Newsletter February 2022

News and Deadlines

Spring University-Wide Career Fair
The Spring Career Fair will be held on Wednesday, Mar. 2. The Career Fair, held in the Gordon Field House, draws a variety of companies, ranging from small tech firms to Fortune 500 companies. Students need to bring their student ID to the Career Fair to be admitted. More information on both Fairs and Career Services resources is available on the Career Services and Co-op website. 

Change of Major Fair
The Change of Major Fair is an opportunity for students to learn about the available majors on campus and the resources offered to change majors. Representatives from all nine colleges, Career Counseling, and the School of Individualized Study will be at the fair to talk with students about their options. The Change of Major Fair is on Tuesday, Mar. 22 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the MAGIC Spell Studios Sound Stage. Students can register on CampusGroups.

Orientation Leader Positions
RIT Orientation is currently recruiting student leaders to serve as Orientation Leaders. Applications for Orientation Leaders will be open until Friday, Mar. 25. The position is an extremely competitive student leadership opportunity at RIT and provides an opportunity to play a key role in welcoming new students and their families into the Tiger family during RIT Orientation 2022. Interested students can attend information sessions on Thursday, Feb. 17 or Wednesday, Feb. 23. Interested students can find more information about these positions here.

Imagine RIT Save-the-Date
Imagine RIT is on Saturday, Apr. 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.

Let's Talk About It

Academics—Writing Commons
The Writing Commons is a great resource for all students that offers guidance on academic and professional writing at any stage of the writing process. Consultants support students in becoming confident, inventive, and dynamic writers with everything from research papers to lab reports. Students can schedule a one-on-one appointment (either one time or recurring) or attend a group session which provides the opportunity for a small group of students working on a shared writing project to talk collaboratively with a writing consultant. In-person and virtual appointments are available.

Conversation starters

• What types of writing have you had to do in your courses (e.g., research papers, reflections, lab reports)?
• What are your biggest challenges with writing?
• What feedback on your writing have you received from professors?

Campus Engagement—Horizons
As your student encounters new people and ideas while at college, they are likely to be challenged by the beliefs of others and have their own views challenged. Learning how to communicate effectively and have dialogue about issues is an important aspect of student development and the goal of a new program on campus, Horizons. Based on the National Issues Forums model for deliberative dialogues, the goal of Horizons is to promote active listening and dialogue rather than debate on difficult topics. In a space where students, faculty, and staff can approach what may seem like a difficult conversation in a respectful, educational, and constructive manner, attendees will come away with a greater understanding of others who hold diverse views and be able to form an educated opinion on challenging and complex issues our society faces today. This program will run monthly, with specific topics guiding each conversation. Students can learn more and register on the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement CampusGroups page.

Conversation starters

• What opinions have you heard at RIT that you never encountered before?
• How has hearing new perspectives made you think about your own ideas?
• How do you talk to your friends or roommate when you disagree about a topic?
• How can you work with RIT faculty and staff to address difficult problems?

Campus Life—Tunnels
February is cold, and students will find ways to avoid being outside as much as possible. Luckily, RIT has a tunnel system to help them do so! The dorm side tunnels allow students to travel between residence halls, including getting to Gracie’s and NTID. This is also where students will find laundry rooms, the NRH post office, the Corner Store, and more. These tunnels are also decorated by years of RIT student art (check out this video about the murals). The academic side doesn’t have an underground tunnel like the dorm side, but most buildings are connected in a way that students can use the system of hallways and stairwells to avoid stepping outside.

Conversation starters

• What is your favorite mural in the tunnels below the residence halls?
• Have you explored the academic side tunnels?
• Do you have warm enough winter clothing?

Wellness—Bow Wow Wellness
We know how much students miss their furry family members, and Bow Wow Wellness is just the thing for students missing their pets! Bow Wow Wellness therapy dogs are on campus once a month (and for additional special events) for students to visit and pet. Dates and information can be found on the Wellness Collaborative CampusGroups events page.

Conversation starters

• Have you ever been to Bow Wow Wellness?
• What other ways have you found to reduce stress?
• What are you missing most about home this winter?

Information and Updates

Religious Holidays Accommodations
Spring is a season of many holidays for those of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Pagan traditions. These holidays may be important events for your students. Please note that RIT’s attendance policy does not automatically excuse absences for religious reasons, but students can make arrangements with professors ahead of time if they must miss class. For more information about spring holidays, visit the Spirituality and Religious Life page.

Spring Break
Spring Break is on March 6-13. If your student is traveling, please have a discussion within the next month about Spring Break safety and health. RIT Housing requests that students who are leaving their RIT housing for the week prepare by emptying trash cans and cleaning out fridges, locking windows and doors, and unplugging electronic equipment (fridges can remain plugged in). Dining hours and locations during the week can be found on the RIT Dining website.

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 January, we asked if your student has a job. Nearly half of you responded that your student doesn’t work during the semester. Another 30% of your students have an on-campus job. Please take a moment to answer our February question.

Featured Photo
In case you don’t follow the Parent and Family Programs Facebook page, here’s what you’ve missed: FreezeFest gave students many opportunities to enjoy the cold weather.