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By Erin Petenko

RBS celebrates re-accreditation

Rutgers Business School has completed a multi-year process to ensure they are meeting their own standards for student achievement. The school recently received its re-accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, a stamp of approval from the program that promises applicants that RBS is meeting its goals for success.Apr 4 2014

Rutgers uses student input for master plan

Rutgers is looking to refine and expand facilities in student centers, libraries and classroom buildings, said Antonio Calcado, the vice president of University Facilities and Capital Planning. They also hope to improve open spaces and adjust scheduling to accommodate bus transportation. Calcado discussed the physical master plan for Rutgers last night at Tillett Hall on Livingston campus. He said the majority of student and faculty opinion was taken from the MyCampus student survey.Apr 4 2014

Baffo backs affordability

Kristine Baffo said she wanted to bring more focus on shared governance, textbook costs and public safety to the Rutgers University Student Assembly. Baffo, School of Arts and Sciences senator at-large, is running for president of RUSA in its elections next week. She hopes to expand student input on the administration of the University and RUSA itself. Apr 3 2014

Oink and Moo BBQ: Livingston, Busch bask in barbecue

Students could smell the smoky, sweet aroma of Oink and Moo BBQ the moment they stepped off the bus by the Allison Road Classroom buildings yesterday on Busch campus. At the maroon food truck parked at the corner, vendors handed out bowls of chili adorned with corn bread to waiting students for its first day at the University. Apr 2 2014

Rutgers Men’s Crew Team strokes into 150th anniversary

Although Rutgers is often remembered for hosting the first college football game, one student sport is five years older than the football team itself. The Rutgers Men’s Crew Team is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, head coach Steve Wagner said. It was one of the first 10 crew teams in the country and is older than Princeton University’s rowing team. Apr 1 2014

RUSA votes to support student organizations

Port Authority chairman steps down

Port Authority Chairman David Samson has resigned in the wake of the “Bridgegate” scandal that has occupied New Jersey residents since the closure of the George Washington Bridge in August. Gov. Chris Christie announced Samson’s resignation at a press conference on Friday, according to The New York Times. Many analysts believe the governor forced the action to distance himself from the scandal.Mar 31 2014

Rutgers student chosen for Mars mission

A Scarlet Knight may be represented on the Red Planet in 2025. The Mars One project, which aims to create a colony on Mars with the first manned mission starting 2024, selected Brian R. Robles in a pool of 1,058 participants out of 200,000 applicants for the next round of selection. If Robles proceeds through the following rounds, he could be one of 40 people to go through a seven-year training program to prepare for life on another planet.Mar 28 2014

Organization works with activists to curb fracking in Delaware river basin

Fracking is a process of extracting natural gas from shale rock that requires companies to drill below the water table and pump the earth with water, chemicals and sand. Climate change from fracking could contribute to a rising sea level and more frequent severe storms. The New Jersey Public Interest Research Group is working with state activist groups to prevent fracking in the Delaware River Watershed.Mar 27 2014

MythBusters assistants talk making of the TV series

For their first myth, “MythBusters” asked Kari Byron to get a 3-D scan of her butt to test a myth. They wanted to know whether someone could get stuck on an airplane toilet seat. Byron started out at the popular science entertainment television program with an internship. She wanted to be a sculptor and visited Jamie Hyneman, who worked with props and special effects, asking him to let her work for free.Mar 27 2014

Rutgers sees drop in academic rankings

Rutgers has dropped in an international ranking of university academics. Times Higher Education released a report on March 5 with the results of a survey of more than 10,000 scholars that asked which universities have the best academic reputation. Rutgers was tied with ten other institutions for 91 out of 100 ranked colleges, according to the report. It tied for 81 in 2013 on the same study after increasing from 91 in 2012, and 71 in 2011.Mar 13 2014

Poll shows reduced trust in Christie

Gov. Chris Christie’s approval ratings have continued to drop after revelations of his alleged misuse of Hurricane Sandy aid. The Rutgers-Eagleton poll released the results of an 842-person survey that found trust in the governor has continued to decrease, although Christie has managed to maintain his reputation as a strong leader. Only 23 percent of New Jersey adults said they would call Christie “trustworthy,” compared to 43 percent in October 2013, according to a press release about the poll.Mar 12 2014

College Board overhauls SAT essay, score system

Aspiring Rutgers students are in for some changes to the application process.Last Wednesday, The College Board announced a strong departure from the current format of the SAT, one of the nation’s leading college admission exams. They plan to eliminate the 2400-point scoring system introduced in 2005 in favor of the prior 1600-point basis, with an optional essay sub-score replacing the current essay section, according to an article in The New York Times.Mar 11 2014

Rutgers study reveals lack of state oversight to contractors

Richard Edwards talks safety, athletic budget

Interim Chancellor for Rutgers-New Brunswick Richard Edwards accosted The Division of Administration and Public Safety for their treatment of William McCaw’s murder that occurred on Feb. 15. Edwards, also executive vice president for Academic Affairs, spoke at the Rutgers University Student Assembly meeting held last night at the Student Activities Center on the College Avenue campus.Mar 7 2014

City sees growth in minority businesses

The Intersect Fund provides funding to small businesses looking for microloans and advice. Ninety percent of their clients are minority businesses owners, said Rohan Mathew, president of the fund. New Brunswick is a “majority minority” city, where minorities — African-Americans, Hispanics, Asians and other groups — make up most of the population. But these groups still face difficulties opening up new businesses.Mar 6 2014

Fresh Grocer faces possible shutdown due to unpaid rent

The Fresh Grocer is facing penalties and possible shutdown for owing $784,754 in rent, said Mitch Karon, executive director of the New Brunswick Parking Authority, who is also the owner of the building. “We’re talking about nine months of back rent at this point,” he said. The NBPA recently issued a letter of default to the store in hopes of progressing negotiations on the debt. The Fresh Grocer has not yet responded to their attempts at discussion.Mar 6 2014

Students, parents sign petitions for McCaw

International student population sees new trend

Urmi Otiv believes many of the world’s problems could be solved with more international students. “The reason people become aggressive is because they don’t understand each other,” said Otiv, director of the Center for Global Services. International students are heading to Rutgers University in increasing numbers and are considering new majors and different ways of interacting with others.Mar 4 2014

Gloria Steinem talks women in media

Rather than listening to her words, Gloria Steinem asked her audience last night to turn the event into a town hall meeting. “Hierarchy came with patriarchy, and neither of them work anymore,” she said. Steinem, writer, editor and feminist activist, spoke about the media’s representation of women at the Livingston Student Center for “Media: More than Reality,” part of the Susan and Michael Angelides J. Lecture Series.Feb 28 2014

Rutgers and New Brunswick face lawsuit for not disclosing police jurisdiction

For the failure of disclosing maps of off-campus areas over which the New Brunswick and Rutgers police departments have jurisdiction, Charlie Kratovil, the editor-in-chief of New Brunswick Today, filed a lawsuit against Rutgers University and the city of New Brunswick. Kratovil filed the suit with the Middlesex County Superior Court in hopes of clarifying changes made to RUPD jurisdiction since 2010, according to the official complaint.Feb 25 2014

Rutgers admissions plan to become more exclusive

Admission to Rutgers-New Brunswick is becoming increasingly competitive.Feb 24 2014

AAC relieves Rutgers from contract for $11.5M

Rutgers is continuing to prepare for its future move to the Big Ten athletic conference. The Rutgers Athletic Department signed an $11.5 million deal with the American Athletic Conference to relieve them of their contract, less than the $15 million they originally sought, according to a press release. Rutgers plans to join the Big Ten July 1., according to the Bleacher Report article “Why Rutgers Is in a Better Position Than Maryland to Succeed in Big Ten.”Feb 18 2014

Rutgers scholarship looks to avoid ‘brain drain’

Program looks at integration of international students

Gauri Shukla said her transition from India to Katzenbach Hall on Douglass Campus was difficult. “I definitely had a rough patch my freshman year,” said Shukla, now a School of Arts and Sciences senior. Housing and Residence Life plans to improve the integration of international students into the University with the International Friendship Program, which matches American students with international students, said Michael Stillwagon, the director of Residence Life at Rutgers.Feb 12 2014

Harlem Globetrotter visits children at local hospital

Jonathan Thomas, also known as “Hawk,” made the children at the PSE&G Children’s Specialized Hospital giggle when he told them that his name came from his ability to fly. Children watched the antics and listened to the jokes of the Harlem Globetrotter during his visit to the hospital, located on Somerset Street, as a preview to his performance at the Prudential Center in Newark this weekend.Feb 11 2014

Christie administration admits developer claims

University, mayor promise transportation changes

The mayor of Piscataway and a Rutgers University Department of Transportation Services official promised further collaboration and innovation yesterday at an event hosted by the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group’s Rutgers chapter.Feb 7 2014

University annouces changes to Katzenbach stop

Douglass campus is celebrating the announcement of the new location and improvements to the Katzenbach bus stop, currently located across from Katzenbach Hall on Ryders Lane. Jamila White, president of the Douglass Governing Council, said the council passed a resolution last semester requesting that Rutgers renovate the stop.Feb 5 2014

Christie knew about closures, according to letter

Gov. Chris Christie’s administration has come under fire since Friday when revelations arose that Christie may have known about the George Washington Bridge lane closures, and that he mishandled Sandy relief aid by sending it to a New Brunswick apartment building. Christie’s administration sent $4.8 million to the construction complex on Somerset and Condict streets from the Hurricane Sandy relief fund, according to an NBC report.Feb 3 2014

U. professor heads special course on blog writing, food

New courses provide insight on HIV/AIDS

Rutgers offers new online course options

The University opens this semester with many new online courses for interested students. Chris Scherer, the director of the New Program Initiatives and Digital Learning, said the Creative Works Project and the Office of New Program Initiatives and Digital Learning are offering collaborations with students.Jan 28 2014

Students petition course changes

Nechama Bloom, a School of Arts and Sciences senior, took organic chemistry with Professor John Taylor after she transferred to the University. She said she enjoyed the class so much that she went to office hours every week Taylor held them and maintained a close relationship with the professor. Bloom was disappointed to learn that this semester, another professor would take control of the syllabus and structure of the course.Jan 21 2014

Man on Bicycle Robs Two Rutgers Students

Police arrested a man Saturday evening for holding two Rutgers students at gunpoint and attempting to make an escape on his bicycle in the area near Guilden Street and Mine Street.Jan 13 2014

Federal Aviation Administration selects Rutgers for drone research program

Five Rutgers students arrested in drug bust

Rutgers, NJ lawmakers invite Obama to speak at 2016 Commencement

Rutgers’ 250th birthday may be more than two years away, but lawmakers are already planning the party.Dec 25 2013

Rutgers Marching Band to play alongside Syracuse at Super Bowl

Rutgers journalism professor Richard Heffner dies at 88

Spring club fair divided into three days

This years fall student involvement fair was widely criticized for its disorganization and overcrowding when inclement weather forced 400 student organizations into the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue Campus. Student Life has responded with a new strategy for the spring semester — they plan to divide the involvement fair into separate events on two different campuses.Dec 10 2013

Canterbury House aims to expose prison flaws

Mark Dilsizian went to prisons as an undergraduate to teach inmates about the Bible and found many of them were in there for petty crimes. It was an experience that led him to believe the justice system is anything but just. “If you look a little bit behind the headlines in the news and talk to communities that are affected by the prison-industrial complex, you realize what a toll it takes specifically on underprivileged communities,” he said.Dec 6 2013

RUSA passes student allocations funds

The Rutgers University Student Assembly passed without opposition a resolution approving the allocation of $538,680.36 to 378 student organizations for the spring 2014 semester at their meeting last night at the Student Activities Center on the College Avenue campus.Dec 6 2013

U. professors named fellows in association

Marching band defeats Glee Club in ‘Soup Bowl’

Snow sprinkled down during the second quarter of the 42nd Glee Club-Marching Band “Soup Bowl” football game Saturday night at University Park on Busch campus. But the teams continued the fight until the Marching Band won.Nov 25 2013

Middlesex freeholders consider fracking ban

Food & Water Watch presented a proposal for banning fracking to the Middlesex County Board of Chosen Freeholders at their meeting last night at the Middlesex County Administration Building on Bayard Street. Fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, is a method of extracting natural gas that has faced criticism for polluting water supplies. New Brunswick and Highland Park have already banned the activity, said Jim Walsh, director of Food & Water Watch.Nov 22 2013

Vehicle hits pedestrian near Douglass Campus Center

A red minivan hit a female pedestrian outside the Douglass Campus Center at approximately 2 p.m. today.Nov 21 2013

SVC kicks off week to fight local hunger

The Student Volunteer Council kicked off “Hunger Awareness Week” yesterday by cleaning an herb garden in New Brunswick. The week’s events are also set to include tabling, meal packaging and a trip to a pay-as-you-wish restaurant in Highland Park, said Fullamusu Bangura, University relations chair for SVC.Nov 19 2013

Byrne seminar courses see development

Alumnus, philanthropist Ralph W. Voorhees passes

Center caters toward Native Americans

Chaplain Keith Ross of the Second Reformed Church intends to provide support for the smallest minority on campus: Native Americans. Ross, who is a Native American from Saskatchewan, Canada, is director of the Rutgers Native American Welcome Center, which is at 14 Stone St. and is a new department that aims to provide Native Americans with social, academic and spiritual support. The organization had its grand opening Oct. 19, and featured traditional drummers in the celebration, he said.Nov 7 2013

Buono blames political machine for overwhelming defeat

METUCHEN, N.J. — Barbara Buono may have lost the race, but in her concession speech last night, she asserted her determination to continue advocating for the causes she ran for. “Tonight, we will not look back with regret, because this will not deter us from our momentum,” she said, standing on a small stage in the Novita Bistro in Metuchen, N.J. Gov. Chris Christie defeated Buono 61 percent to 39 percent.Nov 6 2013

RUPA asks RUSA to raise allocations for next year

The Rutgers University Student Assembly heard presentations from the Rutgers University Programming Association and a national student advocacy group last night at their general body meeting. They also voted to support a resolution to support students at the City University of New York in their battle over the student center.Nov 1 2013

U ’s Scarlet Latte cafe closes due to lack of traffic

After two years, the Scarlet Latte Cafe at the Archibald S. Alexander Library on the College Avenue campus is closing its doors at the end of today. Lack of traffic has made its operation a loss, said Lila Fredenburg, director of administrative services for Rutgers Libraries. She said Rutgers Dining Services, which operates the cafe, decided to cut its losses and abandon the space, which the library owns.Oct 31 2013

Veteran organizations push to benefit from games of chance

Stephen Abel learned about the benefits of games of chance when his chapter of American Legion burned down 18 months ago. He said while the Lawrenceville, N.J. organization managed to get back on its feet with fundraising and personal donations, many veterans’ associations could use additional resources for building maintenance, especially in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.Oct 29 2013

Film depicts Sukkot traditions, buildings

Corrugated cardboard signs held by the homeless do not typically form the structure of buildings. But in New York City’s Union Square, 2010’s “Sukkah City,” and its accompanying documentary featured such a design and others from the minds of architects recreating the traditions of the Jewish holiday Sukkot. The Allen and Joan Bildner Center for the Study of Jewish Life hosted the “Rutgers Jewish Film Festival,” now in its 14th year, at the Regal Cinemas in North Brunswick.Oct 28 2013

Report looks at complaints for loans

Although private loans make up only 7 percent of the student loan market, they represent 15 percent of student loan debt, according to a report by the New Jersey Public Interest Research Group’s Law and Policy Center. The center published a report yesterday titled “Private Loans, Public Complaints” based on data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which handles complaints about private student loan lenders.Oct 25 2013

Documentary to spur discussion on climate change

Seven different groups — from the Rutgers Climate Institute to the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum — are collaborating to bring a documentary about climate change in the Arctic to campus. “Chasing Ice” will screen today at the Rutgers Cinema on Livingston campus and will be followed by a panel of five Rutgers professors.Oct 23 2013

NJ court upholds order for same-sex marriages

Michelle Gelber and Mandy Spiller plan to celebrate the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Friday ruling to allow same-sex marriages by getting married today on a beach in Asbury Park, N.J. Gelber, who is from Wall Township, N.J., said she and her fiancee have been engaged for almost a year. “We’ve been waiting so long. We want to make it happen as soon as possible,” Gelber said. “We’ve been scattering around trying to get everything in place.”Oct 21 2013

Delta Upsilon chosen for meal swipes program

The Rutgers University Student Assembly voted to support the Delta Upsilon fraternity with its meal swipes program. It also unanimously passed a resolution supporting shared governance and heard Felicia McGinty, vice chancellor of Student Affairs, speak about the division’s plans and hopes for the University. Jacob Shulman, recording secretary of RUSA, said the meal swipes program would take the cost of a meal swipe and donate it to charity.Oct 18 2013

NJ general election to see minimum wage ballot amendment

A ballot amendment this November may decide the salaries of 41,000 New Jersey workers earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, according to a survey from the United States Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. The New Jersey Legislature voted to include a constitutional amendment raising the minimum wage to $8.25 per hour on the Nov. 5 ballot, said David Redlawsk, director of the Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics Poll.Oct 15 2013

Board of Governors induct public policy executive

Hillel community celebrates move to temporary building

Rutgers Hillel celebrated their move to a temporary location with a ceremony including singing, dancing and prayer. The Jewish religious and cultural center moved from its home at 93 College Ave. to a temporary location at 8 Bishop Place, where they plan to wait for the completion of a permanent building on the College Avenue campus.Oct 4 2013

RUSA supports same-sex marriage campaign

Daniel Munoz has seen the issue of same-sex marriage affect many of his friends firsthand. “I have a lot of gay and lesbian friends, and I know a lot of gay and lesbian couples,” said Munoz, the Cook Campus representative of the Rutgers University Student Assembly.Oct 2 2013

Director discusses changes to Student Code of Conduct

Anne Newman, the director of Student Conduct, spoke at the Rutgers University Student Assembly meeting last night about new code of conduct, the Off-Campus Task Force and future plans to coordinate with students on issues surrounding student conduct. She said the Office of Student Conduct addressed academic and behavior violations, assisted fraternity and sorority issues, and helped mediate conflicts between students.Sep 27 2013

Rutgers provides historical maps for state museum

Site helps organizations connect, create calendars

Scarlet Pulse debuted last week as an option for students looking to connect through events around campus, ranging from knitting to watching football.Sep 17 2013

Calcado discusses construction on campus

Although students may complain about the construction scattered around Rutgers, the changes mark the beginning of an initiative to redefine the character of the College Avenue campus and create a new, uniform look, said Antonio Calcado, vice president of University Facilities and Capital Planning.Sep 13 2013

City, University to collaborate on improving bike infrastructure

New Brunswick Councilman John Anderson has biked around the city all 60 years of his life. “[I ride] an old ten-speed,” he said. “I have rode all over town without any problems, all different areas. But I do like the new bike lanes.”Sep 11 2013

Rutgers Hillel finds new home

Rutgers Hillel, the Jewish outreach organization on campus, will move into a new building as a part of the College Avenue campus re-development partnership between Rutgers and the New Brunswick Development Corporation.Sep 9 2013

SC&I adds courses to new public relations specialization

Professors inducted into Academy of Sciences

Students ask University to shift focus from profit

The University admissions website says an education is a sound investment. “As a public school, Rutgers can offer tuition and fees significantly lower than its private-school peers … We call that a value,” according to the website. But many students disputed that claim at the Open Hearing on the University’s Budget, Tuition, Fees, and Housing and Dining Charges, and filled the Multipurpose Room on the College Avenue campus last night to speak about it. Apr 26 2013

Researchers present work to Johnson &?Johnson officials

Professors talk benefits of public relations field

U. to begin new public relations specialization

Beginning in the fall of 2013, communication majors can specialize in public relations, said Diane Gomez, director of marketing and communications for the School of Communication and Information. The administration will soon announce the required courses for the strategic public communication and public relations specialization, said Laurie Lewis, department chair of the School of Communication and Information. Apr 2 2013

Latinos share stories in documentary

U. ice hockey gains national recognition

Beginning their ritual chant in their locker room, the University’s ice hockey team continues onto the ice where the fans join in on chanting. This ritual has proven lucky—the club team now ranks eighteenth in the nation. This season’s team also qualified for the ACHA Men’s Division One National Tournament for the fourth consecutive year, said Andy Gojdycz, the head coach. But this is their first year in the Eastern States Collegiate Hockey League, where the qualification is based on ranking, not auto-bidding, according to head coach Andy Gojdycz. Mar 4 2013

Forum examines restrictions on religion in foreign countries

Seventy-five percent of people in the world live in countries with severe restrictions on religious freedom, according to Timothy Shah, assistant director of the Religious Freedom Project at Georgetown University. They lack the basic ability to organize, pray, build religious structures and spread their beliefs, Shah said in a talk he gave yesterday at the Cook Campus Center. “We mobilize for a lot of crises as a society, but this is a crisis we do little about,” Shah said. “We easily mouth the words universal right of religious freedom, but … we tend to take [it] for granted.” Feb 22 2013

Student documentaries depict foreign experiences

Abdulai Jalloh’s documentary, “3P65,” describes his father’s harrowing escape from a diamond mine in Sierra Leone after spending years watching rebels kill many of his friends — sometimes just for fun. “He came to death row because the rebels wanted to make him an example to others,” Jalloh said. “When the rebel was reloading his gun, my father ran away and traveled through the forest for a week to reach another village.” The film, which was named after the cab Jalloh’s father drove, was one of three shown Wednesday by youth in the Reel Lives film program at the Alexander Library on the College Avenue campus. Feb 21 2013

Students curate Guantanamo exhibit

Many people associate Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. detention center in Cuba, with the recent war on terror. But a new exhibit at the University is looking back in time to focus on the century of controversy and complexity behind the site. The “Curating Guantanamo” exhibit is a collaboration between 11 universities to compile a history of the site and analyze how the past affects its present-day status, said Andy Urban, assistant professor of American Studies and History. Feb 19 2013