Orientation Issue 2015 by Reporter Magazine

THE ORIENTATION ISSUE AUGUST 2015 REPORTER.RIT.EDU

REPORTER EDITOR IN CHIEF Alyssa Jackson

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: ORIENTATION ISSUE

PRINT MANAGING EDITOR Gino Fanelli ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR Alex Jones COPY EDITOR Bryanne McDonough NEWS EDITOR Taylor Derrisaw TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Michel Zaken LEISURE EDITOR Gino Fanelli FEATURES EDITOR Amanda Moon SPORTS EDITOR Liz Peterson VIEWS EDITOR Jake Krajewskie WRITERS Fino Fanelli, Amanda Moon, Michel Zaken, Liz Peterson, Dev Sheth, Jake Krajewskie, Melissa Mendoza ART ART DIRECTOR Rachel Smith ONLINE ART DIRECTOR Jordyn Carias SENIOR DESIGNER Teysia Parks STAFF DESIGNERS Caleb Payne, Annie Wong, Teysia Parks, Halli Rosin, April Chen, Alexandria Bates, Dennae Makel, Olivia Konys, Peter Traversone, Brandon Edquist, Jane Rosenthall CONTRIBUTING ILLUSTRATORS Caleb Payne, Max Yeager, Kaitlyn Fitzgerald,

I’ve made many mistakes in my life. I’ve pursued affections for the wrong people, I’ve misplaced my values and once I stage dove into a outcrop of plants which turned out to be poison oak. I look back at the majority of these mistakes and, while I do feel pangs of regret (particularly in the latter example), I never consider that, if given the chance to travel back in time, that I would change anything. It’s through my failures, mistakes and the misguided trials of my youth that I learned who I am as a person. About what’s important and what’s trivial. Despite this, I still look back at one decision I made early in my college career that still haunts me. I was born and raised in Rochester, and although I will ramble endlessly about the soul-sucking nature of this place every chance I get, I still love my hometown. When I received my acceptance letter from RIT, I begrudgingly accepted. Although I wanted desperately to leave this place, I knew it was an opportunity that I could not pass up. I treated my enrollment as a stepping stone towards a degree which would inevitably grant me freedom and nothing more. I treated classes as chores, I hung out with the same friends I’d had since second grade and I lived, and sadly continue to live, at my parent’s home. As I entered into my third year, my friends began to fade. Without college, careers or ambition in general, quite a few faded away into the predictable cracks of society. Though I had a handful of great friends left, I grew increasingly lonesome, feeling as if I were alienated by my own dreams. It’s at this point where I took the chance at immersing myself in student culture. Namely, Reporter. Slowly, the realization struck that I am far from alone, and the place where I had been quietly and passively spending my days at was filled to the brim with people who challenged me, understood me and offered me the opportunity to grow.

Maliya Travers-Crumb, Jordyn Carias PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO EDITOR Kristen McNicholas CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

I’ll never stop regretting waiting so long to embrace what was right in front of me, and I urge any freshman reading this to take heed. Seize what’s in front of you, jump on every opportunity you can. At best, it will gain you life-long connections and a sense of belonging. At worst, you can always learn and grow.

Kim Bubello, Lloyd McCullough BUSINESS BUSINESS MANAGER Jaclyn Bergin

print managing editior Gino Fanelli

AD / PR MANAGER Danielle Sanderson PRODUCTION MANAGER Ryan Walsh ONLINE SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Nathan J. Lichtenstein WEB MANAGER Joe Jankowiak VIDEO EDITOR Sara Caruso ADVISOR Rudy Pugliese PRINTING EPi Printing

Reporter Magazine is published monthly during the academic year by a staff comprised of students at Rochester Institute of Technology. Business, Editorial and Design facilities are located in Room A-730, in the lower level of the Campus Center. Our phone number is 1.585.475.2212. The Advertising Department can be reached at 1.585.475.2213. “You never just piss 12 exact ounces.” -G.F. The opinions expressed in Reporter do not necessarily reflect those of the Institute. Reporter is not responsible for materials presented in advertising areas. Reporter takes pride in its membership in the Associated Collegiate Press and American Civil Liberties Union. Copyright © 2014 Reporter Magazine. All rights reserved. No portion of this Magazine may be reproduced without prior written permission.

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cover illustration by Jordyn Carias

2 Orientation

50 THINGS EVERY FRESHMAN SHOULD KNOW Tips to help you survive your first year at RIT

WHAT YOU’LL WANT IN YOUR ROOM Some quick tips on what amenities are pivotal to a comfortable living space

LEAD OAS/OAS Meet the student leaders guiding you through orientation

ACCESS SERVICES One of the largest deaf schools in the country

COUNSELING CENTER From depression to relationship problems, the RIT counseling center is here to help you

HOW TO BREAK OUT OF YOUR SHELL College is the chance to reinvent yourself. The introvert-turnedsorority girl tells you how

EXPLORING THE AREA AROUND RIT This place can feel like a brick prison, but the area around RIT can offer a world of opportunities

RIT BUS ROUTE The bus schedule is confusing, let us help you find your way

GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS A first year at college can be hard, but when you’re 8,000 miles from home, it can be a lot harder

SO YOU’VE BEEN SEXILED So you came home to the telltale sock on the door knob. What do you do?

Please Recycle

vs. Zombies will make you 06 Humans more familiar with the layout of campus than any tour.

classes or major.

You’ll be infinitely more attractive if you shower daily.

not argue with public safety. They 08 Do have tasers.

THINGS E V E R Y

RIT app has every opening and 09 The closing time for dining locations listed.

FRESHMAN SHOULD KNOW

Some locations do not accept meal plan options. Check before you order.

11 will not be the best at 12 You unless you work your ass off.

This is a fresh start, make the most of it.

by Jake Krajewski | illustration by Corrine Fallone design by Dennae Makel

how to study 13 Learn grades will plummet.

review sessions are not a waste 17 Optional of your time. They are a god-send. Go to them! are a lot of deaf people on campus. 18 There No Voice Zone is an easy and fun way to learn how to communicate with them. will be much cheaper

it comes time to select classes, 20 When plan out your schedule, then make a few back-up schedules before your enrollment time. Classes will fill up. roommate is going to get on 21 Your your nerves at times. If things become problematic, your RA can help. your 22 Take seriously. If

roommate agreement there’s a dispute, the agreement will settle it.

your RA. They might let you get 23 Befriend away with a few things if they like you. leave anything valuable

out with multiple groups of 25 Hang friends. You’ll miss out on a lot of great times if you limit who you talk to.

20+ meal plan is too much Gracie’s 01 The your meal options wisely, or you’ll 26 Use for any one person. run out of debit. can leave the residence hall washing 02 You Laundry detergent pods go directly in machines unattended, as the doors lock. 27

the drum of the washer, on top of your clothes, not in the detergent tray.

for

professor’s office hours are their 33 Your gift to struggling students. ever try to sound smarter than 34 Don’t your professor. You’ll look like a fool.

beg your professors to bring your 36 Never grade up just because “I need to get a C

outside of your comfort zone. New 16 Step experiences can be a lot of fun.

a comfortable pair of shoes 03 Have walking across campus every day.

to have your work done.

properly or your

okay to talk to strangers. It’s how 15 It’s you’re going to make friends.

The dryers, however, do not lock.

professor does not care if you were 32 Your sick over the weekend, you’re expected

syllabus is a wealth of information, 35 Your use it.

of new people at them.

ever 24 Don’t unattended.

centers save GPAs. Make use of 31 Tutoring them.

anything

dumb as those extra Orientation 14 As activities may seem, you can meet a lot

textbooks 19 Your on Amazon.

academic adviser is here to help you 30 You with any concerns you have about your

your clothes within 10 minutes 28 Remove of them being done, or someone will

remove them for you. 04 Winter boots are absolutely essential. a scarf or ski mask. You’re going to your bottles to Sol’s bottle return 05 Get 29 Take need it. and get some money!

in this class.” They’ll laugh at you. is not required” does not 37 “Attendance mean that you can just skip that class. At least, not if you want to pass it. to someone and being nice to 38 Talking them never obligates them to go out with you. you ask people out, sometimes you’re 39 Ifgoing to get rejected. Don’t let it bother you means no and yes means yes. Take 40 No the consent lectures they give you during orientation seriously. ask yourself “How can I get my 41 Don’t crush to like me?” Ask yourself “How can I become the kind of person my crush would like?” a place to study where it’s easy for 42 Find you to stay focused. cannot study effectively and watch 43 You Netflix at the same time. an alarm that will require you to 44 Set physically get out of bed to turn off, it’ll wake you up better. yourself to do things you 45 Motivate don’t want to do. Eat a small piece of candy every time you finish reading a paragraph, or have a smoothie after a jog. the building and room that your 46 Find class is in before the first day of classes. material before a test once 47 Reviewing or twice before the test will allow you to remember more than spending the entire night cramming. know that nerdy thing you’re into 48 You that people at high school made fun of you for? There’s a club for it here. if you don’t like sports, RIT hockey 49 Even games are extremely fun. is what you make of it. You’re 50 College on your own now, and everything that happens to you is going to be a result of your actions. Make good choices while you can. Orientation 3

WHAT YOU’LL

WANT IN YOUR ROOM by Liz Peterson | photography by Lloyd McCullough | design by Caleb Payne

ach RIT dorm comes with the standard desk, chair, dresser, set of drawers, closet space and bed. Students are placed in dorms of various sizes, but every room is decorated differently. Some rooms are square, others more rectangular. Some beds are wider than others. Some rooms even have thinner walls. However, most dorm rooms in the older buildings have a lot in common. For starters, they lack air conditioning. Unless you selected one of the newer dormitories, you’re guaranteed some sweltering nights in the fall and the spring. In a lot of the doubles, the lighting is very poor. Most freshmen think about what gaming system to bring or how big of a TV screen to have, but there are some more vital appliances incoming students might want to consider investing in for the upcoming school year.

4 Orientation

Desk Lamps, Floor Lamps, Bed Lamps

Surge Protectors

You can never have too many lights in your room. However, for those more secluded corners, like your personal desk space or bed, consider purchasing clip-on lamps. They can be attached to any surface and allow you to arrange them into any position. Flexible necks on lamps are key. It also helps to have a smaller light source for when your roommate wants to sleep or if you don’t want the floor lamp on. We do encourage students to save energy; make sure whatever light sources you have will be able to hold LED bulbs. Also, keep in mind that RIT has a ban on bulbs that are more powerful than 300 watts.

You might think it sounds silly, but make sure you have at least two surge protectors. Unfortunately, random power outages do occur in college. Outages can also have damaging effects on electronics, so it’s safer to be prepared. Buy surge protectors with decently long cords, and make sure they’re long enough to reach all of your appliances.

Fans Just because Rochester is in the north doesn’t mean we have less intense weather. Just as our winters are brutal, our falls and springs will have your head spinning. From the start of May until mid-October, and again at the start of May, RIT endures random heat waves. The best way to be prepared is to equip your dorm room with fans, since most dorms do notNOT have air conditioning. If you decide to keep your bed lifted, make sure to invest in a clip-on fan. It will help for those warm nights in bed.

Things to Consider Leaving at Home Printers: - Ninety percent of your classes are going to have you handing in assignments online. For the remaining ten percent, it’s best to just go to one of the free printing spots on campus. The computer labs in the College of Liberal Arts and the College of Science are two such locations. Alarm Clocks: - Phones serve as better alarm clocks than actual alarm clocks. Most of us keep our phones next to our pillows, so consider opting out in purchasing a clock in efforts to save yourself a couple of bucks. For more information on customizing your living space, check out Your Room: Express Yourself! on rit.edu.

Orientation 5

Lead OAs & OAs: Who are they? by Melissa Mendoza | photography by Meg Oliphant | design by Brandon Edquist

Let’s meet some Lead OAs and OAs, and learn about their experiences:

ew Student Orientation Week is all about introducing incoming students to RIT. Students have the opportunity to learn about the campus and meet peers through fun activities throughout the week. The Center for Orientation & Transition strives to create a program that will ensure the success of new students and their families into the RIT community. The program creates new and innovative initiatives to help with the transition into college life. Upon acceptance and moving into RIT, new students are assigned into small groups regardless of academic major and interest. These small groups are mentored by an Orientation Assistant (OA). OAs are there to help ease the transition into RIT by guiding the group with ice-breaking activities and teaching them about all the services and resources the campus has to offer. Lead Orientation Assistants (Lead OAs) are also students that dedicate themselves to providing the best orientation experience for new students. About 18 Lead OAs are selected each year, and their main goal is to provide OAs with the necessary leadership and supervision for the program.

Ben Zenker

Michael Lutfring

Year: 4th Year Major: Motion Picture Science Position: Lead Orientation Assistant What’s your favorite part about Orientation? “Orientation is fun because you get to dance like a goon, but my favorite part would have to be watching my freshmen bond as a team throughout the week” Advice for incoming students? “College is your chance to create who you truly want to be. Don’t hold anything back!”

Year: 4th Year Major: Environmental Sustainability Health and Safety Position: Lead Orientation Assistant What do you look forward to the most being involved? “I look forward to meeting all of the incoming students and seeing them interact with each other at all of the different events orientation has to offer, and also help OAs with all their duties” Why did you apply for the position? “I love Orientation and wanted to move up to a higher position. I›m really excited to have more responsibilities so I can help out the entire process!”

Naveida Huggins

Year: 2nd Year Major: Environmental Sustainability Health and Safety Position: Orientation Assistant What is the most enjoyable part of Orientation? “Connecting with freshmen and screaming my lungs out! Its also the best part of a new school year” Why did you apply to be an OA? “From my freshmen orientation experience, I felt like there needed to be more diversity in terms of background, interest and ethnicity.”

6 Orientation

Rob Newell

Year: 4th Year Major: Biotechnology Position: Orientation Assistant What is the most enjoyable part of Orientation? “Hands down the environment created in that first week. I love helping students through their first part of school and getting them to laugh through the process.” Advice for incoming students? “My advice is that you get out of RIT what you put into it. Get involved and you will never be short of valuable experiences socially and professionally.”

A C C E S S S E R V I C E S FO R I N C O M I N G

DEAF/HARD-OF-HEARING STUDENTS by Michel Corey Zaken | photography by Lloyd McCullough | design by Dennae Makel

IT is known for many things. A notable example is that we have one of the largest populations of Deaf and Hardof-Hearing (HOH) students in the United States. There are two major universities in the United States that are known for their Deaf/HOH student population and schools for the Deaf; Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. and of course, RIT. Part of holding the title as one of the greatest and largest Schools For The Deaf is accommodating and including access services across campus. There are three main services that RIT provides; interpreters, note- takers, and real-time captioning (C-print). Interpreting is for students and faculty who use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary form of communication.. There are 103 interpreters that work both parttime and full-time on campus. Usually, each school of learning will have a core group that tend to stay within the same major subject. Note taking, a paid service a student must apply for, is for Deaf and HOH students, as well as other students with classified learning disabilities. If a student requests for note-takers,Access Services will first see if any hired note-takers are in the same class. If not, they will then open up the job for any notetaker with time in their schedule. The student who applied to be the note taker are sent into the same classroom. They are expected not to

be absent, to have good organizational skills, good listening and writing skills and must be timely and responsible. The note takers write very detailed, full-length notes and then post them on the myAccess website where it is available to all of the students requesting for notes for that classsubject. C-Print is real time captioning. Students who request for this usually are not fluent enough in ASL to request an interpreter, and while note taking may be good to review for after class, they don›t want to miss out on the real discussion happening during class time. For each student that requests C-Print there is a captionist that will attend the classes necessary and type on a computer in front of the room that is connected to another wireless iPad with a full screen of real time captions of the conversations held in class. All services for students classified under the Disability Services Office can be accessed at myaccess.rit.edu. The home section shows a general summary of Access Services, and also includes a New Information section, informing students about classes information, enrollment periods, and when they should being requesting services to make sure they are fulfilled. Also available on mMyAccess is the «Service Request to Confirm» feature, which shows the requests made to accommodate students for upcoming events, «Quick Contacts,» which

provides a list of staff in charge of accessibility and «Quick Help,» essentially a FAQ section which answers common questions. Alongside these features, MyAccess offers quick course information through an easily navigated banner, including information on which courses offer certain access services, what services have been requested for certain classes, information on services and applications for being a note-taker. All in all making for an extremely easy to use site which assures no student falls between the cracks. The access services we have available to Deaf/HOH students here is something that RIT takes a lot of pride in. We appreciate and enjoy the expanding community that surround NTID and any schools for the Deaf, and strive greatly to make sure that no student--hearing, HOH, or Deaf-- is left behindfalls through the cracks. Any and every opportunity we offer here is equally available to each and every student, and our access services are a huge part of the reason why.

All services for students classified under the Disability Services Office can be accessed at myaccess.rit.edu.

Orientation 7

A GUIDE TO RIT

COUNSELING SERVICES by Gino Fanelli | illustration by Caleb Payne | design by Teysia Parks

his is an exciting time in your life. Here at RIT, you will take the first steps to becoming an adult. It is here that you can start molding the clay of your dreams and ambitions into tangible realities, meet new people who can open your eyes to new views and generally start spreading your wings to make the pilgrimage into your future. You are likely filled with conflicting emotions about finally reaching college, yet moving away from your home, friends and family. Among the joy and jubilation that has flooded your veins since you first tore open the envelope confirming your acceptance, there may be tinges of dread and anxiety concerning your new home. It’s important to remember that when those feelings hit, you are not alone, no matter how much it may feel that way. According to a report by the American Psychological Association, 41.6 percent of college students who have reached out to a counselor are suffering from an anxiety condition. This is followed by depression in 36.4 percent and relationship problems in 35.8 percent. RIT, of course, is no exception to this rule. A report from RIT’s own Counseling Center for the 2013-2014 school year puts the number at 58.8 percent of student counseling subjects — 600 students — who suffer from anxiety related issues, while 52.4 percent suffer from depression. Knowing this, the RIT Counseling Center provides a variety of services aimed at reducing the ostracizing nature of anxiety and other mental conditions. Perhaps the most useful resources is the group counseling sessions offered for a variety of different afflictions that students can suffer from. Group therapy offers the opportunity to sit with a therapist alongside other individuals dealing with the same issues and attempt to breakdown and deal with the root causes of mental conditions. In many cases, simply talking with others in the same situation and not having to fight your battles on your own can have an enormous benefit on the recovery process. In fact, in regards to depression, a study

8 Orientation

at the University of Tromso’s Psychology department found a total of 44 percent of people with depression who participated in group therapy showed notable improvements following the beginning of therapy, and 30 percent experienced full recovery. In a threemonth follow up, these numbers increased to 57 percent and 40 percent, respectively. Group therapy is offered with a rigid schedule based around different health issues. Some examples include include social anxiety workshops, which help students build social skills and shake their fears of social situations, depression workshops and therapy sessions meant to help students develop healthy sleeping patterns, among many. Simply reaching out to the Counseling Center and finding the group that best fits you can be an enormous step in improving your mental health. While group therapy is an extremely valuable option, there are many lingering stigmas about therapy that may keep students from reaching out to the Counseling Center, one of which is the idea that to go into counseling is something only a weak person would do. But the fact of the matter is simply that making strides toward improving yourself is never a cowardly move. In fact, it is brave to address that you have a problem and need help. Remember, counseling is never about social standing or proving a point, but rather simply getting to the root of your problems and improving your quality of life. Also common is the fear that others will find out that you’re involved in counseling or that things said in the counseling group will be made public. To ease that worry, rest assured that all counseling sessions done at RIT,

whether individual or group, are completely confidential. What happens within the walls of the Counseling Center stays within the walls of the Counseling Center. Group sessions are an immensely valuable resource that can help to resolve many issues a college student faces, but perhaps the most common problem they face is stress management. While stress is a natural part of life that you will have to deal with, being unable to manage it can lead to breakdowns, anxiety disorders and generally burning yourself out. As an alternative to group

“

...there are many lingering stigmas about therapy that may keep students from reaching out to the Counseling Center, one of which is the idea that to go into counseling is something only a weak person would do.

”

therapy, the Counseling Center offers a stress management series aimed at learning healthy coping techniques, including a session held on Thursdays at 12:20 on Mindfulness Meditation. This course focuses on learning breathing techniques and meditation methods, which can help to relieve stress and anxiety. While this may seem like a silly practice, a 2014 study by the National Society for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) entitled “Randomized Controlled Trial of Mindfulness Meditation for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Effects on Anxiety and Stress Reactivity” found that mindfulness meditation can have a remarkably positive effect on its participants. The study showed that participants in either mindfulness education or meditation experienced a notable reduction in their Hamilton Anxiety Scale Scores, as well as a higher amount of positive self-statements. After unpacking your bags and waving goodbye to your family, there will likely be that inevitable moment of clarity: that this is real, and you are now more or less on your own. The burden can be a massive weight on your shoulders, and with classes and the incessant need to belong tagging along, the stress can sometimes seem like too much. However, you must always keep in mind that you do not have to live with your anxiety or depression. It is not a battle you have to fight on your own. At RIT, there are a litany of resources available to make your college experience is the best it can be. So when those feelings of hopelessness, fear and desperation begin to bubble up, don’t delay. Make that phone call, go to a meeting and talk to someone. It can be the one small act that changes your entire college experience.

Orientation 9

HOW TO BREAK OUT OF YOUR SHELL: As Told By The Introvert Turned Sorority Girl by Michel Corey Zaken | illustration by Maliya Travers-Crumb | design by Dennae Makel

ow wait, before you get all judgemental about the whole ‘sorority girl’ stigma, keep reading. For every introvert out there, the title may have even given you some anxiety. A year ago, it would have done the same for me. I graduated high school, started community college in my county (which essentially turned out to be 13th grade as far as change of personal surroundings was concerned) and graduated with my Associates Degree in May of 2014, all with the same group of friends. As excited as I was about finally moving on to bigger and better things, what I hadn›t realized about coming to RIT and starting anew, is that I would actually have to, well, start anew. New friends, new classes, new everything. That means I would have to speak to people, like actually interact long enough for them to see I can sort of be funny sometimes, I don’t smell like cheese, and I live a fairly normal life. I haven’t done that since about 4th grade. Even then it was only because my mom set up a play-date, and as far as I knew she would not be here setting up play-dates with my college classmates. If she did, I would have much bigger issues on my hands. So if you’re like I was, with anxiety rushing from your head to the tips of your fingers at the thought of not having your clique alongside you for this 4 year adventure, a good place to start would be getting involved. It’s not just a suggestion, it’s actually a fair that happens every year to help all the newbies find their place(s), hence the name Get Involved Fair (catchy, I know). There are 285 different organizations on this campus,

10 Orientation

varying from Greek life to sports to the Beard Enthusiasts at RIT Demonstrating Success (— it’s a real thing). As I walked around the fair last August, I took note of all of the things that interested me. The RIT Rescue Shelter Club, Colleges Against Cancer, maybe even Hillel. Personally, sorority life was never my niche. But on my way out of the fair, I was abruptly stopped by a sweet, somewhat lightly overly cheery girl handing me a piece of paper asking if I wanted to join Greek life. I was startled, losing all ability to speak in full English sentences (as per usual when approached by strangers, especially confident ones) so I took the paper, smiled and said, “maybe.” After very convincing conversations with friends from home, and with the most amount of courage I’ve ever put towards anything, I decided to go for it. Why? Well, why not? I told myself not to let my insecurities ruin the chance at amazing experiences I’ll never have if I don’t. No one here knows who I am, or that my voice shakes when I try to speak in class, or that attempting to

start a conversation sometimes makes me want to puke. That’s when I realized I could be whoever I wanted. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t change my personality to fit in, I simply let everyone see a side of me that only the ones I’m comfortable with have seen; the smart, caring, funny, sometimes clueless but still charmingly sarcastic girl that I know I am inside. It turns out these students I now call my sisters, fellow dancers, and club members are just like me in so many ways, and although I didn’t think it was humanly possible, some are even more introverted than me. With fraternities, sororities, academic or multicultural fraternities/sororities, academic groups, sports/athletic teams, LGBTQIA associations, theater/performing arts/musical groups, religious life, student government, academic success programs, leadership/MSO (Major Student Organization), and more, there are endless opportunities to find where you belong, a place you fit into and can grow in ways maybe even you didn’t know you were capable of. If there’s one piece of advice I can give to the people that are in the shoes I was just one year ago, it would be; the only thing holding you back is yourself. Remember that everyone is in the same boat at first, you’re all alone together, and chances are the girl down the hall from you, or the kid that sits awkwardly quiet next to you in class is just as nervous as you are. College is all about new beginnings, so embrace the butterflies in your stomach and push yourself past the boundaries of your bubble. Get involved and you won’t regret it.

WELCOME TO RIT A GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS by Dev Sheth | illustration by Kaitlyn Fitzgerald | design by Halli Rosin

oving away from home is always a daunting proposition. Uprooting your life and moving abroad, leaving behind friends, family and the comfort of familiarity takes the experience to another level entirely. That is the prospect international students everywhere around the world face. It is an experience fraught with difficulties, one that changes a person and leaves them stronger for it. Being an international student myself, I can attest to that fact. Typically, current international students help smooth the transition for new arrivals. At RIT, international students have the additional security of a strong support system that expertly coordinates and controls the initial transition for them by providing simple guidelines on all the essentials. For any international student at RIT, the International Students Services (ISS) office in the Student Alumni Union (SAU) building is the first place to visit after upon arriving on campus. The ISS office is responsible for processing post-arrival visa documentation in order to ensure compliance with immigration law. This is followed by a visit to the Eastman Building to obtain your RIT identification card, which is essential for almost everything you do on campus. A visit to the Student Health Center is next on the agenda, in order to verify immunization and insurance records. Once you are done with the steps mentioned above, there are a variety of resources on campus to help international students with specific needs. In Fall 2014, RIT held its first ever resource fair, showcasing the large variety of club organizations that function at RIT. In addition to club representatives, the various offices concerned with student affairs were also present at the event, helping students identify what offices to seek help from to resolve their diverse issues. With approximately 80 percent of

international students at RIT being in a graduate study program, the Office of Graduate Studies is heavily involved in the orientation process for most international students, coordinating efforts with the ISS as well as the graduate programs at RIT to help incoming students understand and explore the opportunities that their respective programs provide. Lilli Jensen, assistant director of the ISS office, compliments their involvement with the ISS to “ensure the best possible experience for new students arriving at RIT.” This collaboration usually works to the benefit of everyone involved. “The more we collaborate, the better we are able to serve students,” Jensen observes. Of course, settling in is not all academic or bureaucratic. There is a lot of emotional and cultural adjustment involved, and peers are more suited to providing assistance in that regard. Having a helping hand during the initial wave of homesickness is essential, even if students might have lived away from home before. A different country brings a different culture, and it stands to reason that not everything goes the way a student expects. This fact is not lost on the ISS. Recognizing the issue of adjustment, Jensen describes the necessity of having members of the international student body help out with new students. “One of the ways we do that is by assigning Peer Adviser Leaders (PALs) to students,” Jensen commented.

Each year, these PALs are assigned a group of students from diverse backgrounds. They serve as their adviser and mentor, particularly through orientation week, covering everything from orientation tours to student meet-and-greets. It is often observed that students who get involved with cross-cultural activities early tend to experience less culture shock in some ways, which I can attest to. The time-frame of adjustment varies from student to student. The sooner a student adjusts, the more prepared that student will be for the challenges of the college experience.

Orientation 11

SO YOU’VE BEEN SEXILED

by Bryanne McDonough | illustration by Max Yeager | design by Annie Wong

text from your new roommate reads; “Hey, do you mind staying away from the room tonight? I’m bringing this girl over. Congratulations, you’ve just been “sexiled.” “Sexiled” is a slang term combining the words sex and exiled, meaning that you are locked out of the room so that your roommate can have some uninterrupted coitus with their special friend. This is not uncommon for a college student and it may be something you have to get used to, especially if you want your roommate to respect when you need some private time in the room. When filling out your roommate contract, you and your roommate should have made a system for communicating when alone time is needed. If your roommate is polite, they will text you and ask first if it is okay. Texting is the most common way of warning a roommate, and is more private than the stereotypical sock on the door. After you have received the warning, you need to find a place to get work done or just hang out. This may actually be the perfect opportunity for you to meet new people and explore campus a bit. Almost every dorm floor has a lounge, and if yours doesn’t, check the floor above or below. Here, you can meet other people who live on your floor. If it’s a meal time, offer to go together to Gracie’s or The Commons.This can be a great bonding experience. Most lounges have TVs with basic cable; you can also hook up your game console and play with your new friends. It may get hot in the residence halls, especially if yours doesn’t have AC. In that case, you can go outside and find groups of

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people playing games like four square and Frisbee or just hanging out. Don’t be afraid to approach a group and ask to join, most will be very welcoming. If you want to exercise, but it’s too hot outside—don’t worry, it won’t be for long— then you can go to the Wellness Center and exercise at the gym. These options are all wonderful for meeting new friends and learning more about campus, but what if you want to have some serious study time?

“HEY, DO YOU MIND STAYING AWAY FROM THE ROOM TONIGHT? I’M BRINGING THIS GIRL OVER” There are plenty of places around campus to get work done. On residential side, there is a 24-hour computer lab located in Nathaniel Rochester Hall (NRH) where you

can do homework. The NRH computer lab is a quiet space for working on computers but does not have the open space required for some projects. In that case, you can go to the Wallace Library, where there are computers and tables, as well as designated quiet floors. If you find that you’re being sexiled too often or you’re tired of having your roommate’s friend over every night, there are ways to approach the situation. First, talk to your roommate. If nothing changes, then you can approach your Resident Adviser for advice. The Code of Conduct for RIT Housing specifically states;: “A resident’s right to sleep or study takes precedence over another resident’s desire to have guests, watch television, play music (including musical instruments) etc., in the room, apartment, or suite.” There is also a rule against your roommate having a guest over for more than two nights in a row without special permission from Housing. Being sexiled is just another part of the college experience. It can provide you with the time to make new friends and explore the campus, but don’t let it be more than an occasional annoyance.

EXPLORING THE AREA AROUND

RIT

by Mandi Moon | illustration by Jordyn Carias | design by Annie Wong

hen students arrive at RIT for the first time, everything seems completely new and exciting. There are new people to meet, new places to go and a new set of things to do. However, the initial excitement does wear off after some time. The amount of time it takes is different for everyone, and a chosen few may never experience it at all, but for some students it takes less than a semester. That feeling of being enclosed by bricks on all sides, the scream you can barely hold down whenever someone asks if you want to go to Gracie’s for the third time that day and the increased isolation from the outside world. It might be a good idea to try venturing off campus before you start feeling like RIT is all there is, all there has been, and all there ever will be.

STEP ONE: RIT Everyone experiences an adjustment period when adapting to a new place and the same is true of students arriving at RIT. It’s best to first explore the campus. Get a general idea of which building is which, figure out where all of your classes are going to be and try to find all 17 dining establishments. If you can do all this without getting lost in the sea of bricks before classes get into full swing, you have an advantage over most of the incoming freshmen. After you get all of that down, you’re ready for the next step.

STEP TWO: HENRIETTA The next step is to explore West Henrietta, which is the suburb that surrounds RIT and extends all the way down Jefferson Road. This step is a little trickier, since although it isn’t impossible to walk to Panera from RIT, it is certainly not something you’re going to want to do on a regular basis, which means it requires some sort of transportation other than your own two feet. If you didn’t bring your own car to campus, it is more than likely that someone on your floor did. Some advice from an upperclassman; make friends with that person. Although there isn’t a lot to do in the Henrietta area that isn’t food related, it is definitely worth exploring and offers a break from the claustrophobic environment and concrete that is RIT. Most chain restaurants can be found within a 10-minute drive, including anything from Mighty Taco to Red Lobster. There’s also a movie theater, the Marketplace Mall and,

for those who are 21 and looking for a drink, Lovin’cup and MacGregor’s.

STEP THREE: ROCHESTER Once you get to know your way around RIT and Henrietta, you’re ready for the final step; Rochester proper. The city itself is around a 20-minute drive from RIT and there is a ton of stuff to do, especially if you’re used to living in a small town. There are several concert venues; the Bug Jar, Main Street Armory and Water Street Music Hall being the most prominent, with regular shows featuring both local bands as well as more well-known ones. All of the coffee shops in the area, such as Java’s and Boulder Coffee, do cool things like open mics and trivia nights multiple times a week, and Rochester is known for its coffee. All in all, the area in and around RIT has more to offer than meets the eye, you just have to go out and get lost in it.

“YOU JUST HAVE TO GO OUT AND GET LOST IN IT” Orientation 13

RIT BUS ROUTES design by Teysia Parks

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