Rochester Institute of Technology#Campus life

{{Short description|Private university in Rochester, New York, US}}

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{{Infobox university

| name = Rochester Institute of Technology

| former_names = Rochester Athenæum (1829–1891)
The Mechanics Institute (1885–1891)
Rochester Athenæum and Mechanics Institute (1891–1944)

| image = Rochester Institute of Technology Seal (2018).svg

| image_upright = .7

| caption =

| established = {{Start date and age|1829}}

| type = Private research university

| academic_affiliation = {{plainlist|

}}

| endowment = $1.384 billion (FY24){{cite web |url=https://www.rit.edu/controller/endowment-earnings |title=Investment Performance |publisher=RIT |date=2024 |access-date=March 5, 2025 |url-status=live }}

| president = David C. Munson

| provost = Prabu David

| students = 20,570{{cite web |url=https://www.rit.edu/about-rit |title=About RIT |year=2024 |access-date=March 28, 2024 |archive-date=March 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240301064345/https://www.rit.edu/about-rit |url-status=live }}

| undergrad = 17,528

| postgrad = 3,042

| city = Henrietta

| state = New York

| country = United States

| campus = Suburban {{cvt|1300|acre|km2}}

| nickname = Tigers

| mascot = RITchie the Tiger{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/~932www/pdfs/Prospectus.pdf |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |title=RIT – Prospectus |access-date=April 3, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411045253/http://www.rit.edu/~932www/pdfs/Prospectus.pdf |archive-date=April 11, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/tigerpage |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |title=RIT – RIT Archives – Spirit of RIT |access-date=April 3, 2008 |archive-date=October 12, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012193209/http://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/tigerpage/ |url-status=live }}

| sporting_affiliations = NCAA

{{plainlist|

}}

| website = {{URL|https://www.rit.edu/}}

| logo = RIT 2018 logo short orange.svg

| faculty = 1,547 (Full-time, part-time, adjunct)

| administrative_staff = 2,642

| coor = {{Coord|43|05|05|N|77|40|34|W|region:US_type:edu|display=inline,title}}

| colors = {{college color list|team=RIT Tigers}}

| logo_size = 150px

}}

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private research university in Henrietta, New York, a suburb of Rochester. It was founded in 1829. It is one of only two institutes of technology in New York state, the other being the New York Institute of Technology.

RIT enrolls about 19,000 students, of whom 16,000 are undergraduate and 3,000 are graduate students. These students come from all 50 states in the United States and more than 100 countries. The university has more than 4,000 faculty and staff. It also has branches abroad in Croatia, Kosovo, and the United Arab Emirates. The university is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity".{{cite web |title=Carnegie Classifications |url=http://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=195003 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127090357/https://carnegieclassifications.iu.edu/lookup/view_institution.php?unit_id=195003 |archive-date=November 27, 2021 |access-date=September 13, 2020 |publisher=The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching}}

History

The university began as a result of an 1891 merger between Rochester Athenæum, a struggling literary society founded in 1829 by Colonel Nathaniel Rochester and associates, and The Mechanics Institute, a Rochester school of practical technical training for local residents founded in 1885 by a consortium of local businessmen including Captain Henry Lomb, co-founder of Bausch & Lomb. The name of the merged institution at the time was called Rochester Athenæum and Mechanics Institute (RAMI). The Mechanics Institute was considered as the surviving school and took over The Rochester Athenæum's 1829 founding charter. From the time of the merger until 1944, many of its students, administration and faculty staff alike, not only celebrated the former Mechanics Institute's 1885 founding charter, but its former name as well. In 1944, the school changed its name to Rochester Institute of Technology, re-established The Athenæum's 1829 founding charter and became a full-fledged research university.

File:Rochester Institute of Technology seal.png

The university originally resided within the city of Rochester, New York, proper, on a block bounded by the Erie Canal, South Plymouth Avenue, Spring Street, and South Washington Street (approximately {{coord|43.152632|-77.615157|scale:5000}}). Its art department was originally located in the Bevier Memorial Building. By the middle of the twentieth century, RIT began to outgrow its facilities, and surrounding land was scarce and expensive; additionally, in 1959, the New York Department of Public Works announced a new freeway, the Inner Loop, was to be built through the city along a path that bisected the university's campus and required demolition of key university buildings. In 1961, a donation of $3.27 million from local Grace Watson, for whom RIT's dining hall was later named, allowed the university to purchase land for a new {{cvt|1300|acre|km2|adj=on}} campus several miles south along the east bank of the Genesee River in suburban Henrietta. Upon completion in 1968, the university moved to the new suburban campus, where it resides today.{{Cite book|last=Gordon|first=Dane R.|title=Rochester Institute of Technology: Industrial Development and Educational Innovation in an American City, 1829–2006|year=2007|publisher=RIT Cary Graphic Arts Press|isbn=978-1-933360-23-2}}{{cite web |url=http://www2.rit.edu/175/timeline.html |title=RIT Timeline |author=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=December 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226103733/http://www2.rit.edu/175/timeline.html |archive-date=February 26, 2008 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

In 1966, RIT was selected by the federal government to be the site of the newly founded National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID).{{Cite news |title=ROCHESTER TO GET U.S. DEAF COLLEGE |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 15, 1966 |page=22 }} NTID admitted its first students in 1968, concurrent with RIT's transition to the Henrietta campus.{{Cite book |last1 = Marschark |first1 = Marc |last2 = Lang |first2 = Harry G. |year = 2002 |title = Educating Deaf Students: From Research to Practice |location = New York City |publisher = Oxford University Press |page = 35 |isbn = 978-0-19-512139-1 |oclc = 45668968 }}

In 1979, RIT took over Eisenhower College, a liberal arts college located in Seneca Falls, New York.{{Cite news |date=1979-08-04 |title=Eisenhower College, I Learn, Has Been Acquired |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/08/04/archives/eisenhower-college-i-learn-has-been-acquired.html |access-date=2024-05-28 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Despite making a 5-year commitment to keep Eisenhower open, RIT announced in July 1982 that the college would close immediately. One final year of operation by Eisenhower's academic program took place in the 1982–83 school year on the Henrietta campus. The final Eisenhower graduation took place in May 1983 back in Seneca Falls.{{cite web|url=http://www.rit.edu/overview/history.html|title=History of RIT|access-date=February 14, 2009|archive-date=December 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202015231/http://www.rit.edu/overview/history.html|url-status=live}}

The microelectronic engineering program, created in 1982 and the only ABET-accredited undergraduate program in the country,"25 Years of Microelectronic Engineering Education", Santosh K. Kurinec, et al., 16th Biennial University Government Industry Microelectronics Symposium Proceedings, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, June 2006. was the nation's first Bachelor of Science program specializing in the fabrication of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits. In 1990, RIT started its first PhD program, in imaging science – the first PhD program of its kind in the U.S. The information technology program was the first nationally recognized IT degree, created in 1993.{{cite web |author=American College of Management and Technology |title=RIT Overview |url=http://www.acmt.hr/?university=dubrovnik&kat=111&pdl=4&lng=en |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210081025/http://www.acmt.hr/?university=dubrovnik&kat=111&pdl=4&lng=en |archive-date=December 10, 2007 |access-date=December 26, 2007}} In 1996, RIT became the first college in the U.S. to offer a Software Engineering degree at the undergraduate level.{{cite web |title=Software Engineering @ RIT |url=http://www.se.rit.edu/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823062806/http://www.se.rit.edu/ |archive-date=August 23, 2010 |access-date=September 6, 2010 |publisher=Department of Software Engineering |agency=RIT}}

Campus

File:Rit aerial aug 17 2007.jpg

File:Rit quarter mile.jpg

The main campus is housed on a {{cvt|1300|acre|km2}} property. This property is largely covered with woodland and fresh-water swamp making it a very diverse wetland that is home to a number of somewhat rare plant species. The campus comprises 237 buildings and {{convert|5.1|e6ft2|m2}} of building space. The nearly universal use of bricks in the campus's construction – estimated at 15,710,693 bricks as of August 6, 2018{{cite web |title=Creating Brick City |url=https://www.rit.edu/news/creating-brick-city |website=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=March 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220304034429/https://www.rit.edu/news/creating-brick-city |url-status=live }} – prompted students to give it the semi-affectionate nickname "Brick City," reflected in the name of events such as the annual "Brick City Homecoming." Though the buildings erected in the first few decades of the campus's existence reflected the architectural style known as brutalism, the warm color of the bricks softened the impact somewhat. More recent additions to the campus have diversified the architecture while still incorporating the traditional brick colors. The main campus was listed as a census-designated place in 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/Files/bas20/tigerweb_bas20_cdp_ny.html|title=State of New York Census Designated Places – Current/BAS20 – Data as of January 1, 2019|website=tigerweb.geo.census.gov|access-date=2020-02-24|archive-date=September 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926235457/https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/tigerwebmain/Files/bas20/tigerweb_bas20_cdp_ny.html|url-status=live}}

In 2009, the campus was named a "Campus Sustainability Leader" by the Sustainable Endowments Institute.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/news/?v=47062 |title=RIT Named Campus Sustainability Leader |publisher=Rit.edu |date=October 8, 2009 |access-date=July 24, 2010 |archive-date=June 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100605211833/https://www.rit.edu/news/?v=47062 |url-status=live }}

The residence halls and the academic side of campus are connected with a walkway called the "Quarter Mile". Along the Quarter Mile, between the academic and residence hall side are various administration and support buildings. On the academic side of the walkway is a courtyard, known as the Infinity Quad due to a striking polished stainless steel sculpture (by Jose' de Rivera, 1968, 19'×8'×2{{frac|1|2}}') of a continuous ribbon-like Möbius strip (commonly referred to as the infinity loop because if the sun hits the strip at a certain angle it will cast a shadow in the shape of an infinity symbol on the ground) in the middle of it; on the residence hall side is a sundial and a clock. Standing near the Administration Building and the Student Alumni Union is The Sentinel, a steel structure created by the acclaimed metal sculptor, Albert Paley. Reaching {{convert|70|ft|m}} high and weighing 110 tons, the sculpture is the largest on any American university campus. There are four RIT-owned apartment complexes: Global Village, Perkins Green, Riverknoll, and University Commons.

{{anchor|GordonFieldHouse}}

Along the Quarter Mile is the Gordon Field House, a {{cvt|160000|sqft|m2|adj=on}}, two-story athletic center. Opened in 2004 and named in honor of Lucius "Bob" Gordon and his wife Marie, the Field House hosts numerous campus and community activities, including concerts, career fairs, athletic competitions, graduations, and other functions. Other facilities between the residence halls and academic buildings include the Hale-Andrews Student Life Center, Student Alumni Union, Ingle Auditorium, Clark Gymnasium, Frank Ritter Memorial Ice Arena, and the Schmitt Interfaith Center.

={{Anchor|artoncampus}}Art on campus=

The RIT Art Collection, part of the RIT Archive Collections at RIT Libraries, comprises thousands of works, including hundreds by RIT faculty, students, and alumni. The collection grows every year through the Purchase Prize Program, which enables the university to purchase select art works from students in the School of Art and Design, the School for American Crafts, and the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences.{{Cite web|url=https://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/rit-art-collection|title=RIT Art Collection {{!}} RIT Archive Collections|website=library.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802172530/https://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/rit-art-collection|url-status=live}}

Many pieces from the collection are on public display around campus, including:

  • Sentinel – a 73-foot-tall sculpture created by the acclaimed metal sculptor, Albert Paley, located on Administration Circle.{{Cite web|url=http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/40/|title=The Sentinel – RIT: Art on Campus|website=artoncampus.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202185958/https://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/40/|url-status=dead}}
  • Growth and Youth – a set of two murals by Josef Albers located in the lobby of the George Eastman Building.{{Cite web|url=http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/21/|title=Growth and Youth – RIT: Art on Campus|website=artoncampus.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202190007/https://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/21/|url-status=dead}}
  • Principia – a mural by Larry Kirkland that is etched into the black granite floor of the atrium in the College of Science (Gosnell Hall).{{Cite web|url=http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/19/|title=Principia – RIT: Art on Campus|website=artoncampus.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202172532/http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/19/|url-status=dead}} The work features illustrations, symbols, formulae, quotes, and images representing milestones in the history of science.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rit.edu/science/sites/rit.edu.science/files/Atrium%20Floor%20pamphlet.pdf|title=Principia: A Guide to the Atrium Floor|website=Rochester Institute of Technology|access-date=July 13, 2017|archive-date=April 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415213538/https://www.rit.edu/science/sites/rit.edu.science/files/Atrium%20Floor%20pamphlet.pdf|url-status=dead}}
  • Three Piece Reclining Figure No. 1 – a bronze sculpture by English artist Henry Moore located in Eastman Kodak Quad.{{Cite web|url=http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/18/|title=Three Piece Reclining Figure No. 1 – RIT: Art on Campus|website=artoncampus.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202175636/http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/18/|url-status=dead}}
  • Grand Hieroglyph – a 24-foot-long tapestry by Shiela Hicks located in the George Eastman Building.
  • Sundial – a sculpture by Alistair Bevington located on the Residence Quad.{{Cite web|url=http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/43/|title=Sundial – RIT: Art on Campus|website=artoncampus.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202163801/http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/43/|url-status=dead}}
  • The Monument to Ephemeral Facts – a mixed media sculpture by Douglas Holleley located in Wallace Library.{{Cite web|url=http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/370/|title=The Monument to Ephemeral Facts – RIT: Art on Campus|website=artoncampus.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202171118/http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/370/|url-status=dead}}
  • Unity – a 24-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture sited between the College of Art and Design, the College of Engineering Technology, and the College of Engineering.{{Cite web|url=http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/568/|title=Unity – RIT: Art on Campus|website=artoncampus.rit.edu|access-date=30 January 2018|archive-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202153605/http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/568/|url-status=dead}}

=Demographics=

The RIT campus was lsited as a census-designated place (CDP) in the 2020 U.S. Census{{Cite web|title=2020 Geography Changes|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/acs/technical-documentation/table-and-geography-changes/2020/geography-changes.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=}} with a population of 7,322 at the 2020 census.{{Cite web |title=Rochester Institute of Technology CDP, New York |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US3663014 |accessdate=March 13, 2022 |website=United States Census Bureau}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Rochester Institute of Technology CDP, New York – Racial and ethnic composition
{{nobold|Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.}}

!Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)

!Pop 2020{{Cite web |title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Rochester Institute of Technology CDP, New York |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US3663014&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |website=United States Census Bureau |access-date=July 23, 2023 |archive-date=May 25, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525185055/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=1600000US3663014&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 |url-status=live }}

!% 2020

White alone (NH)

|4,728

|64.57%

Black or African American alone (NH)

|384

|5.24%

Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)

|14

|0.19%

Asian alone (NH)

|1,232

|16.83%

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)

|0

|0.00%

Other race alone (NH)

|45

|0.61%

Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)

|357

|4.88%

Hispanic or Latino (any race)

|562

|7.68%

Total

|7,322

|100.00%

Organization and administration

{{Expand section|date=August 2018}}

As of 2017, the president is David C. Munson, formerly the dean of engineering at the University of Michigan. Munson, the university's tenth president, took office on July 1, 2017, replacing William W. Destler, who retired after 10 years at RIT.{{cite web |url=https://www.rit.edu/showcase/index.php?id=362 |title=Introducing President Munson |publisher=RIT.edu |access-date=October 1, 2017 |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908022902/http://www.rit.edu/showcase/index.php?id=362 |url-status=live }} Prabu David, formerly vice provost at Michigan State University, was named provost in August 2023. He replaced Ellen Granberg, the first woman to serve in that role at RIT.

The school is also a member of the Association of Independent Technological Universities.

=Colleges=

File:RIT building - Golisano Building.jpg building]]

File:Rochester Institute of Technology observatory.jpg

RIT has nine colleges:{{cite web |title=Colleges |url=https://www.rit.edu/colleges |website=RIT |access-date=8 February 2022 |language=en |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208201225/https://www.rit.edu/colleges |url-status=live }}

There are also two smaller academic units that grant RIT degrees but do not have full college faculties:

  • Golisano Institute for Sustainability
  • School of Individualized Study

In addition to these colleges, RIT operates three branch campuses in Europe, one in the Middle East and one in East Asia:

  • RIT Croatia (formerly the American College of Management and Technology) in Dubrovnik and Zagreb, Croatia
  • RIT Kosovo (formerly the American University in Kosovo) in Pristina, Kosovo
  • RIT Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/news/?v=45936 |title=RIT to Open Dubai Campus in Fall 2008 |author=Bob Finnerty |date=December 5, 2007 |access-date=December 27, 2007 |archive-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320103011/https://www.rit.edu/news?v=45936 |url-status=live }}
  • RIT China – Weihai

Academics

File:Rochester Institute of Technology 43.jpg

The university is chartered by the New York state legislature and accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/Manual/sectionA/HISTORY.html |title=History, Accreditation, Legacy |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=December 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106090431/http://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/Manual/sectionA/HISTORY.html |archive-date=January 6, 2010 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.msche.org/documents/SAS/381/Statement%20of%20Accreditation%20Status.htm |title=Statement of Accreditation Status – Rochester Institute of Technology |publisher=Middle States Commission on Higher Education |access-date=December 9, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091113174834/http://www.msche.org/documents/SAS/381/Statement%20of%20Accreditation%20Status.htm |archive-date=November 13, 2009 }} The university offers more than 200 academic programs, including seven doctoral programs across its nine constituent colleges.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/colleges |title=Colleges |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=December 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527160643/http://www.rit.edu/colleges |archive-date=May 27, 2010 }}{{cite web |url=https://infocenter.rit.edu/regpolicies/Reg_Guide_200910.pdf |title=Registration Guide 2009–2010 |access-date=December 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720035910/https://infocenter.rit.edu/regpolicies/Reg_Guide_200910.pdf |archive-date=July 20, 2011 }} In 2008–2009, RIT awarded 2,483 bachelor's degrees, 912 master's degrees, 10 doctorates, and 523 other certificates and diplomas.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/overview/fastfacts.html |title=Fast Facts |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=December 4, 2009 |archive-date=January 6, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100106074530/http://www.rit.edu/overview/fastfacts.html |url-status=live }}

The four-year, full-time undergraduate program constitutes the majority of enrollments at the university and emphasizes instruction in the "arts & sciences/professions." RIT is a member of the Rochester Area College consortium, which allows students to register at other colleges in the Rochester metropolitan area without tuition charges. RIT's full-time undergraduate and graduate programs used to operate on an approximately 10-week quarter system with the primary three academic quarters beginning on Labor Day in early September and ending in late May. In August 2013, RIT transitioned from a quarter system to a semester system.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/news/?v=47321 |title=Message from President Destler Concerning Change in RIT's Academic Calendar |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=February 10, 2010 |archive-date=February 13, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100213170001/http://www.rit.edu/news/?v=47321 |url-status=live }} The change was hotly debated on campus, with a majority of students opposed according to an informal survey; Student Government also voted against the change.{{cite web|url=http://reportermag.com/article/02-19-2010/semester-switch-approved|title=ReporterMag.com|website=reportermag.com|access-date=March 27, 2011|archive-date=August 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826002919/http://reportermag.com/article/02-19-2010/semester-switch-approved|url-status=live}}

Among the eight colleges, 6.8% of the student body is enrolled in the Saunders College of Business, 15.0% in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, 4.3% in the College of Liberal Arts, 25.4% in the College of Applied Science and Technology, 18.0% in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences, 13.9% in the College of Imaging Arts and Science, 5.7% in the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and 9.2% in the College of Science. The five most commonly awarded degrees are in Business Administration, Engineering Technology, School of Photographic Arts & Sciences, School of Art and Design, and Information Technology.{{cite web |url=http://finweb.rit.edu/irps/pdf/degrees/dc_2008.pdf |title=Degree Certifications by College and Department, 2008–2009 |publisher=Institutional Research and Policy Studies, Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=December 4, 2009 |archive-date=June 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624103741/http://finweb.rit.edu/irps/pdf/degrees/dc_2008.pdf |url-status=live }}

RIT has struggled with student retention, although the situation has improved during president Destler's tenure. 91.3% of freshmen in the fall of 2009 registered for fall 2010 classes, which Destler noted as a school record.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/news/story.php?id=47770 |author=Destler, Bill |author-link=William W. Destler |title=President Destler's 2010–2011 Welcome Back Address |publisher=RIT University News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100907081616/http://www.rit.edu/news/story.php?id=47770 |archive-date=September 7, 2010 |access-date=August 31, 2010 |url-status=dead }}

=Student body=

style="text-align:center; float:right; font-size:85%; margin-left:2em; margin:auto;" class="wikitable"

|+ Demographics of student body{{cite web |url=https://www.rit.edu/fa/irps/sites/rit.edu.fa.irps/files/pdf/origin_gender/2013%20Diversity%20Profile%20Students%20Enroll%20RIT%20Total%20FINAL%2020131023.pdf |title=Fall Enrollment by Race/Ethnicity (All) |publisher=Institutional Research and Policy Studies, Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=March 4, 2014 |archive-date=March 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305052451/https://www.rit.edu/fa/irps/sites/rit.edu.fa.irps/files/pdf/origin_gender/2013%20Diversity%20Profile%20Students%20Enroll%20RIT%20Total%20FINAL%2020131023.pdf |url-status=dead }}See Demographics of the United States for references.

! !! Undergraduate !! Graduate !! U.S. census

African American

|6.1% ||4.9% ||12.6%

Asian American

|6.9% ||6.9% ||4.8%

White American

|76.5% ||80.4% ||63.7%

Hispanic American

|7.3% ||6.0% ||16.4%

Multiple Races

|2.9% ||1.4% ||2.9%

Native American

|0.2% ||0.4% ||0.9%

International student

|778 ||1,472 ||N/A

RIT enrolled 13,711 undergraduate and 3,131 graduate students in fall 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/overview/rit-in-brief |title=RIT in Brief |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=March 4, 2014 |archive-date=January 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129204411/http://www.rit.edu/overview/rit-in-brief |url-status=live }} Admissions are characterized as "more selective, higher transfer-in" by the Carnegie Foundation. RIT received 12,725 applications for undergraduate admission in Fall 2008, 60% were admitted, 34% enrolled, and 84% of students re-matriculated as second-year students. The interquartile range on the SAT was 1630–1910. 26% of students graduated after four years and 64% after six years.{{cite web |title=College Navigator – Rochester Institute of Technology |url=http://nces.ed.gov/COLLEGENAVIGATOR/?id=195003 |publisher=National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education |access-date=December 4, 2009 |archive-date=August 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814204247/http://nces.ed.gov/COLLEGENAVIGATOR/?id=195003 |url-status=live }} As of 2013, the 25th–75th percentile SAT scores are 540–650 Critical Reading, 570–680 Math, and 520–630 Writing—the average composite score being 1630–1960.

{{Infobox US university ranking

| ARWU_NU =

| Forbes = 217

| USNWR_NU = 91

| Wamo_NU = 218

| THE_WSJ = 161

| ARWU_W =

| QS_W =

| THES_W = 601-800

| USNWR_W = 789

}}

=Rankings=

class="wikitable floatright" style="width: 22em;"

|+U.S. News & World Report, 2023 Graduate Rankings{{cite web | url=http://www.rit.edu/rankings-and-recognition | title=Rankings and Recognition | access-date=July 5, 2023 | archive-date=May 31, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531195220/https://www.rit.edu/rankings-and-recognition | url-status=live }}

Biological Sciences

|119

Business

|112

Computer Science

|77

Engineering

|63

Fine Arts

|23

Health Care Management

|65

Online MBA

| 9

Photography

| 6

Physician Assistant

|188

Physics

|78

In 2017, RIT was ranked No. 97 (tie) in the National Universities category by U.S. News & World Report.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rit.edu/news/story.php?id=63388 |first1=Ellen |last1=Rosen |title=RIT now among the top 100 universities in the nation|website=RIT|date=September 12, 2017|access-date=November 3, 2017|archive-date=October 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029233045/http://www.rit.edu/news/story.php?id=63388|url-status=live}}

Business Insider ranked RIT No. 14 in Northeast and No. 36 in the country for Computer Science.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rit.edu/gccis/news/%E2%80%98business-insider%E2%80%99-ranks-rit-14th-northeast-and-36th-country-highlighting-strong-undergraduate|title='Business Insider' ranks RIT 14th in the Northeast and 36th in the country|publisher=RIT |website=B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing & Information Sciences |first1=Michelle |last1=Cometta |access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518010622/https://www.rit.edu/gccis/news/%E2%80%98business-insider%E2%80%99-ranks-rit-14th-northeast-and-36th-country-highlighting-strong-undergraduate|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.in/The-50-best-computer-science-and-engineering-schools-in-the-US/articleshow/48270286.cms|title=The 50 best computer science and engineering schools in the US |website=Business Insider India |first1=Emmie |last1=Martin|first2=Skye |last2=Gould |date=Jul 29, 2015 |access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517233901/https://www.businessinsider.in/The-50-best-computer-science-and-engineering-schools-in-the-US/articleshow/48270286.cms|url-status=live}}

RIT was ranked among the top 50 national universities in a national survey of "High School Counselors Top College Picks".{{Cite web|url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/high-school-counselor|title=High School Counselors top 50 college picks|access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517211532/https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/high-school-counselor|url-status=live}}

RIT's Saunders College of Business ranked No. 26 in the United States for "Best Online MBA Programs" for the online executive MBA program by U.S. News & World Report.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rit.edu/rankings-and-recognitions|title=Best Online MBA Programs|website=RIT|access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513162153/https://www.rit.edu/rankings-and-recognitions|url-status=live}} Times Higher Education/The Wall Street Journal ranked the MBA program at Saunders College of Business No. 54 among business colleges and universities around the world for the year 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rit.edu/rankings-and-recognitions|title=THE ranking for top business schools around the world|website=RIT|access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513162153/https://www.rit.edu/rankings-and-recognitions|url-status=live}}

RIT was ranked among the top 20 universities recognized for excellent co-operative learning and internship programs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rit.edu/rankings-and-recognitions|title=Top 20 universities for excellent co-operative learning and internship programs|website=RIT|access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513162153/https://www.rit.edu/rankings-and-recognitions|url-status=live}} It was further placed at No. 24 in the top 30 universities for Computer Science with the best Returns on Investment (ROI) in the US.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bestvalueschools.com/computer-science-degrees-best-roi/|title=Top 30 Computer Science universities with best Returns on Investment|website=RIT|date=July 21, 2020|access-date=May 19, 2019|archive-date=May 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504092651/https://www.bestvalueschools.com/computer-science-degrees-best-roi/|url-status=live}}

The Princeton Review ranked RIT No. 8 nationally for "top schools for video game design for 2019" in undergraduate programs{{Cite web|url=https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=top-50-game-design-ugrad|title=Top 50 Schools for Video Game Design-2019 Undergraduate programs|website=RIT|access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524000340/https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=top-50-game-design-ugrad|url-status=live}} and No. 7 in graduate programs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=top-50-game-design-ugrad|title=Top 50 Schools for Video Game Design-2019 graduate programs|website=RIT|access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524000340/https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=top-50-game-design-ugrad|url-status=live}} Among the top 75 universities for Video Game Design in the US, RIT was ranked No. 4.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamedesigning.org/video-game-design-schools/|title=Top 75 Schools in the US for Video Game Design-2019|website=RIT|date=March 11, 2017|access-date=May 17, 2019|archive-date=May 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515023741/https://www.gamedesigning.org/video-game-design-schools/|url-status=live}}

=Co-op program=

RIT's co-op program, which began in 1912, is the fourth-oldest in the world. It is also the fifth-largest in the nation,[https://ritdml.rit.edu/dspace/bitstream/1850/3546/1/MiddleStatesSelfStudyFinaReport_03-2007.pdf Middle States Self-study report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926081111/https://ritdml.rit.edu/dspace/bitstream/1850/3546/1/MiddleStatesSelfStudyFinaReport_03-2007.pdf |date=September 26, 2007 }}, March 21–23, 2007. with approximately 3,500 students completing a co-op each year at over 2,000 businesses.{{Cite news |last = Flanigan |first = Robin L. |title = Beyond the Cap and Gown |magazine = US Airways Magazine |date = July 2007 |pages = 172–176 |url = http://usairwaysmag.com/2007_07/profiles.php |access-date = July 3, 2007 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070705222016/http://usairwaysmag.com/2007_07/profiles.php |archive-date = July 5, 2007 |df = mdy-all }} The program requires (or allows, depending on major) students to work in the workplace for up to five quarters alternating with quarters of class. The amount of co-op varies by major, usually between 3 and 5 three-month "blocks" or academic quarters. Many employers prefer students to co-op for two consecutive blocks, referred to as a "double-block co-op". During a co-op, the student is not required to pay tuition to the school and is still considered a "full time" student. File:Rochester Institute of Technology Wallace Library.jpg

=Library and special collections=

RIT library services are based in the Wallace Library. The Cary Graphic Arts Collection contains books, manuscripts, printing-type specimens, letterpress printing equipment, documents, and other artifacts related to the history of graphic communication.{{Cite web|url=http://library.rit.edu/cary/about-cary-collection|title=About the Cary Collection {{!}} Cary Graphic Arts Collection|website=library.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802182418/http://library.rit.edu/cary/about-cary-collection|url-status=live}} RIT Archives document more than 180 years of the university's history, and students in the Museum Studies program frequently work with these artifacts and help create exhibitions.{{Cite web|url=http://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/rit-archives|title=RIT Archives |website=library.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802172424/https://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/rit-archives|url-status=live}} The RIT/NTID Deaf Studies Archive preserves and illustrates the history, art, culture, technology, and language of the Deaf community.{{Cite web|url=http://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/ritntid-deaf-studies-archive|title=RIT/NTID Deaf Studies Archive |website=library.rit.edu|access-date=13 July 2017|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802172640/https://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/ritntid-deaf-studies-archive|url-status=live}} The RIT Art Collection contains thousands of works showcasing RIT's visual arts curriculum.

=Vignelli Center for Design Studies=

File:Booth Hall, Rochester Institute of Technology Vignelli Center for Design Studies.jpg

{{see also|Vignelli Center for Design Studies}}

The Vignelli Center for Design Studies was established in 2010 and houses the archives of Italian designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli.{{cite web |title=vignelli center for design studies opens |url=https://www.designboom.com/architecture/vignelli-center-for-design-studies-opens/ |website=DesignBoom |date=September 30, 2010 |access-date=7 September 2019 |archive-date=May 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519030235/https://www.designboom.com/architecture/vignelli-center-for-design-studies-opens/ |url-status=live }} The center is a hub for design education, scholarship and research.{{cite news |title=Vignelli Center grand opening Sept. 16 |url=https://www.rit.edu/news/vignelli-center-grand-opening-sept-16?id=47784 |access-date=7 September 2019 |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |date=9 September 2010 |archive-date=August 18, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818211937/https://www.rit.edu/news/vignelli-center-grand-opening-sept-16?id=47784 |url-status=live }}

=ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute=

File:Cybersecurity rainbow 2023-05-01.jpg

Founded in 2020, the Global Cybersecurity Institute was funded in part by a $50 million gift from RIT alumnus Austin McChord.{{Cite web |title=Overview {{!}} ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute |url=https://www.rit.edu/cybersecurity/overview |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.rit.edu |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017105950/https://www.rit.edu/cybersecurity/overview |url-status=live }} The gift also funded four named endowments for students and cybersecurity researchers.{{Cite web |title=Alumnus Austin McChord creates endowed awards for creative RIT students and professors |url=https://www.rit.edu/news/alumnus-austin-mcchord-creates-endowed-awards-creative-rit-students-and-professors |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=RIT |language=en}} In 2022, the Institute received a $3 million naming gift from ESL Federal Credit Union, a Rochester-area company that provides banking and wealth management services.{{Cite web |title=ESL Federal Credit Union makes $3 million commitment to name ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute |url=https://www.rit.edu/cybersecurity/news/esl-federal-credit-union-makes-3-million-commitment-name-esl-global-cybersecurity-institute |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=www.rit.edu |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017104214/https://www.rit.edu/cybersecurity/news/esl-federal-credit-union-makes-3-million-commitment-name-esl-global-cybersecurity-institute |url-status=live }}

Research

File:Rochester Institute of Technology 28.jpg

File:Rochester Institute of Technology 23.jpg

The total value of research grants to university faculty for fiscal year 2022 totaled $92 million.{{cite web |author=Rochester Institute of Technology |title=Research |url=https://www.rit.edu/research |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081020200639/http://www.rit.edu/news/?r=46314 |archive-date=October 20, 2008 |access-date=October 11, 2023}} The university currently offers twelve PhD programs: Imaging science,{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=159 |title=RIT – Programs of Study – Doctor of Philosophy in Imaging Science |author=Rochester Institute of Technology Offices of Part-time and Graduate Enrollment Services |access-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416221042/http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=159 |url-status=dead }} Microsystems Engineering,{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=214 |title=RIT – Programs of Study – Doctor of Philosophy in Microsystems Engineering |author=Rochester Institute of Technology Offices of Part-time and Graduate Enrollment Services |access-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416220857/http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=214 |url-status=dead }} Computing and Information Sciences,{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=38 |title=RIT – Programs of Study – Doctor of Philosophy in Computing and Information Sciences |author=Rochester Institute of Technology Offices of Part-time and Graduate Enrollment Services |access-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416220917/http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=38 |url-status=dead }} Color science,{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=102 |title=RIT – Programs of Study – Doctor of Philosophy in Color Science |author=Rochester Institute of Technology Offices of Part-time and Graduate Enrollment Services |access-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-date=November 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111116235138/http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=102 |url-status=dead }} Astrophysical Sciences and Technology,{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=80 |title=RIT – Programs of Study – Doctor of Philosophy in Astrophysical Sciences and Technology |author=Rochester Institute of Technology Offices of Part-time and Graduate Enrollment Services |access-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-date=April 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110429140724/http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=80 |url-status=dead }} Sustainability,{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=57 |title=RIT – Programs of Study – Doctor of Philosophy in Sustainability |author=Rochester Institute of Technology Offices of Part-time and Graduate Enrollment Services |access-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-date=April 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110416193246/http://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/_program_detail.php?id=57 |url-status=dead }} Electrical and Computer Engineering,{{Cite web |title=Electrical and Computer Engineering Ph.D. |url=https://www.rit.edu/study/electrical-and-computer-engineering-phd |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=RIT |language=en |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017183758/https://www.rit.edu/study/electrical-and-computer-engineering-phd |url-status=live }} Biomedical and Chemical Engineering,{{Cite web |title=Biomedical and Chemical Engineering Ph.D. |url=https://www.rit.edu/study/biomedical-and-chemical-engineering-phd |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=RIT |language=en |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017112415/https://www.rit.edu/study/biomedical-and-chemical-engineering-phd |url-status=live }} Business Administration,{{Cite web |title=Business Administration Ph.D. |url=https://www.rit.edu/study/business-administration-phd |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=RIT |language=en |archive-date=October 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017112636/https://www.rit.edu/study/business-administration-phd |url-status=live }} Physics,{{Cite web |title=Physics Ph.D. |url=https://www.rit.edu/study/physics-phd |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=RIT |language=en}} and Mathematical Modeling.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/program_detail.php?id=1994|title=RIT – Offices of Graduate & Part-time Enrollment Services|website=RIT|access-date=January 13, 2017|archive-date=January 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116170102/https://www.rit.edu/emcs/ptgrad/program_detail.php?id=1994|url-status=live}}

In 1986, RIT founded the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, and started its first doctoral program in Imaging Science in 1989. The Imaging Science department also offers the only Bachelors (BS) and Masters (MS) degree programs in imaging science in the country. The Carlson Center features a diverse research portfolio; its major research areas include Digital Image Restoration, Remote Sensing, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Printing Systems Research, Color Science, Nanoimaging, Imaging Detectors, Astronomical Imaging, Visual Perception, and Ultrasonic Imaging.

The Center for Advancing the Study of CyberInfrastructure (CASCI) is a multidisciplinary center housed in the College of Computing and Information Sciences. The Departments of Computer science, Software Engineering, Information technology, Computer engineering, Imaging Science, and Bioinformatics collaborate in a variety of research programs at this center. RIT was the first university to launch a Bachelor's program in Information technology in 1991, the first university to launch a Bachelor's program in Software Engineering in 1996, and was also among the first universities to launch a Computer science Bachelor's program in 1972. RIT helped standardize the Forth programming language, and developed the CLAWS software package.

RIT has collaborated with many industry players in the field of research as well, including IBM,{{cite web |url=http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/G/20035144.html |title=RIT collaborates with IBM on genomic research |date=January 2003 |publisher=scienceblog.com |access-date=September 27, 2010 |archive-date=June 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614122120/http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/2003/G/20035144.html |url-status=live }} Xerox,{{cite web |url=http://greenatwork.com/home/2008/04/25/xerox-commits-2-million-to-rit-targeting-education-and-research-in-sustainability/ |title=Xerox Commits $2 Million to RIT Targeting Education and Research in Sustainability |publisher=Green at Work |date=April 25, 2008 |access-date=July 24, 2010 |archive-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080511181129/http://greenatwork.com/home/2008/04/25/xerox-commits-2-million-to-rit-targeting-education-and-research-in-sustainability/ |url-status=live }} Rochester's Democrat and Chronicle,{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/news/utilities/pdf/2008/2008_12_31_DandC_printing_research.pdf |title=D&C joins RIT in printing industry research |publisher=RIT |access-date=September 27, 2010 |archive-date=June 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608040341/http://www.rit.edu/news/utilities/pdf/2008/2008_12_31_DandC_printing_research.pdf |url-status=live }} Siemens,{{cite web |url=http://www.controlglobal.com/industrynews/2008/089.html |title=Siemens and RIT announce research partnership |publisher=Controlglobal.com |access-date=July 24, 2010 |archive-date=July 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708191515/http://www.controlglobal.com/industrynews/2008/089.html |url-status=live }} NASA,{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/news/?v=46521 |title=NASA Awards Grant to RIT to Develop New Polymer Foam Packaging for Lunar Missions |publisher=Rit.edu |date=January 9, 2009 |access-date=July 24, 2010 |archive-date=June 1, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100601220125/https://www.rit.edu/news/?v=46521 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.azooptics.com/Details.asp?NewsID=2531 |title=RIT Effort Could Extend NASA Science Capabilities for Planetary Applications |publisher=Azooptics.com |date=May 16, 2008 |access-date=July 24, 2010 |archive-date=July 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722032002/https://www.azooptics.com/news.aspx?NewsID=2531 |url-status=live }} and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).{{cite web |url=https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=8ad2dcf2449c39f40d9c826e58f98f9a&tab=core&_cview=0 |title=Microsystems Technology Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement DARPA-BAA-09-25 |publisher=FedBizOpps.gov |date=April 14, 2010 |access-date=March 14, 2011 |archive-date=July 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721041117/https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=8ad2dcf2449c39f40d9c826e58f98f9a&tab=core&_cview=0 |url-status=live }} In 2005, it was announced by Russell W. Bessette, Executive Director New York State Office of Science Technology & Academic Research (NYSTAR), that RIT will lead the University at Buffalo and Alfred University in an initiative to create key technologies in microsystems, photonics, nanomaterials, and remote sensing systems and to integrate next generation IT systems. In addition, the collaboratory is tasked with helping to facilitate economic development and tech transfer in New York State. More than 35 other notable organizations have joined the collaboratory, including Boeing, Eastman Kodak, IBM, Intel, SEMATECH, ITT, Motorola, Xerox, and several Federal agencies, including as NASA.{{cite web |url=http://www.nystar.state.ny.us/sp/05/050504sp.htm |title=Speeches – Partnerships and Collaborations: A New Research Paradigm |publisher=Nystar.state.ny.us |date=May 4, 2005 |access-date=July 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723162312/http://www.nystar.state.ny.us/sp/05/050504sp.htm |archive-date=July 23, 2011 }}

In 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy selected RIT to lead its Reducing Embodied-Energy and Decreasing Emissions (REMADE) Institute aimed at forging new clean energy measures through the Manufacturing USA initiative.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rit.edu/news/story.php?id=58950|title=RIT named by U.S. Dept. of Energy to lead new Manufacturing USA Institute on clean energy|website=RIT|access-date=January 12, 2017|archive-date=January 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170113160759/https://www.rit.edu/news/story.php?id=58950|url-status=live}}

Athletics

{{Main|RIT Tigers}}

File:RIT hockey 2023-01-14.jpg

File:RIT building - Gordon Field House.jpg

RIT was a long-time member of the Empire 8, an NCAA Division III athletic conference, but moved to the Liberty League beginning with the 2011–2012 academic year. All of RIT's teams compete at the Division III level, with the exception of the men's and women's ice hockey programs. Those teams play at the Division I level in Atlantic Hockey America, formed after the 2023–24 season by the merger of the Tigers' former hockey homes of the men-only Atlantic Hockey Association and the women-only College Hockey America. In 2010, the men's ice hockey team was the first ever from the Atlantic Hockey Association to reach the NCAA tournament semi-finals: The Frozen Four.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/news/story?id=5034580 |title=RIT – RIT downs UNH, reaches Frozen Four |publisher=.espn.com |date=March 28, 2010 |access-date=March 28, 2010 |archive-date=March 31, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331172148/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=5034580 |url-status=live }}

In 2011–2012, the RIT women's ice hockey team had a regular season record of 28–1–1, and won the NCAA Division III national championship, defeating the defending champion Norwich University 4–1. The women's team had carried a record of 54–3–3 over their past two regular seasons leading up to that point.{{cite web |url=http://ritathletics.com/news/2012/3/17/WHOCKEY_0317123829.aspx |title=RIT Women's Hockey wins NCAA Division III National Title |publisher=RIT Athletics |access-date=March 30, 2012 |archive-date=May 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529074857/http://ritathletics.com/news/2012/3/17/WHOCKEY_0317123829.aspx |url-status=live }} The women's hockey team then moved from Division III to Division I. Starting in the 2012–2013 season, the women's team played in the College Hockey America conference. In 2014–2015, the team became eligible for NCAA Division I postseason play.{{cite web |url=http://ritathletics.com/news/2012/3/20/WHOCKEY_0320123536.aspx |title=RIT Women's Hockey Making Move To Division I |publisher=RIT Athletics |access-date=March 30, 2012 |archive-date=May 29, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130529072855/http://ritathletics.com/news/2012/3/20/WHOCKEY_0320123536.aspx |url-status=live }}

In 2021, the RIT men's lacrosse team beat Salisbury in double overtime to take the NCAA Division III national championship.{{Cite web |title=Twice is nice for RIT men's lacrosse champions |url=https://www.rit.edu/news/twice-nice-rit-mens-lacrosse-champions |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=RIT |language=en}} In 2022, the RIT men's lacrosse team won a second national title, following a 12–10 victory over Union College.{{Cite web |title=Campus celebrates men's lacrosse second NCAA national championship |url=https://www.rit.edu/news/campus-celebrates-mens-lacrosse-second-ncaa-national-championship |access-date=2023-10-12 |website=RIT |language=en}}

RIT's Alpine Ski Club competes at United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA), which uses NCAA II competition and academic standards.{{Cite web|title=USCSA – Home|url=https://www.uscsa.org/|access-date=2020-12-27|website=USCSA – United States Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association|language=en|archive-date=January 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127040132/https://www.uscsa.org/|url-status=live}} The varsity Alpine Ski Team competes at the USCSA Mid East Region.{{Cite web|title=RIT Alpine Ski Team|url=https://www.rit.edu/alpine/|archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160729224147/http://www.rit.edu/sg/alpine/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 29, 2016|access-date=2020-12-27|website=RIT Alpine Ski Team|language=en}}

Tom Coughlin, coach of the NFL's 2008 and 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, taught physical education and was the head coach of the RIT Men's Varsity Football team for four seasons in the early 1970s. Overseeing RIT football's transition from a club sport to an NCAA Division III team, this was the first head coaching job of Coughlin's career with him calling his time at RIT "a great experience."{{Cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/RochesterHistory/2013/09/25/sept-25-rit-football-opens-2nd-season-under-tom-coughlin/2866665/|title=Sept. 25 – RIT football opens 2nd season under Tom Coughlin|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|access-date=18 February 2019|archive-date=October 20, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020163443/https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/RochesterHistory/2013/09/25/sept-25-rit-football-opens-2nd-season-under-tom-coughlin/2866665/|url-status=live}}

Since 1968 RIT's hockey teams played at Frank Ritter Memorial Ice Arena on campus. In 2010, RIT began raising money for a new arena.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/powerplay |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20160130080051/http://www.rit.edu/development/giving/powerplay/seats/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 30, 2016 |title=RIT Power Play Campaign |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=March 30, 2012 }} In 2011, B. Thomas Golisano and the Polisseni Foundation donated $4.5 million for the new arena, which came to be named the Gene Polisseni Center.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ritathletics.com/news/2011/11/11/MHOCKEY_1111115032.aspx|title=Future RIT Hockey Arena to Become the Gene Polisseni Center|access-date=November 12, 2011|archive-date=June 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615094609/http://www.ritathletics.com/news/2011/11/11/MHOCKEY_1111115032.aspx|url-status=live}}

=Mascot=

File:Rochester Institute of Technology Bengal Tiger statue.jpg

RIT's athletics nickname is the "Tigers", a name given following the undefeated men's basketball season of 1955–56. Prior to that, RIT's athletic teams were called the "Techmen" and had blue and silver as the sports colors. In 1963, RIT students fundraised using ‘Tigershares’ to buy a rescued Bengal tiger cub that became the university's mascot, named SpiRIT which stands for Student Pride in RIT. Ambitious students were trained as the Tiger Cubs handlers and took him to most sport events until 1964. It was then discovered that the cub was ill and eventually he was put down due to these health complications.{{cite web |url=http://www2.rit.edu/175/ritmemories.html |title=RIT – 175 Year Anniversary |publisher=.rit.edu |access-date=July 24, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100620165242/https://www2.rit.edu/175/ritmemories.html |archive-date=June 20, 2010 }} The original tiger's pelt now resides in the RIT Archive Collections at RIT Libraries.{{Cite web|url=https://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/highlights|title=Highlights {{!}} RIT Archive Collections|website=library.rit.edu|access-date=26 June 2017|archive-date=August 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170802173243/https://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/highlights|url-status=live}} RIT helped the Seneca Park Zoo purchase a new tiger shortly after SpiRIT's death, but it was not used as a school mascot. A bronze sculpture by D.H.S. Wehle in the center of the Henrietta campus now provides an everlasting version of the mascot.{{Cite web|url=http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/42/|title=RIT Bengal Tiger – RIT: Art on Campus|website=artoncampus.rit.edu|access-date=26 June 2017|archive-date=February 2, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202162532/http://artoncampus.rit.edu/art/42/|url-status=dead}}

File:RITchie 2022-10-27.jpg

A costumed tiger mascot named RITchie was later introduced, appearing at a variety of campus events. The name was selected as part of a student contest in 1989.{{Cite web |date=February 5, 2016 |first=Liz |last=Peterson |title=RITchie: Inside the Suit |url=https://reporter.rit.edu/sports/ritchie-inside-suit |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=Reporter}}

Student life

File:Rochester Institute of Technology 50.jpg

File:RIT building - Ellingson Hall - low angle.jpg

In addition to its academic and athletic endeavors, RIT has over 150 student clubs, 10 major student organizations, an interfaith center and 30 different Greek organizations.{{cite web |url=http://campuslife.rit.edu/clubs/ |title=RIT – Center for Campus Life |author=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=January 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070822011436/http://campuslife.rit.edu/clubs/ |archive-date=August 22, 2007 |df=mdy-all }}

Reporter magazine, founded in 1951,{{cite web |url=https://ritdml.rit.edu/handle/1850/3581 |author=RIT Digital Media Repository – Reporter Magazine |date=December 17, 2010 |title=Reporter Magazine |access-date=February 19, 2011 |archive-date=June 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619150752/https://ritdml.rit.edu/handle/1850/3581 |url-status=dead }} is the university's primary student-run magazine.{{cite web |url=http://ambassador.rit.edu/bca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1486 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120701141437/http://ambassador.rit.edu/bca/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1486 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 1, 2012 |title=RIT Brick City Ambassadors – The Reporter: Past & Present |date=October 12, 2010 |access-date=February 19, 2011 }} RIT also has its own ambulance corps, bi-weekly television athletics program RIT SportsZone, pep band, radio station, and tech crew.

The university's Gordon Field House and Activities Center is home to competitive and recreational athletics and aquatics, a fitness center, and an auditorium hosting frequent concerts and other entertainment. Its opening in late 2004 was inaugurated by concerts by performers including Kanye West and Bob Dylan.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/~930www/NewsEvents/2004/Nov01/dylantop.html |title=Bob Dylan at RIT Nov. 13 |author=Silandara Bartlett |date=November 4, 2004 |access-date=January 21, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226103752/http://www.rit.edu/~930www/NewsEvents/2004/Nov01/dylantop.html |archive-date=February 26, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/news/?r=44385 |title=Brick City Festival Brings Kanye West and David Spade to RIT |first=Silandara |last=Bartlett |date=September 29, 2004 |access-date=January 21, 2008 |archive-date=February 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080226103743/http://www.rit.edu/news/?r=44385 |url-status=live }} It is the second-largest venue in Monroe County.{{cite web |url=http://www.btrca.com/news/oth.html |title=Real Estate News |publisher=BTRCA |access-date=August 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602025002/http://www.btrca.com/news/oth.html |archive-date=June 2, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

=Deaf and hard-of-hearing students=

One of RIT's unique features is the large presence of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, who make up 8.8% of the student body.{{cite web |url=http://finweb.rit.edu/cpd/diversity/ |title=Cluster: Diversity/Deaf Culture and Language |author=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=January 21, 2008 |archive-date=December 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226150739/http://finweb.rit.edu/cpd/diversity/ |url-status=live }} The National Technical Institute for the Deaf, one of RIT's nine colleges, provides interpreting and captioning services to students for classes and events. Many courses' lectures at RIT are interpreted into American Sign Language or captioned in real-time for the benefit of hard-of-hearing and deaf students. There are several deaf and hard-of-hearing professors and lecturers, too; an interpreter can vocalize their lectures for hearing students. This significant portion of the RIT population provides another dynamic to the school's diversity, and it has contributed to Rochester's high number of deaf residents per capita.

File:RIT art - Tojo Memorial Garden.jpg

=Fraternities and sororities=

RIT's campus is host to thirty fraternities and sororities (eighteen fraternities and twelve sororities), that make up 6.5% of the total RIT population. RIT and Phi Kappa Psi alumni built six large buildings for Greek students on the academic side of campus next to the Riverknoll apartments.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/fast_facts.html |title=Fast Facts |author=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=January 21, 2008 |archive-date=January 17, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080117132118/http://www.rit.edu/fast_facts.html |url-status=live }}

=Special Interest Houses=

RIT's dormitories are home to five{{cite web | url=https://www.rit.edu/housing/special-interest-housing | title=Special Interest Housing | Housing | RIT | access-date=February 8, 2023 | archive-date=February 8, 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230208154924/https://www.rit.edu/housing/special-interest-housing | url-status=live }} "Special Interest Houses" — Computer Science House,{{cite web | url=https://www.csh.rit.edu/ | title=Computer Science House | RIT | access-date=March 26, 2025 | archive-date=March 23, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250323102134/https://www.csh.rit.edu/ | url-status=live }} Engineering House, House of General Science, House of the Arts, and Unity House — that provide an environment to live immersed in a specific interest, such as art, engineering, or computing. Members of a special-interest house share their interests with each other and the rest of campus through academic focus and special activities. Special Interest Houses are self-governing and accept members based on their own criteria.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/fa/housing/housing-option/special-interest-lifestyle-floors |title=Special Interest & Lifestyle Floors {{!}} Housing Operations |author=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=March 5, 2017 |archive-date=March 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306040310/http://www.rit.edu/fa/housing/housing-option/special-interest-lifestyle-floors |url-status=live }} In the early 2000s, RIT had a Special Interest House called "Business Leaders for Tomorrow", but it no longer exists.{{cite web|url=http://finweb.rit.edu/housing/residence/specialinterest.html |title=RIT – Housing Operations : Special Interest Houses |author=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=January 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305031215/http://finweb.rit.edu/housing/residence/specialinterest.html |archive-date=March 5, 2008}} Prior to the 2022–2023 academic year, RIT had a Special Interest House called "International House", but it no longer exists.{{cite web | url=https://www.rit.edu/housing/special-interest-housing | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210801042756/https://www.rit.edu/housing/special-interest-housing | archive-date=August 1, 2021 | title=Special Interest Housing | Housing | RIT }} Prior to 2025, RIT had an "Art House" and a "Photo House".{{cite web | url=https://www.rit.edu/housing/special-interest-housing | title=Special Interest Housing | Housing | RIT | access-date=March 26, 2025 | archive-date=September 9, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909044716/https://www.rit.edu/housing/special-interest-housing | url-status=live }} These two Special Interest Houses were merged to form House of the Arts.

=ROTC programs=

RIT is the host of the Air Force ROTC Detachment 538 "Blue Tigers"{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/cast/afrotc/ |title=Air Force ROTC Detachment 538 |date=January 26, 2011 |access-date=February 19, 2011 |archive-date=February 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223231243/http://www.rit.edu/cast/afrotc/ |url-status=live }} and the Army ROTC "Tiger Battalion".{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/cast/armyrotc/ |title=RIT Army ROTC |access-date=February 19, 2011 |archive-date=March 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110309225504/http://www.rit.edu/cast/armyrotc/ |url-status=live }} RIT students may also enroll in the Naval ROTC program based at the University of Rochester.

In 2009, the "Tiger Battalion" was awarded the Eastern Region's Outstanding ROTC Unit Award, given annually by the Order of the Founders and Patriots of America.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/news/story.php?id=46548 |title=RIT Army ROTC Battalion Selected for Outstanding ROTC Unit Award |date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=September 29, 2010 |archive-date=January 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110122063522/http://www.rit.edu/news/story.php?id=46548 |url-status=live }} In 2010, it was awarded the National MacArthur Award for 2nd Brigade.{{cite web |url=http://cadetcommand.armylive.dodlive.mil/2010/02/03/top-army-rotc-units-receive-macarthur-award/ |title=Top Army ROTC units receive MacArthur Award |date=February 3, 2010 |access-date=September 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722185229/http://cadetcommand.armylive.dodlive.mil/2010/02/03/top-army-rotc-units-receive-macarthur-award/ |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}

=Reporter Magazine=

Reporter magazine (Reporter) is a completely student-run organization. The magazine is a 32-page full-color issue distributed on the first Monday of the month for the duration of the academic year, supplemented with regular online content.

Reporter began as a newspaper in 1951 and changed to a magazine format in 1969 to better showcase the talents of students enrolled in programs at the College of Imaging Arts & Sciences.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}} The first magazine issue was released on January 10, 1969.{{Cite web|url=https://issuu.com/reportermag/docs/100th-anniversary|title=100th Anniversary by Reporter Magazine | publisher=Issuu |website=issuu.com|date=April 29, 2010 |access-date=August 26, 2022|archive-date=August 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826201020/https://issuu.com/reportermag/docs/100th-anniversary|url-status=live}} The magazine continued to be released on a weekly cycle until 2013.

=K2GXT – RIT Amateur Radio Club=

Students interested in amateur radio can join K2GXT, the RIT amateur radio club. It is the oldest club on campus, founded in 1952 at the original downtown Rochester campus. The club maintains a UHF and VHF amateur radio repeater system operating on the 2 meter band, and the 70 centimeter band. The repeater system serves the campus and surrounding areas.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rit.edu/sg/amateurradioclub/|title=K2GXT – RIT's Amateur Radio Club|website=RIT|access-date=20 January 2019|archive-date=February 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208224613/http://www.rit.edu/sg/amateurradioclub/|url-status=live}}

=WITR 89.7=

{{Main|WITR}}

An FM radio station run by students at RIT, WITR 89.7 broadcasts various music genres, RIT athletic events, and several talk radio programs.{{cite web |url=http://witr.rit.edu/ |title=WITR 89.7 |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=March 12, 2014 |archive-date=March 21, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140321101116/http://witr.rit.edu/ |url-status=live }}

=College Activities Board=

The College Activities Board, frequently abbreviated as CAB, is a student-run organization responsible for providing "diverse entertainment and activities to enhance student life on the RIT campus." CAB is responsible for annual concerts, class trips, movie screenings, and other frequent events.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/cab/about.php |title=RIT College Activities Board – About |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=March 12, 2014 |archive-date=May 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220517212859/https://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/cab/about.php |url-status=dead }}

=Imagine RIT=

File:ImagineRIT.svg

An annual festival, publicized as "Imagine RIT", was initiated in May 2008 to showcase innovative and creative activity at RIT. It is one of the most prominent changes brought to RIT by former university president, William Destler.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/imagine/ |title=Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival |publisher=Rochester Institute of Technology |access-date=February 19, 2010 |archive-date=January 7, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100107023831/http://www.rit.edu/imagine/ |url-status=live }}

An open event, visitors to Imagine RIT have an opportunity to tour the RIT campus and view new ideas for products and services, admire fine art, explore faculty and student research, examine engineering design projects, and interact with hundreds of hands-on exhibits. Theatrical and musical performances take place on stages in many locations on the RIT campus. Intended to appeal to visitors of all ages, including children, the festival features a variety of exhibits. More than 17,000 people attended the inaugural festival on May 3, 2008, and ten years later the number of people attending has doubled, reaching almost 35,000.

=Rochester Game Festival=

Sponsored by RIT's MAGIC Center, ROC Game Dev, and the Irondequoit Library, the Rochester Game Festival is an annual convention that showcases video games and tabletop games produced by students and by independent developers in the surrounding region. More than 1,300 people attended the festival in 2019.{{cite web |title=About |url=https://www.rocgamefest.com/about/ |website=Rochester Game Festival |date=May 6, 2018 |access-date=18 November 2020 |archive-date=March 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319062546/https://www.rocgamefest.com/about/ |url-status=live }}

=RIT Ambulance=

RIT Ambulance (RITA) is a community run, 9-1-1 dispatched New York State Certified Basic Life Support Ambulance agency.

=Public Safety=

RIT Public Safety is the primary agency responsible for the protection of students, staff, and property, as well as enforcement of both college policies and state laws. Officers are NYS Licensed Security Guards who possess an expanded scope of authority under NYS Education Law, and many Officers have prior law enforcement backgrounds. In 2016, it was announced that RIT Public Safety will deploy officers armed with long guns to respond to active shooter incidents.{{cite web|url=http://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/local-news/public-safety-officers-at-rit-will-soon-be-armed/613684580|title=Public Safety Officers at RIT will soon be armed|first=Jordan|last=Guerrein|date=November 30, 2016|access-date=February 27, 2018|archive-date=May 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180522075043/http://www.rochesterfirst.com/news/local-news/public-safety-officers-at-rit-will-soon-be-armed/613684580|url-status=dead}} Public Safety Officers operate both a dispatch center and various types of patrol units on campus and at off-campus holdings (such as The Inn and Conference Center) and also manage the Call Box System. Activating a call box will automatically place the user in touch with an Officer in the dispatch center who will direct Patrol Officers to respond to the location; if necessary, Officers will summon the Monroe County Sheriff's to respond as well. As the college does not have 24/7 on campus crisis intervention counselors, in the event of a mental or behavioral health incident during hours where a counselor is not available, Public Safety Officers are also trained to act as mediators until an on-call counselor can be summoned.{{cite web|url=http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/counseling/faqs.php|title=RIT – Counseling Center – FAQs|work=RIT|access-date=October 4, 2013|archive-date=September 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924114212/http://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/counseling/faqs.php|url-status=dead}}

=Dining services=

RIT Dining Services manages a large number of restaurants and food shops, along with the sole dining hall on campus. There are multiple cafeterias and small retail locations throughout the campus, including near the Residence Halls, in the Student Alumni Union, Global Village, and in certain academic buildings. Dining Services at RIT is completely internal and run through the university. RIT Dining Services also provides opportunities for international students to work on campus.{{cite web |url=http://www.rit.edu/fa/diningservices/content/locations |title=RIT Dining Services Locations |access-date=March 4, 2014 |archive-date=March 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305083715/http://www.rit.edu/fa/diningservices/content/locations |url-status=live }} In early 2019 the campus started providing food from a Hydroponic farm on campus that supplied lettuce, kale, and other crops.

{{cite web |title=Hydroponic Farm {{!}} Dining Services |url=https://www.rit.edu/fa/diningservices/hydroponic-farm |website=RIT Dining Services |access-date=18 September 2019 |archive-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914084031/https://www.rit.edu/fa/diningservices/hydroponic-farm |url-status=live }}

Governance

RIT is governed under a shared governance model. The shared governance system is composed of the Student Government, the Staff Council, and the Academic Senate. The University Council brings together representatives from all three groups and makes recommendations to the president of the university. Once the University Council has made a recommendation, the president makes the final decision.{{cite web|url=http://www.rit.edu/president/institutecouncil/about|title=About the Council|access-date=July 7, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714130941/http://www.rit.edu/president/institutecouncil/about|archive-date=July 14, 2015}}

=Student Government=

The Student Government consists of an elected student senate and a cabinet appointed by the president and vice president. Elections for academic and community senators occur each spring, along with the elections for the president and vice president. The cabinet is appointed by the president and vice president.

The Student Government is an advocate for students and is responsible for basic representation as well as improving campus for students. The Student Government endorses proposal that are brought before the University Council.{{cite web|url=https://sg.rit.edu/aboutus|title=RIT Student Government|access-date=July 7, 2015|archive-date=May 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514051948/https://sg.rit.edu/aboutus|url-status=dead}}

=Academic Senate=

The Academic Senate is responsible for representing faculty within the shared governance system. The Academic Senate has 43 senators.{{cite web|url=http://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/academicsenate/|title=RIT – Academic Senate|access-date=July 7, 2015|archive-date=June 17, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150617204018/http://www.rit.edu/academicaffairs/academicsenate/|url-status=live}}

=Staff Council=

The Staff Council represents staff in the shared governance system.{{cite web|url=http://www.rit.edu/fa/staffcouncil/|title=RIT Staff Council – It is Staff Council's vision to be the respected collective voice of Staff within RIT's shared governance process.|access-date=July 7, 2015|archive-date=July 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714144901/http://www.rit.edu/fa/staffcouncil/|url-status=live}}

Notable alumni

{{Main|List of Rochester Institute of Technology alumni}}

RIT has over 125,000 alumni worldwide. Eleven RIT alumni, affiliates, and faculty members have been recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, winning a total of 15 prizes.{{cite web |title=About RIT – Key Facts |url=https://www.rit.edu/about-rit#key-facts |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007235728/http://www.rit.edu/overview/rit-in-brief#key-facts |archive-date=October 7, 2018 |access-date=May 18, 2019 |website=RIT}}

Notable alumni include Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry, a philanthropist, a pioneer in the welfare of Black children, and the granddaughter of Frederick Douglass;{{cite journal|last1=Peebles-Wilkins|first1=Wilma|title=Black Women and American Social Welfare: The Life of Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry|journal=Affilia|date=July 26, 2016|volume=4|issue=1|pages=33–44|doi=10.1177/088610998900400104|s2cid=143984557}}{{cite web |title=Renaming NRH to Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry Hall |url=https://www.rit.edu/news/renaming-nrh-fredericka-douglass-sprague-perry-hall |website=RIT |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=September 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230905155102/https://www.rit.edu/news/renaming-nrh-fredericka-douglass-sprague-perry-hall |url-status=live }} Bob Duffy, former New York Lieutenant Governor; Tom Curley, former president and CEO of the Associated Press; Daniel Carp, former chairman of the Eastman Kodak Company; John Resig, software developer and creator of jQuery;{{cite web|url=http://ejohn.org/research/|title=John Resig – Research|website=ejohn.org|access-date=February 14, 2016|archive-date=February 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205122650/http://ejohn.org/research/|url-status=live}} N. Katherine Hayles, critical theorist; Austin McChord, founder and CEO of Datto; Jack Van Antwerp, former director of photography for The Wall Street Journal; and photojournalist Bernie Boston.

File:Katherine Hayles.jpg|Katherine Hayles; James B. Duke Distinguished Professor Emerita of Literature at Duke University. (BS 1966)

File:Jresig.png|John Resig; Dean of computer science at Khan Academy. (BS 2005)

File:Mayor Robert Duffy.jpg|Robert J. Duffy; Lieutenant governor of New York from 2011 to 2014 and the 65th mayor of Rochester, New York, from 2006 to 2010. (BS 1993)

File:050 5x7.jpg|Steven Van Slyke; Invented organic light-emitting diode. (MS)

File:Austin McChord in 2018.jpg|Austin McChord; Founder and CEO of Datto. (BS)

File:Member of the CA State Board of Equalization, Fiona Ma.jpg|Fiona Ma; California State Treasurer since January 2019. (BS)

Presidents and provosts

In the decades prior to the selection of RIT's first president, the university was administered primarily by the board of trustees.

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{|class="wikitable"

|+ University presidents

Name

! Tenure

Carleton B. Gibson

|June 1910 – July 1, 1916

James F. Barker

|July 1, 1916 – 1919

Royal B. Farnum

|1919–1921

John A. Randall

|1922–1936

Mark W. Ellingson

|1936 – September 30, 1969{{cite news |date = December 12, 1968 |title = RIT to Hunt President To Succeed Ellingson |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1B}}

Paul A. Miller

|October 1, 1969{{cite news |date = June 26, 1969 |title = N. Carolina Educator New RIT President |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1B}} – December 31, 1978{{cite news |date = November 29, 1978 |title = Kellogg Foundation appoints 2 part-time program consultants |work = Battle Creek Enquirer |location = Battle Creek, Michigan |page = B-7}}

M. Richard Rose

|January 1, 1979{{cite news |date = September 19, 1978 |title = New RIT head was tough-minded at Alfred U |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1B}} – June 1, 1992{{cite news |date = September 4, 1991 |title = RIT chief cites CIA ties in his decision to retire |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1A}}

Albert J. Simone

|September 1, 1992{{cite news |date = May 19, 1992 |title = Simone picked RIT to have 'fun' |work = Honolulu Star-Bulletin |location = Honolulu, Hawaii |page = A-3}} – June 30, 2007{{cite news |date = May 18, 2006 |title = Replacing Simone a tall order |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 3B}}

William W. Destler

|July 1, 2007{{cite news |date = March 17, 2007 |title = New leader wants RIT, its students to innovate |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 3B}} – June 30, 2017{{cite news |date = May 10, 2016 |title = RIT's Destler to retire in 2017 |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1A}}

David C. Munson Jr.

|July 1, 2017{{cite news |date = January 26, 2017 |title = Munson promising a broad vision for RIT |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1A}} – June 30, 2025{{Cite web |title=RIT President David Munson announces plans to step down in 2025 |url=https://www.rit.edu/news/rit-president-david-munson-announces-plans-step-down-2025 |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=RIT |language=en}}

William H. Sanders

|July 1, 2025{{Cite web |title=RIT’s Next President, William H. Sanders |url=https://www.rit.edu/new-president |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=RIT |language=en}}

|valign="top" |

class="wikitable"

|+ University provosts

Name

! Tenure

Todd H. Bullard

|August 1, 1970{{Citation |last = Gordon |first = Dane R. |year = 2007 |title = Rochester Institute of Technology: Industrial Development and Educational Innovation in an American City, 1829–2006 |edition = 1 |location = Henrietta, New York |publisher = RIT Press |page = 301 |isbn = 978-1-933360-24-9 |oclc = 80360669}} – Summer 1980{{cite news |date = June 14, 1980 |title = New job challenge to an RIT official |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 5B}}

Robert G. Quinn

|June 1981 – January 1983{{Citation |last = Gordon |first = Dane R. |year = 2007 |title = Rochester Institute of Technology: Industrial Development and Educational Innovation in an American City, 1829–2006 |edition = 1 |location = Henrietta, New York |publisher = RIT Press |page = 381 |isbn = 978-1-933360-24-9 |oclc = 80360669}}

Thomas R. Plough

|Spring 1984{{cite news |date = May 28, 1984 |title = RIT appoints Thomas Plough to new position as provost |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 3B}} – July 1994{{cite news |date = August 3, 1994 |title = A leadership shuffle at RIT |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1B}}

Stanley D. McKenzie

|July 1994 – November 1995{{cite news |date = November 8, 1995 |title = RIT professor named provost |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 2B}} (interim)
November 1995 – June 30, 2008{{cite news |date = May 24, 2008 |title = Provost heartens RIT grads |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1B}}

Jeremy A. Haefner

|July 1, 2008{{cite news |date = March 11, 2008 |title = RIT hires a senior academic affairs VP |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1B}} – June 30, 2018{{cite news|last=Rosen|first=Ellen|date=January 18, 2018|title=RIT provost stepping down for a new opportunity|url=https://www.rit.edu/news/rit-provost-stepping-down-new-opportunity|work=University News|location=Rochester, New York|access-date=January 11, 2024|archive-date=January 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111191355/https://www.rit.edu/news/rit-provost-stepping-down-new-opportunity|url-status=live}}

Ellen M. Granberg

|August 19, 2018{{cite news|last=Carter|first=Diana Louise|date=July 13, 2018|title=First female provost to start at RIT in August|url=https://rbj.net/2018/07/13/first-female-provost-to-start-at-rit-in-august/|work=Rochester Business Journal|location=Rochester, New York|access-date=September 7, 2018|url-access=subscription|archive-date=September 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907221509/https://rbj.net/2018/07/13/first-female-provost-to-start-at-rit-in-august/|url-status=live}} – June 30, 2023{{cite news|last=Munson|first=David|date=January 11, 2023|title=Provost Ellen Granberg to begin new post in nation's capital on July 1|url=https://www.rit.edu/news/provost-ellen-granberg-begin-new-post-nations-capital-july-1|work=University News|location=Rochester, New York|access-date=January 11, 2024|archive-date=January 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111191355/https://www.rit.edu/news/provost-ellen-granberg-begin-new-post-nations-capital-july-1|url-status=live}}

Prabu David

|August 1, 2023{{cite news|last=McGrain|first=Vienna|date=June 21, 2023|title=RIT names Prabu David as provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs|url=https://www.rit.edu/news/rit-names-prabu-david-as-provost-and-senior-vice-president-academic-affairs|work=University News|location=Rochester, New York|access-date=January 11, 2024|archive-date=January 11, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111191353/https://www.rit.edu/news/rit-names-prabu-david-as-provost-and-senior-vice-president-academic-affairs|url-status=live}}

|}

In addition to the ten official presidents, Provost Thomas R. Plough served as acting president twice: once, in February 1991 when M. Richard Rose was on sabbatical with the CIA, and again in 1992 between Rose's retirement and Albert J. Simone's installation.{{cite news |date = August 3, 1994 |title = A leadership shuffle at RIT |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1B |quote = He had served as acting president of RIT twice—first, when former President M. Richard Rose took a sabbatical to work for the CIA in 1991, and again when Rose retired in 1992.}}{{cite news |date = May 19, 1992 |title = RIT picks its next president |work = Democrat and Chronicle |location = Rochester, New York |page = 1A}}

See also

References

{{Reflist}}

Further reading

  • {{cite book |last1=Austin |first1=Bruce A. |title=Imagine This! : RIT's Innovation + Creativity Festival |date=2018 |publisher=RIT Press |location=Rochester, N.Y. |isbn=9781939125484 |oclc=1015269738 }}
  • {{cite book |last1=Gordon |first1=Dane R. |date=2007|title=Rochester Institute of Technology: Industrial Development and Educational Innovation in an American City, 1829–2006 |location=Rochester, N.Y. |publisher=RIT Press |isbn=9781933360232 |oclc=80360669 }}
  • {{cite book |last1=McCarthy |first1=James K. |title=A Shining Beacon: Fifty Years of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf |date=2018 |publisher=RIT Press |location=Rochester, N.Y. |isbn=9781939125491 |oclc=1019854198 }}
  • {{cite book |last1=Simmons |first1=Becky |title=Transforming the Landscape: Fifty years on the New RIT Campus |date=2018 |publisher=RIT Press |location=Rochester, N.Y. |isbn=9781939125576 |oclc=1031423376 }}