Rochester Institute of Technology. Office of the Provost

The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) can trace its origins to the founding of the Rochester Athenaeum in 1829. After joining with several different Rochester institutions during the 19th century, the Athenaeum finally merged with the Mechanics Institute (founded in 1885) in 1891 to form the Rochester Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute (RAMI). RAMI changed its name to the Rochester Institute of Technology in 1944 to better reflect the university's role in the field of technical education. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) was established in 1965 as part of RIT. Created by the U.S. Congress through Public Law 89-36, NTID was the first technological college specifically for the deaf and hard of hearing. The first programs were offered in 1969 and included architectural drafting, mechanical drafting, machine tool operation, and office practice and bookkeeping. As with the university, additional programs were added and enrollment figures continued to increase. For instance, in 2003 NTID submitted a program proposal for a new associate's degree program in computer technology. The AS in Applied Computer Technology was not designed as a terminal degree, but as a transfer degree. The idea was that NTID students could earn an associate's degree, and then continue on to RIT's baccalaureate programs in information technology or applied networking and systems administration. The program was approved and as of 2011 was still offered at the university.