Information for Students and Families

AS&E undergraduate admissions

The Office of Admissions released its regular decision undergraduate admissions notifications to the Class of 2024. Students who have been accepted for the fall 2020 semester, as well as other prospective students, who are now not able to make traditional spring visits to see the campus are encouraged to attend virtual online events where Admissions staff members, as well as current students, will be available to answer questions and guide students through the enrollment process.

• 2024 Experience—Virtual: Admitted Student Programming

Virtual events can help provide information to prospective students about specific academic programs or majors they are considering, speak with current students and ask questions about campus life, and engage parents in the Rochester experience.

• Prospective Student Virtual Programming

Many high school juniors are just beginning their college search.  All general information sessions and admission interviews have moved online, and there is additionally a series of webinars known as the “College Admissions Workshop Series” to assist high school students (and families) navigate the college application process.

Financial aid

The COVID-19 crisis is undoubtedly changing the financial situations for many families around the country, and representatives from the Office of Financial Aid are available to answer questions about the availability of aid and how to apply for it.

You can find more details on the Financial Aid website.

Eastman School of Music undergraduate admissions

The Eastman School of Music was able to complete its preadmission auditions with prospective students on its normal schedule and has likewise delivered acceptance notifications to applicants to the Class of 2024.

The school will be exploring virtual Eastman opportunities to admitted and prospective students and families. You can find more information on the Eastman Admissions website.

Fall 2020

The comprehensive reopening plan submitted to New York State details specific procedures for a safe restart in the fall.

The plan for classes involves beginning the undergraduate academic semester as planned on Wednesday, August 26, but eliminating fall break. After the Thanksgiving holiday, all instruction would be moved online.

To meet standards of physical distancing, a hybrid online and in-person approach will be necessary. All large lecture classes will be conducted online, while smaller classes will be a hybrid of online and in-person.

Get more information on the Fall 2020 academic plan.

AS&E Summer Session

After much consideration of health and safety, as well as continued restrictions around campus access, Arts, Sciences & Engineering has decided to cancel or shift online all in-person instruction, programs, events, research, and experiences for the entirety of the Summer Session (May 18 to August 7).

• Summer Session courses online: Summer Session courses have moved online. Updates to courses have been made in CDCS.
• Summer programs, research, and internships: All in-person and residential programs scheduled for this summer are either canceled or being held online. This includes pre-college programs through the Office of Admissions, in-person summer research, or experiential programs, and sports camps in Athletics. Any courses provided by such programs may be held online. Please contact your program directly for additional information on how to proceed.

Study abroad

All 2020 spring, summer, and fall undergraduate Education Abroad programs have been canceled. If you have questions, please contact the Center for Education Abroad at (585) 275-7532.

College undergrads, share your feedback

Undergraduates who have feedback to share with the College Dean’s Office about their academic or classroom experiences are encouraged to submit a praise or comment form. Students can expect to receive an email response from a member of the dean’s staff.

Housing and dining fees

The University reimbursed room and board charges on a pro-rated basis for students no longer on campus.

Dining Services prorated refunds of meal plans and remaining spring semester declining funds for all students who did not remain on campus. URos funds will not be refunded but will remain in each student’s account for future use. URos can be used for other purchases, the bookstore online, in College Town, etc.

The April billing statement should have reflected these adjustments.

One exception is if the charges were paid by a Federal Parent loan, in which case the refund is issued to the parent in a check. If the charges were paid through a 529 Plan, the refund is issued directly to the student, just as it would under any circumstances. Please contact the administrator of your 529 Plan directly for any tax questions.

Did you leave your belongings on campus?

Residential Life coordinated with students who had left belongings in residence halls to return to retrieve them. All pickups should have been arranged for June 1-15.

If you have any questions, please reach out to housing@reslife.rochester.edu; Eastman School of Music students should email reslife@esm.rochester.edu.

Tuition and labs fees

Since classes and labs continued for the remainder of the spring semester via remote instruction, there will be no credits to student accounts related to spring 2020 tuition and lab charges.

Student health: Mandatory health fee and insurance fee

The mandatory health fee is designed to provide funding to cover a variety of services that are offered to students whether they are on campus or not. University Health Service is currently offering telemedicine appointments so that students can have a virtual visit with their physician or nurse practitioner from any location. The Counseling Center is also offering teletherapy sessions, and the UHS Health Promotion staff is supporting and promoting the Mindful University Programming.

Health Promotion Office Programs available online:

• UHS virtual programming, including yoga for athletes, eating mindfully, meditation and more
• Mindful University Programming
• UR Supported

The UR Student Health Insurance Plan (Aetna) is still available and providing health coverage regardless of a student’s location, including internationally. Student coverage is in effect until July 31, 2020.

Other mandatory fees

Generally, there are no further adjustments or account credits for mandatory fees.

The undergraduate activities fee funds student event activities throughout the year such as Yellowjacket Day, the Winter Carnival, and Dandelion Day. It helps support undergraduate clubs and organizations, and it is used to sponsor outside speakers, and to subsidize the costs associated with running student facilities. This money is being utilized in offering online activities and support services. Upcoming programming hosted by Wilson Commons Student Activities can be found here.

Have questions about reimbursements? View this FAQ for answers.

Food, clothing, and more: Critical resources can be obtained through the Student Support Basic Needs Hub, which was created to facilitate the connection of campus and community resources. The hub provides urgent, essential student necessities, such as food, clothing, housing, and access to academic tools. Assistance provided through the hub is not intended to replace or supplement current student financial aid and it does not need to be repaid.

Groceries: The Food Pantry is open to all current Rochester undergraduate and graduates students, as well as post-doctoral appointees until further notice. In order to reduce health risks for both students and pantry staff, they are taking online orders for grocery bag pick-ups.

Career exploration: All resources and services offered by the Greene Center—such as scheduling an appointment with a career advisor—are accessible online through the center’s COVID-19 response page. Career education services across campus are delivering virtual support. Eastman School students should visit the career advising page; Arts, Sciences and Engineering students should use the Greene Center’s COVID-19 page.

Health and counseling services: Need an appointment? Give University Health Services (UHS) and the University Counseling Center (UCC) a call.

UHS and UCC remain available to meet the health care needs of University students, employees, and other patients. In most cases and in keeping with NYS on Pause regulations, care is provided via telemedicine (with a computer) or telephone. Primary care and occupational health appointments in a UHS office are being scheduled when medically necessary. It is important to call before coming to UHS/UCC.

• UHS Primary Care Services: (585) 275-2662
• University Counseling Center: (585) 275-3113. Any student, domestic or international, experiencing a mental health emergency can call at any time of day.
• Health Promotion Office: (585) 273-5775

UCC shared additional support about managing fears and anxiety about the novel coronavirus.

The CARE Network enables members of the University community to express their concerns about a student through its online referral form. Staff will reach out to the student to provide support and resources. In addition, the Interfaith Chapel offers support to students, who can email Denise Yarbrough if they are struggling. Many of the faith communities of the chapel are offering virtual worship services. Simply contact the leader of the faith community you are interested in for details.

Bias-related incidents: The University is continuing its services to report and address bias-related incidents. The University’s Title IX offices are also open and available to assist anyone with concerns about sex- or gender-based harassment. You can email the Title IX office or submit a report online.  The website includes local, state, and national resources.

Get remote support from CETL: The Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning has reopened its academic support programs using remote instruction, including tutoring, study skills, Study Zone, study groups, Methods of Inquiry, peer education CAS courses, and PLTL Workshops associated with various courses. For more information on how to access these services, see the CETL website.

Get the latest updates on campus operations and closings.