wellness programs, services, and educational opportunities to help you achieve just that. Join us to learn more.

Tiger Parent Talk: Student Wellness
Thursday, July 1, 7-8 p.m.

Physical and mental well-being is a top-of-mind concern for many parents and families. Connect with other families to share how you will support your student's health and wellness at RIT.

How do you plan to practice self-care while at RIT?

Whether it’s exercise, maintaining a hobby, or making time for relaxation, it’s important that students are mindful about their wellness and self-care practices.

Have you connected with your roommate yet?

Be sure your student talks to their roommate this summer to get to know them and have important discussions about how they will share their living space.