Founded in 1850, the University of Rochester is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational institution of higher learning and research. Academic and research programs are conducted by seven schools and colleges situated primarily on three campuses, including the Medical Center. In addition to medicine, programs from undergraduate through postdoctoral levels include the humanities, the social sciences, the natural sciences, and the professional fields of education, engineering, management, music, and nursing.

The 60-year-old River Campus is situated along the tree-lined east bank of the Genesee River. Although in an essentially suburban setting, it is within three miles of downtown Rochester. The campus buildings are a blend of traditional and contemporary architecture harmonized by the use throughout of brick and limestone trim.

The multimillion-dollar Zornow Sports Center opened in 1982. The center encompasses multipurpose playing areas for basketball, volleyball, and tennis, a 25-yard by 25-meter pool with separate diving well; exercise area; meeting rooms, and 12 lighted rooftop tennis courts. Construction of the sports center was part of an $8-million expansion and renovation program for athletic facilities that also included improvements to Fauver Stadium and the Alumni Gymnasium.

The Medical Center is a five-minute walk from the River Campus. The Eastman School of Music is located in downtown Rochester, at the heart of the city's developing Metro Center.

The University's faculty is known as one of the finest in the nation. Ninety-seven percent hold doctorates. They include Pulitzer Prize winners, members of the National Academy of Sciences, and leading scholars in every field.

Some 1,070 men and women make up the University of Rochester's full-time faculty. With an additional 7,500 full-time staff members, the University is the second largest private employer in Monroe County.

Student enrollment in 1998-99 is 8,100, including 4,262 full-time undergraduates, and 2,158 full-time graduate students, 419 medical students and 1,261 part-time students. Last year, the University granted degrees to 2,366 students..

The University of Rochester provides equal opportunity in admissions and student aid regardless of sex, race, handicap, color, and national or ethnic origin.