Newsletter FOSN August 11, 2020

Prepare Your Student

Move-In Day Guide
Please review the Arrival Guide for instructions on what you will need to do and where to go on Move-In Day. This process includes three steps:

• Location 1: COVID-19 Testing Compliance: Upon arrival at Lot G (see Arrival Guide), students need to present a negative COVID-19 test result in order to proceed. Parking lot staff will clear you to move forward.
  • Students living in the RIT Inn will proceed there at this point to pick up their key from the front desk.
• Location 2: Key and ID Pickup: After your student has been cleared to move in, you will continue to Lot D (see Arrival Guide). Here, you will remain in your vehicle and present your QR code for parking lot staff to scan. Be sure to print your move-in pass ahead of time. A staff member will bring students’ personal protective equipment, nametag, lanyard, housing key, and RIT ID card.
• Location 3: Move-In: You will now head to your assigned Move-In drop zone based on your student’s Residence Hall location. Here, you will unload belongings and move your car to an adjacent parking lot.

Print Your Move-In Pass
Please be sure to print your student’s move-in pass prior to coming to campus. Here are the steps your student should take to print the pass:

• Navigate to your myLife portal at mylife.rit.edu
• Log in with your username and password
• Click on the My Assignment icon to access your Pre-Arrival Screening Status
• Click on the My Move-In link for your printable Move-In Pass

Orientation Schedule
Students will be required to sign into RIT CampusGroups and click on RIT Orientation 2020 to access the Orientation app and Orientation schedule based on their Move-In Day. The Orientation app will be used to attendance track and will help students access Orientation programming in-person or virtually. The schedule is also available on the Orientation website.

Commuter Student Orientation
Commuter students need to go through the health screening in G Lot when first arriving on campus on Sunday, August 16 prior to orientation check-in at 9-10 a.m. After completing the health screening, they should park in G Lot before walking to the Gene Polisseni Center for check-in. Here is a Commuter Check-In Overview Map.  

Commuter transfer students who registered for Track Two on the Orientation website will be completing their Academic Days on August 17-18 virtually with their college academic program. Information will be sent to their RIT email this week with details of how to access everything virtually.

Orientation for Students in Quarantine
If your student will be in quarantine on August 15, they will complete orientation virtually. These students will hear from their Orientation Leader in the early evening of August 15 with information about how to connect.

Weather Emergencies on Move-In Day
We will use the Orientation text alert system to notify you of any inclement weather emergencies during the move-in process. Please text RITORI to 888777 to sign up for important updates.

Student Class Schedules
Schedules for first-year students are available in Student Information System (SIS). As your student reviews their schedule, please know that schedules will include designations for RIT’s new instruction modes. Students should reach out to their academic advisor with any questions—they can find their advisor in SIS. Students will also have the opportunity to meet with their advisor during orientation. Please make sure your student reviews the Student Schedule Guide to better understand the possible learning modalities on their schedules.

Tiger Spend
Tiger Spend is the dining account management website to view dining balances, transaction history, request funds, and set up a low balance notification. Students can provide guest access for funds to be added. You must know the students RIT ID number. Learn more here.

Today's Parent Tips

Family Orientation—COVID Planning
Thank you for following our 2020 Family Orientation video series! This week we discuss COVID Planning, detailing what campus will look like this fall including classroom adjustments, health and safety procedures, and adjustments to campus life. 

Daily Screening Phone Number Correction
Reminder that all visitors to campus, including parents helping with move in, need to complete the RIT Daily Health Screen. There was a mistake in last week’s newsletter; the correct number for visitors to call is 585-438-5254.

Dining on Move-In Day
A number of RIT Dining locations will be open on Move-In Days; hours can be found on the Dining website. Additionally, food trucks will be available for dinner (4:30-7:30 p.m.) outside of the Gordon Field House (August 12-15) and the Gene Polisseni Center (August 14-15). Seating will be available in the Gordon Field House and Ritter Arena.

Convocation for New Students and Families
Fall Convocation for New Students and Families is on Tuesday, August 18 from 3-4 p.m. The ceremony will be live streamed from Ingle Auditorium with no audience present. New students will view the ceremony with their Orientation group in classrooms across campus, and you can view the live stream on the Orientation website.

Move-In Reminders

• Follow all directions included in the Arrival Guides
• Arrive for check-in during your assigned time
• All guests need to complete the Daily Health Screen on Move-In Day by calling 585-438-5254.
• Only one guest can be in the residence halls with students at a time
• You have one hour to move your student in

Tips for Supporting Your Student During Move-In

• Be patient: Emotions will be high, and there may be some kinks along the way. Stay calm and patient for your and your student’s sake.
• Let them make it their space: You only have one hour for move in, so focus on getting belongings to their room and allow your student and roommate to unpack, arrange, decorate, and make this their new home.
• Adjustment takes time: If your student seems unsure or upset, stay positive and remind them that the adjustment to college can take time.
• Expect nerves and emotions: It’s ok to feel nervous, but don’t let these feelings get in the way of this exciting experience.

Tips for Saying Goodbye

• Don’t drag it out: Remember that your student will be busy with Orientation activities beginning at 8 p.m. on their Move-In Day.
• Try to save your tears for the car: If you don’t know how to say goodbye, stick to “I love you” or “I am proud of you”.
• Congratulations! Your student successfully made it to RIT! Celebrate YOUR success when you leave campus.

Ask Your Student About...

Who did you list as your emergency contact?
Remind your student to update family and emergency contact information by going to www.rit.edu/studentcontact. This information is necessary if RIT needs to contact the family of a student in the event of an emergency.

What are you excited about in starting at RIT?
We know the experience will be a little different, but that’s no reason to not be excited!