Summer Vestibule Program

Congratulations on your decision to join us at RIT! We look forward to welcoming you to campus in August.

The Summer Vestibule Program is required for all deaf and hard-of-hearing incoming first-year and transfer students who are entering into an associate degree program, associate+bachelor's degree program, pre-baccalaureate program, or in career exploration studies in the College of NTID.

During SVP you’ll:

  • Begin building relationships with other incoming deaf and hard-of-hearing students, faculty, and staff
  • Participate in interactive sessions, small group activities, and recreational events
  • Meet current deaf and hard-of-hearing RIT/NTID students

SVP for students admitted for the fall is scheduled for August 15-24, 2024.

Move-in Day: Thursday, August 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Check-in first at the Student Development Center to pick up your keys.

Things to Do Prior to SVP Orientation

Required items to complete:

SVP Schedule

Check back for the 2024 schedule which will be posted as we get closer to this summer's program.

Service Providers and Other Resources

Advantage Federal Credit Union
Zac Broekhuizen
zbroekhuizen@advantagefcu.org
585-454-5900 option 5 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/fa/globalvillage/locations/advantage-fcu

NTID Communication Studies and Services
Amanda Picioli
aldnca@rit.edu
585-475-6384 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/ntid/css

NTID Counseling & Academic Advising
Eileen Contestabile
excnod@rit.edu
585-475-6468 (voice)
http://www.rit.edu/ntid/caas

NTID Diversity & Inclusion
Alesia Allen
anadls@rit.edu

NTID Learning Center
Linda Bryant
lmbnca@rit.edu
https://www.rit.edu/ntid/nlc/

NTID Psychological Services
Susan Chapel
slcnps@rit.edu
585-475-2261 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/counseling/

NTID Student Life Team
Sarah McCormick
samnsl@rit.edu
585-207-2500 (VP)
https://www.rit.edu/ntid/sas/student-life-team

Kate Gleason College of Engineering,
College of Engineering Technology

David Monahan
djmnet@rit.edu
585-636-0507 (VP)
https://www.rit.edu/engineering

RIT ASL & Deaf Studies Community Center (RADSCC)
Jeanne Behm
Jsbnss@rit.edu
585-286-5108 (VP)
https://www.rit.edu/ntid/radscc/

RIT Center for Recreational Sports
Brennan Coon
bdcsid@rit.edu
585-475-6559 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/~w-criw/

Women and Gender
Kelly Kamish
kekcwag@rit.edu
585-475-2141 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/womenandgender/

RIT Dining
Erin Hartter
help.rit.edu
585-475-5000 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/fa/diningservices/

RIT Disability Services Office
Shelley Zoeke
slzdso@rit.edu
585-475-5538 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/disabilityservices/

RIT Ombudsperson
Ashley Meyer
akmrla@rit.edu
585-286-3483 (VP)
https://www.rit.edu/ombuds/

RIT Parking and Transportation Services
Casandra Davis  
cvdcps@rit.edu
585-475-2074 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/fa/parking

RIT Public Safety
Jake Griffin
jegcps@rit.edu
(585) 475-2853 (voice) or 585-205-8333 (text)
https://www.rit.edu/fa/publicsafety/

RIT Risk Management
Melinda Ward
mjwrmss@rit.edu
585-475-6135 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/fa/grms/studentinsurance.html

RIT Spirituality and Religious Life
srl@rit.edu
585-475-2137 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/spirituality

RIT Student Health Center
Patricia Maillet
studenthealth@rit.edu
585-475-2255 (voice)
https://www.rit.edu/studentaffairs/studenthealth/

RIT/NTID Access Services
Brenna Cialini
bepdis@rit.edu
585-502-8160 (text)
https://myaccess.rit.edu

SAISD
Earl Allen
emasai@rit.edu
585-286-1969 (VP)
https://www.rit.edu/ntid/saisd

Bank of America
Christopher Guck
christopher.guck@bofa.com
585-475-1687 (voice)
https://locators.bankofamerica.com/ny/rochester/financial-centers-rochester-13540.html

Convo
Jim Skjeveland
jim.skjeveland@convorelay.com
510-629-5622 (VP)
https://www.convorelay.com

Excellus BlueCross Blue Shield
Karin Kroth
karin.kroth@excellus.com

Gallagher Insurance
Steven Mei
Steven_Mei@ajg.com
617-769-6462 (voice)
https://www.collegestudentinsurance.com

National Center for Deaf Health Research (NCDHR)
Kelly Matthews
kelly_matthews@urmc.rochester.edu
585-512-8519 (VP)
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/ncdhr

New York State Relay Service/CapTel
Mary Beth Mothersell
mbmothersell@sprint.com
585-444-1634 (VP)
https://www.nyrelay.com

Social Security Administration
Barbara Duckworth
Barbara.Duckworth@ssa.gov
833-515-0464 (eFax)
https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/ic001.action#officeResults

Sorenson Communications
Jim Tourangeau
jtourangeau@sorenson.com
508-589-5042 (VP)
https://www.sorensonvrs.com

Sprint IP/Spring Accessibility
Kevin Nolan
Kevin.Nolan@sprint.com
508-318-4012 (VP), 774-414-0935 (text)
https://www.sprintrelay.com/sprintiprelay

Wegmans Pharmacy
Amber Valvano
pharmacymanager.store062@wegmans.com
585-424-7350 (voice)
https://www.wegmans.com/pharmacy

ZVRS and Purple Communications
Micah Boudreaux
mboudreaux@zvrs.com
https://www.zvrs.com

Off-Campus and Commuter Services
occs@rit.edu
https://campusgroups.rit.edu/commuter

FAQs

All students should complete the Virtual Orientation and complete the NTID Accepted Student Checklist. Starting in March you will set up a 1:1 meeting with the SVP director and she will review the accepted student checklist, explain the required placement testing, and set up a time for you to take the exams. It’s important that you check your RIT email each day because this is how we will be communicating with you.

The checklist items will help prepare you for your arrival on campus.

You will attend SVP if you are a freshman or transfer student who has been accepted into:

  • An associate degree program
  • An associate+bachelor’s degree program
  • A pre-baccalaureate program
  • Career exploration studies program

You will attend RIT’s New Student Orientation if you have been accepted into a bachelor’s degree program.

If you have any questions, please contact MaryEllen Graham.

Yes, attending orientation is required! College is an amazing journey, but we want to make sure you have the information you need BEFORE starting fall semester. We want to ensure that you’re connected to the appropriate people, so you’re not overwhelmed with the information that’s out there.

Transfer students who are entering into an associate degree program, associate+bachelor's degree program, pre-baccalaureate program, or in career exploration studies in the College of NTID are required to attend SVP. We want to make sure you’re aware of all of the resources RIT/NTID has to offer and get connected with faculty/staff, so you'll be off to a great start when the academic year begins. Plus, use this time to meet other students and make new friends!

You must attend orientation even if you are a commuter student.

We are still planning a fabulous program for you!

Please continue to check back on this site for more information.

We will also share updates for all pre-orientation and orientation schedules with you as they are confirmed.

You will have Dining Dollars loaded onto your RIT ID card each semester. You eat on campus and swipe your ID card to “pay” for your meals. Make sure you budget your dollars to last you through the semester. If you run out, you can add money to your account.

For more detailed information about your dining options on campus, please visit https://www.rit.edu/fa/diningservices

We encourage you to reach out to the RIT Financial Aid office for assistance.

If you have Vocational Rehabilitation questions, contact Denise Hampton.

Check out this video on VR that may be helpful for you:

VR: https://youtu.be/yjhKn3fXhTM