Spotlight

Dear Readers,

This will be the final issue of The Current. Over the years, we have enjoyed providing you with informative and engaging content that has covered a range of topics, from new initiatives to upcoming events, we have been honored to share stories about the impact of your work.

While this is the end of our internal newsletter, it isn’t the end of our communication with you. Learn more about the two new exciting developments in Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences Chancellor Brian L. Strom’s message.

Enjoy your summer. Until next time!

Sheryl Lee Ralph, an Emmy Award-winning actress, Broadway star and alumna of Rutgers College, will be awarded an honorary doctor of fine arts degree when she addresses graduates during the 257th anniversary commencement of Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences on May 14.

"As we celebrate the birthday of Paul Robeson – great actor, great artist, outstanding athlete, outstanding student – I’m so happy to represent his legacy as one of the first women, especially one of the first Black women, to graduate from Rutgers College," Ralph said. “Legacy matters.”

Let's Get This Party Started

Rutgers Day is set for Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Busch campus in Piscataway and the College Avenue and Cook/Douglass campuses in New Brunswick. Get ready for the ultimate celebration of everything Rutgers!

With more than 30 live performances, 20-plus food vendors and over 500 programs, demonstrations and exhibits, make sure you RSVP on Facebook so you don’t miss the event of the year. Explore the Rutgers Day website for campus maps, programs and to start building you itinerary. We’ll see you there!

Ever wonder why we are so drawn to smartphones and video games? Tune in April 5 during the second annual Chancellor-Provost's Mental Health and Wellness Lecture and hear from Rutgers technology expert Vivien Wen Li Anthony.

During her presentation, “The Trouble with Technology: The Negative Impact of Technology on Wellness,” Anthony will discuss why we are so glued to our smartphones and how to handle problematic technology use. Anthony is an associate professor at the Rutgers School of Social Work and scientific director for video gaming and esports at the Center for Gambling Studies.

Last Friday was an exciting day for Rutgers medical school students, as they joined thousands across the country to participate in Match Day events, the annual ritual when medical students across the country simultaneously open envelopes telling them which residency programs applied to accepted them.

Read the Rutgers Today story now.

March is Women’s History Month – and women at Rutgers have been changing history and shaping the university for generations.

Rutgers also is a leader in research in women’s history. The graduate program in the School of Arts and Sciences has been ranked No. 1 in the nation in U.S. News & World Report for more than a decade. Read more about some notable moments in women’s history at Rutgers.

This year for Black History Month professionals and practitioners throughout the university were invited to share their experiences as Black professionals: the highs, the lows, most impactful lessons and their advice to the next generation. Check out what they had to say.

Rah, rah Rutgers Day! Schools, departments, centers and student organizations are invited to submit programming ideas that will demonstrate the university’s missions of research, service and teaching – and the crucial role that Rutgers plays within New Jersey and beyond.  

Programs should be fun, interactive and informative for our visitors. Registration closes Feb. 24. 

With the holiday season comes the holiday shopping – and the stress that can put on your budget. Rutgers experts provided some insight on ways to save money while focusing on holiday cheer.

In honor of National First-Generation College Student Day, we are celebrating students, faculty, and staff who are the first in their family to seek a four-year college degree in the United States. We asked students to share their stories about what it means to be the first in their families to go to college. As we celebrate our first-gen community, learn more about their experiences.

Ten years ago, Superstorm Sandy rocked the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida, destroying homes, flooding communities and taking lives.

Its aftermath revealed the vulnerability and challenged the viability of coastal communities. But in Sandy’s wake, Rutgers led the search for solutions.

From the development of Operation Sandy to help forecasters predict severe storms to helping New Jersey communities plan for climate change, Rutgers experts are looking back at the lasting impact they have made in the state.

For Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month, students were asked to write an open letter about their heritage; their loved ones and those responsible for their cultural upbringing and to share what makes them proud to be who they are. From visits to the beautiful beaches in Colombia to home-cooked Peruvian meals and passing down Puerto Rican traditions, these are their stories. 

Rutgers University–New Brunswick is preparing to begin the implementation of the Academic Master Plan. At a public forum on Wednesday, Sept.28, Rutgers–New Brunswick Chancellor-Provost Francine Conway and Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway presented a suite of initiatives that will transform the student experience, sharpen the focus on the health and well-being of our community, direct our research power toward society’s greatest challenges and more. More details can be found in the video of this week’s event and on the Academic Master Plan website and Chancellor-Provost Strategic Priorities and Initiatives page.

Students have returned once more and campus is vibrant with activities.

The members of the Class of 2026 are already hard at work making a name for themselves and building their legacy here at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. From lobbying for gun safety measures and organizing a cleanup of Jersey Shore beaches to coaching a 3-year-old with autism to say his first words, this new class is ready to get to work and make a difference.

Jonathan Holloway, president of Rutgers University, greeted many members of the incoming class and their families during move-in days. Holloway said he’s eager to continue meeting students as they learn more about themselves and the world at Rutgers. “I am thrilled to welcome new, caring, curious and engaged Rutgers students to our campuses, which are already brimming with energy and the promise of a fully vibrant academic year,” he said.

Meet the class of 2026.

In less than nine days, 2022 Commencement for Rutgers–New Brunswick and RBHS will take place at SHI Stadium on Sunday, May 15 starting at 10 a.m., and will celebrate the achievements of this year’s graduates. As a friendly reminder, all vehicles on campus on May 15, regardless of purpose, will need an event-day parking hangtag. Although registration for event-day parking is now closed, limited parking will still be available only on the College Avenue Campus for $10 per hangtag, with shuttle service running from the College Avenue Student Center and New Brunswick Train Station to the stadium. Visit the Parking & Maps page for details, including: Campus Zone descriptions and maps; drop-off areas and walking-distance approximations; and public transportation options and directions. Gates open at 8 a.m. and traffic on campus and in the New Brunswick area will start getting heavy early, so please allow ample time for arrival and use Waze app for alerts on campus road closures day of the event. If you cannot join in person, livestreaming webcasts will be accessible via Commencement homepage to view online at home and during the event via indoor viewing sites at the student centers on Busch, Livingston, and College Avenue campuses. Since graduation also includes school convocations, be sure to visit the School Convocation page for links to school-specific pages with additional details, including scheduling, event-day timing and parking, keynote speakers, guest and ticketing information, COVID-19 guidelines, and livestream options, where applicable. Remember to sign up for email updates and stay connected on social media @RUCommencement to join in congratulating the Class of 2022!

All members of the Rutgers–New Brunswick campus community are invited to observe and take part in Mental Health and Wellness Week, starting April 25. Developed by the Office of the Chancellor-Provost to provide insights into our mental health needs, promote available resources, and encourage time for self-care, daily activities include: animal and massage therapy; mindfulness exercises; personal coaching; outdoor gardening and yoga; and the inaugural Chancellor-Provost’s Mental Health and Wellness Lecture by Shireen Rizvi, professor of clinical psychology at the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, at noon via Zoom on April 25. Visit the Mental Health and Wellness Week website to learn more and access resources available to the campus community as well as view a full list of events, and read more about next week in Rutgers Today!

In honor of the late Cheryl Wall—renowned scholar of African American literature, American literature, and feminist criticism, and Rutgers Board of Governors Zora Neale Hurston Professor of English who passed away in April 2020—the community is invited to help commemorate her life and legacy with a symposium, memorial service and reception, memorial fellowship, and dedicated reading room on campus. Starting at noon Thursday, April 21, the School of Arts and Sciences’ Department of English will host Changing Our Own Futures: Black Feminist Theory & Criticism, a two-day, in-person symposium honoring and further exploring Wall’s groundbreaking and foundational work. This free symposium requires registration. Registrants are encouraged to donate to the Dr. Cheryl A. Wall Memorial Fellowship fund, which provides $2,500 annually to doctoral students conducting research in African American or Black literature, Black feminism, or interdisciplinary studies. On Saturday, April 23, a memorial service celebrating our late colleague will be held at Voorhees Chapel on Douglass Campus and be available to livestream starting at 10:30 a.m. Read more and mark your fall calendars for the dedication of the Cheryl A. Wall Reading Room in the Paul Robeson Cultural Center on Busch Campus later this year, which will house an expansive collection of literature from Wall's personal library. 

In honor of Women’s History Month, share in the stories of women scholars and alumni at Rutgers who have pioneered novel fields of research, improved public health, and helped transform their academic and global environments as told by those who they have mentored and inspired. Explore these empowering narratives recounting the impactful legacies of women at Rutgers.

In honor of its 50th anniversary, the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP) at Eagleton Institute of Politics invites all to trace the progressive evolution of women in politics and CAWP’s role in catalyzing change since the center’s creation a half century ago. Since its launch in 1971 by founders the late Dr. Ruth Mandel and Ida F.S. Schmertz, CAWP’s commitment to is mission of research-based analysis of barriers preventing women from entering politics and how best to prevail against these barriers has had a demonstrable impact on women’s political engagement locally and nationally. Recognized as the leading source of scholarly research and data about women’s political participation in the United States, CAWP has diligently worked to address women’s underrepresentation in political leadership on both local and national scales through persistently hard-hitting research and reporting in combination with data-driven education and outreach programming designed to prepare and provide women of all ages with the tools and resources necessary to become effective leaders in the political arena. Read more about what this milestone anniversary means to the women who lead it as well as a nation marred by gender-based political inequity and explore the center’s interactive timeline that marks developments at the center and in American politics to learn more about how the past 50 years of progress in women’s political history can translate into hope for generations to come!

Earlier this month, community members universitywide reflected on figures in moments from Black history and their personal and larger contemporary impacts in Moments in Black History. To help continue February’s commemoration of Black history and contemporary contributions throughout the year as a part of embodying what it means to be a beloved community through the manifestation of mutual understanding and respect for all its members, Marking Black History Month as a Beloved Community asks faculty, staff, and students to share their personal stories and tell us how where they came from influenced who they are and what they do.

Schools and units universitywide are celebrating Black History Month via lectures, screenings, and performances that honor the impact and legacies of members of the Black community. Sponsors include the Paul Robeson Cultural Center on Busch Campus, Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement’s 2022 Access Week, and Graduate School of Education’s Samuel Dewitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, & Justice. Discover more programs and events in observance of Black History Month at Rutgers!

COVID-19 vaccine boosters are required of all employees who are eligible to receive them. Proof of the booster must be uploaded to the employee vaccine portal by Monday, January 31. Vaccine boosters are readily available throughout the region, including at all three Rutgers campuses. Information on scheduling a booster is available on the Rutgers COVID-19 Vaccination webpage. Those with approved exemptions from the vaccine mandate are also exempt from the booster requirement. Those who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 may extend the booster deadline by 90 days from the date of their positive COVID test. The application process can be found on the Return to Rutgers vaccine portal. OptumRx members are eligible for coverage of over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 diagnostic tests as per Senior Vice President for Human Resources Vivian Fernández's announcement. Lastly, don't forget to review the latest information and guidance for our return to campus, including the updated Guide to Returning to Rutgers.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 30, 2022, when Rutgers Day returns in person with programming on the Rutgers–New Brunswick campuses. Showcase your school, department, center, or student organization at Rutgers' largest community outreach event. In January, look for announcements with details about how to register to participate. Contact the Office of Community Affairs with questions, rutgersday@rutgers.edu, or 848-445-1921.

Recently Senior Vice President for Human Resources Vivian Fernández reminded faculty and staff universitywide to participate in the New Jersey Employees Charitable Campaign (NJECC) by making or updating contributions to their choice of more than 800 charitable organizations across the state. Through the end of this month, employees can make donations via a one-time payment or throughout the year via biweekly payroll deductions. For the 2022, featured organizations help support those in need due to the COVID-19 pandemic through a wide variety of impactful endeavors locally and globally. Every donation, big or small, can make an impact on the global community we serve. Visit the NJECC website for a list of charities (PDF), a step-by-step giving guide (PDF), and pledge to make a difference today!

Help abate festivity-induced anxieties by listening to “What to Expect this Holiday Season,” the latest episode of On the Pandemic podcast. Learn what has changed since last year; what will impact holiday gatherings and travel; and how to protect those at increased risk while promoting mental health, physical health, and resilience, from host Executive Director of Health Systems and Population Health Integration Mary Marchetta O’Dowd and special guest School of Public Health Dean Perry Halkitis.

Today Rutgers will inaugurate Jonathan Scott Holloway as its 21st university president and all are invited to join the celebration around campus and online. The ceremony will be broadcast at Inauguration Station Watch Parties hosted at locations universitywide, with festivities starting at 1:30 p.m. Campus locations include The Yard @ College Avenue in New Brunswick, the Research Tower Courtyard in Piscataway, and New Jersey Medical School Plaza in Newark. If you cannot join in person, view the ceremony via livestream at 2 p.m. Also, register now and join In Service to the Common Good, a virtual academic panel already in progress that focuses on the value of public service. Join in today and stay tuned for more events showcasing Rutgers' excellence throughout the year!

As a reminder to all employees, the deadline to take part in 2022 Open Enrollment Period for the State Health Benefits Program and New Jersey Tax$ave Program is Sunday, October 31, according to the announcement from Senior Vice President for Human Resources Vivian Fernández. Now through the end of the month, you can make changes to your medical, prescription, and dental benefits, including flexible spending accounts allocations covering you and your dependents, and tax-favored voluntary retirement saving plans. All changes will be effective January 1, 2022. Log on to OneSource portal to learn more about making changes to current benefits plans and/or enrolling in supplemental savings plans for the next calendar year.

As we enter flu season for a second year amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rutgers community was reminded of the flu vaccination’s heightened importance this year. Throughout October, Occupational Health offices’ vaccination clinics are offering faculty and staff free flu vaccines across the university. Additionally, Covered Individuals are reminded to request Proof of Immunization to upload to the Return to Rutgers Influenza Vaccinations page by November 30 as required by University Policy 100.3.1 (PDF).

At Rutgers, we understand that progress doesn’t travel in a straight line. It zigs and zags and is often hard and contentious. But when we push, learn, fail, connect and open ourselves up to new ways of thinking, that’s when progress happens. That’s when—it’s earned. Rutgers’ new Big 10 TV spot captures this ethos and our university’s authentic spirit. Through a series of vignettes, it shows our faculty, staff and students undaunted by challenges and persevering to progress the human condition. Check out the many ways Rutgers makes progress every day, and be sure to share the #progressisearned assets on your social media channels.

After more than a year away, campuses and classrooms are once again bustling with students and it’s clear that weRback! Visit the weRback campaign page to access a variety of media and resources to help celebrate and welcome the return to campus as well as answer any common lingering questions for Fall 2021. Share in the student and campus excitement by using #weRback with your choice of social media filters and frames and check out more back-to-campus stories!

As vaccine eligibility continues to expand, Rutgers Today presents personal narratives from faculty and staff universitywide describing their reasoning and motivations to vaccinate in effort to inspire the community to follow suit. Members of the Rutgers community are encouraged to similarly share their stories of why they vaccinate through posting to social media using #WhyIVaxRU.

COVID-19 vaccinations are available to members of the Rutgers community with their NetID at three campus locations around the university. Locations in Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick are equipped with Johnson & Johnson vaccines and either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines. No walk-ins are permitted, so for appointments, visit the COVID-19 vaccine portal to register. Those who have already been vaccinated are reminded to upload their vaccination cards to the portal. Review the original universitywide announcement to learn more.

Tomorrow Virtual Rutgers Day returns bigger and better with more than 100 exciting and interactive demonstrations, at-home activities, performances, and games for all ages to enjoy from the comfort of your home. Review complete program listing and use links posted to the Rutgers Day Facebook page to join throughout the day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Rutgers Day fans are encouraged to use #RutgersDay to share favorite memories from previous years. Tune in to experience the community spirit we all enjoy on Rutgers Day.

Register today to join the RBHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Symposium on Wednesday, April 21, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., via Zoom. Created as part of the university’s Building an Inclusive Academy Initiative, this event will be moderated by Sangeeta Lamba, RBHS vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion, and feature Enobong (Anna) Branch, senior vice president for equity, and Marie A. Bernard, acting chief officer for scientific workforce diversity at the National Institutes for Health, as two nationally recognized keynote speakers. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn more about the work being done by the recipients of the 2019-20 RBHS Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy Innovation Grants. Goals of the symposium include understanding diversity and its challenges, learning about the symbiotic relationship between diversity and excellence, and how to catalyze the normalization of equity and inclusion to ultimately push for academic transformation. Registration is required, so mark your calendars and sign up today!

Take a peek at Rutgers Today's Reflections on Women’s History Month, a collection of short-essay submissions from faculty universitywide that offers perspectives on the historical and contemporary contexts surrounding the contributions of women and how to champion and support women moving forward.

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in New Jersey was reported a year ago this month. The past year has been one of tragedy, sacrifice, and perseverance. From the beginning, Rutgers has been on the front lines, deploying the full force of our science, service, and determination, in ways big and small, to help make the world well again. Learn about our united efforts in fighting COVID-19 by visiting rutgers.edu/united.

The President’s Task Force on Carbon Neutrality and Climate Resilience shared its Phase 2 report, Current Status and Potential Solutions for a Carbon Neutral, Climate Resilient Rutgers (PDF) earlier this month. This report contains Climate Task Force analyses, planning process status updates, and summaries of November 2020 town hall meetings. Read more about potential solutions, anticipated outcomes, implementation, evaluation, accountability, and access previous reports. The entire Rutgers community is encouraged to share thoughts and feedback until 5 p.m. on Friday, March 5.

In honor of Black History Month, the Division of Student Affairs’ Paul Robeson Cultural Center invites the community to celebrate with more than 20 cultural and educational activities that will be held virtually across the university throughout the month of February. Students, faculty, staff, and the community are welcome to partake in this wide range of events. You can even download free virtual Zoom backgrounds to celebrate all month long. Check out the schedule of events and additional details today!

To help members of the Rutgers community better grasp and prepare for the latest developments and issues concerning the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian L. Strom, chancellor of RBHS and executive vice president of health affairs, and Mary O'Dowd, executive director of health systems and population health integration at RBHS, each host a biweekly series of briefings and podcasts. The COVID-19 Health Briefing with Chancellor Strom occurs live every other Thursday morning at 9 a.m. on Zoom and features topical guest speakers and live Q&A. On the Pandemic is the biweekly RutgersCast series where experts explore challenges and consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Check out the recordings of past Health Briefings and episodes of On the Pandemic. Don't forget to mark your calendars for next week's Health Briefing on Thursday, February 4 at 9 a.m.!

Camilla Townsend, Distinguished Professor of History in the School of Arts and Sciences, received the 2020 Cundill History Prize for her book, Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs. The book examines the history and culture of the Aztec society through the lens of their own language to provide a more accurate understanding of who they were and how they envisioned their legacy. Recognizing her work’s embodiment of historical scholarship, originality, literary quality and broad appeal, this award is internationally regarded and includes a $75,000 stipend from McGill University. Check out this Rutgers Today article and this video message describing her work to unearth a previously hidden world and people that earned her this prestigious international history award. Congratulations, Distinguished Professor Camilla Townsend!

Rutgers researchers are investigating a potential treatment for people recently diagnosed with SARS-Cov2. TriACT principal investigator Jeffrey Carson, MD seeks to determine whether early outpatient treatment with an oral triple combination could lower viral load, shorten duration and severity of illness, and prevent the need for hospitalization. Participants complete most tasks at home, visiting the clinic only three times. To refer patients and learn more visit www.TriACT1.com and contact the clinical coordinator at 1-833-TRIACT1 (1-833-874-2281) or triact@rwjms.rutgers.edu. We thank you in advance for sharing this informational PDF flyer to help us reach potential study participants.

In a message earlier this month, the Office of Information Technology announced the requirement to use two-step login with Duo as an effort to make the university more secure by protecting sensitive email and data. Plans for a three-phase implementation start in December 2020 with the automatic transitions of current and previous users of Duo only and conclude with the requirement that all remaining Rutgers Connect users must sign up to prepare for their transition in early February 2021. No matter what phase of the plan applies to you, all Rutgers Connect users are encouraged to become familiar with Duo by reviewing videos and other resources.

Today is the final opportunity to volunteer and help those in need across the state by signing up to participate in the Rutgers Against Hunger’s annual Adopt-A-Family campaign. Although only financial donations will be collected this year in lieu of in-person contributions due to COVID-19, individuals, groups, and departments can still volunteer as sponsors and help New Jersey families in need who are struggling through these challenging times. Sponsors have their choice of three ways to support families this year, including Family Match, Agency Match, and General Donation. To learn more and sign up to support a local family in need this year, individuals or a group representative must complete this online registration form today!

Earlier this month in a universitywide message to members of the Rutgers community, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer as well as University Treasurer J. Michael Gower, took steps to qualify and contextualize the Board of Governors’ approval of the revised $4.45 billion budget on October 7, 2020, which adjusts for a restoration of proposed cuts in state support as well as cost increases related to the coronavirus pandemic and recovery efforts. A near-$100 million deficit remains in the adjusted budget this year despite the restoration of state support and demonstrates the profound impact of this fiscal emergency unprecedented in the university’s history. Review the revised fiscal year 2021 budget on the University Budget Office website to learn more about projected revenue shortfalls, cost-savings measures, and the role each of us plays as we work together to confront the largest financial disparity the university has confronted yet.

RBHS and Rutgers–New Brunswick chancellors shared messages to the community about their plans for in-person opportunities for the spring semester. Aligning with President Holloway's announcement last month, these plans for additional on-campus opportunities include increased course offerings, housing, and student support services, while continuing appropriate safety measures to protect our community, including My Campus Pass and the state-mandated COVID-19 training module, "Safety Short: Coronaviruses and COVID-19." Find out more information about RBHS and Rutgers–New Brunswick spring semester plans and operating status.

On September 29 at 1p.m., Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is proud to present Race Relations: Our Path Forward, a special virtual event with keynote speaker President Jonathan Holloway. As part of its anti-racism initiative, RBHS invites the Rutgers community to join the discussion and explore the history of race relations and structural racism in America, examine our current state, and share in President Holloway's vision for the future. This event will feature an introduction by Chancellor Brian L. Strom, a 30-minute presentation led by President Holloway, and a Q&A session with participants moderated by Sangeeta Lamba, vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion at RBHS. Register to join this provocative conversation and learn more about President Holloway's vision of our path forward.

In recognition of the work and accomplishments of campus faculty and staff, Rutgers–New Brunswick libraries have launched the Celebration of Scholarship 2020 website, which spotlights the work and scholarship of more than 135 authors across Rutgers–New Brunswick in a variety of disciplines, including in the humanities, arts, social sciences, and STEM. The special feature of this year's celebration is Scarlet and Black Volume II: Constructing Race and Gender at Rutgers, 1865-1945, which is the second of the series of three books published by Rutgers University Press and is a continuation of the work of the Committee on Enslaved and Disenfranchised Populations in Rutgers History. Cosponsored by the Margery Somers Foster Center, Rutgers Global, and the Rutgers University Press, this celebratory site also features an interactive map that highlights works and provides citations on a global scale as well as a video message with inspiring remarks from Chancellor Molloy. Check out and help celebrate this great breadth of work and scholarship by your Rutgers colleagues today.

This year, we are welcoming 7,000 new first-year students and 2,500 transfer students from 31 states and 62 countries. New Student Convocation, the annual ceremony to welcome all new students to Rutgers University–New Brunswick, will be held virtually on Monday, August 31, 2020 at noon.

The ceremony will be thirty minutes long and will include remarks from President Holloway, Chancellor Molloy, and a segment from student leaders promoting the values of the Knight's Call. Everyone is encouraged to view this program to hear the messages about expectations, opportunities, and resources that have been developed to support student success. A live-chat feature will be available for you to welcome and engage with our newest Scarlet Knights!

All details will be available at convocation.rutgers.edu. Following the ceremony, the full program will be posted on the Convocation website, along with additional information about the various resources and opportunities referenced in the program.

The School of Nursing launched its new, completely digital publication, Rutgers Nursing magazine, which is now available online as a FlippingBook or downloadable PDF. The inaugural issue's theme is "Nursing in the Time of COVID" and features prominent alumna and New Jersey State Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, and highlights the research and clinical efforts of faculty, contributions of alumni, and unique programs at the School of Nursing. Browse the accompanying microsite and the new Rutgers Nursing magazine today!

Rutgers4U (855-652-6819) is a confidential support line offering emotional and therapeutic support to Rutgers staff, faculty, and their families. Originally created by University Behavioral Health Care in collaboration with the School of Social Work and Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers4U will continue to provide easy access to professional resources and licensed clinicians to help manage emotional and mental health throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath. Telephone services are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with expanded hours as staffing permits. Learn more about Rutgers4U and available resources.

On Monday, July 6, President Holloway announced that "Rutgers is planning for a Fall 2020 semester that will combine a majority of remotely delivered courses with a limited number of in-person classes." He emphasized the deliberative and evaluative measures taken and mentioned the continuous partnership with public health experts, members of Rutgers administration, and other consultant groups to decide that a primarily remote instruction format for the fall semester will help safeguard our community members. President Holloway addressed specific areas including undergraduate education, on-campus housing and events, and athletics. Additionally, President Holloway referenced the extension of the telecommuting policy through the end of August for faculty and staff, encouraging everyone to review Returning to Rutgers (PDF), a comprehensive guide from Institutional Planning and Operations (IPO) that details how buildings and workspaces must be prepared for our eventual return to campus. Read President Holloway's complete message.

Chancellor Molloy of Rutgers–New Brunswick and Chancellor Strom of RBHS also addressed this decision in messages to their respective communities, including specific details about what this decision means to their students, staff, and faculty.

In his message to the RBHS community, Chancellor Strom introduced the Repopulating RBHS (PDF) document, which is informed by IPO's Returning to Rutgers as well as by the Returning to Research (PDF) resource from the Office of Research and Economic Development. Repopulating RBHS details RBHS-specific information about returning to campus and lives on this new RBHS webpage dedicated to repopulating campus. Read Chancellor Strom's message to the community.

Chancellor Molloy's message echoed many of the same priority areas for Rutgers–New Brunswick and introduced R-connection, Rutgers–New Brunswick's plan and commitment to deliver remote education and virtual student engagement in innovative ways. Read Chancellor Molloy's message to the community.

Today, Jonathan S. Holloway begins his tenure as the 21st president of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. President Holloway joins us from Northwestern University, where he served as provost. Previously, President Holloway, who is an expert in post-emancipation United States history with a focus on social and intellectual history, served as the dean of Yale College and Edmund S. Morgan Professor of African American Studies, History, and American Studies at Yale University. President Holloway is currently serving on the New Jersey Governor's Restart and Recovery Commission, which informs the reopening and recovery efforts for the state following the COVID-19 shutdown. Read more about President Holloway in a Rutgers Magazine article now available online.

The Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Engagement (DICE) at Rutgers–New Brunswick and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences have launched new webpages designed to provide safe spaces for Rutgers community members to learn and grow their shared understanding of both to better understand the impacts of and the means to combat systemic and ongoing racism in our communities.

DICE has created Charting Our Inclusive Path Forward, as a comprehensive resource to help guide our community as we learn, engage, and grow to foster a climate of inclusion. To further assist in these efforts and navigating this complex issue, DICE invites you to complete a short survey to share your candid reflections on and suggested revisions for the report from the Taskforce on Inclusion and Community Values (PDF). In the coming weeks, DICE will also be introducing virtual reading and discussion groups, so be sure to visit the webpage and continue to stay tuned to @RUDiversity for regular updates.

ODI also has launched Together We Grow, which works to acknowledge the detrimental impacts of systemic and ongoing racism and connect the RBHS community with resources that encourage healing, learning, processing, and taking action. Contact ODI to share any additional relevant resources.

Visit Charting Our Inclusive Path Forward and Together We Grow to learn more about how we can all work together to create a more inclusive academic environment and effect genuine change.

After years of planning and hard work, the newly redesigned and upgraded Rutgers–New Brunswick website was launched officially on May 28, 2020. As one of our most important marketing tools, the site provides an opportunity to present the campus experience in a visually modern, consistent, and impactful way, particularly for our target audience of prospective students and their parents. With more than two million visitors expected this year alone, this complete overhaul will better serve them with more compelling photography, expanded interactivity and video elements, plus more engaging narratives.

Its contemporary design is also more accessible and mobile-friendly, with helpful features, such as:

• an easy-to-use cost estimator tool that enables prospective students and parents to calculate tuition and fees for both in-state and out-of-state attendees
• a spotlight on the bustling, vibrant New Brunswick community that better illustrates the student experience
• a more visual-forward perspective on the schools and colleges of Rutgers–New Brunswick and RBHS
• sections dedicated to faculty and students, among others

Work on the site will be ongoing, with further features and enhancements planned for the coming months. In the meantime, check out the recently revamped Rutgers–New Brunswick website today!

Send words of encouragement to the Class of 2020 on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Instagram as we look forward to Rutgers University Commencement on May 31. Help celebrate our graduates' achievements and mark this milestone in their journeys by including #RU2020 in your post so it can be shared on a special message board for seniors, hosted by the Rutgers University Alumni Association. Join us in congratulating Rutgers University's graduating class!

As a preeminent university on the front lines of positively impacting the current pandemic, Rutgers launches the #weRUnited website and larger, overarching campaign to highlight Rutgers’ leadership role addressing this crisis. As a collaborative effort between R-Comm and University Communications and Marketing, this multifaceted campaign includes a new webpage as a complement to the university’s existing COVID-19 site and features inspirational stories and resources, as well as a tribute video that illustrates how Rutgers is connecting in new ways, making new discoveries, and changing the world. Join in the campaign by sharing and tagging your #weRUnited experiences and stories on social media and join the Rutgers community reunion online.

Since the launch of the HERE4U faces and stories initiative in March, the Office of RBHS Diversity and Inclusion/Faculty Affairs has received a tremendous response recognizing colleagues who have had a positive impact on their community as we respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

You are encouraged to continue nominating members of the RBHS community and submit your empowering stories to be celebrated and shared on HERE4U. View this week's HERE4U stories.

Today is the last chance for staff members to vote for their staff representatives in the Rutgers University Senate. This year, 11 of the 20 staff positions will be elected to serve a three-year term and help voice concerns to the president and Board of Governors as part of the University Senate. Voting requires your NetID and will only be available online until 4:30 p.m. today. Review the campaign statements for each candidate and vote today!

We are committed to keeping the Rutgers community updated on the latest COVID-19 developments and advisories, both globally and locally. Please visit the Rutgers COVID-19 website that features the latest information, resources, and guidance. As this situation continues to unfold, please remember to practice productive preventive measures including:

• stay at home to prevent spread,
• washing your hands or using hand sanitizer,
• disinfecting common spaces, and
• practicing healthy eating and sleeping habits.

We are committed to keeping the Rutgers community updated on the latest COVID-19 developments and advisories, both globally and locally. Please visit the Rutgers COVID-19 website that features the latest information, resources, and guidance. As this situation continues to unfold, please remember to practice productive preventive measures including:

• stay at home to prevent spread,
• washing your hands or using hand sanitizer,
• disinfecting common spaces, and
• practicing healthy eating and sleeping habits.

Robert L. Johnson, dean of New Jersey Medical School and interim dean of Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, has made U.S. history. According to the American Association of Medical Colleges, Johnson is the first African-American man and dean to lead two medical schools simultaneously. As a leader and role model, Johnson is focused on attracting more African-American men in medicine to become doctors and support them through programs and post-baccalaureate efforts. Learn more about Dean Johnson's career.

Celebrate and honor Black History Month with a variety of educational and cultural events such as art shows, lectures, performances, and screenings across the university. Throughout February, help commemorate the historical and contemporary impact of such legendary figures as James Dickson Carr, Toni Morrison, Paul Robeson, and many more!

Don't miss your chance to be part of the largest annual outreach event at Rutgers. All academic and administrative units, student clubs and organizations, and performance groups are encouraged to participate. The Rutgers Day program submission deadline is Monday, February 17. 

Rutgers Day showcases a wide range of academic, research, athletic, cultural, recreational, and community-oriented strengths of New Jersey’s state university.  As in years past, we will welcome thousands of New Jersey residents—many of them visiting for the first time. In addition, Alumni Weekend will coincide with Rutgers Day again this year bringing alumni and their families back to campus.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and submit your program by February 17. If you need help creating an interactive and engaging program, contact Rutgers Day staff at rutgersday@rutgers.edu or 848-445-1921.

Who would you like to address Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences graduates at the May 2021 ceremony? Let us know!

Rutgers is now accepting commencement speaker and honorary degree nominations for people who reflect our cultural diversity and international character. All members of the Rutgers community and the public are invited to nominate candidates for consideration.

Speaker nominees should be people who are engaging, interesting, and have a broad appeal to a diverse audience. Since speakers are also awarded an honorary degree, nominations for the university commencement speaker should follow the guidelines for honorary degree candidates.

Nominations will be accepted until February 14, 2020. Learn more and submit your nomination.

As we look forward to 2020, we look back at some of the milestones, achievements, and big stories of the past decade at Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Read more about the stories that narrate a decade of inspiration, change, and progress at Rutgers.

The Rutgers Day program submission period is open now through February 17. Don't miss your chance to be a part of the largest annual event at Rutgers. All academic, administrative, and health care units, student clubs and organizations, and performance groups are encouraged to participate.

Rutgers Day showcases a wide range of academic, research, athletic, cultural, recreational, and community-oriented strengths of New Jersey’s state university. As in years past, we will welcome thousands of visitors—many of them visiting for the first time. In addition, Alumni Weekend coincides with Rutgers Day again this year bringing alumni and their families back to campus.

So, mark your calendars for Saturday, April 25, 2020, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., and submit your Rutgers Day program (NetID required). If you need help creating an interactive, engaging program, view the Rutgers Day webinar or contact Rutgers Day staff at rutgersday@rutgers.edu or 848-445-1921.

Looking for another fun way to showcase your program? Participate in the Rutgers Day R Garden exhibit and decorate a 3-D block R that will be displayed on Voorhees Mall. Check out designs from previous years and submit your proposal soon as quantities are limited.

Join us as we share some good news about our university! Rutgers–New Brunswick was recently named one of the top 25 public universities in the nation and 3rd in the northeast by U.S. News & World Report.

Spead the word on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn! We invite you to add an image in your email signature to academic colleagues. Discover more about this recent recognition and more about what makes Rutgers special.

Nominate Rutgers faculty, staff, and students who have demonstrated leadership and activism in their efforts to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity within the Rutgers community and society. To ensure excellence in academic programming and success, the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs encourages you to nominate faculty as well as members and groups of the community for the Leaders in Faculty Diversity Awards and the Clement A. Price Human Dignity Award. The Leaders in Faculty Diversity Awards honors a select number of faculty leaders committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, equity, and access at Rutgers through their own academic research, teaching, community engagement research, and other forms of engagement. The Clement A. Price Human Dignity Award recognizes outstanding individuals or groups who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement and commitment to promoting and practicing diversity, inclusion, equity, and access within the university and/or in partnership with community organizations. Learn more and submit a nomination by November 15.

Every year Rutgers partners with the New Jersey Employee Charitable Campaign (NJECC) to provide opportunities for employees to make contributions toward their choice of over 800 approved and registered charitable organizations in the state. These organizations help support a wide variety of impactful endeavors both locally and globally, including providing assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters and improving public health through clean water and nutrition programs, cancer research, wildlife preservation, and protecting endangered and helpless species.

Employees have the opportunity to make donations throughout the year through biweekly payroll deductions or as a one-time payment. Every donation, big or small, can make an impact on the global community we serve.

If you are interested in donating or renewing your contributions for the 2020 calendar year, please visit the NJECC website.

Flu vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent the flu and reduce its spread. A flu vaccine not only helps keep us individually well but also protects the most vulnerable in our communities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reinforces that the flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness and recommends that everyone 6 months of age or older receive the flu vaccine every year.

Free flu vaccinations are offered to faculty and staff with a valid RU ID over the next several weeks. Rutgers Occupational Health Department has the quadrivalent vaccine as well as high-dose vaccines for employees 65 years of age and older. Find a location and time that is convenient for you to get your flu shot.

All covered individuals, including healthcare personnel who work directly with patients or who handle material that could spread infection, are required to have a flu vaccination or wear a mask. Please see Policy 100.3.1 (PDF) to determine if this requirement applies to you.

Protect yourself and the ones you care for from this illness. Get your flu shot today!

As shown above, a registered nurse administers a flu shot to Dr. Vicente Gracias, Vice President of Health Affairs, at a flu clinic at the Livingston Student Center.

The enrollment period for the State Health Benefits Program and tax savings program is open the month of October. Don’t miss your annual opportunity to revise your health, dental, and prescription drug coverage, and pre-tax flexible spending account selections.

Please attend one of the "Working For U" Benefits Fairs to learn about state and non-state benefits and services available to Rutgers employees. Save the date for the following open enrollment fairs.

• October 10, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
  Rutgers University–Newark
  Paul Robeson Campus Center, Multipurpose Room

• October 15, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
  Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences in New Brunswick
  Medical Education Building, Atrium

• October 17, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
  Rutgers University–New Brunswick
  Busch Student Center, Multipurpose Room

• October 22, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
  Rutgers University–New Brunswick
  College Avenue Student Center, Multipurpose Room

• October 23, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
  Rutgers University–Camden
  Camden Campus Center, Multipurpose Room

• October 24, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
  Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences in Newark
  Medical Science Building, Grand Foyer Lobby

Learn more on the University Human Resources website or contact the OneSource Service Center at 732-745-SERV (7378). 

Rutgers recently launched myDashboard for faculty and staff in myRutgers portal. myDashboard provides integrated and personalized human resource and payroll information in an easy-to-view format that includes absence balances, expense updates, and more. The OneSource Faculty/Staff Service Center widget provides updates on important deadlines and pending cases. Student-related widgets will be available for employees who are also enrolled in classes. myDashboard includes direct links to applications, forms, and websites to assist you with getting information and performing tasks online. Log in to my.rutgers.edu to experience myDashboard.

University Human Resources is launching a new OneSource Rutgers Faculty and Staff Service Center, which opens August 29. The OneSource center will provide a single point of contact for faculty and staff to resolve HR and payroll needs through a combination of online, phone, and in-person support. Benefits of the initiative include:

• Single point of contact
• Consistent and accurate information
• Available on-demand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Track status of your open cases
• Focus is on you – the customer! 

Visit the OneSource website for more information. In addition to the website, you can contact the OneSource center by phone at 732-745-SERV or email at onesource@hr.rutgers.edu.

ResearchwithRutgers.com is an online gateway that showcases Rutgers’ leading research experts and facilities in fields related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The publicly-available, free portal enhances the visibility of our research output and increases opportunities for collaboration with industry partners and researchers across the world. The database includes all tenured and tenure-track STEM faculty and research-active clinical and independent non-tenure-track faculty across Rutgers University—more than 1,844 profiles!

In addition to its use by current and potential industry partners, ResearchwithRutgers.com is extensively used internally by the research development team as a tool to find expertise and connect researchers with similar interests at Rutgers to build research teams that will be competitive for large interdisciplinary grants. The corporate engagement team also integrates the portal into conversations with companies looking for specific expertise at Rutgers.

The database is part of a greater initiative, called ResearchwithNJ.com, led by the State of New Jersey to increase innovation exchange, establish greater collaboration between academia and industry, aid universities in managing research enterprise, and help to market New Jersey as a center of innovation.

For more information, visit collaborate.rutgers.edu or email RWR-support@rutgers.edu.

Four years ago, undergraduate student Jose Baez (pictured) never thought he would be a step closer to fulfilling his dream of working on Wall Street. Although he grew up just across the Hudson River in West New York—watching commuters travel in and out of New York City every day—the opportunity felt miles away.

But Baez, a first-generation college student, credits the Rutgers Road to Wall Street program, a part of Rutgers Business School–Newark and New Brunswick, for providing him with the resources to intern with J.P. Morgan’s Commercial Real Estate division this summer.

Since its inception in 2011, Road to Wall Street has helped hundreds of Rutgers students sharpen their skills for the highly competitive world of finance. Through alumni mentorship, networking, and a technical class, the program has set undergraduates on a path toward the intense recruiting process for internships, full-time return offers, and competitive career positions in the financial services industry.

Watch and read more about the students and mentors participating in the program.

Join the Rutgers community in welcoming thousands of visitors on Rutgers Day on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy a remarkable array of more than 600 free programs, including performances, hands-on activities, games, and interactive demonstrations. Since the day coincides with Alumni Weekend, it’s also the perfect time to celebrate your scarlet pride.

Highlights include:

• Rutgers Day and Alumni Parade: At 10:30 a.m., alumni join the Rutgers Marching Scarlet Knights, cheerleaders and dance team, and the Scarlet Knight mascot in a parade down College Avenue
• Science and Technology: See drone demonstrations, chemical experiments, and 3D printing in action, as well as learn about surgery and get a mini health checkup.
• Arts and Humanities: Join a marathon reading of The Princess Bride, learn about Paul Robeson’s life and legacy, and visit the Global Pavilion.
• Performances: Performance stages on each campus include music, dance, and martial arts demonstrations.
• Ag Field Day: Buy plants, see animal shows and insect races, and take greenhouse tours.
• New Jersey Folk Festival: The festival celebrates 45 years with music, food, and crafts.

View more events and plan your day on the Rutgers Day website.

Nobody wants to return to prison except people like Joseph Hughes, who spent 13 years locked up. Hughes (pictured above), who has been drug-free for eight years, is one of 30 former inmates and addicts who now work as peer health navigators in the Intensive Recovery Treatment Support (IRTS) program at University Behavioral Health Care. In their new roles, they help society to fight the opioid epidemic, reduce crime and recidivism, improve public health, and save tax dollars.

The IRTS program was launched at Rutgers in January 2018 in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Corrections and Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The program pairs peer health navigators with current inmates who have a history of opioid abuse. Six months before the prisoners’ release, they form a bond and develop a plan to help them reenter society and stay clean and sober.

Watch and read more about how UBHC’s peer health navigators, such as Hughes, are giving inmates in recovery a fresh start upon their release.

Today is Rutgers Giving Day, a time when faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends across New Jersey and beyond come together to "Think Bigger." Help celebrate this daylong event by making gifts to areas of the university that are most meaningful to you, including life-changing scholarships and world-changing research.

No matter the amount, every gift shapes the university’s bright future. On Rutgers Giving Day, you can:

• Make a gift to your favorite Rutgers area at givingday.rutgers.edu. You can also create a matching gift to inspire others to give.
• Spread the word on social media with the hashtag #RUGivingDay and participate in challenges throughout the day to help your favorite Rutgers areas earn additional support.
• Attend on-campus events in New Brunswick, Camden, and Newark.

This is the fourth year the university has held a daylong effort to encourage the worldwide Rutgers community to make an impact and share their scarlet pride. Last year, more than 6,500 donors made the day a success. Their combined generosity is providing scholarships to students, fueling breakthroughs in research, enhancing the student experience, and so much more. Learn more about Rutgers Giving Day.

Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences has launched the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (RBHS VPVA) to provide support services to victims of dating and sexual violence. The office supports all members of the RBHS community. Faculty and staff are encouraged to alert students to the free, confidential services:

• individual counseling;
• advocacy, including assistance with navigating health and reporting processes;
• information regarding interpersonal violence, resources, and referrals; and
• education and prevention programming.

RBHS VPVA is based in the Stanley S. Bergen Jr. building in Newark and provides educational programs and support services at sites throughout New Jersey.

Faculty and staff can call 973-972-4636 or email Kerry Camerer, VPVA clinical counselor, to refer students for services and to find out more about how they can support students who may be experiencing violence.

For information on education and training programs, email Matthew Marino, education and prevention coordinator. For questions about Title IX at RBHS, email Susan Hamilton, assistant vice chancellor for academic and student affairs and Title IX Coordinator Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. RBHS VPVA is in addition to the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance at Rutgers–New Brunswick.

Paul Robeson, who graduated from Rutgers College in 1919, was known as a scholar, athlete, actor, singer, and global activist. As part of Rutgers University–New Brunswick’s yearlong centennial celebration, the Zimmerli Art Museum is featuring six portraits of Robeson that highlight the different facets of his identity.

On display through April 14, the exhibit was commissioned as part of a joint project between the university’s Robeson Centennial Celebration Committee, Rutgers-New Brunswick, and the museum.

The portraits include:

• Robeson as Scholar by Valerie Suter, an MFA student and part-time lecturer at Mason Gross School of the Arts;
• Robeson as Global Activist by Nell Irvin Painter, a Mason Gross alumna and emerita professor of American history at Princeton University;
• Robeson as Actor by James Hoston, an adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology;
• Robeson as Singer by Layqa Nuna Yawar, a migrant artist, muralist, and educator born in Ecuador and a graduate of Rutgers' visual arts program;
• Robeson as Global Activist by Esteban del Valle, an artist from Chicago and visual artist fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center in Massachusetts; and
• Robeson as Athlete by Mario Andres Robinson, a New Jersey artist who studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY.

Read more about the exhibition and the artists who created the works.

Christopher J. Molloy has been appointed chancellor of Rutgers University–New Brunswick after having served since July as interim chancellor.

“Dr. Molloy is a strong and steady leader who brings a deep understanding of the institution to every discussion about its future,” President Robert L. Barchi said. “He has embraced the challenges of the chancellorship and has expressed a forward-looking vision that will, among other things, increase Rutgers–New Brunswick’s public prominence, provide a clear financial plan, and expand internships and related opportunities for students.”

Over the years, Molloy has seen Rutgers from varied perspectives—as a student, faculty member, dean, and administrator—all of which he draws on as chancellor. Molloy is among the few alumni to hold some of the top leadership roles at the university. He is the only one to have served as interim chancellor of both Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. He considers Rutgers to be a place of big ideas, boundless energy, and unlimited potential. In his new role, Molloy is committed to creating more opportunities—for students to grow intellectually and develop career skills, for faculty to conduct innovative research, and for the university to expand its role as a powerhouse for innovation and economic growth. Read more.

Brian Strom, chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, and Barry H. Ostrowsky, president and CEO, RWJBarnabas Health, will host the Academic Health Symposium What Does an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center Mean to New Jersey? on February 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The symposium will unite diverse perspectives about how current innovations in research and patient care will inform the future of cancer treatment in New Jersey. Featured speakers include:

• Steven Libutti, director, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and senior vice president, oncology services, RWJBarnabas Health;
• Richard Alexander, chief surgical officer and chief of surgical oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey;
• Howard Hochster, associate director for clinical research, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and director of oncology research, RWJBarnabas Health;
• Anita Kinney, associate director for cancer health equity and engagement, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and director, Center for Cancer Health Disparities, Rutgers School of Public Health; and
• Susan Solometo, system vice president for strategy, oncology services, RWJBarnabas Health.

Livestream the symposium.

Beginning in the Spring 2019 semester, Rutgers will mark the 100th anniversary of Paul Robeson’s graduation from Rutgers College in 1919. In recognition of this milestone, the university will honor his achievements as a scholar, athlete, actor, singer, and global activist in a yearlong celebration featuring lectures, performances, art exhibitions, and more.

The Paul Robeson centennial celebration will kick off on January 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Busch Student Center multipurpose room. The kickoff event, From Robeson to King, coincides with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration and features keynote speaker Opal Tometi, a global activist who embodies the legacy of Robeson.

If you wish to propose an event for the Paul Robeson centennial or have a scheduled event that fits within the celebration’s principles, you may apply for funding or have your event included as a Paul Robeson centennial event. Submit an event application. For more information and events visit robeson100.rutgers.edu.

The Learning Assistant Program is now accepting Rutgers–New Brunswick faculty applications for the 2019–2020 academic year.

Since 2011, this innovative program has engaged undergraduate students in classroom teaching and learning while helping them develop their teaching, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Learning assistants work in the classroom in several ways, including facilitating discussions and workshops during lectures, team teaching recitation or laboratory sections with a graduate teaching assistant, or independently leading supplemental study groups or recitations. Apply online.

Showcase your school, department, or center to thousands of people at Rutgers Day in New Brunswick on April 27, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be a part of the excitement by creating a fun, interactive, and informative program that reflects the teaching, research, or service mission for your unit. The program submission period is open through February 15.

Visit the Rutgers Day website by logging in with your NetID to submit your program, review guidelines and policies, and download marketing materials to promote your activities. Take advantage of this opportunity that delivers 100,000 visitors to campus, combined with Alumni Weekend when alumni reunite with faculty, staff, and friends.

Learn more about Rutgers Day, programming tips, and best practices in our Rutgers Day 101 video.

Like most educators, you expect your students to come to class prepared, but when they take their seats at your next lecture, consider this: Even those most eager to learn might be showing up on an empty stomach.

Hunger is a problem at colleges nationwide, and unfortunately, Rutgers is no exception. In too many cases, students must choose between paying bills and eating healthy meals. For that reason, food insecurity is the focus of this year’s Giving Tuesday. On November 27, donate to a Rutgers food pantry to help students get the sustenance they need. Any dollar amount you give will benefit students facing some form of hunger. All gifts will be matched by an anonymous alumni donor up to $10,000.

Who would you like to address Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences graduates at the May 2020 ceremony? Let us know!

Rutgers is now accepting commencement speaker and honorary degree nominations for people who reflect our cultural diversity and international character. All members of the Rutgers community and the public are invited to nominate candidates for consideration. Speaker nominees should be people who are engaging, interesting, and have a broad appeal to a diverse audience. Because speakers also will be awarded an honorary degree, nominations for the university commencement speaker should also follow the guidelines for honorary degree candidates.

Nominations will be accepted until November 30, 2018. Learn more and submit your nomination.

It’s possible that your colleagues and students are accomplished artists in their spare time. Curious? If you work somewhere other than Rutgers Health Sciences at Newark, it’s time for a road trip.

The New Jersey Medical School Fall Arts Festival features 102 artworks by 60 faculty, staff, and students from Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and Rutgers–New Brunswick as well as some pieces created by patients.

Since 1999, the arts initiative curated by Noreen Gomez, facilities program specialist at New Jersey Medical School, has been showcasing art from university talents throughout B-level of the Medical Science Building in Newark. The results have spoken volumes about how many talented artists are camouflaged as students, health care providers, academicians, and business and professional staffers. (Shown: Priyaharshany Sandanapitchai, research associate at the School of Nursing, with her watercolor “Peace from Within.”) The exhibition is on display until January 2, 2019.

Start thinking BIG!

The Rutgers Big Ideas Initiative seeks forward-thinking, innovative projects around which to build and leverage philanthropic support for Rutgers, and to create momentum for the university’s next comprehensive campaign. This initiative, which is chancellor-led and supported by Rutgers University Foundation, aims to create lasting, transformational impact by leveraging areas where Rutgers is already uniquely positioned to lead.

Big Ideas are cross-discipline, unified-concept projects that dramatically advance Rutgers’ strengths, mission, and strategic plan. In order to harness the breadth of knowledge of Rutgers’ faculty, staff, and students, interdisciplinary collaboration is key. As you develop your Big Ideas, consider what will advance the “state-of-the-art” across disciplines. What will change lives in our local communities, throughout our state, across the nation, or around the world? What will inspire our students to forge futures of meaning and consequence? This is your opportunity to be part of something truly extraordinary.

Submit your big idea by January 31, 2019. For more information or examples to guide your submission, click on your affiliation: Rutgers–New Brunswick or Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences.

Free flu shots for Rutgers and RBHS faculty and staff will be available starting next week. View dates and locations.

“Flu vaccinations are the most effective way to prevent flu, lessen its symptoms and cut down on its spread. It takes about two weeks for this immunity to kick in, so it is best to receive a vaccination sooner than later," said Brian Strom, Chancellor, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences (shown above receiving a flu vaccine administered by Monica Ferguson, Occupational Medicine Service, New Jersey Medical School). "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reinforces that the flu vaccine cannot cause flu illness. As an epidemiologist, teacher, clinician, and former professor of public health and preventive medicine, I strongly encourage you to get the flu vaccine.”

During last year’s flu season, thousands of people were hospitalized and 180 children—80 percent of whom were not vaccinated—died, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC recently recommended that people receive flu vaccinations by late October, at the beginning of the season before the virus starts spreading. Infectious disease experts David Cennimo at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and Tanaya Bhowmick at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School discuss this year’s flu season, the efficacy of the vaccine, and how you can protect yourself.

Over the years, Christopher Molloy has seen Rutgers from varied perspectives—as a student, faculty member, dean, and administrator—all of which he draws on as the new interim chancellor of Rutgers University–New Brunswick. Molloy is among the few alumni to hold some of the top leadership roles at the university. He is the only one to have served as interim chancellor of both Rutgers–New Brunswick and Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. He considers Rutgers to be a place of big ideas, boundless energy, and unlimited potential. In his new role, he is committed to creating more opportunities—for students to grow intellectually and develop career skills, for faculty to conduct innovative research, and for the university to expand its role as a powerhouse for innovation and economic growth. Read the Q&A where Molloy talks about his new role, how Rutgers has changed since he was a student, and untapped opportunities he will explore.