Life on Campus

With over 200 student-run clubs, an unbelievable athletic center, and nightly events, student life rarely slows down. Most students love campus so much, they decide to live here all four years.

Housing

Aside from convenience to classes, the library, and University events, on-campus housing gives students the chance to meet others and participate in school-sponsored activities. All rooms are hooked up with cable TV, high-speed internet, and voicemail.

Dorm Video, Greek Life, & More

Affinity Housing

Affinity themes include quiet-study, recreational-chemical-free, co-ed by random room (male and female rooms on the same floor with separate bath facilities), etc.

Special Interest Housing (SIH)

For upperclassmen seeking to integrate their interests with their daily lives, this housing includes the Music Interest Floor, Drama House, Computer Interest Floor, Health and Home, and the Tiernan Project (community and University service).

Greek Housing

Fraternity and sorority membership is a lifestyle option for undergraduate students. Approximately 22% of the students at the University of Rochester belong to Greek-letter organizations and have the option of living in chapter houses or special interest residential areas on and off campus.

 

Food

The dining options on campus truly fit the college lifestyle. Whether you're grabbing a cup of coffee on the way to class, eating a slice of pizza after a late-night study session, or catching up with friends at Sunday brunch, the U of R has lots of options to suit your needs.

Dining Student Video & Details

If you're looking for a traditional, buffet style dining hall, Danforth, conveniently located in one of the freshman dorms, is the place for you. Right next door to Danforth is Hillside Cafe, perfect for early morning lattes or late-night quesadillas and ice cream treats. Two dining centers on campus offer a variety of lunch and dinner options, ranging from sandwiches to sushi, pizza to pulled pork, and bagels to burritos. Students and professors alike enjoy the atmosphere at the Meliora restaurant, where you can enjoy a classy sit-down meal. Not only do they have great daily specials for lunch, but real tablecloths and silverware. If you want to do some cooking in the kitchen (located on each floor in the dorms), baking ingredients and other necessities can be found in our own campus convenience store.

All these different dining options are included in a comprehensive meal plan, which can be accessed with a swipe of your ID card.

 

Athletics

More than 3400 students participate in the University's varsity sports, club teams, and intramural league.

Athletics Video & Details

Varsity Sports

Rochester's varsity teams compete in two Division III athletic conferences: the University Athletic Association, a highly competitive and geographically diverse national conference, and the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association, a competitive regional conference within New York State.

The following sports are offered at the varsity level: baseball, basketball (M&W), cross-country (M&W), field hockey, football, golf (M), lacrosse (W), soccer (M&W), softball, squash (M), swimming and diving (M&W), tennis (M&W), track (M&W), and volleyball (W).

Club Sports

Club sports allow athletes to compete against students at other schools without the pressure of conference competition.

The following club sports are offered: Alpine Ski Team, Archery, Badminton, Basketball, Cheerleading, Crew (M&W), Cricket, Cycling, Dodgeball, Equestrian, Fencing, Gymnastics, Handball, Hatha Yoga, Ice Hockey (M&W), Kendo, Lacrosse (M), Outing Club, Recreational Ski/Snowboard Club, Rugby (M&W), Sailing, Shotokan Karate, Soccer (M&W), Softball, Tennis, Tae Kwon Do, Ultimate Frisbee (M&W), Volleyball, Wado-Ryu Karate, and Water Polo.

For club descriptions and eligibility requirements, visit the Club Sports Homepage.

Intramurals

For those athletes who want to play for the sheer love of the sport, intramurals provide a great opportunity to get exercise and to compete in a more casual environment. Intramurals are offered in many sports, including: basketball, floor hockey, football, flag football, soccer, volleyball, and ultimate Frisbee.

 

Arts & Culture

Music from a cappella to orchestral, tap dance groups and hiphop troupes, the International Theatre Group, visual arts, readings from poets and fiction writers, etc. The list goes on and on. Whatever art you're into, you'll find it at Rochester.

Strong Video & Details

Theatre

The University has a number of active theatre groups, and performances are available on campus throughout the year.

The International Theatre Program aims to offer students a comprehensive introduction to the performance aspects and technical demands of theatre by producing four major productions every year.

Eastman School of Music

Eastman's voice program offers an environment of excellence in which the healthiest development of the vocal artist can be achieved.

The Eastman School has a variety of student organizations in addition to its top- notch schedule of both student and community entertainment. The Eastman students take part in three symphony orchestras, three choral groups, seven jazz ensembles, and an assortment of chamber groups.

River Campus Music

Students have a variety of music groups on campus, including After Hours, Midnight Ramblers, Music Interest Floor, Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, Vocal Point, and the Yellowjackets.

Dance

Students interested in dance and performance can take advantage of many opportunities at Rochester in addition to watching dancers and performance groups that visit the University. Some organizations that focus on dance are: UR Dance Program, Ballet Performance Group, Ballroom Dance Club, D-Motions, Radiance Dance Theater, and Music.

Visual Arts

Artists and art aficionados of all kinds call Rochester home.

The Hartnett Gallery — A student run, professional style art gallery designed by renowned architect I.M. Pei in 1972.

The Little Theatre — The little-cinemas movement began in 1925 as a response to the mass-merchandising trends in the entertainment industry. The Little Theatre in downtown Rochester was the fifth such movie house dedicated to showing independent and foreign films that appeal to the intelligent and sophisticated.

 

Traditions

Part of what makes the Rochester experience so fun and memorable is the host of rich traditions here.

Some Rochester Traditions

Dandelion and Yellowjacket Days

Held at the beginning of fall classes and the end of spring classes, students, faculty, and staff bring their entire families to this on-campus carnival. Aside from rides, games, and food, the Campus Activities Board schedules a performance from a major music group.

Boar's Head Dinner

Modeled on a celebration held at Queen's College in Oxford. Costumed faculty, administrators, and student leaders as well as University-wide participants enjoy a medieval style celebration and meal just before winter break.

Meliora Weekend

This tradition arose following the University's highly successful Sesquicentennial celebration in 2000. The annual event combines Homecoming, Reunion, Family Weekend, and the Stonehurst Capital Regatta with activities that include informational seminars by both University and outside experts speaking on a variety of topics, top-notch entertainment, and a festive atmosphere.

Wilson Day

A University-wide community service project, more than 900 freshmen, staff, faculty, and alumni go into the Rochester area on the Friday before classes and perform a variety of community service projects.

The day was named Wilson Day in memory of late Joseph C. Wilson '31, President of Xerox, University graduate and trustee, and one of the University's greatest benefactors.

Winter Carnival

Highlighted by the Wilson Commons All-Nighter, the Winter Carnival Weekend includes games, films, a snow sculpture competition, speakers, and concerts. For the hardy, there's a survivor's breakfast following the all-nighter.

 

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