Life @ The Graduate Student Lounge

The Graduate Student Lounge is part of the College Avenue Student Center at 126 College Avenue. It is home to two offices: the Office of Graduate Student Life and the Graduate Student Association.  We invite you to visit and hang out to relax and study.  There is a microwave and complimentary Keurig coffee station for your use. 

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)

RSVP: Link

This Open House is an opportunity for grad students to meet Office of Graduate Student Life staff and GSA leadership and learn about opportunities for involvement, resources, and services to support the graduate student experience. Come meet campus partners from CAPS, Learning Centers, Graduate Writing Program, Office of Disability Services, Career Exploration and Success and Recreation. Join us for donuts, coffee, giveaways, and massages.

First-Generation Graduate Student Welcome Social

Community, Resources & Conversation

Friday, September 18, 5:00pm - 6:30pm, Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Ave., New Brunswick
Join us for a welcoming and social event for new and returning first-generation graduate students and their families. Connect with peers who share similar experiences, meet supportive staff, learn about Rutgers resources, and enjoy lunch and community. The event will also include informal opportunities to share your experiences, ask questions, and reflect on what support matters the most to you. For more information on First-Generation Graduate Student programs visit our website. Questions? Email gradstudentlife@echo.rutgers.edu

Graduate Affinity Group Fall 2026 Kickoff Gatherings in the Lounge


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. Groups will meet monthly in the fall semester at a date/time and in a format to be determined by the facilitator and participants. 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. 
Nine groups are being offered: 
African students
BIPOC LGBTQIA2S+ students
Caribbean Grad Student Network  
Chinese students  
Rutgers International Graduate Students  
Latinx Grad Group
Multicultural Grad Group
Neurodivergent students 
Southeast Asian students

To read descriptions for each group and learn if it's a good fit for you, click HERE. Questions? Ghada Endick, gendick@echo.rutgers.edu.

Graduate Student Disability Services Pop-Ups

Dates TBD for fall 2026

ODS will be held the Wednesday of every month from 2-4 p.m at the Graduate Student Lounge (126 College Avenue), and on Zoom, Coordinator Nychey Michel from the Office of Disabilities Services (ODS) will offer drop-in hours just for graduate students.  Come stop by and meet Nychey to discuss accommodations for: hearing, vision, and mobility conditions, learning disabilities, psychological diagnoses (such as anxiety or depression), chronic illnesses, traumatic brain injuries, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and More. She can be reached at (848)-202-3111 or nlm108@echo.rutgers.edu.  Dates:  February 4, March 4 and April 1, 2026.  See flyer for more details.

Starting Wednesday 9/16/2026 Wellness Wednesdays Mat Pilates 

5pm-6pm every Wednesday in the Fall 2026 semester. Starting 9/16 - 12/2,  Rutgers Recreation will be hosting Mat Pilates . 

Join us on Wednesdays 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 Mat Pilates is hosted by Rutgers Recreation and Office of Graduate Student Life.     

Graduate Student Association (GSA) Coffee & Breakfast 

Wednesday, September 2, 9:00am - 11:00am, Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Avenue, New Brunswick
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) invites all graduate students to join us for a morning of coffee, breakfast, and community. This event is a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow graduate students, share experiences, and start the day with delicious food and engaging conversations. Come for the coffee, stay for the connections!  The GSA will host Coffee and Conversation every first Wednesday of the spring semester.

Let's Talk Counseling Conversations – Free Private and Confidential Drop-In Conversations

Held with CAPS counselors who understand what graduate students are struggling with and can help you deal with stress.  Schedule to be posted shortly.

If these days, times, or formats do not meet your needs, we encourage you to identify other counselors across all five campuses with varying day/time options. Our counselors are diverse in social, racial, ethnic, gender, age, and sexual identities to meet the diverse needs of our graduate population.  Visit other Let's Talk OPTIONS.
 

This webpage was last updated on 8/1/2026