Newsletter May 2021

News and Deadlines

Commencement Reminder
The RIT community looks forward to celebrating the Class of 2021 and the Class of 2020 this weekend! In light of current New York state regulations, we will not allow guests to our indoor ceremonies. We fully understand how disappointing this news is for family and friends; however, all ceremonies will be live-streamed. Recordings will also be made available afterward for those who are unable to view the event live.  Please check the commencement website for schedules.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement
RIT will require full COVID-19 vaccination for undergraduate and graduate students prior to coming to the Henrietta campus for Fall 2021. This decision was made in accordance with the recommendation of the American College Health Association (ACHA) and following discussions with national, state, and local health officials as well as student, staff, and faculty representatives. More detailed information will be forthcoming later this month and over the course of the summer, including how students will show proof of their vaccination. As in the case with other required immunizations, we will have a process for accommodating medical and religious exemptions. 

More information on vaccines, including FAQs, can be found on the RIT Ready website.

Departure Testing
RIT will be offering optional testing, available May 11-13 in Frank Ritter Ice Arena for students who are in need of or wish to obtain a COVID-19 PCR test result prior to traveling. Please note that students may need to wait 24-56 hours for PCR test results. These test results take longer to process than the antigen tests that were administered through weekly Tiger Testing. Students wishing to participate in optional Tiger Testing must schedule an appointment.

Students who have applied for graduation have received a separate email communication outlining health and safety requirements for participating in commencement ceremonies.

Spring Move Out
Final exams will conclude on Thursday, May 13. Students should plan on moving out of RIT housing within 24 hours of their last exam; RIT residence halls and apartments will close on Saturday, May 15, at 10 a.m. Graduating students and students working Commencement must move out by Sunday, May 16 at noon. Large gray moving carts are available on the first floor of Ellingson Hall and the first floor of Kate Gleason Hall to assist students with their move out. We encourage students to use these carts or the carts available in the RIT Housing office to move their belongings out on their own to maintain physical distancing and abide by the RIT Guest Policy. If a student needs assistance from a family member or other non-student visitor, they may have one person assist them, provided they accompany that individual at all times. Any individual who assists a student during move out must abide by all RIT policies and expectations, including the Safety Plan for Visitors found on the RIT Ready website.

Summer Term
The upcoming summer term will begin on May 26 and will be offered in an online format. One session will run 10 weeks, and two shorter sessions will each run five weeks. The graduate online session will run seven weeks. The complete list of course offerings is available on the RIT Summer Online 2021 webpage.

For Parents of Graduates

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 55% 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, May 2020, Aug. 2020, Dec. 2020, May 2021, and Aug. 2021 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 of employment, graduate school or military, etc. Other students have leads but haven’t made a 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 upcoming graduates with post-graduation plans. Additionally, alumni have access to Career Connect, Career Fairs, webinars, RIT Alumni Network, and more. Students and alumni can make an appointment by logging into their Career Connect account or by emailing careerservices@rit.edu

Post-Graduation Plans
Please encourage your graduate to fill out The First Destination Survey in Career Connect. The survey captures information regarding plans and also lets us know that a student is still looking. Students who report that they are still looking are forwarded to their Career Services Coordinator for individual follow-up

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.

Information and Updates

De-stressing Tips from Parents
Recently, on our Parent-to-Parent Facebook conversation, we asked how you de-stress. The verdict is in, exercise and activity are the main ways parents de-stress!

• I de-stress by walking while listening to music.
• I de-stress by taking ballet and jazz dance classes.
• I have found Zumba to be my favorite stress reliever!
• Yoga is the best thing I know for de-stressing.
• I have begun a qi gong class—similar to tai chi—and very good for de-stressing!
• I take a walk for an hour, with my iPhone playlist and my earbuds. The world goes away for at least 60 minutes.

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 & Family Programs. You will begin to receive the Family Orientation Newsletter later this month, which 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.

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 & Scholarships (OFAS) 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. OFAS 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 topic is most difficult to discuss with your student. Sex (28%) and romantic relationships (20%) were at the top, followed by mental health/wellness (18%). 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: students participated in Spring Fest activities in April.