FAQs for Students


For Continuing Students

For New Students

Do the changes to undergraduate education affect course availability or class size?
No changes are anticipated in the availability of courses or class size. There will, however, be increased opportunities to interact with faculty through first-year seminars, research and service-learning projects, and a greater emphasis on cocurricular programs that enrich the educational environment.

How do I register for classes?
A single registrar has been created for all undergraduate students. There are no longer separate registrars for different colleges. New Brunswick students will still be able to register for classes either through webreg.rutgers.edu or the telephone service at 732-445-1999.

Where do I go for academic advising?
Academic advising is available through each of the schools in New Brunswick. Arts and sciences undergraduates—including those who matriculated at Douglass College, Livingston College, Rutgers College, and University College—may visit any of the School of Arts and Sciences Academic Advising Centers, located on the Busch, College Avenue, Douglass, and Livingston campuses. Students will be able to meet with the academic dean or adviser of their choice. They may elect to meet with an adviser who they have worked with in the past, or develop a new relationship with a different academic dean or adviser at any time.

Who should I contact when I am told to “speak with a dean”?
If you are told to “speak with a dean,” that generally means you should speak with either an academic dean or a dean of students. Students wishing to speak to a dean for an academic reason should speak with a dean in their school’s academic services office. (All arts and sciences undergraduates at Rutgers–New Brunswick should seek academic guidance through the School of Arts and Sciences.) Students who are experiencing personal issues that may be affecting their Rutgers experience are encouraged to speak with the dean of students on their campus. If you are already familiar with a particular dean, you should feel free to go to that dean first, and the dean will be able to assist you or direct you to someone who can assist you. Similarly, if you aren’t sure whom to speak to, you may approach any dean in order to be directed to the right person.

How are the changes to undergraduate education affecting professional school students at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, the Mason Gross School of the Arts, the School of Engineering, and the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences?
Students at all Rutgers–New Brunswick schools benefit from improved student services, expanded choice and flexibility for on-campus housing, and a renewed emphasis on service and research opportunities. In particular, two new programs—first-year seminars and the Douglass Residential College—are open to all students, including those at the professional schools. As in previous years, students admitted to the professional schools should follow the academic requirements of their school; advisers at each school can help students in selecting a course of study. All students, regardless of where they are enrolled or where they live, have access to the full range of cocurricular activities available at Rutgers–New Brunswick.

Are there programs and services specifically tailored for nontraditional students (part-time students, students pursuing a second undergraduate degree, nondegree students, and students whose formal education has been interrupted)?
Rutgers is dedicated to serving the needs of nontraditional students on the New Brunswick Campus through the new University College Community. The School of Arts and Sciences has a special academic dean for nontraditional students, Beth Howard. In partnership with the University College Community, the School of Arts and Sciences offers the Elena Buchanan Transition Program, a noncredit program designed to prepare nontraditional adult learners for the rigors of study at a four-year college or university. Other options and programs include special academic advising for nontraditional students, scholarships for nontraditional students, and the Mary I. Bunting Program for Women, offered through Douglass Residential College, which complements the academic experience with cocurricular support for nontraditional women students.

As a commuter, what services and resources are available to me?
Rutgers offers a comprehensive range of services and support for commuting students, including parking, special lounges and study areas, and leadership opportunities. Please visit Commuter Life Services and Ten Frequently Asked Questions for Rutgers Commuter Students to learn more, or call 732-932-6978.

Where should transfer students go for help?
Incoming and current transfer students seeking assistance can visit the Transfer Center, located on the second floor of Lucy Stone Hall on the Livingston Campus. The staff of the Transfer Center is committed to the academic and personal success of students and provides a wide variety of programs and services designed to ease students’ transition to Rutgers. The staff offers a series of programs designed to introduce students to the wide variety of academic and cocurricular opportunities available at Rutgers. Staff members assist with initial registration and provide orientation programs, academic advising, and ongoing support services during a student’s first year at Rutgers. A list of resources for transfer students at the website of the Office of Undergraduate Education is also helpful in providing assistance.
Back to Top

How is student government affected by the reorganization?
The student governments have united to create a Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA), which has representation from each of the residential campuses and professional schools. The goal of RUSA is to provide campuswide advocacy on behalf of student concerns and to effectively disburse student fees to registered student organizations. For more information, visit RUSA or call 732-932-8518.

How are student organizations affected?
Student organizations that existed at the individual colleges now register under one unified registration system, as well as apply for funding from one central allocating board. Professional school organizations can choose to affiliate either with their professional school governing associations (thus receiving funding from that governing body) or with RUSA (making them eligible to apply for funding from RUSA allocations). Students who are interested in getting involved should visit the Office of Student Involvement or call 732-932-6978.

How are programming boards affected by the reorganization?
The college-based programming boards worked together during spring 2007 to develop a new interim structure to fit into the changes at Rutgers–New Brunswick. The students chose to maintain campus boards responsible for local delivery of smaller scale programs to help create campus community, such as games shows, art expos, workshops, off-campus trips, and movies. The student boards also saw the need to have a universitywide board, Rutgers University Programming Association (RUPA). This group plans and approves large-scale events and festivals. A calendar of programming events is available on the University Student Centers website. Regular announcements of events are included in the Targum.

Where do I go about on-campus housing issues?
Students currently living in residence halls who have questions pertaining to any aspect of living on campus should speak with in-hall staff members. All students, including those interested in living on campus, may have their questions answered at any campus Housing/Residence Life office at the following locations:

Back to Top

For Continuing Students

I am a continuing student in one of the liberal arts colleges. Will the changes to undergraduate education at Rutgers–New Brunswick affect my course of study?
These changes are not affecting the course of study for continuing students who matriculated prior to fall 2007. These students will continue to be enrolled in and get their degree from one of the liberal arts colleges and follow the degree requirements stipulated by that college at the time they began their Rutgers education.

As a continuing student, will the changes delay my graduation?
Graduation will not be delayed as long as you progress toward your degree in a timely manner.

I am a continuing student. From which college will I receive my degree when I graduate?
Students who matriculated with Douglass College, Livingston College, Rutgers College, or University College–New Brunswick prior to fall 2007, and who are scheduled to graduate in 2008, 2009, or 2010, will receive a degree from that college.

If I started at Rutgers before the fall of 2007, can I choose to follow the new School of Arts and Sciences requirements?
Yes. Students who entered prior to fall 2007 may choose to convert to the new School of Arts and Sciences degree requirements. Be sure to consult with an SAS academic dean to determine the additional time, if any, that may be required at Rutgers in order to fulfill the SAS requirements.

Will my financial aid be affected by the transformation?
No. The Office of Financial Aid has always served all students on the New Brunswick Campus, and will continue to do so. The reorganization does not affect need-based grants, loans, Federal Work Study, or other financial aid programs.
Will my scholarships be affected by the transformation?
In most cases, continuing students who currently receive scholarships will continue to receive such awards. Furthermore, the School of Arts and Sciences plans to establish a scholarship program to which all qualified continuing undergraduate students matriculating in the School of Arts and Sciences, regardless of the degree requirements they are completing, may be invited to apply. More information on scholarships awarded through the School of Arts and Sciences will be available at the SAS website.

What about special scholarships from the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College?
As noted at the Douglass Residential College website, scholarship funds originating from the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College are restricted to students who are enrolled in Douglass College. The funding will end if the student switches to another school. Students who matriculated at Douglass College prior to fall 2007 and who receive scholarships funded by the Associate Alumnae of Douglass College are invited to contact Dean Munson at mwmunson@rci.rutgers.edu if they have questions about their scholarships.

Do continuing students need new IDs?
No. Continuing students do not need to get a new RU Connection Card. Offices are available on each campus to get replacements if a card is lost or damaged. Students can visit RU Express for more information.


For New Students

Can arts and sciences students beginning their studies in the fall of 2007 fulfill the degree requirements for one of the former undergraduate liberal arts colleges?
No. All students who matriculate at an undergraduate school at Rutgers–New Brunswick in fall 2007 or later must complete the degree requirements in place for that school at the time they matriculate.

What are the liberal arts distribution requirements for School of Arts and Sciences students?
The SAS liberal arts distribution requirements are outlined at the SAS website.
Back to Top

To submit a comment or report a problem with this site, please feel free to
submit your thoughts.
© 2008 Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. All rights reserved.

Last Updated: 01/15/2008
Transforming Undergraduate Education Quick Links RU-info