New Students

About two business days after you make your enrollment deposit, you will receive an email requesting that you activate your NetID and enroll in Duo.

• NetID: your unique personal identifier for securely accessing a variety of online services, including your Rochester email address
• Duo: the University's two-factor authentication tool to protect your and the University's data

Instructions

1. Navigate to the University Account Initialization page.
2. Enter your eight-digit University ID number (included in the email you received from Admissions), the CAPTCHA, and your date of birth.
3. Tap Continue.
4. Follow the directions to create your NetID password. You will also be asked to set up password recovery questions in case you forget your password, as well as connect your phone number or mobile device to your account to enable Duo two-factor authentication.

After activating your NetID and enrolling in Duo, you'll need to complete your onboarding tasks in UR Student, the University's student information system. UR Student is where you will register for your courses, manage your student financial account, and update your personal information.

Instructions

Log into UR Student with your Active Directory (AD) credentials, and select the My Tasks icon (left of your profile picture). Select each item in the All Tasks pane and follow the instructions to complete the following tasks:

1. Review your home contact information and update your address(es) and/or phone number(s) as needed.
2. Review your friend and family contacts listed and make any necessary updates, including their contact information. Make sure to have at least one contact labeled as your emergency contact.
3. Review your settings for AlertUR, the University's emergency notification system. As a new student, you are automatically enrolled in AlertUR with your Rochester email address. However, if you would like to receive alerts on your phone as well, make sure to update those settings during this step.
4. Review the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement and note that you consent to the agreement with your electronic signature.
5. Consent to receive your IRS Form 1098-T electronically. This is a tax form that the University generates each year for you, if you have qualifying financial activity on your student account.

As an exchange student, you will be provided with a Gmail account to use during your time at URochester. The format of your student email address is: netID@u.rochester.edu

Your email account is set up for you automatically—all you need to do is navigate to the login page and enter your NetID and password to access your account.

If you didn't update your parent and guardian's contact information when completing your onboarding tasks in UR Student (see Complete your UR Student onboarding tasks above), make sure to verify that all the information is correct. The University will be using the contact information provided in your UR Student account to send your parent(s) or guardian(s) important communications ahead of your arrival to campus.

Technology is a vital part of your experience at URochester. University IT has put together a list of items you can complete ahead of your arrival to campus, as well as right after you arrive, to ensure you and your devices are best prepared for the semester.

This form is required for all new students (including those living in off-campus housing, as you will need to make your dining meal plan selections). Follow the instructions listed on the Residential Life and Housing Services website to complete your contract form in the StarRez portal.

There are separate instructions for first-year students and transfer and exchange students. You will need your Active Directory credentials (which you should have set up during your enrollment tasks) in order to complete the contract form.

If you need to apply for housing accommodations due to a disability, review information and instructions on the Residential Life website.

Helpful resources

• 2026-27 undergraduate housing contract
• Housing and meal plan research tool
• Meal plan options

Questions? Email housing@reslife.rochester.edu.

Registration for Welcome Week is required for all incoming students and any family members/guests planning to attend. You'll also be able to indicate your interest in purchasing a dorm pack on this form.

A dorm (linen) pack is intended for your first few nights in Rochester or until you able to purchase linens locally. The dorm pack includes the following items in neutral colors:

• One pillow
• One blanket
• One twin XL sheet set (includes one fitted sheet, one flat sheet, and one pillowcase)
• One laundry bag
• One bath towel

Questions? Email orientation@rochester.edu. 

Spring housing assignments and information on your assigned roommate will be sent to your URochester email address beginning Monday, December 21, directly from Residential Life.

Questions? Email housing@reslife.rochester.edu.

Your URochester campus ID card is not just your official student identification! It also offers you access to secure campus buildings (including your residence hall!) and links to your online accounts to campus services including libraries, dining centers, the bookstore, laundry machines, copiers, and vending machines.

In order to have your campus ID card available for pickup on arrival day, you will need to submit a photo of yourself to be printed on your card by the date listed above.

Beginning Tuesday, November 17, the ID Office will send you an email with instructions for submitting a photo online. (The email will be sent from id-photo-submissions@notices.rochester.edu.)

Please note: If you do not submit a photo, you will need to visit the ID Office on Spring Arrival Day to have your photo taken and your ID card printed on-site, which may result in long wait times.

Questions? Call (585) 275-3975. 

Review transportation options and area accommodations to book your travel to Rochester.

UHSConnect is a secure web portal that gives you easy access to your University health records and allows you to securely message your healthcare team at the University Health Service and University Counseling Center.

You will be able to complete this task beginning Monday, November 16.

Questions? Email hhf@uhs.rochester.edu.

Once you've set up your UHSConnect account, you'll need to complete the Health History & Immunization Form and Allergy & Medication Form as part of the University's health requirements for all full-time students.

You will be able to complete this task beginning Monday, November 16.

Questions? Email hhf@uhs.rochester.edu.

All incoming international students are required to complete the International Services Office's online training module on preparing for studies and life in the U.S. and Rochester.

Questions? Email iso@rochester.edu.

Time: 9 a.m. (EST)

Register for this required webinar, hosted by the International Services Office, to prepare for your arrival to the U.S. and review important visa compliance information, building upon the pre-arrival orientation you already reviewed in Homebase. This webinar is required for all new international students at the University of Rochester, even if you've previously studied at another school in the United States.

You can begin having packages delivered to the University on the date listed above. To send a package to campus ahead of your arrival, simply put your name above the University's mailing address to ensure that the Campus Mail Center can correctly identify your package:

Student Name
500 Joseph C Wilson Blvd
Rochester, NY 14627

Questions? Email cmc@facilities.rochester.edu.

This training provides you with a basic introduction to the University's academic honesty policy and system, and acquaints you with personnel, training, and resources available to help you throughout your time at URochester.

Instructions

1. Watch the academic honesty training resource video.
2. Log into your Blackboard account.
3. Expand the sidebar navigation menu and select Organizations.
4. Find and select Rochester Ready: Spring 2027 in the list.
5. From the organization homepage, select Academic Honesty Training and follow the instructions to complete the required module.

UR Essentials is a program in partnership with Barnes & Noble that ensures you receive all required textbooks and course materials before your first day of classes.

Instead of buying your textbooks separately, the cost for all required materials will now be covered through your tuition payment. Physical books will be bundled for easy pick-up and digital materials will be available through Blackboard.

Beginning Sunday, December 20, Barnes & Noble will contact you at your URochester email address. You will receive two emails:

1. 24 hours after registering (or on December 20, whichever comes first): account setup and confirming your materials
2. Once your items are ready: notification that your materials are ready for pickup

Please note: If the Barnes & Noble email gives you the option to have the materials shipped directly to you at home, please make sure to select in-store pick-up instead, as the materials will likely be delivered after you've already left home for campus.

Questions? Email bookstorecustomercare@bncollege.com.

Maintaining a safe and secure community at the University of Rochester requires the cooperation of all University community members. This video introduces you to the University's Department of Public Safety, a leader in the efforts to maintain safety and security by using the highest levels of training, professionalism, collaboration, and transparency. This session will also include important steps that you, as an individual, can take to ensure safety and security for the entire University community.

The Civil Rights Compliance Team reviews the polices and reporting procedures for discrimination and harassment at the University in this video.

For your time enrolled at the University, you must document your health insurance coverage during the appropriate open enrollment period by either enrolling in the UR Student Health Insurance Plan or waiving the plan if you are already enrolled in a qualifying healthcare plan.

You will be able to complete this task beginning Tuesday, November 17.

Please note: If you are planning to waive the UR Student Health Insurance Plan because you are already enrolled in a qualifying healthcare plan, we encourage you to complete this process as soon as you submit your enrollment deposit to avoid having the health insurance plan fee added to your tuition bill. If you do not waive the plan, the fee will show on your spring tuition billing statement until you complete the waiver process. 

Questions? Email insurance@uhs.rochester.edu.