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Rutgers University- New Brunswick
Parent & Family Newsletter
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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.
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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.
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Important Dates and Deadlines
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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 Registration Begins: November 30th (based on credit hours earned at time of registration)
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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.
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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!
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Parent and Family Programs Info
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November Parent and Family Association Meeting Recap
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Your Help Needed: Parent and Family Advice Update
Dear Rutgers Parents & Family Members,
My name is Ashlea Coulter and I am the Associate Director of New Student Orientation and Family Programs at Rutgers University. Each semester we host Orientation programs where we welcome, prepare and engage thousands of new Scarlet Knights and their families as they transition to the Rutgers community. At Parent and Family Orientation, we show a Parent Advice video that showcases advice and supportive messaging from parents and family members of current Rutgers students. We are looking to update our advice video and we need your help! We want to ensure that our video is representative of our diverse student population here at Rutgers, and we want to capture advice/encouragement for navigating our unprecedented virtual education setting.
We would love for you to share your advice and experience with incoming parents & family members by recording a short 1-2 minute video. Our hope is to show these videos during the Orientation Program and to have them available for attendees to view in the Orientation portal. We hope that this will help new incoming parents, siblings, guardians, and families of Scarlet Knights feel welcomed from someone who was once in their shoes.
If you are interested in participating, you can find more information here.
Please submit your video here by Friday December 11, 2020. You must also submit a video release form along with your submission. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at ashlea.coulter@rutgers.edu
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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!
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Parent and Family Corner
"Just because your student is studying from home doesn't mean you should treat them like a 10 year-old. Let them figure out how to work with Rutgers on their own - just like they would if they were on campus. The Rutgers system is there to support your student - let it."
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!
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Thanksgiving Takeout Feast
Rutgers Dining Services is offering a complete Thanksgiving Takeout Feast for students and their families! The cost is only one meal swipe or $22 per meal without a meal swipe. Preorders are now available online. Orders are to be picked up at Kilmer's Market on the Livingston Campus on Wednesday, 11/25 from 10am-3pm. For questions, reach out to Dining Services here.
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New Brunswick Official Student Listserv
The New Brunswick Official Student Listserv (NBOSL) contains timely academic and student information, such as updates from the Registrar, Student Accounting, and Health Services. Students are responsible for knowing the information in these notices and taking appropriate action when necessary. The NBOSL is published every Tuesday during the semester, and parents and families are welcome to keep informed by viewing these weekly notices on nbosl.rutgers.edu.
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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.
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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
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REGISTER FOR THE RUTGERS BIG CHILL VIRTUAL 5K
To register visit: go.rutgers.edu/runbigchill
DATE & TIME: December 12 – 20 | Anytime | Anywhere
PLACE: Virtually, Anywhere
The Big Chill is a charitable event that has served the Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ community since 2003. To keep the spirit of the community and togetherness alive, we will be offering a virtual 5k, which will support two charities.
The first is Winter Wishes, an annual holiday-themed event that provides over 400 New Brunswick pre-school children with gifts for the holiday season. The second is the Rutgers Food Security Fund (Rutgers-- New Brunswick Student Food Pantry), which provides food weekly to Rutgers students experiencing food insecurities.
Participants will have the opportunity to run or walk a 5K at a location of their choice between December 12 - December 20 and submit their 5K times. All runners who log in their time will be entered for a chance to win prizes! The $20 race fee includes a Rutgers winter hat. Proceeds from the race will benefit our two charities.
The Big Chill has been a staple within the Rutgers University-New Brunswick Community for almost 20 years and enjoyed by thousands of runners each year. Our goal is to keep the Big Chill tradition alive, despite the current times, give back to the community and keep participants motivated and healthy. Please join us once again in our annual event.
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SHOP THE RUTGERS BIG CHILL FUNDRAISER STORE
Visit our Big Chill Fundraiser shop to purchase the limited edition 2020 Rutgers Big Chill Virtual 5k long-sleeve t-shirt and other gift items.
Proceeds from this store will benefit the Rutgers Food Security Fund (Rutgers Student Food Pantry).
Shop before 12/2 to receive your order by 12/25.
To shop visit: go.rutgers.edu/shopbigchill
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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.
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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 aid, billing and payment, registration, records, admissions, 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Join (Free!) Virtual Programs with the Zimmerli Before the Semester Ends
Join us to celebrate the life and achievements of the museum’s late director Thomas Sokolowski – an activist and arts leader since the early 1980s – during Art Before/After Hours, with live virtual programming. Since 1989, December 1 has marked the annual observation of Day With(out) Art/World AIDS Day. This national day of action and mourning in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis was initiated by Visual AIDS, an organization that Sokolowski helped found. The morning session presents a live Zoom screening of TRANSMISSIONS, six videos commissioned by Visual AIDS that considers the global impact of HIV/AIDS. The evening session features a live Zoom panel discussion about the historical and contemporary intersections of HIV/AIDS advocacy and the arts. Throughout the day, the Zimmerli will post additional content on its social platforms, including the debut of a short documentary about Sokolowski. This program is presented in collaboration with Rutgers Global and Mason Gross School of the Arts. For full schedule and to register, visit go.rutgers.edu/December1
Save the Date: Lecture by Ann Komaromi, PhD, about the Zimmerli exhibition Dialogues — Ilya Kabakov and Viktor Pivovarov: Stories About Ourselves on December 7. Learn more!
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 Home! Visit our home page for updates, as well as to reach staff by email. We also post a variety of content on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages. Thank you, for your understanding and support!
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Student Jobs,Volunteer & Leadership Opportunities
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Rutgers University Alternative Breaks
The Rutgers University Alternative Breaks (RUAB) program is known for providing immersive service experiences designed to help students intimately explore critical social issues within the United States. RUAB aims to cultivate social responsibility, leadership, and life-long learning within participants.
As we navigate COVID-19 and the impact it has had on a national and global scale, RUAB recognizes the need to shift its geographic focus for this academic year. However, our vision remains the same. We want to continue to foster a generation of leaders committed to positive social change. Even during a global pandemic, we know we can still make an impact. We hope that you can join us in this mission!
In lieu of our traditional service trip programs, RUAB will primarily offer localized service experiences within New Jersey and the tri-state area. We hope it further empowers us to connect with, and take meaningful action in, our own communities to make it a better place for us all.
Alternative Spring Break 2020 applications will open November 9, 2020.
Follow us on Instagram: @rualtbreaks & @rutgersleaders
Have questions? Email us
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First Year Fellowship Program
Looking for ways to meet new people and become a stronger leader at the same time? The Office of Leadership and Experiential Learning is excited to announce that we are now recruiting for the Spring 2021 First-Year Fellowship program!!! The Fellowship features an 8-week credited course packed with curriculum designed to cultivate a unique emergent leadership experience and give students the opportunity to become the next generation of leaders on campus and beyond! The Fellowship enables you to develop your own leadership skills, connect with a community of peers, and benefit from a fast-track of exposure that will open the door for more leadership opportunities. This program is open to first-year and transfer students.
The application opens on Sunday, November 1 and closes on Sunday, December 6, at 11:59pm.
If you have any questions, contact us. Follow us @RutgersLeaders for more information!
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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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