Maintaining a Vibrant and Connected Community

July 6, 2020

A Message to Students from Salvador B. Mena, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Rutgers University—New Brunswick:

Dear Returning Scarlet Knights:

By now, you have received email messages from President Holloway and Chancellor Molloy announcing our plans for the Fall 2020 semester and the decision to operate in a primarily remote environment. This news affects everyone in different ways. I assure you that we maintain our pledge to offer a top academic experience. Despite our physical distance, the Division of Student Affairs is committed to cultivating a sense of community and a meaningful student experience for all of our students.

To ensure we remain connected and maintain a vibrant and engaged community, Student Affairs and other student service areas on campus are expanding our virtual programs and services this fall based on what we learned from the spring. We are also committed to ensuring that the limited number of students who reside with us in the fall are connected and supported.

For the fall semester, we are making preparations to reopen some facilities that have been closed during the current operating status, such as student centers, recreation centers, dining halls, and other administrative offices. Please know that we have the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and community in mind as we reopen and will be adapting in-person programs, services, and operating hours to comply with health and safety guidelines.

In the days and weeks ahead, stay connected with Student Affairs on social media and through the R-connection web page for the latest information about which campus services and offices will be available to you virtually and in person.

As we navigate the days ahead, I encourage you to remember that these trying moments will pass, and in time, we will return to campus, together, stronger than before. Thank you for embodying the Knight’s Call through your continued Resilience during this challenging time in our nation’s history.

Sincerely,

Salvador Mena, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Rutgers University–New Brunswick