Livingston campus may be a newly crowned center of Rutgers social life for incoming students, as campus' residence halls are filled to capacity with mostly first-years and transfer students.
Approximately 1,100 first-year students will be residing in Livingston residences this year, compared to the 600 who lived there last year, said Executive Director of Housing Michael Imperiale.
Although the Livingston first-year population does not exceed the amount of Cook/Douglass and Busch first-year students, Livingston now has the highest percentage of first-years when compared to resident upperclassmen. The campus is made up of a total 53 percent of first-year students as compared to Cook/Douglass' 37 percent and Busch's 35 percent, said Director of Residence Life Joan Carbone.
"This grouping of freshmen will tip the balance of younger and elder students residing on [Livingston] campus, and so the needs of the campus population will differ from the more age diverse campuses," said Nicholas Martucci, president of Livingston Campus Council.
The first year at college is a crucial time for students to become involved in academic and social activities, Martucci said, and the council is hoping to see the Livingston first-years engaged in the many opportunities offered by the University.
Plans have been made to increase programming and activities geared toward first-year students, Martucci said.
"Following the expansion of the Livingston Student Center, scheduled to begin early next year, we can expect a revitalization of the campus by means of creating a hub for student activity," Martucci said.
The council also hopes to eventually makeover Livingston enough so the campus becomes incoming students' first choice residence.
"The expansion will enhance the quality of student programming and opportunities for academic and social engagement for students of all ages," Martucci said.
"The hope is to foster an environment to keep students engaged in the campus community."
Martucci points out the increasingly important role of the Residence Life staff. Since resident mentor positions have been eliminated, resident advisors are becoming key to guiding and mentoring younger students.
"The Livingston Campus Council will be anxious to meet with campus Residence Life staff to assess the experiences and living conditions in the residence halls," Martucci said. "We hope to work together to enhance campus activities and create a more vibrant community."
Livingston is made up of Quads One, Two, Three and the Ernest Lynton North and South Towers.
First-year student Meghan Horgan said she was disappointed at first when she heard she was going to be placed on Livingston because a College Avenue residence had been her first choice.
"However, I was only upset because of what I had heard about the campus," she said "I did not get my first choice, which was College Avenue, but Livingston might, in the long run, be better for me. This way I can always come back to my dorm after a long busy day at College Ave."
First-year student David Hastings expressed similar feelings.
"Livingston wasn't my first choice, College Avenue was. At first I was a bit bummed out, but then I realized it really isn't going to matter what campus I am on, I'm going to have a great time either way."
In addition, everyone who applied for housing was accommodated, Imperiale said.
"Due to cancellations from students who had received housing assignments in the spring, we were able to accommodate all of the continuing students who were on the waiting list that wanted on campus housing," he said.
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