Newsletter April 2022

News and Events

Imagine RIT
Imagine RIT is on Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. This annual campus festival is a special event that showcases the creative and innovative spirit of RIT students, faculty, and staff. Per the RIT Safety Plan, attendance at this event requires all attendees to be in compliance with the RIT Event Safety Guidelines. All attendees and participants must provide proof of vaccination and photo identification.

Final Exam Dates
While all students’ schedules will vary, here are the dates for final exams as found on the academic calendar: 

• Last day of classes: April 25
• Reading Day: April 26 
• Final exams: April 27-May4 
• Final grades due: May 6

Housing End of Year Closing
All students in RIT housing are encouraged to move out of RIT housing 24 hours after their last exam. All students in RIT housing must move out no later than Saturday, May 7, 2022, at 10 a.m. Graduating seniors and those working graduation have until Sunday, May 8, 2022, at noon to check out of RIT housing. RIT’s official move-out date is May 7, 2022. Students who require extensions may request them from RIT Housing. Please visit the End of Year website for information about checking out of housing.

2022 Commencement Ceremonies
The RIT Community is looking forward to celebrating the achievements of the Class of 2022! Commencement will be held on May 6-7. Ceremonies include Friday morning’s Academic Convocation, a celebration of graduates from all nine colleges and two degree-granting units, and individual commencement ceremonies on Friday afternoon and Saturday. Please check the commencement schedule to see when your graduate's ceremony will be held. More information can be found on the Commencement website.

Updated Commencement Vaccination Requirements
All guests 5 and over will need to provide proof of vaccination OR a negative COVID test (PCR or antigen) within 72 hours of commencement ceremonies (including White Coat ceremonies, pinning ceremonies and ROTC commissioning) in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center, the Gene Polisseni Center, Ingle Auditorium, and the Clark Gymnasium. 

Important Notes

• Acceptable tests are PCR or antigen tests performed at an accredited lab, clinic, pharmacy, or health care site.
• Self-administered tests will not be accepted. 
• No tests will be performed on campus.
• Information will be available on the Commencement website and the RIT Ready website about what vaccinations are approved and where guests can get a test if they are unable to get one prior to coming Rochester. We strongly encourage those who are traveling to get their test prior to their travel.

• Please allow additional time for COVID-19 documentation and security checks. We recommend that guests arrive at least two hours prior to the start of the Academic Convocation and 90 minutes prior to the start of a college ceremony.  Please allow additional time if guests have mobility challenges.
• Guest are responsible for obtaining a health care site administered test within 72 hours of the event they are attending on campus. 
  • Costs related to the tests are the responsibility of the guest(s).  
  • RIT is not responsible if test results are not available in a timely manner from the test provider.
  • If not vaccinated, negative tests results are required for entry. No exemptions are permitted. 
• All guests are strongly encouraged to wear N95 or KN95 masks.  Masks will be available at each location.
• Security checks will be conducted at the Gordon Field House and Activities Center and the Gene Polisseni Center along with confirmation of proof of vaccination/negative test. 
• Receptions are open events and attendance is optional. N95 or K95 masks are strongly recommended if indoors when not eating or drinking.

Let's Talk About It

Academics—Managing Finals Stres
Everyone experiences stress – it’s completely normal, especially during finals. Over the next few weeks, your student will likely be balancing projects, papers, and exams, all while fighting the urge to enjoy the nice weather. Help your student understand that stress is normal and think about how to manage by sharing these strategies:

• Eat extra healthy to provide your body with nutrients that help it function at optimal levels.
• Exercise to help your body release pent up energy, relieve tension, and release endorphins natural to your body.
• Get plenty of sleep to help restore the body and mind and help you be rested for the day to come.
• Make a list or journal to help organize your thoughts and make a plan on how to tackle the projects you have to do.

Conversation starters

• How many finals do you have? Are they spread out?
• What methods are you using to manage your time?
• What are you doing for stress relief?

Campus Engagement—Public Market Bus
The City of Rochester Public Market, located in Center City, has served the community since 1905 and offers a huge assortment of fresh seasonal produce direct from area farmers as well as from around the country and world, meats and seafood, eggs and cheese, baked goods and pasta, specialty and prepared foods, dry goods and general merchandise, clothing and jewelry, and much more. The market runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, and RIT students can grab the RIT Public Market Bus on Saturdays to experience this Rochester gem.

Conversation starters

• Have you heard of the Rochester Public Market?
• What are your favorite fresh vegetables and fruits?
• What opportunities do you have to go into Rochester?

Campus Life—Goodbye, Goodbuy!
Every year, RIT students throw out over 100 tons of goods during move-out, which we collect during the end of spring semester. The following fall, students purchase the same items at our yearly sale. The student-led Goodbye, Goodbuy! Initiative prevents usable items from sitting in landfills. As your student moves out this spring, they can leave unwanted items that are still in good condition at collection locations all over the Residence Halls, Global Village, and other locations on campus to be cleaned, stored, and then purchased for reuse by students next fall. Last year, this program kept 35 tons of material out of landfills. All proceeds fund the administration of the program. 

Conversation starters

• Do you have any items in your room/apartment that you won’t need next year and can donate?
• Have you considered volunteering at Goodbye, Goodbuy!?
• What will you need for your room/apartment next year that you may be able to purchase at Goodbye, Goodbuy!?

Wellness—Good Samaritan Protocol and Alcohol Safety
RIT wants to ensure that students make responsible and safe decisions, especially as the weather turns warm and some feel the sense of freedom that may lead them to engage in risky behaviors. You, as a parent, can have discussions with your student about responsible and informed consumption while also making sure they are aware of campus resources. Supportive messages about making safe and healthy decisions go further with students than warnings about the dangers of alcohol and drugs; meaningful discussions with parents are valuable and important. Please make sure your student is aware of the Good Samaritan Protocol. This policy encourages students to contact Public Safety, RIT Ambulance, Residence Life staff, or other RIT staff if they notice an individual who has passed out or shows signs of serious effects from alcohol or drug consumption. This policy protects the caller, the person in need of assistance, and any witnesses involved from receiving disciplinary sanctions. This protocol is designed to provide education rather than discipline when a student voluntarily seeks medical assistance related to alcohol or other drugs.

Conversation starters

• How will you decide whether or not to drink when at a party?
• What reasons or excuses can you give your peers if you don't want to drink?
• What will you do if you find yourself at a party with only alcohol to drink?
• What will you do if your roommate or a neighbor passes out from drinking too much?
• How will you get home if the person you rode with is too drunk to drive?

Information and Updates

New Online Bookstore Coming to RIT
RIT Barnes & Noble Bookstore @ Park Point will cease operations in June 2022. Starting with the Fall 2022 term, RIT will launch its new virtual bookstore in partnership with Akademos. Selecting and ordering textbooks, other course materials, and supplies will now be completely online and materials will be shipped directly to students. Starting July 1, you will be able to purchase RIT logoed products and spirit wear at the Digital Den (in Monroe Hall), which will eventually evolve to be the University’s Campus Store. 

ROAR Day
ROAR Day—April 21—is RIT’s official giving day, when the RIT community comes together to support scholarships, academic programs, diversity initiatives, athletics, and more. You can make good things happen for our students by giving to the area of RIT that means the most to you. When you ROAR for RIT, you support scholarships, student life, academics, athletics, performing arts, research, diversity, entrepreneurship, and so much more. Throughout the day, there will be giving challenges with opportunities to increase the impact of your gift including the “Most Parents Gifts” Challenge.  For details and to make your gift on April 21 visit the ROAR Day website.

Summer Term
The upcoming summer term will begin 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.

RIT Master Plan
For parents of soon-to-be graduates: 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.

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 March, we asked how important is it to you that your student gets volunteer or service experience while in college. Nearly half of you said somewhat important, with another 29% saying it is very important. Please take a moment to answer our April question.

Featured Photo
In case you don’t follow the Parent and Family Programs Facebook page, here’s what you’ve missed: Spirit's outfit sometimes changes, like in March when he dressed for Relay for Life.