• Prepare Your Student
  • Immunizations and Health History Forms
  • Know Your Student’s College
  • Student Class Schedules 
• Today’s Parent Tips
  • Family and Emergency Contact Info
  • Reminder: Complete the New Tiger Family Survey
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Ask Your Student About….

Health History and Immunization Forms
New York State law mandates that all college students provide proof of vaccinations and health history. 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 via the RIT Wellness Portal prior to arrival in August. Students must log into the RIT Wellness Portal using their RIT username and password. More information about immunizations and health history forms can be found on the Student Health Center website. 

Know Your Student’s College
Students are often more likely to know their major than their college, but it’s important to know which college they are entering, especially during Welcome Days and Orientation. Check out the Programs of Study website to match your student’s major with their college. It isn’t always as obvious as you’d think! For example, the engineering technology major is not in the college of engineering. 

Student Class Schedules
Your student will automatically be registered for first-semester classes by their academic department. Students will be able to view their schedules in early August in the RIT Student Information System (SIS). Your student’s schedule will be designed to fulfill general education and academic program requirements. During Orientation, students have the opportunity to meet with their academic advisor to discuss any questions or concerns.

Please make sure your student completes the “academic items” on the New Student Checklist since this information will be used when creating student schedules. Some of these requirements must be completed by June 30, so check in with your student as soon as possible. 

Family and Emergency Contact Info
Please have your student review and update their family and emergency contact information. This information is important should RIT ever have to reach out to parents in case of an emergency.

To better understand when RIT might call you, watch the When will RIT call me about my student? Series of Queries video.

Reminder: Complete the New Tiger Family Survey
If you haven’t already, please take a minute to respond to the New Tiger Family Survey. Your responses to this brief survey will help inform our summer and fall communications.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Up until now, you have had access to your student’s grades, assignments, and educational records. Upon enrolling in college, however, students are in control of these records according to FERPA. Educational records include academic records, testing data, disciplinary records, and financial information. This means you cannot access this information without your student's permission. 

If you contact RIT to inquire about information protected by FERPA, staff will not be able to give you specific information but can typically answer your questions with general information about RIT policies and procedures. Further, many RIT staff members will ask that conversations with parents also include students, opening the communication to all involved parties. It is important to have conversations with your student now about how they plan to share information such as grades with you so there are no surprises once the semester starts.

For more information, including tips and conversation starters, visit the Parent and Family Programs website and watch the What is FERPA? Series of Queries video.