All incoming and continuing graduate students are invited to various welcome and community-building programs in September to kick off the Fall 2026 semester. Programs are designed to introduce you to essential resources and provide opportunities to connect with other graduate students, learn about graduate student organizations, and participate in campus-wide events. There are graduate student-exclusive programs as well as university events open for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Signature First Weeks Events
Graduate Student Life & GSA Open House
Tuesday, September 8, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Graduate Student Lounge, College Ave. Campus (126 College Avenue, behind Panera Bread)
Come check out the Graduate Student Lounge to meet the Graduate Student Life staff, GSA students, university partners. The Graduate Student Lounge is a great place to study, relax, or connect with friends and is equipped with a coffee and a microwave. Come visit us for snacks and giveaways for the first 50 students!
Graduate Student Welcome Reception & Resource Fair
Monday, September 14, 3:00pm – 5:00pm
Busch Student Center Multipurpose Room, Busch Campus
All graduate and professional students are invited to join the Office of Graduate Student Life and the Graduate Student Association for the annual Fall Graduate Student Welcome Reception and Resource Fair! Stop by the Busch Student Center MPR anytime between 3:00pm and 5:00pm to meet your fellow graduate students, network, enjoy food, and learn about the exciting opportunities, resources, and support services for graduate students by engaging with Graduate Student Organizations (GSOs) and University Departments! A full list of participating departments will be available soon.
National Student Parent Month Programs
Every September, the Office of Graduate Student Life celebrates our Graduate Parenting Students during National Student Parent Month. This month of programming is dedicated to recognizing the importance of empowering student parents as they balance the demands of academics and family life; raise awareness about the unique challenges parenting students face; and provide opportunities to learn about resources and connect with other graduate student parents.
First-Generation Graduate Student Welcome Social
Friday, September 18, 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Graduate Student Lounge, College Ave. Campus (126 College Avenue, behind Panera Bread)
New and returning first-generation graduate students are invited to a welcome social to meet other first-gen grad students and network with staff while learning about resources. Join OGSL for fellowship and connection over pizza! All participants will receive a free giveaway from the Office of Graduate Student Life! For any questions, email gradstudentlife@echo.rutgers.edu.
Exclusive Events for Graduate Students
- Social Events
First Weeks Spotlight: GSA Welcome Programs!
GSA Coffee and Conversations - Wednesday, September 2, 9:00am - 11:00am
Location: Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Avenue (Behind Panera Bread)
Join us for a delightful morning of warmth, conversation, and scrumptious delights at our Coffee and Breakfast event at the Graduate Student Lounge. Whether you're here to kickstart your day or savor a leisurely morning, GSA would be delighted to host you! Contact the Events Manager, events@gsa.rutgers.edu, with any questions.GSA Games Night - Thursday, October 1, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: Room 108, College Ave. Student Center (Bottom Floor)
Contact the Events Manager, events@gsa.rutgers.edu, with any questions.Exclusive Events for Graduate Students
Graduate Student Pilates - TBD
Location: Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Ave (Behind Panera Bread), College Ave Campus
Join OGSL this semester to take a pause from your busy week by relaxing your mind and body with your fellow graduate students. No registration needed. Mats and blocks are provided, and all skill levels are welcome! Email gradstudentlife@echo.rutgers.edu with any questions. Graduate Student Yoga is hosted by Rutgers Recreation and Office of Graduate Student Life.
- Graduate Affinity Groups
Join a Graduate Student Affinity Group
Looking to get connected with other graduate students and participate in a fun and supportive community? Consider joining a peer-designed and peer facilitated affinity group! Affinity groups are affirming spaces to build community with peers who share experiences, backgrounds, and social identities and connect with peers for personal and professional support and around shared interests. To read descriptions for each group and meet the student facilitators for each group to see which group(s) are a good fit for you, visit the affinity group webpage. Contact Dean Ghada Endick, gendick@echo.rutgers.edu with any questions.
Graduate Student Affinity Groups September Welcome Gatherings
Kickoff the Fall 2026 semester and join a peer-led affinity group! Get connected with your peers and join a fun and supportive group. All welcome gatherings are in the Graduate Student Lounge unless otherwise noted. Check back for dates!
There will be 9 groups being offered for the 2026-2027 academic year:
- African Graduate Students
- BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ Graduate Students
- Caribbean Graduate Students
- Chinese Graduate Students
- International Graduate Students (RINGS)
- Latino/a/e/x Graduate Students
- Multicultural (Third Culture) Graduate Students
- Neurodiverse Graduate Students
- Southeast Asian Graduate Students (SEA)
- Workshops
Pedagogical Support and Teaching Workshops
Free Graduate Writing Courses for Fall 2026
Registration is open for Graduate Writing Program (GWP) courses! Students of all academic disciplines are encouraged to register for GWP courses to receive individualized, discipline-specific feedback throughout the semester. These free, zero-credit courses carry no additional work other than writing students are already completing for their academic programs. Seating is limited so be sure to register early! Visit the schedule of classes to register for Fall 2026 GWP courses. For questions, please contact Mark DiGiacomo at markjd@english.rutgers.edu.
- Open Houses, Volunteer Engagement, & Pop-ups
Graduate Student Life & GSA Open House
Tuesday, September 8, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
Graduate Student Lounge, College Ave. Campus (126 College Avenue, behind Panera Bread)Come check out the Graduate Student Lounge to meet the Graduate Student Life staff, GSA students, university partners. The Graduate Student Lounge is a great place to study, relax, or connect with friends and is equipped with a coffee and a microwave. Come visit us for snacks and giveaways for the first 50 students!
University Events for Graduate & Undergraduate Student
- Social Events & Campus Involvement
Farmers Market on Morrell St. – Thursday, August 27, 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: Morrell St. (Outside of the College Ave. Student Center, 126 College Ave., College Ave. Campus)
Stop by the farmers market, coordinated by Basic Needs, every Thursday in the fall on Morrell St. on College Avenue Campus! Local farmers will be selling fresh produce and other vendors will vary weekly. There will be resource tables from on-campus offices too. Come out and support local!
Farmers Market on Morrell St. – Thursday, September 3, 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: Morrell St. (Outside of the College Ave. Student Center, 126 College Ave., College Ave. Campus)
Stop by the farmers market, coordinated by Basic Needs, every Thursday in the fall on Morrell St. on College Avenue Campus! Local farmers will be selling fresh produce and other vendors will vary weekly. There will be resource tables from on-campus offices too. Come out and support local!
Farmers Market on Morrell St. – Thursday, September 10, 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: Morrell St. (Outside of the College Ave. Student Center, 126 College Ave., College Ave. Campus)
Stop by the farmers market, coordinated by Basic Needs, every Thursday in the fall on Morrell St. on College Avenue Campus! Local farmers will be selling fresh produce and other vendors will vary weekly. There will be resource tables from on-campus offices too. Come out and support local!
Study Abroad Fair – Wednesday, September 16, 11:00am-2:00pm
Location: Livingston Hall (Livingston Student Center, 84 Joyce Kilmer Avee., Livingston Campus)
Attending our Study Abroad Fair is one of the best ways to learn about global education and funding opportunities. Held annually every fall semester, this is the opportunity to speak directly with study abroad advisors, faculty and program directors, partner universities, program providers, AND student alumni. Any attending student can enter a raffle for application fee waivers and study abroad scholarships! Also, enjoy free food, swag, and more! Visit the event webpage for more information.
Farmers Market on Morrell St. – Thursday, September 17, 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: Morrell St. (Outside of the College Ave. Student Center, 126 College Ave., College Ave. Campus)
Stop by the farmers market, coordinated by Basic Needs, every Thursday in the fall on Morrell St. on College Avenue Campus! Local farmers will be selling fresh produce and other vendors will vary weekly. There will be resource tables from on-campus offices too. Come out and support local!
Friendship Fridays with Rutgers Global – Friday, September 18, 4:00pm - 5:30
Location: Busch Student Center, The Cove (604 Bartholomew Rd, Busch Campus, Piscataway)
Friendship Fridays are a monthly opportunity for the Rutgers community to step away from classwork and research and just hang out and relax together. Join us to enjoy games, activities, food, and conversation - and make new friends from around the world! For more information or questions, contact events@global.rutgers.edu or visit the event webpage.Farmers Market on Morrell St. – Thursday, September 24, 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: Morrell St. (Outside of the College Ave. Student Center, 126 College Ave., College Ave. Campus)
Stop by the farmers market, coordinated by Basic Needs, every Thursday in the fall on Morrell St. on College Avenue Campus! Local farmers will be selling fresh produce and other vendors will vary weekly. There will be resource tables from on-campus offices too. Come out and support local!
Farmers Market on Morrell St. – Thursday, October 1, 11:00am-4:00pm
Location: Morrell St. (Outside of the College Ave. Student Center, 126 College Ave., College Ave. Campus)
Stop by the farmers market, coordinated by Basic Needs, every Thursday in the fall on Morrell St. on College Avenue Campus! Local farmers will be selling fresh produce and other vendors will vary weekly. There will be resource tables from on-campus offices too. Come out and support local!
- Open Houses, Fairs and Information Sessions
Rutgers Global Expo – Wednesday, September 9, 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Location: Rutgers Global - International Student Services (180 College Avenue, College Ave. Campus)
Games and activities, including tie dye. Check back for more info! Rain date is 9/10.
- Volunteer & Engagement Opportunities
Scarlet Honor Council Information Session – TBD
Location: Virtual
The Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution Services invites undergraduate and graduate students to join the Scarlet Honor Council! The Scarlet Honor Council is a team of students committed to upholding Rutgers community standards and promoting a safe and civil campus environment. Membership in the council is a great opportunity to develop leadership skills, meet new people, and get involved in the public life of your campus. Members of the Scarlet Honor Council serve on the University Hearing Board and the Campus Appeals Committee and provide education and outreach to the Rutgers community. For more information about the council, click HERE. After submitting an application, students who are chosen to progress to the next stage will be invited to an interview. Appointments to the council will be made based on applications and interviews. Students who are appointed to the council must then complete the appropriate training program. For more information about training, Click HERE. Questions? Contact Ranaysia Burrell at rnb72@echo.rutgers.edu.
This webpage was last updated on July 30, 2026.
