University of Rochester

The University of Rochester is one of two universities and several colleges in Rochester, NY. Although small, the university has a notable influence on academic research, particularly in the areas of optics and cognitive science. Since 2005, UR with its affiliated Strong Health System, has been the largest employer in the Greater Rochester area.

Some think that UR students are typically uninvolved in Rochester and mostly stay on their island-like River Campus, which is bounded to the east by Mount Hope Cemetery and to the west by the Genesee River. Many, particularly freshmen, might tell you that the highlight of their week is when they take the free Saturday bus to the mall and Wegmans in Henrietta. Fortunately, more free bus routes have been added over the last several years and it's getting easier for students to leave campus. Areas often frequented by students include Park Avenue, East Avenue, Alexander Street and the South Wedge.

In an effort to get students to visit more off campus sites, the university created a program known as Rochester Every Day. Most students know this as the "Red" program, and it allows them to receive special student discounts at many businesses in the Rochester area.

The student body at the University of Rochester is incredibly diverse. Students come from a variety of backgrounds, and many can boast membership to several campus organizations. Among these organizations are community service groups, a capella troops, sororities and fraternities, and intramural sport teams. A complete list of campus clubs can be found at http://www.rochester.edu/living/organizations/public/viewclubs.php.

US News and World Report ranked the University of Rochester 34th of all the universities in the United States, tied with NYU, Boston College, and University of Wisconson-Madison. ¹

The MPAA has listed the University of Rochester as #17 of the top 25 schools for movie piracy in the nation. ²