Rochester Institute of Technology student handbooks

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) can trace its origins to the founding of the Rochester Athenaeum in 1829. After joining with several different Rochester institutions during the 19th century, the Athenaeum finally merged with the Mechanics Institute (founded in 1885) in 1891 to form the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (RAMI). RAMI changed its name to the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944 to better reflect the university's role in the field of technical education.

The oldest student handbook in the RIT Archive Collections is from 1917. The book contained information on various aspects of school life including registration policies, campus rules and regulations, student resources (e.g. library, medical services), student activities and organizations, and information on housing. An academic calendar was also included. Although the official student handbook of the college changed its look, publishing office, and title over the years, the general content remained the same.

RIT's student handbook had many different looks during the 20th century, changing in size, design, and layout. In 1971 and 1972, the handbook was published in conjunction with a student directory and in 1987 the entire handbook was formatted as a calendar. Additionally, the title changed several times. In 1976, the book was titled FACTS and in 1987 it was renamed the Source, a title it retained into the 21st century.