Rutgers releases roster of activities for students staying on campus during Winter break
With Thanksgiving and winter break quickly approaching, Rutgers University operations will begin to see a change in schedule and offer students different activities.
Tiffany Chen, a School of Environmental and Biological Sciences first-year, said that she is very excited to be going home for break.
“My first semester of freshman year has been so fun but so exhausting,” she said. “I’m excited to go home for break to relax and recharge for next semester.”
She said that while she is excited to go home, she is going to miss being on campus.
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and though not everyone celebrates the holiday, campus is closed on Thursday and Friday leading into the weekend, said Executive Director of Residence Life Dan Morrison.
During this time, University services such as health centers, libraries and dining halls will remain closed, he said. Emergency services like Campus Safety and emergency response are still available, in addition to Residence Life resident assistants in select halls.
Most residence halls will close at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22 and re-open on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 9 a.m.
“There are no events planned within the student affairs and Residence Life areas for these two days,” he said. “Many groups reach out to students who are not traveling for the break, and invite them to Thanksgiving gatherings around the area.”
Jennifer Valera is the marketing manager for the Office of Summer and Winter Sessions. She said there is a lot lined up for students over winter break.
“We're very excited about it,” she said. “First off, we will be offering a full schedule of mostly free activities for registered Rutgers—New Brunswick Winter Session students.”
The schedule features events like "Art After Hours," where students can meet artists and go on curator-led tours at the Zimmerli Art Museum. Students can also go snow tubing — which includes transportation to and from the resort and a lift ticket — and have access to movie matinees at RU Cinema.
Valera said they will host an "Evening with Daniel Handler." Handler, also known as Lemony Snicket, is the author of the popular series of books "A Series of Unfortunate Events." The event is $10 for students and each person will receive a complimentary book signed by Handler.
"The Rutgers Makerspace will be offering free training to students who want to learn how to use makerspace equipment such as laser cutters, 3-D printers, woodworking tools and much more,” she said.
Students who attend and use Snapchat at the events will be entered in a contest, Valera said.
“We will be holding a fun contest for students who attend these events and use our Snapchat geofilters. They earn points every time they do this and can trade the points in for amazing prizes like a Rutgers duffle bag, ear buds or socks. We will be releasing more details about the contest very soon,” she said.
Students are still eligible to register for winter sessions until Dec. 4, after which they will be asked to pay an additional late fee of $125, Valera said.
“We offer online information sessions on a daily basis for students who'd like to learn more about the Winter Session,” she said. “In fact, everyone who attends the info session will be entered for a chance to win free winter tuition.”
Students can find more information and sign up for an information session on the Winter session website. Valera said that most normal campus facilities will stay open throughout the winter.
“The (recreation) centers will be open during winter on special schedules. Alexander Library will have extended hours for winter students," Valera said. "And the learning centers will also be open for academic support services like tutoring, academic coaching and review sessions."
