• News and Deadlines
  • Updated Parent and Family Programs Website
  • Parents of Incoming Students
  • Summer Term

• For Parents of Graduates
  • RIT Master Plan
  • Career Services for Graduates
  • Graduates Returning Home

• Information and Updates
  • College Restoration Program
  • Satisfactory Academic Progress
  • Unsubscribing from This List
  • Parent Poll
  • Featured Photo

May is a month of transitions—graduates leaving RIT and transitioning to full-time work or graduate school, returning students transitioning into a summer job or co-op, and our soon-to-be Tigers transitioning from high school to RIT. But first, pat on the back—congratulations to you and your students for making it through this year!

Updated Parent and Family Programs Website
We are excited to launch our newly updated Parent and Family Programs website! While the sections and resources will be familiar to you, the new content focuses heavily on tips and conversations starters for parents. You will still find your favorite sections, like the parent polls and timely issues. Let us know what you think of the new design!

Parents of Incoming Students
Welcome to RIT! I’ve been seeing a lot of new subscribers to this newsletter, and am happy you found your way to Parent and Family Programs. You will begin to receive the Family Orientation Newsletter on May 25. This weekly newsletter will outline all the ways to engage this summer and learn about RIT and how to support your student. Keep an eye on the RIT Orientation website for details and calendars—more information will be added throughout the coming months.

Summer Term
RIT's summer term begins on May 12 and will be offered in in-person and online formats. Undergraduate and graduate students can take advantage of a 12-week session (May 12-Aug. 9) and two six-week sessions (May 12-June 24 and June 27-Aug. 9). Graduate students can also enroll in a targeted seven-week session (May 12-June 30). The complete list of course offerings is available on the RIT summer semester 2022 webpage.

The RIT Master Plan
Your student has earned an RIT undergraduate degree and built a solid resume full of creative and innovative experiences. Now is the perfect time to add a master’s degree to their already impressive credentials. The RIT Master Plan includes a special scholarship covering 50% of graduate tuition for qualifying master’s degrees. With 65+ graduate degrees in everything from the arts and design, business, computing, engineering, science, health sciences, and the liberal arts, your student has their choice of exciting programs. RIT graduates from Dec. 2019 through Dec. 2022 who begin a master’s degree program by Jan. 2023 are eligible. For more information, please visit The RIT Master Plan.

Career Services for Graduates
Graduation can be a stressful time for students who are answering the question “What are you doing after graduation?” Some students are proud to say they have plans for employment, will be attending graduate school, or beginning a career in the military. Other students have leads but haven’t made a career decision yet. There are also students who focused on getting to graduation and haven’t put much thought into what happens next.  

The Office of Career Services and Cooperative Education is here to help. Career Services Coordinators are available to assist all university graduates with post-graduation plans. Additionally, alumni have free access to Career Connect,  Career Fairs, webinars, RIT Tigers Connect, and more. Students and alumni can make an appointment by logging into their Career Connect account or by emailing careerservices@rit.edu.

Graduates Returning Home
It has become increasingly common for young adults to move home with parents following graduating from college (commonly called boomerang families). While going home may not be everyone’s first choice, there are also many benefits to students and families, including saving money, exploring career options, having help around the house, and getting in some family time. After four or more years away, adjustments will have to be made for all parties. Here are a few suggestions for parents and grads from others who have gone through it: 

Suggestions for parents

• Set boundaries for both yourself and your adult child. Remember that it is important to balance boundaries with mutual respect and independence.
• Establish expectations about finances. If you’re going to charge rent or ask for contributions to household expenses, clarify the amount, the due date, and consequences if payment is not made.
• Discuss household responsibilities. Ensure that all family members are contributing to the upkeep of the home.
• As you interact with your graduate, remember that they have experienced a lot and changed while in college. Take advantage of the boomerang period to get to know your graduate as the adult they have become.

Suggestions for graduates

• Remember that your return home requires an adjustment for parents and siblings as well. Be understanding as the family navigates this transition.
• Living with others brings responsibilities—expect to contribute to your parents’ household as you would your own apartment.
• When young adults return home, there is always a tendency to revert to pre-college behaviors and patterns. Make a commitment to yourself to maintain your adult status, and when necessary, have calm conversations with your parents about your maturity.
• Establish a plan for next steps—finding a job; moving out—and work on these goals daily.

College Restoration Program
The College Restoration Program (CRP) is an intensive, one-semester academic intervention program for students facing academic suspension and probation. For many students, CRP is the chance to acquire the skills needed to be successful at RIT. As a parent, you hope that your student will not have any academic challenges, but if so, CRP might be an option.

CRP staff work with students to set and accomplish goals, increase self-esteem, manage daily living, self-advocate, and live a healthy and balanced life. CRP does this through two specialty courses: Academic Strategies and Motivation and Wellness. They also include weekly mentoring for additional skill development. In addition, students take up to ten credits recommended by their current department. Students must receive a referral from their academic program. For additional information, please visit the College Restoration Program website.

Satisfactory Academic Progress
Each semester after all grades have been recorded, the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships reviews all students’ academic progress based on information from the Registrar’s Office. Academic progress for Federal aid measures a student’s semester GPA, cumulative GPA, and progress toward student’s degree. The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will notify students only if they are not meeting requirements or if they are unable to determine the SAP status. Notification will go out to students RIT email and the students SAP status will also be viewable in eServices. For more information, please visit the Satisfactory Academic Progress website.

Unsubscribing From this List
If you are the parent of a graduate and no longer wish to receive the RIT Parent Newsletter, you can unsubscribe on the Parent Newsletter website. You can also use this site if you would like to change the email address we have in our database

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 April, we asked what life skill does your student currently need the most guidance. Responses were spread out across skills, with relationships/social skills and financial management being the top. Please take a moment to answer our May question.

Featured Photo
In case you don’t follow the Parent and Family Programs Facebook page, here’s what you missed: RIT prepares for Commencement Ceremonies.