Rutgers logo
Rutgers logo
Rutgers logo
Rutgers logo

Welcome from the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

September 1, 2023

Dear Scarlet Knights,

Welcome (and welcome back) to Rutgers! I’m excited to welcome our more than 7,300 first-year students to the Banks of the Raritan, as well as the nearly 15,000 returning students who will live on campus this semester. Whether you worked a job, completed an internship, or pursued a personal interest, I hope that you had a restful, enriching summer—and that you are ready for the semester and year ahead of us!

Resources for Student Success

As we begin this semester, please remember that our faculty, staff, and fellow students across the Rutgers community are here to help you.

  • The Student Success website exists to connect you with resources—from financial aid, to academic advising, to health and wellness—that will help you graduate on time and minimize student debt.
  • If you are having trouble managing your classwork, you can visit your professor’s office hours or an academic learning center.
  • If you are a graduate student, check out the Office of Graduate Student Life, which advocates for graduate students and offers events to create community among them.
  • To expand your horizons beyond New Jersey, pay a visit to Rutgers Global, which features student-centered resources for planning a trip abroad.
  • If you are seeking jobs and internships for Spring 2024, the Career Exploration and Services Center will be able to support you—and direct you to the upcoming Fall Career and Internship Mega Fair, which will run from Tuesday, September 19, to Friday, September 22.
  • The Scarlet Resource Fair will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at the corner of College Avenue and Morrell Street to connect students with a wealth of Rutgers offices and representatives who are committed to your success.

Getting Involved

I look forward to seeing how each of you contribute to and shape the community in the year ahead through your involvement, creativity, and advocacy.

  • Undergraduate students should attend the Involvement Fair from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4 and meet representatives of more than 500 organizations, sports clubs, fraternities, and sororities.
  • Graduate students should be sure to attend the Graduate Student Welcome Reception and Resource Fair on Thursday, September 14, as well as to check out the list of graduate student welcome events in September.
  • Many Rutgers departments offer their own ways to engage. Recreation offers gym and pool access, fitness classes, and employment opportunities, while the Cultural Center Collaborative holds cultural events throughout the semester.
  • For undergraduates looking to take a more active role in the decision-making process, the Rutgers University Programming Association (RUPA) offers the experience to plan and coordinate major campus events, while the Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA) lets students gain experience with student governance and campus advocacy.
  • For graduate students seeking to take a more active role in enriching the graduate student experience, the Graduate Student Association (GSA) plans events and leads student advocacy efforts. Above all, get engaged—and have fun!
  • Join hundreds of other Scarlet Knights in a Rutgers tradition that gives back to our community. Mark your calendars for our Scarlet Day of Service, taking place on Saturday, October 21.

I’d also like to highlight our newest dining destination on the College Avenue campus: “The Atrium”, located in the College Avenue Student Center. The Atrium replaces Brower Commons, which has been closed as part of our campus enhancement planning efforts, and features five new eateries: Pi Pizza, Mezze, King’s Hawaiian Grill, Three Chilies, and Scarlet Ginger—all of which also accept meal plans and RUExpress. While there will no longer be an "all-you-can-eat" dining hall on College Ave with the closure of Brower, please know that the food portions in the Atrium will be more than fulfilling. Visit the Dining Services website for a list of places to eat on campus.

As Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, I hold open hours for students on Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon. You are welcome to stop by or utilize the linked form to schedule a visit. We are all here to serve and support each other, so please do not hesitate to ask for help when you need it. Asking for personal help, academic help, and help with getting involved is probably the most important thing you can do to support your success at Rutgers.

As a final announcement: Rutgers is seeking first-time, undergraduate New Brunswick students to provide feedback about their first impressions and experiences. Any first-time, non-transfer students enrolled at New Brunswick or RBHS are eligible to participate, and participating students will be entered to win up to $500 in prizes. Click here to participate!

Welcome again, and I’m looking forward to a great year!

In Scarlet Pride,

Sal

Salvador B. Mena, Ph.D. (he, him, his)
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Rutgers University–New Brunswick