Dear Scarlet Knights,
Let me be the first of many to welcome you to the fall 2019 semester! Each year I am inspired by the renewed energy and passion you bring to our campus, and I hope you are as excited as I am for another academic year full of possibilities.
At the Division of Student Affairs, we strive to cultivate a first-rate student experience. By enriching the quality of student life, we hope to promote your academic success while investing in your personal and professional development.
While not an exhaustive list, below are some updates and reminders of the many services and programs offered by our division. It is my hope that you will take full advantage of all the resources available as you navigate our university and make strides toward succeeding at Rutgers and beyond.
Residence Life
The department has launched a new Entrepreneurship and Innovation Living-Learning Community where participants will build a diverse network that will serve as a sounding board for testing entrepreneurial ideas. Learning from industry leaders, students will have access to the Rutgers Makerspace and to mini-grant funding for start-up business ventures.
Residence Life has also established a new community development model where resident assistants will be working to engage with each resident more frequently to create programs and events that meet their needs. In addition, diversity peer educators will be available in select first-year communities. These trained students will present programs and workshops on a variety of diversity and inclusion topics throughout the year.
Finally, swipe-less card access at building entrances are being installed in our residence halls and are scheduled to be completed by the end of fall semester.
Dining
Dining Services is excited to announce the opening of four new locations (all accepting meal swipes) this fall:
- Cafe West (located in the Academic building on College Avenue campus)
- Harvest Juice Bar (located in the Busch Student Center)
- Three Chillies Taco Truck
- The return of Woody’s Café at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School on the Busch Campus
Dining services will once again host King Neptune Knight, the first of several themed meal nights throughout the academic year, on Tuesday, September 24 from 4-9 p.m. Join your fellow students in the dining halls for an amazing seafood buffet. For more information about dining services and its locations, please visit: food.rutgers.edu.
Student Centers and Activities
A state-of-the-art Esports Center is scheduled to open in the Busch Student Center this fall. A new student lounge has also been created in the Livingston Student Center to bring various student communities together under one roof. It will house a prayer/meditation room, a foot washing station, lactation room, lockers for commuters, art, and space for students to hang out, play games, and more.
Cultural Centers
One of the nation’s oldest Black cultural centers on a college campus, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Founded in 1969, the PRCC is dedicated to serving the Rutgers University community by offering a wealth of programs, initiatives, and services that reflect the robust history, heritage, and diversity of the African diaspora. For more information about the PRCC and its 50th anniversary events, please visit: prcc.rutgers.edu.
Also celebrating a milestone anniversary, the Asian American Cultural Center turns 20 this academic year. Founded in 1999, the AACC showcases the contributions of Asians and Asian Americans through a wide array of cultural presentations, exhibits, performances, demonstrations, lectures, seminars, and meetings. For more information about the AACC and its 20th anniversary celebration, please visit: aacc.rutgers.edu.
Graduate Student Life
The Office of Graduate Student Life will host its “Knight at the Museum 2” Welcome Reception from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, September 13 at the Zimmerli Art Museum. The event is open to all graduate and professional students, as well as the faculty and staff that work with them. To view a full list of events tailored toward the graduate and professional student community, please visit: graduatestudentlife.rutgers.edu/events.
Finally, I hope your Rutgers experience ignites purpose within you, and inspires you to get involved. Today’s Involvement Fair and events over the last couple of days highlighted the many ways that student engage, learn, and lead during their time on the banks.
Wishing you all a successful semester!
Salvador B. Mena, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Rutgers University–New Brunswick
