Rutgers University Parent & Family Newsletter

All students living in campus housing, living off-campus in the New Brunswick/Piscataway area, and students in groups required to receive testing can access testing through Rutgers Student Health. Details about testing can be found here.

• Off-campus students must register their local address here. Local addresses are needed in order for public health officials to properly track and respond to the pandemic.
• There is no cost for testing through Rutgers Student Health.
• Students who experience symptoms, had contact with someone who tested positive, are worried, or are unsure about getting tested, should call Rutgers Student Health at 848-932-7402. Student Health will schedule a same-day appointment time to speak with a clinician, answer questions, and provide a test that day.
• Students who are contacted by a Contact Tracer are highly encouraged to speak with them. Contact Tracers provide valuable information and resources to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

• Campus Resources
  • Office hours with the professor can be used to ask questions and discuss concerns
  • Appointments with an academic advisor can help students develop and maintain an academic path
  • Learning Centers offer tutoring and academic coaching
  • Writing Centers offer tutoring and enrollment for a Writing Program class
• More information on campus resources can be found at Success.rutgers.edu

• Know that all students at Rutgers University are bound by the Honor Pledge which says, “On my honor, I have neither received nor given any unauthorized assistance on this examination (assignment).”
• Speak with your student and find out if they are using a fee-based study service. If they are:
  • have them understand that they don’t need to pay for fee-based or subscription services because Rutgers offers numerous academic support services which do not charge fees
  • help them to understand the risks associated with violating the academic integrity policy and Honor Pledge if using for homework or exam support.
• Speak with your student about communication apps like Group Me. These apps are beneficial for communicating with peers, but if used during prohibited times like quizzes and exams, then it can lead to violations.
• Encourage students to speak with their professors if they have questions about the course material or an assignment. The professor may recommend a course of action that will help your student.
• Encourage students to speak with their academic advisor about their classes and concerns. Students may be able to make an adjustment to their academic plan with their advisor.
• Recommend to your student that they utilize Rutgers academic support services before they find themselves struggling.
• Remember that seeking help through the university is better than paying outside companies for help. This will ensure that they do not find themselves knowingly or unknowingly committing offenses.
• Remember that utilizing the Pass/No Credit option is available to students during the Spring 2021 semester. This option is not advisable for all students, so students should discuss with their academic advisor.For more information, check out the Pass/No Credit resource page.

Rutgers Dining Services is now officially listed on the Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) website.

"FARE enhances the lives of individuals with food allergies empowering them to lead safe, productive lives with the respect of others through education and advocacy initiatives and improved awareness around healthcare options and treatment."

Viewers can now check the site to view Dining Services food accommodations and allergy precautions. For questions regarding food allergies, nutrition, or other food accommodations, you can contact Dining Services here.

The Mark  Leadership  Conference will be taking over on Saturday, March 6th to inspire our generation of students and leaders on how to leave their  MARK  on their communities and across the globe! Our mission is to empower our audience to think of themselves as agents of change, ready to take action in impacting the world around them. We recognize that students sometimes characterize their college experiences as some sort of simulation that occurs within a bubble but, more and more, we see that the potential for impact on a global community can start wherever and whenever. Whether that be social entrepreneurship, entertainment, science, education, business, or even their understanding of themselves and the world around them – we think it’s important to empower students now and help them to realize that developing your passions and purpose in life don’t only begin after graduation. Every year, we have different students planning this conference, which means that the ideas, topics, and interests shift annually. 

Tickets are on-sale now for one of the largest student-run conference in the country and will be able to reach an audience like never before! Our immersive-virtual conference is guaranteed to captivate and inspire students right from the comfort of their own homes.  

The Mark Conference is one of the largest student-run regional conferences and features a number of TED Talk-styled presentations with an array of speakers from diverse industries including politics, astrophysics, mental wellness, disability advocacy, and LGBTQIA+ advocacy. We also host interactive breakout sessions that provide a more direct contact with trendsetters and changemakers, high-energy interactive components, and the perennial favorite: student Ignite speakers! This year, we are proud to welcome the following Mainstage Speakers to the MARK stage: 

• Marti Gould Cummings,  drag artist, activist, comedian, singer, and community board member based in New York City 

• Alyssa Carson,  American space enthusiast and world’s youngest astronaut in training  

• Wesley Hamilton, founder of Disabled But Not Really (DBNR) and was also featured in Netflix’s Queer Eye 

And they are just the start of it! More speakers and activities will be announced in the weeks to come so follow us @markconference on Instagram for more updates! 

Date: Saturday, March 6, 2021 
Time: 10:00AM – 5:30PM 
Location: Virtually on Cadence (instructions will be sent out) 
Prices (per ticket): $20.00 
Conference Website: http://markconference.rutgers.edu  
Ticketing Site: http://getinvolved.tix.com  

As part of our commitment to civic engagement and the prideful tradition of giving back to our communities, we invite you to participate in Scarlet Days of Service happening March 13-27. Registration is now open! Visit the RUPA website to learn how you can help make a difference.

To view last semester's experience with Scarlet Days of Service please click here.

BLOOM: Explore Growth and Self-Expression Through Art

The series continues with “Life Portraits: Share Your Stories through Art Making” on March 13. This second session provides guidance for participants to incorporate artwork as a storytelling outlet to express personal and community narratives. A partnership between the Zimmerli and Sisterwork, a New Brunswick start-up committed to addressing intergenerational poverty in New Jersey, BLOOM invites participants to engage with artwork in the museum’s collections through mindfulness, movement, and community narratives. The final spring workshop, “Thrive: Sketching Your Growth through Botany,” takes place on April 10. All sessions are free and open to the public, and conducted with both English and Spanish instruction. Please visit go.rutgers.edu/bloom for details and Zoom link.

Save the Date: Join us for a virtual artist talk with Sadie Barnette on March 30! The program is free and open to the public. Registration is now open.

The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers remains closed to the public and in-person events are suspended until further notice. Visit our home page for updates, as well as to reach staff by email. We also post a variety of content on Zimmerli At Home, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Thank you, for your understanding and support!

Upcoming KinderCare Webinars for Working Parents

With so much information swirling about this year’s evolution of the pandemic, it can be hard to tease out what it all means for your family.

Throughout March, we’re offering you the opportunity to have personal conversations with pediatric doctors, early childhood educators, and other families like yours covering three top issues: health and safety, learning loss, and social-emotional health.

Join us for one conversation or join them all! Registration is limited, so save your spot today.