Fall 2024 Orientation

A closeup of an RIT student wearing sunglasses during orientation.
 

New Student Orientation

What to Expect Webinars

Join us from 7-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, or Thursday, Aug. 8 to learn about RIT move-in and Orientation. We'll share detailed information about what to expect when you and your student arrive on campus. 

Welcome Days

New Student Orientation for students starting their RIT journey in the Fall of 2024 will kick off with Welcome Days on Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19. If you plan to live in RIT Housing, you will receive an email in July prompting you to select your preferred Welcome Day. Students who plan to commute are welcome to attend either Welcome Day.

Welcome Day highlights include:

  • Freshmen residential move-in
  • Orientation check-in
  • Campus Resource Fair
  • Informational presentations by campus leaders
  • Welcome to RIT presentation by Orientation staff
  • Social programming

All programming is open to both students and families these days, but there is a special parent and family social immediately following Welcome to RIT. 

 

New Student Orientation

Our formal Orientation program will commence on Tuesday, Aug. 20 with our Meet Your Orientation Leader (OL) program. This program is designed to introduce you to other new students and all RIT has to offer. Your OL will help you to navigate Orientation week, become familiar with the campus, and participate in a series of fun educational and social programs. We cannot wait to meet you and welcome you to our RIT Tiger family! 

Get excited for New Student Orientation by reviewing the high-level schedule below. A detailed schedule of events will be available in early August.

RIT Orientation 2023 App shown on a cell phone screen

RIT Orientation 2023 App

Navigate your Orientation journey through the CampusGroups app or by visiting campusgroups.rit.edu on your web browser. 

Follow the instructions below to view the Orientation schedule in the CampusGroups app.

  1. Download the CampusGroups app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store
  2. Search for and select RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) 
  3. Select RIT Orientation 2023
  4. Select RIT Orientation 2023 Login to log in using your RIT account

If you are viewing the app on an Android device, please note that PDF links within the app, such as the “Meal Schedules” document, will appear as a blank page. To view PDF documents, please exit the CampusGroups app and go to your device downloads/files. The CampusGroups app will display a faint orange bar below the black header showing the status of the download. Please note that this status bar is not always accurate – it is best to check your device downloads/files. If you experience any issues accessing PDF files, please check-in with an Orientation team member and/or report the issue and someone will be in touch to assist you. 

Academic Day 
Aug. 23, 2023

Academic Day will assist in acclimating you to your academic program. You will visit your college, meet your academic advisor, attend social events, and learn about resources that will help you succeed at RIT. Academic Day is an opportune time to ask specific questions regarding your fall semester schedule. 

Convocation 
Aug. 24, 2023

Convocation serves as a formal academic ceremony that marks the beginning of your educational journey. The president, provost, deans, faculty, and staff will greet and congratulate you on becoming an RIT Tiger as they look forward to supporting your years of learning. Families will have the opportunity to view a live stream of the event.

More than Meets the "I": Stories that Dive Deeper

RIT is a community that embraces all students, faculty, and staff from different cultures, perspectives, and beliefs. Join us to find your home away from home and learn the many resources available to support you at RIT.

Healthy Start
Aug. 24, 2023

At RIT, we work to ensure each student is developed holistically. The Healthy Start program will help you focus on health and well-being as you begin your RIT journey. This program is a fun, engaging, and safe space where you can learn about RIT's wellness programs and services.

RIT 365 Liftoff 
Aug. 25, 2023

Experiential learning and hands-on experiences are at the heart of RIT 365 - a one-of-a-kind course taken by incoming first-year students at RIT. Liftoff is your introduction to the Plan-Do-Reflect cycle with your RIT 365 facilitators and classmates. Here, you will build the foundation for a sense of community and belonging at RIT.

Social Activities 

Aug. 20-27, 2023

Throughout your Orientation experience, you will have an opportunity to engage in fun, relaxing, and educational activities. Activities and events are hosted by RIT clubs, organizations, and campus departments, and will help you build connections to the RIT community.

Schedule of Events

All incoming students and families will attend one of two Welcome Days (Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19). The schedule of events is the same for both Welcome Days, so students and families can attend activities on either day.

All incoming students are required to check in for Orientation. 

Welcome Day programming will include:

  • Orientation Check-in
  • Resource Fair & Fun Zone
  • Residential Move-in for students living in RIT Housing
  • Affinity Lounges
  • International Student Orientation
  • Welcome to RIT Presentation
  • Parent & Family Happy Hour
  • Night Social Programming

All incoming students and families will attend one of two Welcome Days (Sunday, Aug. 18, and Monday, Aug. 19). The schedule of events is the same for both Welcome Days, so students and families can attend activities on either day.

All incoming students are required to check in for Orientation. 

Welcome Day programming will include:

  • Orientation Check-in
  • Resource Fair & Fun Zone
  • Residential Move-in for students living in RIT Housing
  • Affinity Lounges
  • International Student Orientation
  • Welcome to RIT Presentation
  • Parent & Family Happy Hour
  • Night Social Programming
  • Late Orientation Check-in
  • Orientation Kick-Off
  • Meet your Orientation Leader (OL)
  • Specialized Orientations (Performing Arts Scholars, ArtEx, Accelerated Scholars, Access Services)
  • Residential Building Meetings
  • Commuter Orientation
  • Night Social Programming
  • Academic Day
  • More that Meets the “I” (Diversity Program)
  • Night Social Programming
     
  • Class Photo and Tiger Walk
  • New Student Convocation
  • Orientation Group Time
  • Academic Day Part II
  • Wellness Program
  • Night Social Programming
     
  • Connect & Serve Presented by RIT 365 and the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement
  • Honors Program Orientation
  • ALANA Student Welcome
  • Rainbow Welcome
  • Night Social Programing
     
  • Orientation Group Time
  • Orientation Fest 
  • Night Social Programing
  • Specialized Orientations (Women in Engineering, Women in Computing, COMS, and ROTC)
     

Celebrate the end of Orientation and the start of your semester with fireworks and our TigerFest kickoff!

Learn more about TigerFest

Virtual Orientation

RIT Virtual Orientation displayed on a computer in front of a grey background

Jump start your Orientation experience with our RIT Virtual Orientation. The virtual orientation experience will provide you with important information; including an introduction to services and resources, to help you successfully launch your RIT journey.

You must complete all five modules before your in-person Orientation begins. Feel free to go through this program at your own pace. If you need to take a break, you can log back in at any time and pick up where you left off.

Write down your questions and bring them with you to in-person Orientation. The orientation team is eager to answer any questions you may have about your RIT journey.