B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences History
1964 The Computer Center reports that a new disk storage drive and related equipment is now fully installed and operational. This adds two million digits of random access storage to our 1620 system.
The Computer Center announces that as in the past, it is necessary to sign up in advance for time on the computer and other equipment. During regular hours (8 to 5 Monday through Friday) time is available on a first-come, first-serve basis for both faculty and staff.
The Computer Center's present equipment can handle a maximum of 100 questions on four IBM mark-sense cards. With some modifications to the mark-sense equipment, the center can handle 150 questions on only three cards.
1966 Frederick C. Burgwardt, associate professor of electrical engineering, proposes that RIT join the approximately 20 other institutions in the nation and implement a program in computer technology.
1967 BusinessWeek reports that for IBM alone, computer installations (IBM 1620 and IBM 360 batch-processing) increased by 50 percent; total systems in the U.S. now number approximately 40,000, with a conservative estimate of 70,000 installations by 1970.
The recommendation is made that the department of computer technology would most logically fit in the Institute College (which later becomes the College of Applied Science and Technology) since improvement of computers and computer systems is largely a result of applying new techniques as they are developed.
Under the program in computer technology proposal, the first class of students in the computer technology program would be accepted as second-year students consisting primarily of in-school transfers. Forty-five students were projected to enroll.
1969 The institute announces that they have engaged the services of Information Associates, Inc. to assist in the development of a computer assisted admissions system.
RIT’s Center for Educational and Institutional Research reported on the needs of computers. The primary use of computers will be for conventional statistical analyses and for information retrieval as it applies to research. Very little use has been made of the computer in the past and only for statistical analyses. As the center grows, considerably more use of the computer is anticipated. Need for typewriter-printer is anticipated. The availability of a plotter to convert digital information to graphical information is desired.
1970 Dr. John L. Gunter, 33, is appointed Director of Computer Services. His primary duty is to establish a centralized institute-wide computer facility and to serve on a planning committee to study the feasibility of a School of Computer Science and Technologies.
Edward S. Todd, Vice President of Instructional Development and Planning, determines, “the time seems ripe to bring computing education at RIT to fruition” and presents a charge to an institute-wide Computer Education Committee (CEC).
A joint seminar titled “Basic Computing Principles” is presented by the controller and computer sciences.
Evelyn Rozanski joins RIT’s computing program as an instructor.
A joint seminar titled “Management Information Systems” is presented by the controller and computer sciences.
1971 President Paul Miller places a mandatory hold on computer systems and new programming requests, changes, or additions, and decides to upgrade the computing capabilities by installing a Xerox Data System Sigma 6 Computer system. This is a major conversion from the existing IBM-type programs to XDS-type programs.
School of Computer Science and Technology program created. Watson Walker, head of the electrical engineering department offers courses in digital computer systems and digital computer workshop.
1972 RIT establishes one of the first undergraduate schools of computer science and technology in the nation, called Computer Systems.
RIT announces a new bachelor of technology degree program in computer systems.
1972-1973 The School of Applied Science is established with Jim Forman appointed as director.
1973 The computer systems department is established with John L. Gunther appointed as acting chair.
The Institute College is created. It incorporates the School of Applied Science, department of computer science and technology, department of packaging science and the Center for Community/Junior College Relations.
1974 The master of science degree in computer system management is announced. Dr. Richard Cheng is appointed as chairman.
1975-1976 The Institute College now offers courses such as: Introduction to Computers, Computer Techniques, Program Language–FORTRAN, COBOL, and Computer Systems Software.
1977-1978 The Institute College now offers undergraduate programs in: applied software science, computer science, computer systems, systems software science, computer engineering, packaging science, civil engineering technology, electrical engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, and audiovisual communications.
1979 The School of Computer Science and Technology hosts its open house and tour of its new facilities in the Ross Memorial Building.
1980 Applied software science becomes an option within the computer science program. Computer technology is a program with software systems an option within it.
Jack Hollingsworth is named director of RIT’s School of Computer Science & Technology. He came to RIT in 1979 after 22 years at RPI where he started RPI’s computer science program.
1981 Institute College becomes the College of Applied Science & Technology. The college’s programs include: computer engineering, computer science, packaging science, civil engineering technology, electrical engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, manufacturing engineering technology, energy technology, and audiovisual communications.
1981-1982 A master of science degree program in computer science is offered. Also offered is a master of science degree program in information science.
1982-1983 Three new master of science programs in computer science, computer systems management, and information science are introduced.
1982 Michael Charles, Assistant VP of Information Systems and Computing, announces that the campus computer facilities will expand and the Ross Building will house a micro-computing lab, professional computing lab, and faculty computer development lab. The micro-computing lab will be used for student computer literacy classes; the professional computing lab will be used by computer science students; and the development lab will be used by faculty to improve micro, mini, and large-scale computing skills.
mid-1980s 
VAX computer system, building 10
1984 The primary mission of RIT’s School of Computer Science and Technology is to educate students to become software development professionals. Software development is the central theme of computer science.
1984-1985 The College of Applied Science and Technology adds a program in food, hotel and tourism management.
1987 RIT establishes a new master of science degree program in computer software development and management.
1987-1988 The department of applied computer studies now offers master of science degree programs in computer science and software development and management. The department also offers an advanced certificate in applied computer studies.
1988 The department of computer science received its accreditation.
1991 
Computer Lab, building 10
1993 RIT begins development of what will eventually become the first undergraduate program in software engineering in the United States.
1996 RIT accepts its first freshman class of software engineering majors.
1997 The information technology department exhibits the CAROL project, an outgrowth of curriculum taught by Gordon Goodman and Stephen Jacobs that used students to build websites for art museums and other non-profit organizations, at the Association for Computing Machinery’s 50th anniversary conference.
1998 Three RIT computer science majors placed second in the Regional ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest. Established in 1970, the contest is the world's oldest and largest collegiate programming competition. Each year more then 4,000 students from around the world participate.
2000 A final proposal is submitted to create the College of Computing. The College of Computing will emerge from the College of Applied Science and Technology and will begin educating 3,000 students who are currently enrolled in the departments of computer science, information technology, and software engineering. Additionally, the new college will include an IT lab.
2001 RIT graduates the first class of software engineers in the United States.
RIT announces the formation of the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. The college will comprehensively address the computing and information technologies of today, and into the future. Named for its founding donor, B. Thomas Golisano, chairman and chief executive officer of Paychex Inc., the college owes its launch to his gift of $14 million. The gift is the largest gift from an individual in RIT history and is believed to be the largest given to any university or college in the Rochester area.
RIT President Al Simone; Frontier CEO Martin Mucci; Senator James Alesi; Don Boyd, IT Collaboratory director; Walter Wolf, acting dean, B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences; and Jeffrey Lasky, head of the IT Lab, break ground for the new cutting-edge facility designed for research and development. Senator Alesi is instrumental in securing the $1.5 million funding for the IT Lab.
Daisuke Asano becomes the first student to graduate from RIT after completing studies here through a partnership with Kyoto Computer Gakuin in Japan. After finishing undergraduate course work in Japan, Asano studied at RIT and earned a master’s degree in information technology.
Breaking ground on October 12th for the new complex that will be home to the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. From left, Walter Wolf, interim dean; Stanley McKenzie, provost; William Buckingham, chairman of the RIT Board of Trustees; B. Thomas Golisano, CEO of Paychex Inc.; Albert Simone, RIT president; Joan Thomas, information technology academic adviser; Jim Vallino, assistant professor of computer science and software engineering; and Bryan Reich, Information Technology graduate student.
With Tom Golisano at a "kick-off" celebration for the new college on October 12th are, from left, Joanne Catan, Theresa Pozzi and Sandy Ferrara, support staff in the B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences.
2002 
Helping meet demand and tapping student interest, RIT creates an advanced certificate in game programming, one of the first of its kind anywhere, offered by RIT’s information technology department. Three courses comprise the just-approved concentration: 2-D Graphics Programming, Introduction to 3-D, and 3-D Graphics Programming.
Provost Stan McKenzie announces the appointment of Dr. Jorge L. Díaz-Herrera as the new dean of the college, beginning July 24, 2002. Dr. Díaz-Herrera will join RIT after having served for two years as the department head for the department of computer science at Southern Polytechnic State University in Georgia.
RIT and invited dignitaries officially open the Lab for Applied Computing (formerly known as the IT Lab), a cutting-edge facility in IT research and development for upstate New York. The Lab for Applied Computing is the result of Senator James Alesi’s efforts working with the Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno in securing $1.5 million in New York state funds to build the facility. The lab will play a key part in developing regional strength in IT jobs and businesses, and an important step for RIT’s Information Technology Collaboratory—a STAR Center funded by $14 million from the state.
The college introduces a bachelor of science degree in applied networking and system administration. The degree focuses on the design, construction, and operation of computer networks using available components, along with managing the servers that keep users interconnected. Previously, these areas were handled as part of a broader curriculum within the department of information technology.
2003 RIT becomes one of the first universities to have an ABET-accredited degree in software engineering in the U.S.
Operations at the college—one of the nation’s leading providers of computer-related studies—are transferred into a brand-new wireless facility on campus. The move begins the process of consolidating most of the college’s activities—formerly conducted in a half-dozen buildings across campus—under one roof. The transition comes only 15 months after RIT officials broke ground on the three-story, 177,000-square-foot building.
Dean Jorge Díaz-Herrera announces that Dr. Roger Gaborski has been named associate dean for graduate studies and research, and director of the Laboratory for Applied Computing.
Edith Lawson is appointed associate dean of the college. Lawson previously served as chair of RIT’s information technology department. During that time, the undergraduate program grew from 234 students to more than 1,200. The graduate program, which started in 1995, has expanded to more than 500 students.
RIT at the SIGGRAPH Exposition, San Diego, CA. RIT’s College of Computing and Information Sciences and College of Imaging Arts and Sciences join forces at the trade show that enables attendees to promote their innovations nationally and internationally. The tradeshow showcases animation, haptics, advanced rendering, augmented reality, Web-based visualization, and human-machine systems.
Computer lab in building 70, the new B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
RIT hosts the regional finals of the 2003 ACM Northeast North America Programming Contest an event in which RIT placed second in 1998.
RIT introduces a new master of science degree program in computing security and information assurance. The program consists of six core courses dealing with technical, business, ethical, and administrative aspects of security.