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5:1

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Olivia Angerosa Student Contributor, Rochester Institute of Technology
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at RIT chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

5:1. What are those numbers you may ask? They represent the male to female ratio a few years ago at RIT. The reason for this is all in the name: Rochester Institute of Technology. Since technology is a field you often see more men in than woman, it isn’t uncommon that our “technology-filled” campus is more littered with those of the male population than that of the female population. But who is to say that a woman isn’t capable of doing things that men are? The answer is no one, it is merely a stereotype.
Recent polling done at RIT in 2008 shows that the male to female ratio has actually grown 33%, causing the ratio to move from 5:1, to 7:3.
But RIT is not done. Although the percentage of incoming freshman females is now around 30-32%, work is still being done to help improve these numbers.
RIT may have been a more “male-friendly” campus at one point, but administration is making improvements to attract the eye of the female population too.
RIT’s horizons are broadening, as it has grown from just a technology school to maintaining a large variety of college and majors, ranging from Liberal Arts to Business to Imaging Arts and Sciences.
What the female population needs to realize is that RIT is expanding. It is no longer strictly a technology school, only appealing to men; it is a booming campus creating different opportunities for women every day. Don’t be afraid of RIT, embrace what makes it unique and be proud to say, “I am a woman at RIT!” Smile for being the minority, and embrace all of the opportunities there are for women students here on campus.
Available for women on RIT’s Campus is the Center for Women and Gender (located in the Center for Campus Life), RIT Women’s Council, Women in Computing, WE@RIT (Women in Engineering @ RIT), College Panhellenic Council and National Pan-hellenic Council just to name a few!
After all, a woman can do anything a man can do!

Olivia is a sophomore Advertising and Public Relations major at the Rochester Institute of Technology. She works for RIT SportsZone as a reporter and in the marketing department. She is now also a co-founder of the RIT HerCampus branch which she can't wait to get started! Her biggest dream is to have her own talk show or to work as a reporter for ESPN. Her hobbies include acting and singing and she is almost always performing. She also has an unhealthy addiction to peanut butter and feels the need to put it on everything she eats! After RIT she hopes to attend performing school in New York City where she plans to live for the rest of her life and fullfill her dreams.