RIT Housing records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: RITArc-0408

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The RIT Housing collection contains memoranda, brochures, correspondence, reports and clippings all related to student housing at both the downtown Rochester, and Henrietta campuses. Most of the materials describe living spaces and rules for new and returning students. There are records containing information about the Veterans Housing Projects, which provided RIT with funds to build dormitories for students who were veterans returning home from WWII. Also included are folders dedicated to housing workshops and committees that were formed to study housing issues and suggest changes.

Dates

Creation: 1890, circa 1920, 1945-2012
Creation: Majority of material found within 1960 - 2012

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers.

Biographical / Historical

Although RIT can trace its origins back to the founding of the Rochester Athenaeum in 1829, the modern form of the institution was created in 1891 when the Rochester Athenaeum merged with the newly formed Mechanics Institute (founded 1885). The university started as a way to train individuals for careers in the dominant fields in Rochester, NY's manufacturing industry. As a result, most of the school's first students were local residents. However, as the school began to grow, an increasing number of students came from areas other than the city, creating a need for student housing. In 1968, the campus was relocated from the city of Rochester to the suburb of Henrietta. High demand for on campus housing continued.

The University understood the importance of available housing for students, and consequently, workshops and committees were formed to ensure that all the needs of students were being met.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (2 document boxes)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

This collection includes records such as correspondence, promotions, clippings and reports related to the history of student housing at RIT, both on the downtown campus and at the Henrietta campus.

Arrangement

Materials are arranged chronologically within each folder. They are arranged into two series: Downtown Campus Housing and Henrietta Campus Housing. The collection consists of 18 folders.

Physical Location

C.S. South, Shelf 494

Other Finding Aids

In addition to this finding aid, an inventory is available below. For more information, please contact the RIT Archive Collections.

RIT housing records