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First Year Students

Whether you have questions about academics, housing, transportation, student identification cards or financial aid, this page offers important resources to help answer your questions and assist in your transition to Rutgers University.

Summer Orientation

The Rutgers University Summer Orientation Program is an interactive two day session (with one night overnight) that provides essential information sessions, introduces concepts of college culture, and assists students in navigating buses, buildings, services and resources available on the five campuses in New Brunswick and Piscataway.

Athletics

Rutgers is a member of the Big East conference and supports 24 intercollegiate athletic teams. Sports Illustrated on Campus recently ranked Rutgers as the 17th best athletic department in the nation. This athletic success is largely dependent on the continued support that we receive from Rutgers students.  All Olympic sports events are free to attend for Rutgers students, simply present your valid Rutgers ID at the gate to gain admission.  For the most up‑to‑date student ticket information, policies, and promotions, visit teamscarlet.com and setup and check your eden email account.  Also, be sure to become a fan of the Scarlet Knight on Facebook.  From Rutgers Stadium, to the RAC, to Yurcak Field, and at all of our venues across campus, we look forward to your support!
http://scarletknights.com

Byrne Family First-Year Seminars

The Byrne Family First-Year Seminars connect first-year students to prominent professors and are designed to welcome you to a freedom of learning - the seminars are graded pass/no credit with no formal exams.
http://byrneseminars.rutgers.edu/

Campus Map

An interactive map of the entire New Brunswick / Piscataway campus including Busch Campus, Livingston Campus, College Ave Campus, Cook Campus and Douglas Campus.
http://maps.rutgers.edu/maps/default.aspx

Campus Safety

The Division of Administration and Public Safety is committed to continuously improving the quality of safety on campus.
http://publicsafety.rutgers.edu/

Douglass Residential College for Women

Douglass Residential College for Women focuses on women’s academic success and leadership. Douglass creates residential communities that enhance women’s personal, social, and academic development; promote student responsibility; broaden and integrate students’ educational experiences inside and outside the classroom; and provide a safe and secure environment. Students experience the best of both worlds: they are fully integrated into the larger Rutgers University co‑educational academic and student life communities and they simultaneously belong to a smaller, close‑knit community of women who benefit from opportunities linking their in‑class learning with experiential learning.
http://drc.rutgers.edu/

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is committed to assisting students and families in planning for and meeting expenses associated with attendance at the University.
https://studentaid.rutgers.edu/

First-Year Interest Group Seminars (FIGS)

FIGS are a one credit seminar for SAS, SEBS, RBS students and are taught by a trained peer instructor.  These seminars are offered only during the fall semester are designed to aid first year students in their transition to college while exploring an academic area of interest.
http://figs.rutgers.edu/

Get Involved

Rutgers University Student Life seeks to enhance students’ undergraduate education through leadership initiatives; campus-based and university-wide programs; employment opportunities; multicultural initiatives; new student orientation programs; class-year programs and traditions; community service activities; clubs & student organizations; and student government.  Students are encouraged to get involved in all aspects of campus life.
http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/

Health Centers

Rutgers Health Services offers a full range of medical; counseling and psychological; pharmacy; and health outreach, promotion, and education services to Rutgers students. Rutgers Health Services cares for the whole student body, mind, and spirit.
http://health.rutgers.edu/

Housing and Residence Life

Residences on each of the four campuses provide students with the opportunity to be close to classes, libraries, recreation centers and campus activities. Living on campus means being a part of a community of your peers, making lifelong friends, and experiencing college life to the fullest.
http://housing.rutgers.edu/

Learning Centers

The Rutgers Learning Centers provide free academic support on the Busch, Cook/Douglass, College Avenue, and Livingston campuses to help students develop the necessary skills and behaviors to succeed in their course work. The range of services include individualized academic coaching, study groups, peer tutoring, academic skills workshops, technology‑based learning programs, as well as a quiet and pleasant place to study.
http://rlc.rutgers.edu/

Learning Communities

A Learning Community (LC) is a group of students who share a common experience around their academics and/or their residential environment. All learning communities are designed to help students succeed academically, make friends quickly, adjust to the college life and learn about the abundance of resources that Rutgers has to offer.  Learning Communities are offered in a variety of options and interests.
http://rulc.rutgers.edu/

Libraries

The Rutgers University Libraries rank among the nation's top research libraries with over three million volumes available in twenty-six physical and virtual libraries, collections, and reading rooms across the Rutgers' campuses. Librarians, with a wide range and diversity of expertise across subject areas, are available in-person and via telephone, email, and instant messaging to assist students in finding and using resources for research projects. Students also have access to individual and group study spaces, computer labs, wireless Internet access, and quiet study areas within the libraries.
http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu

Meal Plans

Rutgers meal plans are designed with the needs and diversity of our student body in mind. Students at Rutgers have their choice of several options for dining on campus.
http://food.rutgers.edu/

Net ID Sign Up Information

Most computer services ask you to log in using a name and password. In order to simplify things Rutgers has adopted a single University-wide identifier, called the NetID. Many services expect you to use this NetID when you log in. If you have not already created this, please visit https://netid.rutgers.edu/

Parking and Transportation

Rutgers University spans across New Brunswick and Piscataway with five campuses in this area. A coordinated bus system links these campuses together along with many different parking options.
http://parktran.rutgers.edu/

Recreation Services

Recreation and Community Development operates 8 recreation centers. They include the Livingston Recreation Center, the Werblin Recreation Center on Busch, the Busch Tennis Center, the College Avenue Gym, the Rutgers Fitness Center on the corner of Somerset Street and Easton Avenue, the Tech Gym and Spa at Rockoff Hall, and the Cook/Douglass Recreation Center. There are swimming and racquetball facilities on the Cook and Busch campuses, a climbing wall on the College Avenue campus and equipment loan desks at each of the major buildings.
http://recreation.rutgers.edu/

RU Info

RU‑info is the primary informational and referral gateway to Rutgers University and can be accessed by calling 732.445.INFO (4636).  The RU‑info staff prides itself on being able to provide friendly help and accurate answers, including correct referrals, for even the most difficult questions about Rutgers and our community. Information is also available through “Ask Colonel Henry”, RU‑info’s online question and answer service found at colonelhenry.rutgers.edu.
http://ruinfo.rutgers.edu/

Scarlet Guide Booklet

The Scarlet Guide will help you navigate your transition to Rutgers University. The answers to most of the questions you will have as a new student are contained in this book, as well as all of the important things you need to do in the next few months. Keep the Scarlet Guide in a safe place where you can refer to it as needed and be sure to bring it with you when you come to campus for academic advising sessions and/or summer orientation!
http://undergraduate.rutgers.edu/scarletguide/

Student ID / Connection Cards

All Rutgers students are required to have a student identification card. Students will have the opportunity to take the photo for their ID Card at their Summer Orientation session. This card will be mailed to your home address no later than two weeks prior to the start of the fall semester.
http://ruconnection.rutgers.edu/nbp/?page=content/firstyear_ug.php

Things to Do Around Campus

New Brunswick is a lively and active city with many exciting restaurants, shows and plays, comedy performances, and other activities.
http://newbrunswick.com/

Undergraduate Education

The Office of Undergraduate Education provides academic support, programs and courses designed to enhance the undergraduate experience and to increase intellectual engagement between undergraduates and faculty at Rutgers University.
http://undergraduate.rutgers.edu/index.shtml

Work Study

The Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) is a government run program that provides students with funding and on campus job opportunities.
https://studentwork.rutgers.edu/

Writing Centers

The Writing Centers provide tutoring for students enrolled in Writing Program classes. Students are tutored in the full range of expository writing, from basic composition to advanced research, business, and scientific writing courses. Tutors help students strengthen their reading and writing skills by asking them to practice under the supervision of a more experienced writer, who acts as a coach rather than an editor.
http://wp.rutgers.edu/