Rutgers University: Creating Safe Spaces For Students?

Rutgers University offers a wide range of spaces to support students' learning and overall success. These include individual and group study spaces, student centres, libraries, computer labs, and learning centres. The university is committed to fostering a sense of belonging and providing physical spaces where students can feel comfortable and respected.

Rutgers has over forty different on-campus communities for students of all academic backgrounds and special interests, including living and learning communities. The university also offers gender-neutral housing options, creating accepting living environments for the LGBTQ+ community.

In addition to physical spaces, Rutgers provides 24/7 emergency response services for public safety, medical and psychological concerns, fire safety, and support for those impacted by interpersonal violence or other crimes. The university promotes a safe and civil campus environment through its Office of Student Conduct and is dedicated to addressing and resolving incidents of sexual harassment, violence, and stalking.

Rutgers also has cultural centres, such as the Asian American Cultural Center and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, which are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for students by addressing relevant social and political issues. These centres offer support and resources for reporting and processing incidents of bias, both on campus and in the wider community.

Safe spaces for prayer and meditation

Rutgers University is dedicated to supporting an inclusive community where freedom of religious expression is protected and encouraged. The university provides safe, private, and respectful spaces for prayer or meditation. Students of all religions are welcome, and Rutgers is home to students of Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, and many other faiths and traditions.

The university provides spaces on campus to allow students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to participate in prayer, reflection, and meditation activities that promote health and wellness. There are also more than 25 chaplaincies serving students' spiritual needs and a Multifaith Council that promotes an inclusive atmosphere for the pursuit of intellectual and spiritual truths.

Rutgers also offers a range of cultural centers that foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students. These include the Asian American Cultural Center, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, and the Center for Latino Arts and Culture. These centers provide cultural, social, and educational programs and initiatives and offer supportive environments for all students.

LGBTQIA+ resources

Rutgers University is committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students, with a focus on gender and sexuality. The Center for Social Justice and LGBTQ Communities (SJE) promotes a supportive environment for students of all backgrounds, providing social and educational opportunities for leadership, identity, and social justice advocacy development.

SJE has the following vision and mission:

> We envision a Rutgers University where people of all identities and experiences are understood, appreciated, and fully included in the community, and where equitable treatment and outcomes prevail.

> SJE promotes a supportive environment for students of all backgrounds, with a focus on gender and sexuality, while promoting both social and educational opportunities for leadership, identity, and social justice advocacy development. With a critical understanding of multiple identities and connected systems of oppression, SJE works collaboratively with students, faculty, staff, and community members to develop relevant initiatives and policies that center on diversity, inclusion, and intersections of identity.

Rutgers also offers a range of student services, including:

• Crisis intervention and advocacy through the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (VPVA).
• Suicide prevention gatekeeper training through Campus Connect.
• Support for students experiencing unexpected challenges through the Dean of Students.
• Free legal advice and assistance through Rutgers Student Legal Services.
• Advocacy, outreach, and support for students with disabilities through the Office of Disability Services (ODS).
• A range of mental health and wellness solutions through Uwill.

Student mental health services

Rutgers University offers a wide range of services and resources to support the mental health and well-being of its students. Here are some of the key offerings:

Uwill: Student Mental Health and Wellness Solution

Uwill is a partnership between Rutgers and the leading student mental health and wellness solution provider, Uwill. It offers students free and immediate access to teletherapy through a secure and user-friendly online platform. Students can choose a therapist based on their preferences, including issue, gender, language, and ethnicity.

Campus Connect: Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

This is a 2-hour experiential training program that aims to increase knowledge about college student suicide. It covers statistics, risk and protective factors, warning signs, and campus resources. The training enables participants to demonstrate empathy and respond effectively to those experiencing emotional crises.

Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (VPVA)

VPVA is dedicated to creating a community free from violence at Rutgers. It provides crisis intervention, advocacy, counselling, education, training, and consulting services to address the impact of interpersonal violence and other crimes. VPVA serves as a critical voice in changing prevailing beliefs and attitudes about violence.

Dean of Students - Advocacy, Outreach & Support

The Dean of Students office assists students facing unexpected challenges that impact their academic performance, finances, time to degree completion, and overall student experience. They offer advocacy, problem-solving strategies, resource referrals, and critical incident intervention. Students can meet with staff during virtual drop-in hours or schedule appointments as needed.

Residential Care Team (Student Support)

The Residential Care Team supports students living on any of the five campuses at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. They address concerns specific to on-campus living and help students navigate challenges that arise, ensuring a successful residential experience.

Office of Student Affairs Compliance & Title IX

This office strives to provide a safe campus environment, addressing reported misconduct and providing education on topics like sexual harassment, sexual violence, relationship violence, stalking, and related issues. They encourage students experiencing these issues to report incidents and seek support from available resources.

Peer Education Programs

Peer Education Programs build on the idea that students learn best from their peers, especially about difficult topics. Peer Educators are trained by HOPE professional staff to engage their peers in discussions on mental health, sexual health, alcohol, drugs, and nutrition.

Wellness Coaching

Wellness coaches help students focus on their present situation and provide strategies to improve various aspects of their lives. Coaches are not counsellors or therapists but work collaboratively with students to develop plans for achieving their goals.

Rutgers Student Legal Services

Rutgers Student Legal Services offers free legal advice, assistance, and referrals to all students, regardless of the issue or when it occurred. Consultations are confidential and conducted by New Jersey-licensed attorneys.

Student Basic Needs/Rutgers Student Food Pantry

Basic needs include food, housing, mental health, financial resources, and more. Rutgers provides on-campus resources and referrals to off-campus community resources to ensure that students' basic needs are met.

Office of Disability Services (ODS)

ODS provides academic accommodations and ensures access for students with disabilities. They offer tools, resources, and support to empower individuals with disabilities to become responsible decision-makers and self-advocates.

Recreation Facilities

Rutgers Recreation provides four large recreation centres, a standalone fitness centre, and 20 acres of outdoor space for physical activity and wellness. They offer fitness and wellness classes, personal training, massage therapy, outdoor trips, swimming lessons, and more.

Cultural Centres

Rutgers has several cultural centres, including the Asian American Cultural Center, Paul Robeson Cultural Center, and Center for Latino Arts and Culture. These centres foster safe, inclusive, and supportive environments, addressing relevant social and political issues and offering support to students from diverse backgrounds.

Student Centres

Rutgers has six student centres across its campuses, providing spaces for students to meet, study, relax, and connect with friends. These centres offer access to various amenities, including lounges, microwaves, kitchens, and commuter lockers.

Library Study Spaces

Rutgers libraries provide quiet spaces for individual and group study, with access to computers, printers, and other resources.

Learning Centres

The Learning Centres offer a range of spaces and technologies for individual and group study, including open areas, small meeting rooms, and large group meeting rooms with whiteboard walls and screen-sharing technology.

Makerspaces

Rutgers has multiple makerspaces across its campuses, providing collaborative workspaces for students to create, build, design, and innovate. These spaces offer access to tools, equipment, and software for various projects.

Support for Temporary Conditions

The Offices of the Dean of Students offer support for students facing temporary conditions, such as injuries or illnesses, that may impact their academics. They help students access necessary services and accommodations during these challenging times.

Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD)

RUPD provides safety escorts for students, faculty, and staff upon request. They also offer the RAVE Guardian app, a mobile safety app that provides access to campus safety resources and emergency notifications.

Rutgers University Programming Association (RUPA)

RUPA is the university-wide student programming council that organises various events, including concerts, comedy shows, lectures, performances, and more, to engage and entertain the Rutgers community.

Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA)

RUSA is the governing body for undergraduate students at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. They advocate for student concerns, provide a forum for expression, and allocate funding to student organisations.

Office of Information Technology (OIT)

OIT supports the Rutgers community with their technology needs, offering computer labs, software access, and virtual computer labs for remote access to various programs. They also provide resources for staying connected and troubleshooting devices.

Rutgers Dining Services

Rutgers Dining Services operates dining halls and retail operations on campus, accommodating specialised dietary needs and offering meal plans to suit different student preferences.

Office of Advising and Student Success

The Office of Advising and Student Success at the Mason Gross School of the Arts connects students with experienced academic advisors and student success counsellors. These professionals help students navigate their academic journey, make informed decisions, and connect with resources to achieve their goals.

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Campus safety and security

Rutgers University offers a range of safety and security measures to ensure the well-being of its students. Here are some of the key features:

Emergency Response Services

The university provides 24/7 emergency response services for a range of issues, including public safety, medical and psychological concerns, fire, and support for those affected by interpersonal violence or other crimes. The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) is dedicated to keeping the campus safe and can be reached at any time.

Campus Security

Rutgers prioritises campus security to ensure the safety of its students, faculty and staff. All entrances and exits are equipped with cameras linked to the Rutgers Police Department, and undergraduate student supervisors monitor these cameras during evening shifts. Additionally, students are required to swipe their ID cards to enter residence buildings, ensuring that only residents have access.

Student ID Cards

The Rutgers ID Card (RU ID) is essential for students to access various services on campus, including computer labs, printing services, meal plans, and residence halls. Students are expected to have their ID cards on them at all times while on campus.

Safety Training and Educational Programs

Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) offers safety training and educational programs to the campus community. These programs cover a diverse range of topics and can be tailored to meet specific needs.

Residential Care Team

The Residential Care Team is dedicated to supporting students living on any of the five campuses at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. They address concerns related to on-campus living and help students navigate challenges that may arise during their residential experience.

Office of Student Affairs Compliance & Title IX

The Office of Student Affairs Compliance & Title IX strives to create a safe and inclusive campus environment, free from all forms of sex discrimination. They address reported misconduct, provide education, and facilitate equitable responses to incidents of sexual harassment, violence, and stalking.

Office of Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (VPVA)

The VPVA is committed to creating a community free from violence. They offer crisis intervention, advocacy, counselling, education, and training to address the impact of interpersonal violence and promote ways to cope with its effects.

Campus Connect: Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training

This 2-hour training programme aims to increase knowledge about suicide risk factors, warning signs, and campus resources. It empowers participants to demonstrate empathy and effectively respond to those experiencing emotional crises.

Community Concern Reporting

Rutgers encourages its community members to report any concerns they may have about a student's well-being. This includes personal, emotional, psychological, academic, or substance use challenges that may interfere with a student's ability to succeed.

Rutgers Student Legal Services

Rutgers provides free legal advice, assistance, and referrals to all undergraduate and graduate students, regardless of the nature or timing of the legal issue. Consultations are kept strictly confidential, and students can access reduced-fee or free services through the Approved Referral Program.

Student advocacy and support

Rutgers University offers a wide range of support services for students, with a focus on creating a sense of belonging and ensuring their overall success. The university provides various physical spaces, resources, and initiatives to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment. Here are some key aspects of student advocacy and support at Rutgers University:

Student Centers and Activities

Rutgers University offers six student centers across its five New Brunswick campuses, providing spaces for students to meet friends, study quietly, or engage in group work. These centers offer access to WiFi, electricity, lounges, microwaves, and commuter lockers. The centers also include dedicated nursing rooms and pianos for student use.

Collaborative and Private Spaces

The university recognizes the importance of collaborative and private spaces for a well-rounded campus experience. It offers maker spaces, such as the College Avenue/Honors College Maker Space, which is equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and other tools for creative projects. Additionally, there are quiet study lounges, group study spaces, and library study spaces available for students who need a quiet environment.

Cultural Centers

Rutgers University is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment through its cultural centers. The Asian American Cultural Center (AACC), Paul Robeson Cultural Center, and Center for Latino Arts and Culture aim to provide safe and inclusive spaces for students from diverse backgrounds. These centers offer cultural, social, and educational programs, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development initiatives.

Health and Wellness

Rutgers University prioritizes the health and wellness of its students. It offers suicide prevention gatekeeper training, CPR and first aid classes, and health and wellness coaching. The university also provides access to Uwill, a student mental health and wellness platform offering free teletherapy services. Additionally, there are fitness and wellness programs, recreation facilities, and intramural and club sports opportunities for students to stay active and engage in competitive sports.

Advocacy and Support Services

Rutgers University offers a range of advocacy and support services to assist students with various challenges. The Dean of Students – Advocacy, Outreach & Support provides support for students facing unexpected challenges that impact their academic performance, finances, or overall student experience. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) ensures access and provides accommodations for students with disabilities. The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance (VPVA) offers crisis intervention, advocacy, and counseling services for those impacted by interpersonal violence or other crimes.

Basic Needs and Food Security

Rutgers University recognizes the importance of meeting students' basic needs and provides resources such as the Rutgers Student Food Pantry to address food insecurity. The university also offers off-campus living resources, including educational workshops on lease agreements, tenant rights, safety, and more.

Academic Support and Resources

The university offers a variety of academic support services, including tutoring services, study groups, and academic skills coaching. There are also computer labs, virtual computer labs, and software resources available to students. Additionally, the Rutgers University Programming Association (RUPA) and various student governing councils provide opportunities for student involvement and leadership development.

Frequently asked questions