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Parent and Family Newsletter -  November 6, 2020
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Rutgers University- New Brunswick
Parent & Family Newsletter
University Updates
Spring 2021 Updates

Chancellor Molloy recently sent a message to students regarding Spring 2021 plans:

Dear Scarlet Knights,

The schedule of courses for the Spring 2021 semester will be available on November 9, 2020. Registration for all students will open on November 30.

As I mentioned in my October 8 message, the New Brunswick academic units have been working closely with my office to determine which courses can be taught safely in-person with social distancing protocols in place. In consultation with the faculty and my academic leadership team, I have made the decision that all New Brunswick schools will offer limited in-person instruction for Spring 2021- primarily courses that require physical presence such as lab research, studio courses, and clinical instruction.

There is a palpable energy when students are on-campus. While we are eager to increase your presence and expand on-campus housing, the pandemic’s dynamic nature dictates that we proceed in a manner that enables us to pivot to full-remote instruction seamlessly if necessary.

Read Chancellor Molloy's Full Message

You can view the full announcement and keep track of Spring updates as they released on the campus status page.
My Campus Pass

My Campus Pass is a self-screening app that must be used by employees and students each day when traveling to campus or entering a Rutgers building. To keep students and others safe, the app asks basic questions about current health to determine if someone is cleared for entry.

To access My Campus Pass, students should log into
 my.rutgers.edu. Once logged in, the My Campus Pass window will be visible. Students should then click on the “Get My Campus Pass” button, which will take them to the symptom survey for completion. They will also be asked to include any Rutgers building they plan to enter that day. Once the survey is submitted, students will receive an immediate notification as to whether they've been cleared for entry.

For more information regarding the app, please visit 
https://coronavirus.rutgers.edu/symptom-checker/.

Please encourage your students to comply with calls from contact tracers.  Their information helps to inform spread. Name and personal information is kept confidential so please answer their questions honestly and completely.

Important Dates and Deadlines
Important Dates
  • Thanksgiving Break: No classes/university closed on Thursday, November 26- Sunday, November 29
  • Change in designation in class day: Students will attend Friday classes on Wednesday, November 25
  • Spring 2021 Advising Begins: November 30th (based on credit hours earned at time of registration)
2021-2022 FAFSA

The 2021-2022 FAFSA is now available. The priority deadline is December 1 for incoming fall 2021 students and January 15 for continuing students. The FAFSA can be submitted online.
Advising and Spring 2021 Registration
 
Spring 2021 registration is later than usual this year. The goal is for students to register for their classes knowing the format (in person, online, remote) of each class, and since we are waiting to see how the COVID-19 crisis continues to unfold, we have pushed spring registration later in the fall semester. The registration period starts on November 30th and a student's registration date is based on the number of credit hours earned.  Starting on November 9, you can view a list of registration dates here.

Even though conversations about spring semester may be delayed, students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor to review their progress in classes and ensure that they are on track with degree requirements. This is probably even more important now while we are away from campus and students may need more information about resources and help for their remote classes. Advisors are meeting students remotely, primarily through web conferencing apps like Zoom or Webex.
 
Here is some advising advice from Julie Traxler, Associate Dean at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences:

So, in 300 words or fewer, I am charged with convincing you to convince your student to see an academic advisor…but, for me, this is easy because advising is what I do.


WHAT: I am an advisor. My mantra is “I advise, you decide.” And it is my joy and purpose to get to be part of my student’s academic journey, to help him make connections, to discover what really inspires her, to help them find a path, particularly when they feel lost in the wilderness. Advising is as much about answering “how do I make decisions as an adult?” and “am I doing okay?” as it is “what classes do I take?”
 
And here’s the real secret:  students don’t even have to know what to ask. As an advisor, I know what they should be asking and I know what questions to ask to help them frame their academic thinking. Your student just needs to get here and be open to some introspection, shedding assumptions, and a conversation about the future. We ask that the student come to the advising conversation with ideas. They may be vague and unformed, but they should have been constructed by 18+ years of experiences: the stuff he likes, is good at, the stuff that piques his interest, what everyone around her tells her she should do, how she spends what little free time she has.
 
WHY: If you’re thinking that this doesn’t sound much different from a conversation that can happen among peers in a residence hall, or with close family around a dinner table, you’re right! Ideally, these conversations and musings are had in multiple venues with varied audiences as our students shape their plans. But I and my fellow advisors come to the conversation as experts on Rutgers, an ability to identify common threads between students’ strengths and University offerings, and with an understanding of how to help students formulate plans and make decisions. That combination -- student and advisor -- is powerful, and dare we say, synergistic in its bringing together of two knowledge bases in conversation.

 
WHEN: There is never a bad time to seek advising! That said, the warning period and pre-registration are particularly important times for these conversations and advance planning. The spring Schedule of Classes should be available on November 9 and spring registration begins November 30 (new first-years will likely register mid-December). Students should call early to set up an appointment around those dates - giving themselves time to review the schedule and make a list of ideas/questions for the advisor before their first day to register. But, even if you do remind your student and they finally call and their appointment falls after their registration date, there is still work to be done in reviewing courses and discussing academic plans! That conversation does not end with spring registration.
 
HOW: Pass this information on to your student since they must schedule their own advising appointment! (Students interested in transferring between schools should see an adviser in their current school for more information on the transfer!)

Okay, so that’s more like 600 words, but it’s an important topic and one that is close to my heart. Speaking for myself and my colleagues, we look forward to meeting your student in advising soon!
Parent and Family Programs Info
November Parent and Family Association Meeting

Please RSVP for the upcoming Parent & Family Association meeting on Monday, November 16, 2020 at 7 PM (EST).  The meeting will be held virtually on Zoom; you will receive a link after you have RSVPd.  

The topic for this month's meeting is Academic Advising and we will have Dr. Julie Traxler, a Dean from the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences on hand to provide information about the advising process and answer questions you may have.

Please list info for yourself and any other guests who plan to attend, including email addresses.  

The RSVP form will close on Friday, November 13 at noon.  A confirmation email with the Zoom link will be sent after registration has closed.

Parent and Family Community Groups

 
Although we are not able to offer in-person meetings this semester, we still want to ensure that you can connect with other parents and family members.  If you are interested, you can sign up for our Parent and Family Community Groups to meet others who may also be out of state, a parent of the same major, or another empty nester!

Parent and Family Corner

 
Do you have a great piece of advice or a tip you'd like to share with other Rutgers parents and family members? A note of encouragement to share in what many may deem a challenging semester? Feel free to submit them here as we'd love to share these in upcoming editions!
Updates
Spring 2021 Housing Updates

Scarlet Knights and Families,   

As you may be aware, Rutgers University–New Brunswick hasannounced plans for Spring 2021 semester. Residence Life has developed detailed plans to welcome more students to our residence halls with renewed precautions to set them up for success. By working together and doing our part, we can help this Spring be a safe, healthy, and successful one.  

More information about Spring 2021 housing can be found here

Student Accounting Updates

Financial holds will be placed on accounts with unpaid balances. These holds will prevent students from registering for spring semester classes.
 

Winter and spring tuition payment plans are now available. The deadline to sign up for a winter payment plan is December 5, 2020. Students can visit paymentplans.rutgers.edu for more information.
Encourage Your Students To Take the Student Success Survey

We are more than half-way through the semester and the Student Success Steering Committee has developed a brief (5 minute) survey to gather student feedback regarding their experience with this unique remote learning environment. These responses will help inform new initiatives and strategies to support students during the remainder of the semester and in the future. 
Please complete the survey here.
Rutgers Winter Session
 

Transform free time this winter into degree credits! The Rutgers University–New Brunswick Winter Session provides students the opportunity to:

  • Earn credits towards their degree in just a few weeks 
  • Master difficult material by focusing on a single subject 
  • Reduce course load for the academic year  
  • Take advantage of remote/online delivery options 

Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity.  Learn more on our website.

2020 Safety Matters Report
 
The latest version of Safety Matters, the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report for Rutgers University, is now available on-line for your review.  This comprehensive report provides an overview of our Public Safety services and includes statistical crime and fire related information as required under the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act 20 U.S.C. §1092(f), or the Clery Act as it is commonly known.  You can view the Safety Matters Report here.
Upcoming Events
Help us Celebrate! Happy Birthday, Rutgers!

Join us on Tuesday, November 10 for a virtual Charter Day celebration!

Celebrate the 254th birthday of Rutgers University by encouraging students, alumni, faculty, and staff to use some of our custom filters on Snapchat and Instagram, or download one of our custom Zoom backgrounds or Facebook banners here!

Follow us on Instagram (@ruaascarletcouncil) and help us share three exclusive interviews, which highlight the role inclusion has played in Rutgers history, the Paul Robeson Plaza, the switch to gender neutral lyrics for our alma mater, and the creation of the Rutgers University Alumni Association.

Via our Instagram page, the Rutgers community can participate in activities like birthday bingo and a drawing contest with opportunities to win swag. Make sure to watch a special message from our very own Rutgers Scarlet Knight at 9pm!

Finally, a birthday is not complete unless you leave with a goodie bag! Encourage students to participate in a live caricature session that evening from 8-10 p.m. and secure their own piece of the celebration. To participate in the live virtual caricature event, students can follow our Instagram page for the link, find our event on the Rutgers Get Involved website or click here for the direct Zoom link.

Help us encourage the Rutgers community to celebrate and wish our beloved alma mater a big Happy Birthday!

Post-Election Programming

Here are some post-election programs and resources to share with your students: 
http://deanofstudents.rutgers.edu/post-election-programming/ 
Rutgers Commuter Student Association
Selfcare Day Online

November 18, Wednesday | 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Tired from exams? Come relax with RCSA as we go over tips and tricks to take care of yourself! Attendees will receive a Self Care Package outfitted with items curated to help with rest and relaxation.

RSVP 
here to attend this event!

Commuter Cafe - Tips for relieving Stress & Anxiety

November 11, Wednesday | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Grab a cup of coffee and join us for casual conversations, to connect with commuters, and to learn about the awesome programs and resources that Rutgers has for you. 

Learn how to deal with stress and anxiety with representatives from CAPS. 

RSVP
 here to attend this event!
Why is Quality of Life Falling in the US?

Tuesday, November 17
12:00-1:30pm (ET)

REGISTER AT https://go.rutgers.edu/ru20-kristof

New York Times columnist and author Nicholas Kristof will join a multidisciplinary panel of Rutgers experts from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, the School of Social Work, and the School of Communication and Information to discuss how and why the United States is declining on this measure of well-being.  

These experts will examine the metrics where the U.S. scored lowest, the structural problems that have led to this point, and how the current state of public affairs in the United States may accelerate the decline of well-being. 

Cosponsored by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, the School of Communication and Information, and the School of Social Work, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Special Event With Author Angie Thomas


Attend a special virtual event with the bestselling author of The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas as she discusses the topic "The Hate U Give: Finding Your Activism and Turning the Political into the Personal." This free event will take place on January 13, 2021, 4:00 pm. For more information, visit this website.
Campus Resources
Have questions about term bills or financial aid? Not sure how long Thanksgiving break is? Do you have other questions but not sure where to start? Scarlet Hub provides student information regarding financial aidbilling and paymentregistrationrecordsadmissions, and upcoming deadlines. This is a great resource to get all of your questions answered in one location. Visit scarlethub.rutgers.edu for more information.
Student Success Resources Website

Getting ready to schedule classes for spring or looking for academic support resources as you finish the semester?  Discover the “how to” instructional guides and videos pertaining to course scheduling and WebReg and explore the resources for advising, academic support, financial assistance, career preparation and much more at success.rutgers.edu. This new website organizes the resources and services that support student success in one location.

Delivered to your inbox daily, Rutgers Today, the university’s official news source, provides you with stories and videos from across the university that showcase our outstanding students and faculty, research and health breakthroughs, and community programs that are improving lives in New Jersey, the nation, and beyond.

Sign up for Rutgers Today to get stories and videos like these:


Why We Should Cancel Thanksgiving

Perry Halkitis, dean of the School of Public Health, talks to NJ.com about why he will not be having Thanksgiving with family this year and why he recommends no one else should either.

Did You Know?

Did you know that Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama are among the many U.S. presidents and political leaders who visited Rutgers throughout our history?

Helping Shape Rutgers' Climate Commitment
Co-chairs of the President’s Task Force on Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resilience talk about their ongoing work in advance of upcoming town hall meetings.

Francine Conway Named Rutgers-New Brunswick Provost

The dean of the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology said she plans to continue her commitment to building a diverse and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, and students.

Around Campus
Rutgers Cinema

Rutgers Cinema Adds FREE Classic Movies on Saturdays

Starting November 7th, Rutgers Cinema will be hosting a free movie every Saturday at 8PM. Movies include Crazy Rich Asians, Booksmart, Selena, Moonlight, Portrait of a Lady on Fire, On the Basis of Sex, and 42. Visit rutgerscinema.com for tickets and other movie showtimes.

KinderCare - Rutgers Learning Centers are here for you!

Get the support you and your elementary schooler need for this atypical school year. If your child needs support during this atypical school year, we have programs for kids in grades K-5. We partner with local schools to complement the learning with our own robust curriculum for elementary schoolers. Learn more at kindercare.com/rutgers.

Zimmerli Offers Virtual Art Workshops in November

Get together with family and friends for Art Together on Zoom, this Saturday, November 7. Explore works in the museum collection for inspiration, then create cut-paper collages. All ages are welcome, but this activity is best suited for 6-13 year olds and their grown-ups. Register (for free!) and find all the details hereCan’t make it on first Saturdays? Recorded sessions are posted on Zimmerli at Home.

 

18 or older? Create your own interpretation of a nautical scene from the Zimmerli’s collection! Registration is open for the next Saturday Sparks: Adult Art Workshop, "Watercolors: At Sea" with Tom Rutledge, on November 14. No experience is necessary. Upon registration ($20; $15 for Zimmerli members), a supply list is provided with the Zoom link.

Save the Date: Art Before/After Hours – our collaboration with Rutgers Global – returns on December 1. Details coming soon!

The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers remains closed to the public until further notice, but you can still experience the museum – wherever you are and whenever you want – on Zimmerli at HomeVisit our home page for updates, as well as to reach staff by email. We also post a variety of content on our FacebookTwitter, and Instagram pages. Thank you, for your understanding and support!

Image:
George Overbury "Pop" Hart, Morro Castle, Havana Cuba, c. 1905. Watercolor. Gift of the Estate of Jeanne Overbury Hart
.

Student Jobs/Volunteer Opportunities

Resident Assistant Application 2021-2022


Do you know a student who would make a great Resident Assistant at Rutgers University–New Brunswick? Resident Assistants form the face and the voice of Residence Life at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. As such, all RAs must be committed to our mission, which is to foster and inspire strong, inclusive communities; encourage and support students in their academic, social and personal growth; help students develop skills to succeed in a diverse, global society; and promote the appreciation of diversity.

Students should review eligibility requirements, job expectations, and apply by Monday, Nov. 30, 2020. Learn more: go.rutgers.edu/rarutgers2021
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