SACONNECTIONS STUDENT AFFAIRS EVENTS, NEWS, AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
SEPTEMBER 2013 Dr. Felicia McGinty Hosts Open Office Hours Every Friday from 10 AM - 12 PM Old Queens, Suite 101 All students are welcome!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR September 5-22 Fall recruitment for fraternities and sororities September 9 Last day of late registration MESSAGE FROM THE VICE CHANCELLOR OF STUDENT AFFAIRS Welcome back for another exciting year here at Rutgers University! There’s a special sense of energy and optimism on campus as we begin a new academic year. For our returning students, you are already renewing friendships, revisiting favorite places, and getting reacquainted with our beautiful campus. For our new students, you are embarking on a great adventure; we’re glad you’re here and look forward to sharing this exciting journey with you. I hope you have taken some time to refresh and prepare for the upcoming demands of the 2013-14 academic year. Student Affairs staff members have worked diligently in anticipation of your return, and I’m confident our efforts will positively impact your experience at RU. We are here to provide programs and services that support and enhance your academic and personal growth and development. In your scholarly pursuits, we encourage you to take full advantage of the resources provided throughout the campus. At Rutgers, learning extends far beyond our classrooms, laboratories, and libraries. We also learn a great deal from each other. The diversity of our backgrounds, talents, and perspectives enriches us all as we live and learn together. Your success at RU will be based primarily on your commitment to fully engage in the broad spectrum of learning opportunities afforded you here at our great university. As you begin the rigors of another year, I encourage you to get involved in learning outside of the classroom as well. There are countless ways for you to get involved and make connections with each other; through research and creative projects, student government, residence hall associations, campus organizations, recreation and sport clubs, intramural sports, volunteer work in our community, and much more. RU ready for success? Immerse yourself in the Scarlet Knight experience! Feel free to stop by during my open office hours each Friday from 10-12. Share your thoughts and opinions, and let me know how we’re doing. I look forward to meeting you.
September 9 (Raindate: September 16) Good Neighbor Welcome September 12 Last Day to Drop Course w/out a “W” September 17 Last day to reduce or cancel meal plan September 16 Last day for 80% refund for withdrawal from semester October 9 Illuminate the Knight (RU Electric Run) October 21-26 Homecoming Week November 1 Dancing with the Deans November 1-3 Parent and Family Weekend
Sincerely,
November 3 Careers in Student Affairs (Un)conference
Felicia McGinty Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
December 8 The Big Chill 5K
SACONNECTIONS NEWS BRIEFS International Student Resources This year we will welcome 1500 new international graduate and undergraduate students to Rutgers New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. To find a selection of helpful resources, please visit: http://globalservices.rutgers.edu. OFSA Rush Reminder Fall recruitment for registered fraternities and sororities will kick off on Thursday, September 5th and wrap up on Sunday, September 22nd. Most of the 87 registered chapters will host a series of recruitment events during this time. Both upperclass and new students are welcome to attend. The university’s fraternity/sorority membership selection policy limits fall semester joining to those students that are deemed academically eligible (earned at least 12 university credits, 2.25 GPA and full-time New Brunswick status). First year students are encouraged to attend recruitment events during the fall, but are not eligible to receive an invitation to join until deemed academically eligible. For more info., please visit: http://getinvolved.rutgers. edu/fraternities-and-sororities /potential-members.
AACC UPCOMING EVENTS The Asian American Cultural Center (AACC), located on the Livingston Campus, promotes cross-cultural understanding of Asian American experiences through a wide array of programming while providing a supportive and inclusive environment for all students. The Center provides students with a comfortable area to study, hold group meetings, host events, and a place to socialize with friends. The AACC will be hosting and involved with various events throughout the year including: • Livingston Block Party on Thursday, September 12th at the Livingston Fountains • New Student Social on Thursday, September 26th at the LSC • Annual Open House on Friday, October 11th at the AACC For more info. about AACC and our events, visit: aacc.rutgers.edu.
SACONNECTIONS Residence Life Office Transition: Effective July 1, responsibility for the housing facilities was moved to, and combined with University Facilities and Capital Planning. Although the offices that were “Housing and Residence Life” on each campus temporarily have the same signage, going forward these offices are only “Residence Life” offices. The Residence Life offices, located in Clothier on CAC, 581 Taylor Road on Busch, PAL building on Cook, and South Tower on Livingston, will help students with all residential problems, with the exception of those related to the buildings. For facility issues, students should fill out a work order on line or seek assistance at the following: College Avenue Campus: 848-932-9625 cachous@rci.rutgers.edu Cook/Douglass Campuses: 848-932-9625 cdhous@rci.rutgers.edu Busch Campus: 848-445-0044 buschsng@rci.rutgers.edu Livingston Campus: 848-445-0044 livhouse@rci.rutgers.edu Residence Life staff will continue to help students find their way to the right resource for any problem and residents can seek support from their RA or AA for any issue.
Good Neighbor Welcome If you live off campus near College Ave Campus, look out for the Good Neighbor Welcome teams on Monday, September 9 (raindate September 16). Rutgers University and City of New Brunswick representatives will be visiting off campus residences to welcome you back to New Brunswick and to share some important information about living off campus. For more information and to view the Good Neighbor Guide, visit: http://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/neighborhood-information/being-good-neighbor. RU Student Legal Services All Rutgers University students from every campus can now avail themselves of legal advice, assistance, research and referrals provided by the Rutgers University Office of Student Legal Services located at 14 Lafayette Street New Brunswick, NJ. All consultations and services directly provided by SLS are kept strictly confidential and are free. In addition, students who come through the SLS have direct access to the Approved Referral Program administered in conjunction with the Middlesex County Bar Association, giving Rutgers students direct access to attorneys who are interested in assisting Rutgers students at significantly reduced rates. Rutgers students who attend classes at the University’s Camden, Newark, Scotch Plains and Stratford campuses can arrange for Skype consultations if unable to make it to the New Brunswick office. Our services also include educational outreach for student groups and organizations, pre-law advice, and notary public services. For more information, visit our website: http:/studentlegalservices.rutgers. edu/about-us. You can also reach us by phone at 848-932-4529.
SACONNECTIONS COLLEGE AVE CONSTRUCTION
The transformation of lot 8 (the “Grease Truck Lot”) is part of a comprehensive initiative to redevelop the College Avenue Campus that will take place over the next three years, culminating in 2016 – coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the founding of Rutgers. The project will include new student housing that will provide more than 1,000 beds; a residential honors college; a new academic building for the School of Arts and Sciences; retail space; a multi story parking structure; as well as new green space and infrastructure improvements along College Avenue. WANT TO FIND OUT MORE? Join RUSA at their meeting on September 12, 2013 to see a presentation of the College Ave project and the Master Plan.
GREASE TRUCK UPDATE
The grease trucks are still on the Rutgers campus; however, they have been moved for the redevelopment of the College Avenue Campus. Each of the vendors will set up their mobile food trucks at sites they selected, and they should be up and running at the start of the semester at one of the following locations: • Senior Street and College Avenue between Alexander Library and Brower Commons • Dudley Road and Biel Road (Lot 76) behind Nicholas Residence Hall on the Cook Campus • Cooper Drive and Nichol Avenue near the Douglass Campus Center and Cooper Dining Hall. The trucks will be able to operate from 7am to 2am They will leave their designated locations each night – to allow for maintenance and clean-up of the area – and return in the morning. Students continue to have a wide variety of dining options on campus. In addition to the dining halls, there are numerous food vendors in each of the campus student centers. New additions on campus will include: • Henry’s Diner, Kilmer’s Market, Starbucks, Hoja (Asian/fusion) and 16 Handles (frozen yogurt) at the Livingston Plaza • Café 52 at new Mortenson Hall at Mason Gross. • Knight Wagon, moves to all campuses on a rotating basis. Check Twitter and Facebook to find the daily location.
SACONNECTIONS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND UPDATES Student Center Hours Regular hours are in effect. For more info on daily hours of operations, visit: http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/centers/center-hours. Student Accounting Billing Questions Student Accounting is available Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm. Online services are available at http://studentabc.rutgers.edu. Recreation Center Hours Regular hours are in effect. For more info on daily hours of operations, visit: https://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/Facilities/. Financial Aid Financial Aid office staff is available via phone (848-932-7057) Mondays through Fridays 8am – 6pm and in the office (620 George Street), which is open Mondays through Fridays 8:30am – 5pm. Additional info is available at http://studentaid.rutgers.edu. Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities Dear Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Ally Students, Welcome to and welcome back to Rutgers! The Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities has many events planned the year. Check out our Annual LGBTQA Fall Welcome Reception event on facebook: facebook.com/events/427333257388200/. All are welcome! For more information, visit: sje.rutgers.edu.
Interfaith Meditation Rooms New spaces have been opened for private meditation, prayer, and reflection for students, faculty and staff of all faiths. Rutgers Student Center, Room Suite 103 (lower level) Douglass Campus Center, Room 108E (off of Post Office area) Busch Campus Center, Room 174B (across from Career Services) Interfaith Meditation Room hours coincide with Student Center hours.
Center for Latino Arts and Culture Located at 122 College Avenue and showcasing a front portico mural that celebrates Latino’s diverse heritage, the CLAC serves as a home away-from-home for thousands of students, providing a welcoming environment, orientation and advising to new students, and ongoing support and resources for student organizations. The CLAC hosts community activities throughout the academic year and summer, including student organization meetings, study sessions, and cultural events. The CLAC is also the site of yearly art exhibits, workshops and small roundtable discussions, and lectures, which are complemented by off-site CLAC programs that reach throughout the multi-campus system, including student leadership retreats, workshops and residencies; conferences and symposia; music, dance and theatre performances; and film screenings.
Rutgers LGBT Pride Flag
Join us at our traditional Casa Abierta! (Open House) program September 20 starting at 4 PM. There will also be an opening reception for the exhibition of From Mexico to New Brunswick: An Ancient Map and the Modern Story of Santa Maria Zacatepec on September 26 at 7 PM at the New Brunswick Public Library. For more information, visit clac.rutgers.edu or call 848-932-1263.
The Entrance to the CLAC
SACONNECTIONS Deans of Students Office For students needing assistance of any kind in terms of offices, classes, or help in general, there will always be a Dean of Students available in Bishop House on College Avenue from 9am to 5pm, during the first two weeks of September, and also from 5pm to 8pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. For hours and updates, visit: http://deanofstudents.rutgers.edu. Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance The Offie for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance provides counseling, advocacy and crisis intervention services to members of the university community who are victims of interpersonal violence such as sexual assault, dating violence and stalking as well as other types of crimes. If you or someone you know needs assistance, wants to ask questions, or contact the on-call advocate when the office is closed, call the main number at 848-932-1181. A recording will prompt you to push a number in order to be connected to our answering service who will either take a message or contact the advocate for you. All services are free and confidential, and help is available. Website: vpva.rutgers.edu Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 (others by appointment) RU Connection Card Students have access to Rutgers University libraries, computer labs, recreation centers, sporting events, RU Express accounts, and meal plans via the RUconnection card. New students who have not received a card may visit one of the RUconnection card offices. For office locations, hours and services: ruconnection.rutgers.edu/nbp/ Student Activites Business Office (SABO) SABO provides financial services to registered student organizations, Recreation sport clubs, Residence Life, and other student-driven clubs and organizations. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 4:45pm. Workshops for new Treasurers will begin on September 11, 2013. To view the Treasurer’s workshop schedule, updated training video, and TIP sheets, visit the SABO website at http://sabo.rutgers.edu. Feeling Overwhelmed? Call CAPS! Our counseling centers are available to meet student needs for counseling and therapy. During regular business hours (Mon-Fri, 8:30am - 5pm), students can call CAPS at 848-932-7884 and ask to speak to the on-call counselor; after hours or on weekends, contact Acute Psychiatric Services (APS) 732-235-5700 (New Brunswick/ Piscataway area only, available 365/24/7). OR call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), available nationwide, 24-hours a day. Dining Halls Numerous dining options are available on campus and will soon include new retail locations at the Livingston Plaza. Starbucks will open September 7, Henry’s Diner the week of September 9, and Kilmer’s Market has officially opened. For a complete list of places to eat and hours of operation, visit: http://food.rutgers.edu/places-to-eat. Department of Transportation For weekend and weekday bus schedules, please visit the DOT website: http://rudots.rutgers.edu/campusbuses.shtml.
Health Services Eligibility All registered students are eligible to utilize any of our health and counseling centers, regardless of type of insurance coverage. Our counseling centers are available to meet student needs for counseling and therapy. For current information on all services, please visit: health.rutgers.edu. Immunization Compliance It’s immunization compliance time again. We have approximately 300 undergraduate and 50 graduate students not in compliance with the meningitis vaccination requirement for living on campus. It is essential for students to be vaccinated. Students may make an appointment with the health centers to get required vaccinations. Flu Vaccines Flu vaccines are now available and will be offered to students in health centers as well as special clinics around campus. Go to health.rutgers.edu for the calendar of flu clinics. Insurance On July 5, 2013, the State of New Jersey repealed long-standing legislation that made it mandatory for full-time students attending New Jersey’s colleges and universities to have health insurance. To ensure Rutgers students have access to comprehensive and affordable health insurance, the university will continue to offer a low-cost student health insurance plan and require that all fulltime students who decline this plan to present evidence of health insurance coverage as a condition of enrollment (known as a “hard waiver” process).