All incoming and continuing graduate students are invited to various welcome and community-building programs to kick off the initial weeks of the Fall 2023 semester. Programs are designed to introduce you to essential resources, provide opportunities to connect with other graduate students, learn about graduate student organizations and participate in campus-wide events. There are grad-exclusive programs as well as university events open for both undergraduate and graduate students. Fall 2024 will be launched mid August! Stay tuned
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Graduate and Professional Student Welcome Reception and Resource Fair
Thursday, September 14, 2023
Busch Student Center Multipurpose Room @ 3pm – 6pm
The Office of Graduate Student Life and the Rutgers University Graduate Student Association invites all graduate and professional school students to stop by on September 14th to enjoy food, networking, and learn about our Graduate Student Organizations and University Department support services! All graduate students are welcome! Students can RSVP here, A list of university departments and Graduate Student Organizations participating will be posted on September 1st.
Please download the Final Resource Guide of all the departments and graduate student organizations that participated in the resource fair.
GSA Wildcats Vs Scarlet Knights Tailgate Party and Discounted Game Passes
Time : Sunday, September 3 2023 at 9:00 AM
Location : Lot 54, Piscataway, NJ 08854
Join GSA and Kinesiology and Applied Physiology (KAP) GSO for the Rutgers Football home opener!
All Graduate students from all Rutgers NB Graduate Schools are invited! Great opportunity to meet other graduate students from other grad programs.
A $10 ticket includes a pre-game tailgate with food, drinks, and fun! Please RSVP for tailgate and/or ticket reservation at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/z5ZysamDTw. If you can't join the tailgate and want tickets, that is also an option. Fill out the form and let us know. Up to 4 tickets can be purchased.
Questions? Email Shawn, the GSA Business Manager, at help@gsa.rutgers.edu
RSVP and more instructions on https://rutgers.campuslabs.com/engage/event/9209317
------------------------Exclusive Events for Graduate Students-------------------------
Global Grads: International Student Orientation (ISO)
Monday 8/28 – Wednesday 8/30
Rutgers Global–International Student and Scholar Services will be hosting a comprehensive orientation for all new international undergraduate and graduate students in August. The program will begin with a welcome event on Monday, August 28th at 9:00AM at the Jersey Mikes Arena on Livingston Campus. All ISO-related updates will be posted on the Rutgers Global – ISO website (https://global.rutgers.edu/ISO). Graduate Students are automatically registered for this program and may also be invited to the department and school-specific orientation programs separate from the ISO. Please make sure you attend those programs as well.
A Graduate Student Life session hosted by Dean Ghada Endick and a representative of the Graduate Student Association will be provided as part of ISO on Tuesday, August 29 1pm-1:30 in Scott Hall Room 135 (TAs/GAs/Fellows only), and 1:30-2pm in Scott Hall, Room 123.
Back to the Birthplace at SHi Football Stadium - Home Opener!
Sunday, September 3, 2023, @ Noon
Watch Rutgers take on Northwestern Wildcats! Graduate Students can purchase discounted BOGO (Buy 1 Get 1 Free @ 50% off) tickets. Buy NOW!
Black Graduate Student Mixer
Tuesday, September 12, Time: 5:30PM-7:00PM. Location: Paul Robeson Cultural Center
Join the Council of Black Graduates and the Paul Robeson Cultural Center for a social mixer! Light refreshments and fun. For more information, email gradstudentlife@echo.rutgers.edu
GSA Coffee and Breakfast
Wednesday Sept 13th, 9AM-11AM
Location: Chemistry and Chemical Biology Building (CCB Foyer, 123 Bevier Road), Busch Campus
Join us for a delightful morning of warmth, conversation, and scrumptious delights at our Coffee and Breakfast event. Whether you're here to kickstart your day or savor a leisurely morning, GSA would be delighted to host you!
RSVP Here: https://rutgers.campuslabs.com/engage/event/9272227 Click here for more event information. Questions? Email Shawn, the GSA Business Manager, at help@gsa.rutgers.edu
GSA Game Night
Wednesday September 27th, 7PM-8:30PM
Location: Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Avenue
Join us for a night of laughter, strategy, and camaraderie at our Board Games Night!
Whether you're a seasoned board game enthusiast or a curious beginner, this is your chance to relax, unwind, and have some fun. Grab your friends, bring your competitive spirit, and be prepared for an unforgettable evening of games, snacks, and good times. Don't miss out on the chance to make memories and forge new friendships over classic and modern board games!
RSVP here: https://rutgers.campuslabs.com/engage/event/9272401. Questions? Email Shawn, the GSA Business Manager, at help@gsa.rutgers.edu
Grads on the Ground: Day of Service Registration Open
Saturday, October 21, 2023, * 8:30am - 4:30 pm. Registration Open Now!
Scarlet Day of Service is a day-long service event at Rutgers University-New Brunswick hosted by @rupapresents. This event will allow undergraduate, graduate, and alumni to serve New Jersey by cleaning up communities, revitalizing outdoor spaces, working with youth and older adults, and more. The Office of Graduate Student Life will organize a graduate student-only service team! If you are a graduate student interested in service and meeting other graduate students, join us. If you are interested in participating, please register your interest HERE. Breakfast and Lunch are provided.
Career Exploration and Success (CES) Open House (All Students)
Wednesday, September 6, 2023 @ 11 am – 2pm
Join Career Exploration and Success at their Gateway Transit Village location (106 Somerset St., 4th Floor, New Brunswick, NJ 08901) and learn how they help students like you create their next big opportunity and prepare for the job market, all while enjoying some free sweet treats, activities, and much more! Also, attendance at this event has many perks! Attending this event earns you a #MegaFastPass for the Fall Career & Internship Mega Fair. The #MegaFastPass is a digital pass that enables you to skip the registration line at the 2023 Fall Career and Internship Mega Fair. Plus, it also grants you early admittance at 11:00 AM into the fair and is valid for each day of the fair. Plus, this event is part of the #Rutgersworks Free Tuition Challenge. By attending this event, you will earn two stamps toward your Fall 2023 gameboard. Graduate students are eligible to win! Visit careers.rutgers.edu/challenge for more information. Please get in touch with careers@echo.rutgers.edu with accessibility or accommodation needs. Visit for more information: https://careers.rutgers.edu/event/career-exploration-and-success-open-house-sponsored-johnson-johnson
LGBTQIA+ Graduate Student Social
Wednesday, September 13
5:00pm-7:00pm
17 Bartlett St, College Avenue Campus
Graduate students in the LGBTQIA+ community are invited to meet and greet with us! Learn more about campus resources for our community and make new friends. Free food is provided. For updates and details, check out our instagram @rusjelgbt.
Center for Social Justice Education & LGBT Communities
Every Now and Zen: Yoga, Meditation and Making Connections
Thursday, September 21, 2023
This event is part of the Graduate Student Lounge Event Series and will be held every Thursday
Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Avenue 5:30 - 6:30pm
Take a pause from your busy week to practice Yoga and relax your mind and body. Refreshments will be served.
Hosted by Rutgers Recreation
Sunset Kayaking - Graduate Student Mixer (Program sold out)
September 28, 2023, 6pm - 8;30pm
Location: Class of 1914 Boathouse, 5 Memorial Parkway, New Brunswick * Cost $15
Join us and your fellow graduate students on the Raritan River for a casual evening paddle where we'll put on the river after the temperature cools down and head upstream to watch the sunset over the Hub City skyline. Limited spots. Register your interest HERE. Directions can be found HERE.
Fuel Up Fridays
Friday, September 29, 2023
This event is part of the Graduate Student Lounge Event Series and will be held on the last Friday of every month
Graduate Student Lounge, 126 College Avenue * 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Join us for a light breakfast (bagels and coffee), and connect with fellow grads, learn about grad student resources, and meet Rutgers staff.
The first event on 9/29 will feature staff from GradFund. Assistant Dean and Director, Teresa M. Delcorso-Ellmann and GradFund Fellowship Advisors, Tyler Carson and Ariel Mond. Please RSVP HERE. Future event dates: 10/27 and 11/17 and 12/8. Visit events page for future sessions. Contact gradstudentlife@echo.rutgers.edu for questions.
Chop Day: Rutgers vs. Wagner @ SHI Stadium + $10 fee for Tickets and Pizza Party
Saturday, September 30, 2023 Game Time: 3:30pm
Looking to attend a Rutgers game will fellow graduate students and have some Scarlet Knight fun? JOIN US! $10 fee to receive tickets to the game and a pre-game pizza party! Sign up HERE. Pre-game Pizza Party will be at the Graduate Student Lounge from 11:30am - 1:00pm. Then you can hop on a bus at the College Avenue Student Center to head to the stadium for boardwalk fun and another Chop Day.
Rutgers Virtual Career and Internship Fair: Masters & Doctoral Students
Friday, October 6, 2023
12:00pm - 3:00pm
Actively recruiting employers will be available to virtually network with candidates to discuss full-time, part-time, and internship opportunities, including in-person, virtual, or hybrid roles for candidates who have received or are pursuing an advanced degree. This career and internship fair is open to all Rutgers University students and alumni. This event is part of the #Rutgersworks Free Tuition Challenge. Current students attending this virtual event will earn two stamps toward their Fall 2023 gameboard. Graduate students are eligible to win! Visit careers.rutgers.edu/challenge for more information. Please get in touch with careers@echo.rutgers.edu with accessibility or accommodation needs. Registration and more information to be live soon, visit: careers.rutgers.edu/events
Community Events (Undergraduate & Graduate Students)
Target Takeover
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Leaving from the Busch Student Center @ 8pm – 10pm
Shuttles will be taking students for an exclusive Rutgers students takeover of the local Target store. Registration details will be posted August 28.
New Student Shabbat Dinner @ Hillel House (All Students)
Friday, September 1, 2023. Dinner from 8pm - 10pm (There are services offered at 7pm for those interested. Please view the link below!)
70 College Avenue
Advance Sign up required; click here.
Help Me Find My Classes Event
Friday, September 1, 2023 10am-Noon
If you need help finding classes and navigating the campuses and the bus routes, stop by the welcome tent near the Student Center on each campus.
Knights on the Banks: Movie Knight
Friday, September 1, 2023 Time: 8pm - 11pm
Douglass Campus - Skelly Field (outdoor movie)
Knights on the Banks
Saturday, September 2, 2023 Time: 9pm - 11pm
College Avenue Student Center, 126 College Avenue on Morrell Street and Multipurpose Room
Trivia, food trucks, corn hole and more!
Knights on the Banks: Silent Disco
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Deiner Park on George Street Time: 8pm - 11pm
Advance Sign up required. Stay tuned for sign up details.
The Canterbury House and QuaC: Queer and Christian Ice-Cream Social
Monday, September 4, 2023 @ 6:30 pm
Location: The Canterbury House, 5 Mine Street, New Brunswick
Website: episcopal.rutgers.edu
Email: canterbury.house@rutgers.edu
Rutgers Hillel BBQ & Jewish Involvement Fair (All Students)
Monday, September 4, 2023
70 College Avenue @ 7:00 pm -8:30 pm
No advance sign-up required. Just stop by.
ODS Welcome Week Open House
Friday, September 8, 2023
LSH first-floor lobby outside of ODS (Suite A145) @ 12:20 pm - 1:30 pm
Graduate students are invited to attend the Office of Disability Services Welcome Week Open House ice cream social for all living with disabilities or disability allies. The ODS staffers are excited to meet and make a connect with all in attendance and provide the opportunity to connect with peers.
Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may call 848-202-3111 or email dsoffice@echo.rutgers.edu in advance of the program. More information can be found at https://ods.rutgers.edu/
The Canterbury House Kick-Off Dinner and Open House
Sunday, September 10, 2023 @ 5:30 - 9:00 pm
Location: The Canterbury House, 5 Mine Street, New Brunswick
Website: episcopal.rutgers.edu
Email: canterbury.house@rutgers.edu
Zimmerli Art Museum Fall Opening Reception
Wednesday, September 13, 2023, * 5 pm - 8 pm * 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901
Throughout the Evening -- Light Refreshments, Music, and Meet the Artists in the Galleries. For RSVP and further details, click HERE.
Supporting Parents & Caregivers at Rutgers (SPCR) Welcome Breakfast
Thursday, 9/28 10-11 am *Food Science & Nutritional Science Building on Cook Campus (FS-120)
Location: Food Science & Nutritional Science Building on Cook Campus (FS-120)
Connect with graduate student parents and caregivers across departments for social connection and mutual support and help advocate for the needs of grad student parents and caregivers. Looking for parents, caregivers, pregnant people, allies, or anyone who wants to help a small group grow! RSVP: https://rutgers.campuslabs.com/engage/event/9352325. Questions: rutgersgradparents@gmail.com
