Rochester Institute of TechnologyStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Rochester Institute of Technology. Free for students.

Private Non-Profit Liberal Arts College in Rochester, NY. Operating on a semester system.

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Total Enrollment

Liberal Arts College

Institution Type

42

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Summer 2026

The semester, explained for Rochester Institute of Technology

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Summer 2026
Campus terms
90
Local details
56

Academic calendar

Summer 2026 runs May 13, 2026 – Aug 13, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

16 entries
  1. Summer 7O1 (2258) Graduate 7-Week Online Session
  2. Summer 2026 Short Session 1Summer 2026: Short Session 1
  3. Summer 2026 7-Week Online Session 1
  4. Summer 2026Relevant now
  5. Summer 2026 Short Session 2Summer 2026: Short Session 2
  6. Fall 2026
  7. Spring 2027
  8. Summer 2027: Short Session 1
  9. Summer 7O1 (2268): Graduate 7-Week Online Session
  10. Summer 2027
  11. Summer 2027: Short Session 2
  12. Fall 2027
  13. Spring 2028
  14. Summer 2028

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Campus language

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90 terms

A

AALANA
African American, Latin American, Asian American, and Native American student collegiate association.
AEPi
Alpha Epsilon Pi, one of the many social fraternities on campus.
AHT
Art House, a special interest house for students interested in various forms of creative arts.
Artesano's
A bakery and cafe located in the Student Alumni Union (SAU).

B

Baker
Frances Baker Hall, often divided into Baker A/B and Baker C/D.
Beanz
The coffee shop located in the Student Alumni Union.
Breezeway
The covered outdoor walkway connecting the Campus Center to the Clark Gym.
Brick City
A common nickname for RIT, referring to the millions of orange bricks used in its construction.

C

CAB
College Activities Board, the group responsible for planning major campus events like concerts.
CAD
College of Art and Design, one of the primary academic colleges on campus.
CAPS
Counseling and Psychological Services, providing mental health support to students.
Colby
Colby Hall, a standard residence hall located near the athletic fields.
Crossroads
A combination cafe and convenience store located near the academic side of campus.
CSH
Computer Science House, a well-known Special Interest Housing (SIH) floor.
CSH
Computer Science House, one of RIT's oldest and most active Special Interest Houses.
Ctrl-Alt-Deli
A deli located in the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.

D

Dining Dollars
Funds included with meal plans specifically for purchasing food at on-campus dining locations.
Dorm side
The eastern side of campus where all residence halls are located, separated from the academic side by the Quarter Mile.

E

E-Board
The Executive Board of any given student club or organization.
EGS
Electronic Gaming Society, the primary club for casual and competitive gaming.
EH
Engineering House, a Special Interest House for students interested in engineering disciplines.
Ellingson
Mark Ellingson Hall, the tallest residence hall on campus.

F

Fish
Fish Hall, a smaller residence hall located near the center of the residential complex.
FMS
Facilities Management Services, responsible for campus maintenance and groundskeeping.

G

Gibson
Carlton Gibson Hall, a residence hall located near the Grace Watson Dining Hall.
Gleason
Gleason Hall, a dorm building often associated with engineering students due to its name sharing with the engineering college.
Global
Global Village, a modern suite-style housing area with a courtyard and shops.
Gracie's
The primary all-you-care-to-eat dining hall located in Grace Watson Hall.
Gracies
Grace Watson Dining Hall, the primary all-you-care-to-eat cafeteria on the residential side.
GV
Global Village, a suite-style housing complex with a modern, international theme.
GWH
Grace Watson Hall, the building that houses the main dining hall (Gracie's) and residential offices.

H

Hockey Cheer
Specific, often rowdy, chants performed by the Corner Crew at RIT hockey games.
HOGS
House of General Science, a Special Interest House for science enthusiasts.
HVZ
Humans vs. Zombies, a massive week-long game of tag played across campus twice a year.

J

Java's
Java Wally's, a popular independent coffee shop located inside the Wallace Library.

M

Midnight
Midnight Oil, the popular coffee shop located in Global Village.
Midnight Oil
The upscale coffee shop located in Global Village.
MSO
Major Student Organizations, a classification for the largest and most influential student groups on campus.

N

NRH
Nathaniel Rochester Hall, the only residence hall with an elevator that goes to a post office and store.
NTID
National Technical Institute for the Deaf, one of the nine colleges of RIT.

P

Perkins
Perkins Green, an apartment complex located on the edge of campus popular with upperclassmen.
Peterson
Peterson Hall, a residence hall often grouped with the 'Global Village' side of the dorm complex.

Q

Quarter Mile
The long, brick-paved walkway connecting the residential side of campus to the academic side.

R

RCC
RIT Competitive Cycling, the campus club for road and mountain bike racing.
Res A/B/C/D
Shorthand for Residence Halls A, B, C, and D, which are low-rise dorm buildings.
Res Halls
The collective term for the residential side of campus, separated from academics by the Quarter Mile.
RIT Goggles
A slang term referring to the perceived shift in attractiveness standards due to the campus gender ratio.
RIT Plague
The common cold or flu that spreads rapidly through the dorms every semester.
RIT Players
The student-run theater organization that produces several shows each academic year.
RIT Weather
A term for the characteristic Rochester climate, often involving sudden snow, wind, and gray skies.
RITA
RIT Ambulance, a student-run emergency medical service providing 24/7 care on campus.
RITchie
The name of RIT's tiger mascot.
RITSEC
The student organization focused on cybersecurity and computing security.
RITz
The RITz SportsZone, a dining area in the basement of the SAU featuring a sports-themed atmosphere and grill food.
Riverknoll
The oldest and most affordable apartment complex on campus, often joked about for its age.

S

Sals
Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill, located in the Student Alumni Union.
Salsarita's
The on-campus Mexican grill located in the Global Village area.
Salsas
Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill, a popular campus dining spot in the Global Village area.
SEAL
Student Event Advisory League, a group that assists with the technical aspects of campus events.
SG
Student Government, the primary representative body for students.
SIH
Special Interest Housing, residential communities like Computer Science House (CSH) or Photo House (PH).
Sol
Sol Heumann Hall, a large residence hall known for housing the Sol's Underground store.
Sol's
Sol's Underground, a convenience store and deli located beneath Sol Heumann Hall.
South Henrietta Institute of Technology
A tongue-in-cheek alternative name for RIT, often used in a self-deprecating manner by students.
SSE
Society of Software Engineers, a professional and social org for software engineering students.

T

The Breezeway
The covered walkway connecting the Campus Center to the Clark Gym.
The Cage
The equipment loan desks located in the Student Life Center and the College of Art and Design.
The Coffee Bean
The student nickname for 'The Sentinel,' a large, abstract metal sculpture in the center of campus.
The Commons
A large dining facility on the residential side known for its grill and international stations.
The Dot
The orange circular element of the RIT logo, often used in campus branding.
The Infinity Quad
The quadrangle area near the library, named for its circular paths.
The Loop
The main road (Lomb Memorial Drive) that circles the academic core of the campus.
The Quarter Mile
The main walkway connecting the residential side of campus to the academic side.
The Ratio
A reference to the historical imbalance of male to female students on campus.
The Res Halls
The residential side of campus, separated from the academic side by the Quarter Mile.
The RIT Ratio
A term used by students to describe the historical gender imbalance on campus.
The Ritz
The Ritz Sports Zone, a dining area in the SAU featuring pub-style food.
The Sentinel
The massive metal sculpture in the center of campus, often used as a meeting landmark.
The Tunnels
The underground walkway system that allows students to travel between dorms and some academic buildings without going outside.
The Weather
Often used by students to describe the notoriously windy and cold conditions on the Henrietta campus.
The Weather Machine
A student nickname for the wind-tunnel effect created by the layout of the academic buildings.
The Wind Tunnel
The drafty, high-wind area between the SAU and the Wallace Library.
The Woods
RIT Inn and Conference Center, off-campus housing often used when dorms are at capacity.
Tiger
The official mascot and the term used to refer to any RIT student.
Tiger Bucks
Currency loaded onto a student ID that can be used at various campus locations and some off-campus vendors.
Tiger Spend
The online portal where students manage their meal plans, Dining Dollars, and Tiger Bucks.
TPE
Theme Park Enthusiasts, a popular club for students interested in the engineering and design of amusement parks.

U

UC
University Commons, high-demand suite-style campus apartments.

W

WIT
Women in Technology, an organization supporting female students in STEM fields.
WITR
The student-run campus radio station, broadcasting at 89.7 FM.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

56 details
artesano_bakery_caf
Artesano Bakery & Café
beanz
Beanz
Booth
James E. Booth Hall, housing the College of Art and Design.
caf_and_market_at_crossroads
Café and Market at Crossroads
Co-op
The mandatory cooperative education program where students work full-time in their field of study.
Dining Dollars
Funds included in meal plans used specifically for tax-free food purchases at campus dining locations.
eServices
The portal used for financial aid, tuition payments, and official student records.
GAN
Frank E. Gannett Hall, the main building for the College of Art and Design.
Gannett
Frank E. Gannett Hall, the main building for the College of Art and Design.
GCCIS
The B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences building.
GOL
Golisano Hall, the home of the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.
Golisano
The B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences (Building 70).
GOS
Thomas Gosnell Hall, the primary building for the College of Science.
Gosnell
Thomas Gosnell Hall, the primary building for the College of Science.
GPC
The Gene Polisseni Center, RIT's hockey arena.
gracie_s
Gracie's
kitchen_at_brick_city
Kitchen at Brick City
LBJ
Lyndon Baines Johnson Hall, the primary building for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).
MAGIC
MAGIC Spell Studios, a building dedicated to game design, film, and digital media.
Meal Exchanges
A system allowing students to use a 'Gracie's' meal swipe for a set credit amount at other retail dining locations.
myCourses
The online learning management system (Brightspace) used for course materials and grades.
MyLife
The portal used for managing housing contracts, dining plans, and mailroom notifications.
PATS
Parking and Transportation Services, the office that manages campus parking and the shuttle system.
PawPrints
The official RIT Student Government petition website where students can vote on campus changes.
petals_at_rit_inn
Petals at RIT Inn
Public Safety
The campus security office, commonly contacted for building lockouts or the 'TigerSafe' escort service.
RIT Alert
The emergency notification system that sends texts and emails regarding campus closures or safety issues.
ritz
RITZ
RTS
Regional Transit Service, the public bus system that provides shuttles around campus and to local shopping centers.
SAU
The Student Alumni Union, the central hub for student life and clubs.
SHC
The Student Health Center, providing medical services to students.
SHED
Student Hall for Exploration and Development, a massive facility for makerspaces and performing arts.
SIS
Student Information System, the portal used for class registration, grades, and financial aid.
Slaughter
Louise Slaughter Hall, used for research, government relations, and engineering technology.
SLC
Student Life Center, the main facility for fitness, recreation, and athletics.
Starfish
The platform used for academic advising, tutoring appointments, and 'kudos' or 'flags' from professors.
StarRez
The software system used within the MyLife portal for housing applications.
The Loop
The campus shuttle bus system that moves students between residential, academic, and off-campus housing areas.
The SAU
The Student Alumni Union, the central hub for student life, clubs, and dining.
The SHC
The Student Health Center, providing medical services to students.
The SHED
The Student Hall for Exploration and Development, a massive new makerspace and classroom hub.
The Shuttle
The free campus bus system that transports students between campus, apartments, and local shopping centers like Wegmans.
The SLC
The Student Life Center, which houses the gym, pool, and recreational facilities.
the_commons
The Commons
Tiger Bucks
A form of campus currency that can be used at dining locations, the bookstore, and some off-campus vendors.
Tiger Center
A student-developed portal used for searching classes, checking grades, and viewing schedules.
Tiger ID
The official RIT identification card, which can be physical or stored digitally on a smartphone for building access and payments.
Tiger Pay
A mobile payment feature within the Tiger Spend app that generates a barcode for hands-free checkout at dining locations.
Tiger Portal
The central web gateway for students to access grades, schedules, and financial information.
Tiger Spend
The online management system for checking balances on meal plans and Tiger Bucks.
TigerBucks
A debit-style account on the RIT ID used for laundry, vending, and participating off-campus vendors.
TigerSpend
The online portal where students manage their meal plans, Tiger Bucks, and Dining Dollars.
TigerTracker
The real-time GPS tracking system and app used to monitor the location of campus shuttle buses.
TigerTracks
The real-time GPS tracking application for campus shuttle buses.
TigerTrail
The campus shuttle bus system that moves students between dorms, academic buildings, and off-campus housing.
Wallace
The Wallace Library, the main campus library facility.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Summer 2026 runs May 13, 2026 – Aug 13, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
90 approved campus terms and 56 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Rochester Institute of Technology

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What we’ll email you about

  • Jun 15

    Freshman Housing Contract Deadline

    Required · source

  • Jun 30

    Math Placement Exam (MPE) Completion

    Required · source

  • Jul 1

    Immunization Records Due

    Required · source

  • Aug 1

    Health Insurance Waiver Deadline

    Recommended · source

  • Aug 15

    Fall Semester Tuition Due

    Required · source

One email per real deadline. Source link cited every time. We re-check 7 days before each one fires.

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Find a few communities to try at Rochester Institute of Technology

These are things we discovered from public campus sources. We are constantly looking for more.

Tell us what we missed

58 mapped items from 36 public sources

Interest filters
  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
  • Cultural orgs, identity communities, and faith-based groups.
  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
  • Outdoor clubs, intramural sports, club sports, and rec center programs.
  • Entrepreneurship, hackathon teams, makerspaces, and engineering project teams.
  • Casual hangouts, interest groups, and open events without applications.

Worth a look

A Cappella Council

The governing body for RIT's a cappella groups, which include Proof of Purchase, Eight Beat Measure, Encore, and more.

Tryout required

Source: campusgroups.rit.edu · Verified 17 days ago

Learn More

Alpha Sigma Alpha

A College Panhellenic Council (CPC) sorority focused on developing women of poise and purpose through intellectual, physical, social, and spiritual development.

Invite only

Source: campusgroups.rit.edu · Verified 17 days ago

Learn More

Baja SAE

Designs, builds, and races an all-terrain vehicle in collegiate competitions sponsored by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

Regular commitment

Source: baja.rit.edu · Verified 16 days ago

Bowling Club

A competitive sport club with both a competitive team that holds tryouts and a casual club open to all students.

Tryout required

College Activities Board (CAB)

A student-run group that organizes on-campus and off-campus events and activities to engage students outside the classroom, including major festivals.

College Panhellenic Council (CPC)

The governing body for the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities at RIT, coordinating recruitment and promoting sorority life.

Source: cpc.campusgroups.rit.edu · Verified 17 days ago

Learn More

Easy to try first

3D Club

A club for students interested in 3D printing, modeling, and scanning. Provides access to equipment and workshops.

Drop in any time

Action Puzzle Club

A community for fans of action puzzle games like Tetris, Puyo Puyo, and Puzzle League. The club hosts casual play sessions and tournaments.

Drop in any time

Billiards Club

Promotes interest and participation in the game of Billiards, including pool, straight-ball, and Nine-Ball in a welcome and inclusive environment.

Drop in any time

Campus rituals

Brick City Homecoming & Family Weekend

An annual tradition that honors RIT families, students, alumni, and staff with events like distinguished speakers, a 5k race, and sporting events.

Drop in any time

Resources & spaces

Academic Success Center

Assists and empowers students to achieve academic success through academic coaching, individual and group tutoring, workshops, and presentations.

Open to all

Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS)

Offers confidential mental health services for students, including individual and group therapy, urgent care, and workshops on topics like stress and anxiety management.

Open to all

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Life in Rochester for Rochester Institute of Technology Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Rochester.

Timezone

Eastern Time (ET)

Median Rent

$1,100

Cost of Living Index

85

Student Population

75,000

City Transportation

Walkability

61

Bikeability

60

Public Transit

RTS bus system

Nearest Airports

Frederick Douglass–Greater Rochester International Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid continental

Avg Annual Temp

48°F

Avg Snowfall

89.3 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Lot D

surface_lot • Limited/Hourly

Designated ParkMobile short-term/hourly spaces available.

Lot L

surface_lot • Daily

Daily rate available via ParkMobile app.

Lot C

surface_lot • Visitor

Daytime/overnight visitor parking for residence halls; permit required 5am-5pm Mon-Fri.

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Rochester Institute of Technology

New Student Orientation

August 17, 2026

RIT Campus

Introduction for incoming students to RIT's campus, resources, and community, including move-in and family orientation activities.

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Rochester Institute of Technology

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

38 known dorm and housing options. The first 24 are shown below; the rest are available in the expandable list.

175 Jefferson

Capacity: 150

Room types: triple, quad

90 Block (Buildings 28, 30, and 32)

Room types: double, triple

Adams Hall

Carlton Gibson Hall

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double, triple, quad

Colby Hall

Ellingson Hall

Capacity: 350

Room types: double, triple

Eugene Colby Hall

Room types: single, double

Fisher Hall

Frances Baker Hall

Capacity: 550

Room types: double, triple, quad

Gannett Hall

Global Village

Capacity: 400

Room types: single, double, studio apartment

Gosnell Hall

Room types: single, double, suite

Grace Watson Hall

Greek Circle

Capacity: 180

Room types: double

Greek Houses (6 individual houses)

Helen Fish Hall

Capacity: 550

Room types: double, triple

James E. Booth Hall

Kate Gleason Hall

Capacity: 400

Room types: double, triple

Mark Ellingson Hall

Capacity: 550

Room types: single, double, triple

Mildred Johnson Hall

Nathaniel Rochester Hall

Capacity: 5,000

Room types: single, double, triple, quad

Perkins Green

Capacity: 120

Room types: one-bedroom, two-bedroom

Peter Peterson Hall

Capacity: 550

Room types: double, triple

Peterson Hall

Room types: double, triple

Show the remaining 14 housing options

Residence Hall A

Capacity: 400

Room types: single, double, triple

Residence Hall A/B

Capacity: 600

Room types: double, triple

Residence Hall B

Capacity: 400

Room types: single, double, quad

Residence Hall C

Capacity: 400

Room types: single, double, triple

Residence Hall D

Capacity: 450

Room types: double, quad

Residence Halls (13 total, specific names not fully listed)

Room types: double, single, triple, quad, suite (3 doubles + shared bath)

RIT Inn

Capacity: 300

Room types: double

RIT Inn & Conference Center

Capacity: 100

Room types: single, double

Riverknoll

Capacity: 200

Room types: one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom townhouse

Sol Heumann Hall

Capacity: 550

Room types: single, double, triple, quad

Sol Hueman

Thomas Gosnell Hall

Room types: single, double, suite

University Commons

Capacity: 320

Room types: four-bedroom suite, single occupancy bedroom

William A. Harris Hall

Capacity: 550

Room types: double, triple

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Control

Private Non-Profit

Email Domain

@rochesterinstituteof.edu

Official Website

Visit Website →

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