Rochester Institute of Technology facts for kids
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Former names
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Rochester Athenæum (1829–1891) The Mechanics Institute (1885–1891) Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (1891–1944) |
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| Type | Private research university |
| Established | 1829 |
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Academic affiliation
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| Endowment | $1.274 billion (FY23) |
| President | David C. Munson, Jr |
| Provost | Prabu David |
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Academic staff
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1,547 (Full-time, part-time, adjunct) |
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Administrative staff
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2,642 |
| Students | 20,570 |
| Undergraduates | 17,528 |
| Postgraduates | 3,042 |
| Location |
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United States
43°05′05″N 77°40′34″W / 43.08472°N 77.67611°W |
| Campus | Suburban 1,300 acres (5.3 km2) |
| Colors | Orange and Brown |
| Nickname | Tigers |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA |
| Mascot | RITchie the Tiger |
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The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is a private research university. It is located in Rochester, New York. The university was started in 1829.
RIT has about 19,000 students. Around 16,000 are studying for their first degree. About 3,000 are studying for advanced degrees. Students come from all over the United States. They also come from more than 100 other countries.
The university has over 4,000 teachers and staff members. RIT also has campuses in other countries. These include China, Croatia, Kosovo, and the United Arab Emirates. RIT is known for its high level of research. Many people connected to RIT have won the Pulitzer Prize.
Contents
How RIT Began
RIT was formed in 1891. Two schools joined together. One was the Rochester Athenæum, started in 1829. It was a group for learning and reading. The other was The Mechanics Institute, founded in 1885. This school taught practical skills.
The new school was called the Rochester Athenæum and Mechanics Institute. In 1944, its name changed to Rochester Institute of Technology. It also became a full research university.
RIT was first located in the city of Rochester, New York. By the mid-1900s, the school needed more space. Also, a new highway was planned to go through the campus. So, in 1961, RIT received a large donation. This money helped the university buy land for a new campus.
The new campus is about 1,300 acres. It is located in Henrietta, New York. RIT moved to this new campus in 1968.
In 1966, the U.S. government chose RIT. It became the home of the new National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID). NTID welcomed its first students in 1968.
RIT has also been a leader in new programs. In 1982, it started a program in microelectronic engineering. This was the first of its kind. In 1990, RIT offered its first PhD program. It was in imaging science. RIT also created the first nationally recognized IT degree in 1993. In 1996, it was the first U.S. college to offer a Software Engineering degree.
Exploring the RIT Campus
The main campus covers 1,300 acres. Much of it is covered with woods and wetlands. These areas are home to many different plants. The campus has 237 buildings.
RIT is known as "Brick City." This is because almost all buildings are made of bricks. There are over 15 million bricks on campus! The older buildings have a strong, simple style. Newer buildings add variety but still use the traditional brick colors.
The campus is also known for being sustainable. In 2009, it was named a "Campus Sustainability Leader."
A long walkway connects the dorms to the academic buildings. It is called the "Quarter Mile." Along this path, you'll find administration buildings. On one side, there's a courtyard called the Infinity Quad. It has a cool sculpture that looks like an infinity symbol. On the other side, there's a sundial and a clock.
Near the Administration Building, there is a huge steel sculpture. It is called The Sentinel. It is 70 feet tall and weighs 110 tons. This makes it the largest sculpture on any U.S. university campus.
RIT also has four apartment complexes for students. These are Global Village, Perkins Green, Riverknoll, and University Commons.
Gordon Field House
The Gordon Field House is along the Quarter Mile. It is a large, two-story sports center. It opened in 2004. The Field House hosts many events. These include concerts, job fairs, and sports games. It is also used for graduations.
Other buildings near the Quarter Mile include the Student Alumni Union. There is also the Frank Ritter Memorial Ice Arena.
Art Around Campus
RIT has a large art collection. It includes thousands of artworks. Many are by RIT teachers, students, and graduates. The collection grows each year. RIT buys art from talented students.
Many artworks are on display around campus. Some famous pieces include:
- Sentinel – a 73-foot-tall sculpture by Albert Paley.
- Growth and Youth – two murals by Josef Albers.
- Principia – a mural etched into the floor of the College of Science.
- Three Piece Reclining Figure No. 1 – a bronze sculpture by Henry Moore.
- Grand Hieroglyph – a 24-foot-long tapestry by Sheila Hicks.
How RIT is Organized
RIT has nine main colleges:
- College of Art and Design
- Saunders College of Business
- Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
- Kate Gleason College of Engineering
- College of Engineering Technology
- College of Health Sciences and Technology
- College of Liberal Arts
- National Technical Institute for the Deaf
- College of Science
There are also two smaller academic groups. These are the Golisano Institute for Sustainability and the School of Individualized Study.
RIT also has campuses in other countries:
- RIT Croatia in Dubrovnik and Zagreb, Croatia
- RIT Kosovo in Pristina, Kosovo
- RIT Dubai in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- RIT China - Weihai
Learning at RIT
RIT offers more than 200 study programs. This includes seven programs for advanced degrees (PhDs). The university is approved by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Most students at RIT are full-time undergraduates. They focus on arts, sciences, and professional skills. RIT is part of the Rochester Area College group. This means students can take classes at other local colleges.
RIT used to use a "quarter system" for classes. In 2013, it switched to a "semester system." This change was debated by students.
The most popular degrees at RIT are in Business Administration, Engineering Technology, Photography, Art and Design, and Information Technology.
Student Life and Diversity
RIT has many students from different backgrounds. In Fall 2015, there were over 13,700 undergraduate students. There were also over 3,100 graduate students.
RIT is known for its co-op program. This program started in 1912. It is the fourth-oldest in the world. It is also the fifth-largest in the U.S. About 3,500 students do a co-op each year. They work at over 2,000 businesses.
In a co-op, students work in a real job for a few months. They do not pay tuition during this time. They are still considered full-time students. This helps students get real-world experience.
Library and Special Collections
RIT has several special collections. The Cary Graphic Arts Collection has old books and printing equipment. The RIT Archives keep records of the university's history. The RIT/NTID Deaf Studies Archive focuses on the history and culture of the Deaf community. The RIT Art Collection has thousands of artworks.
Vignelli Center for Design Studies
The Vignelli Center for Design Studies opened in 2010. It holds the works of famous Italian designers, Massimo and Lella Vignelli. It is a place for design education and research.
ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute
The Global Cybersecurity Institute was founded in 2020. It was partly funded by a large gift from an RIT graduate. In 2022, it received another big donation. This institute focuses on cybersecurity.
Research at RIT
RIT receives many grants for research. In 2022, the total value of these grants was $92 million. The university offers twelve PhD programs. These include Imaging science, Microsystems Engineering, and Computing and Information Sciences.
In 1986, RIT started the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science. It began its first doctoral program in Imaging Science in 1989. This department offers the only Bachelor's and Master's degrees in imaging science in the U.S.
RIT has worked with many companies on research. These include IBM, Xerox, Siemens, and NASA. In 2005, RIT was chosen to lead an effort to create new technologies. These include microsystems and photonics.
In 2017, the U.S. Department of Energy chose RIT. RIT will lead the REMADE Institute. This institute aims to find new clean energy solutions.
RIT Sports and Teams
RIT's sports teams are called the "Tigers." Most teams compete in NCAA Division III. However, the men's and women's ice hockey teams play at the Division I level.
In 2010, the men's ice hockey team made history. They were the first team from their conference to reach the NCAA tournament semi-finals. This is called the Frozen Four.
In 2011–2012, the women's ice hockey team won the NCAA Division III national championship. They beat Norwich University 4–1. After this, the women's team moved to Division I.
The RIT men's lacrosse team has won two NCAA Division III national championships. They won in 2021 and 2022.
Tom Coughlin, a famous NFL coach, used to coach RIT's men's football team. This was his first head coaching job.
RIT's hockey teams used to play at the Frank Ritter Memorial Ice Arena. In 2010, RIT started raising money for a new arena. In 2011, they received a large donation. The new arena is called the Gene Polisseni Center.
RIT's Mascot
The "Tigers" nickname came from the undefeated men's basketball season in 1955–56. Before that, teams were called the "Techmen."
In 1963, RIT students raised money to buy a real Bengal tiger cub. They named him SpiRIT. This name stood for Student Pride in RIT. Students trained to be his handlers. They took him to most sports events. Sadly, the cub became ill and passed away. The tiger's fur is now kept in the RIT Archives.
Later, a costumed tiger mascot was introduced. His name is RITchie. This name was chosen in a student contest in 1989. RITchie appears at many campus events.
Student Life and Activities
RIT has over 150 student clubs. There are also 10 major student organizations. The university has an interfaith center. There are also 30 different Greek organizations (fraternities and sororities).
Reporter magazine is the university's student-run magazine. It started in 1951. RIT also has its own ambulance corps. There is a student-run radio station called WITR 89.7.
The Gordon Field House and Activities Center is a popular spot. It has sports, a fitness center, and an auditorium. It hosts concerts and other fun events.
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students
One special thing about RIT is its large number of deaf and hard-of-hearing students. They make up almost 9% of all students. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) is one of RIT's colleges. NTID provides services like sign language interpreters and live captions for classes.
Many classes at RIT have interpreters for American Sign Language. This helps deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Some professors are also deaf or hard-of-hearing. An interpreter can speak their lectures for hearing students. This makes RIT a very welcoming place for these students.
Fraternities and Sororities
RIT has thirty fraternities and sororities. These groups make up about 6.5% of the student population. There are special houses for some of these groups.
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) helps organize the fraternities. The Panhellenic Council does the same for sororities. These groups help students get involved. They also promote leadership and community service. There is also a Multicultural Greek Council for different cultural groups.
Special Interest Houses
RIT dorms have "Special Interest Houses." These are places where students with similar hobbies can live together. Examples include Art House, Computer Science House, and Engineering House. Students in these houses share their interests. They also do special activities.
ROTC Programs
RIT hosts the Air Force ROTC and the Army ROTC. These programs train students to become officers in the military. RIT students can also join the Naval ROTC program at the University of Rochester.
Student Media
Reporter magazine is run by students. It is a 32-page full-color magazine. It comes out once a month during the school year. It also has online content. The magazine started as a newspaper in 1951.
Students interested in amateur radio can join K2GXT. This is the oldest club on campus. It was founded in 1952. The club has a radio system that serves the campus.
WITR 89.7 is an FM radio station. It is run by students. It plays different types of music. It also broadcasts RIT sports events and talk shows.
College Activities Board
The College Activities Board (CAB) is a student group. It plans fun events for students. CAB organizes concerts, trips, and movie screenings.
Imagine RIT Festival
"Imagine RIT" is an annual festival. It started in May 2008. It shows off new ideas and creative projects at RIT. Visitors can see new products and services. They can also see art, research, and engineering projects. There are also performances.
The festival is open to everyone, including children. It has many hands-on exhibits. Over 17,000 people came to the first festival. Ten years later, almost 35,000 people attended.
Rochester Game Festival
The Rochester Game Festival is an annual event. It shows off video games and board games. These games are made by students and local game creators. Over 1,300 people attended in 2019.
RIT Ambulance
RIT Ambulance (RITA) is a volunteer ambulance service. It is certified by New York State. It provides emergency medical help on campus. RITA is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is staffed by student, faculty, and staff volunteers.
Public Safety
RIT Public Safety helps keep students and staff safe. They also protect university property. Their officers are trained security guards. They patrol the campus and respond to emergencies. They can also call the local police if needed.
Dining Services
RIT Dining Services runs many restaurants and food shops. There is also a main dining hall on campus. These places are located near the dorms and in academic buildings. RIT Dining Services is run by the university itself. They also offer jobs to international students.
How RIT is Run
RIT is run using a "shared governance" model. This means that students, staff, and teachers all have a say. The Student Government, Staff Council, and Academic Senate work together. The University Council brings representatives from all three groups. They make recommendations to the university president. The president then makes the final decision.
Student Government
The Student Government has elected student senators. It also has a cabinet chosen by the student president and vice president. They work to improve campus life for students. They also speak up for students' needs.
Academic Senate
The Academic Senate represents the teachers. It has 43 senators.
Staff Council
The Staff Council represents the staff members.
Famous People from RIT
RIT has over 125,000 graduates around the world. Nine of them have won a total of 15 Pulitzer Prizes.
Some famous RIT graduates include:
- Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry: A philanthropist who helped Black children.
- Bob Duffy: A former Lieutenant Governor of New York.
- Tom Curley: Former president and CEO of the Associated Press.
- Daniel Carp: Former chairman of the Eastman Kodak Company.
- John Resig: A software developer who created jQuery.
- Austin McChord: Founder and CEO of Datto.
- Bernie Boston: A famous photojournalist.
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Katherine Hayles; Professor of Literature at Duke University. (BS 1966)
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John Resig; Dean of computer science at Khan Academy. (BS 2005)
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Robert J. Duffy; Former Lieutenant Governor of New York. (BS 1993)
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Steven Van Slyke; Invented organic light-emitting diode. (MS)
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Austin McChord; Founder and CEO of Datto. (BS)
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Fiona Ma; California State Treasurer. (BS)
RIT Leaders: Presidents and Provosts
Before RIT had its first president, the university was run by its board of trustees.
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See also
In Spanish: Instituto de Tecnología de Rochester para niños
- Association of Independent Technological Universities
- List of Rochester Institute of Technology alumni
