University of Rochester

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The University of Rochester is one of two universities and several colleges in Rochester, NY. Although small, it is a nationally recognized university with notable influence on academic and medical research, especially in the areas of optics and cognitive science. Originally located on Prince Street, its hub and main campus is now the River Campus.

Since 2005 the University of Rochester, with its affiliated Strong Health system, has been the largest employer in the Greater Rochester area. The University of Rochester is a multibillion dollar institution which includes: the College of Arts & Sciences, the Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences, the Warner Graduate School of Education, and the Simon Graduate School of Business on the River Campus; the Eastman School of Music in downtown Rochester; the School of Medicine, School of Nursing ,and graduate school in the Medical Center; the Laboratory for Laser Energetics and Center for Optoelectronic & Imaging on the South Campus; Strong Memorial and Highland Hospitals; the Memorial Art Gallery; Mees Observatory in Bristol Hills; the University of Rochester Press on the Mount Hope Campus; and many other operations.

UR is also the home of Open Letter Books, a non-profit publisher of contemporary international fiction and poetry.

In October 21, 2011 President Seligman announced the launch of the public phase of a $1.2 billion Meliora Challenge fundraising campaign to benefit all areas of the University.

Zagster has a station there.

Interaction with the City

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 RED 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.

More recently UR went even further and developed College Town in the Upper Mount Hope neighborhood, adjacent to URMC. Work began in May 2013. See the page for more information.

The Student Body

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 (located on the Fraternity Quad), and intramural sport teams. See [WWW]UR View Clubs Page for a complete list of campus clubs.

Refer to the International Community page for information about the role and integration of international students into campus and community life.

Compared to other Universities

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 Wisconsin-Madison. 1

UR was named one of the [WWW]Top 25 New Ivies by Newsweek/Kaplan's 2007 "How to Get Into College" guide.

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

Statistics

  • Fall 2006 Enrollment Undergraduate Total: 4,608 (Full-time: 2,319 men, 2,029 women; Part-time: 56 men, 131 women)

  • Fall 2006 Enrollment Graduate/First Professional Total: 2,900 (1,190 part-time)

  • Tenure Track Faculty: 1,258

  • 2007-2008 Tuition & Fees: $34,380 per year

  • 2007-2008 Total Charges (including room/board): $44,980

Departments:

Libraries

UR has several libraries open to both the University community and the public.

Awards

The University of Rochester was voted "Best University/College" in City Newspaper's "Best of Rochester" awards in 2010.1

Noteworthy Trivia