Letter from the Editor Congratulations, Class of 2018, and welcome to the Banks of the Old Raritan. Although you have yet to walk onto campus as an official first-year student, I’m sure many of you have learned that the acronym for Rutgers University, RU, all-too-conveniently sounds like the phrase “Are you...” Those two letters have a ubiquitous presence on campus, often found glued to the beginning of a question. Glowing signs above the Grease Trucks ask, “RU Hungry?”, flyers plastered on bus stops ask, “RU Studying?”, and (as I encountered my first year) shirts worn by overzealous students ask, “RU Swaggin’?” This special edition of The Daily Targum is designed to ask you one of the most important questions contrived from this hackneyed wordplay: RU Ready? College undoubtedly
opens up a new chapter in your life. With over 40,000 students creating one of the most diverse environments in higher education, Rutgers will introduce you to classmates, roommates and potential friends with completely different backgrounds and worldviews. Unlike high school, college level courses do not teach you to read, recite and repeat: Your professors will urge you to think critically about new ideas. Moreover, over 400 student organizations open doors to new adventures and opportunities. You cannot be ready for Rutgers if you decide to passively curl up in your comfort zone. You must be ready to actively and openly embrace college: Allow Rutgers to shape you into the person you strive to become. Although you are the only person who can determine if you are ready, we can help you
RU Connection Page 3
prepare to hurdle the smaller bumps and roadblocks along the way. The RU On Campus? section gives you a head start in navigating the 2,688 acres of the five campuses, from breaking down the bus routes to explaining the difference between RUSA and RUPA. RU In New Brunswick? encourages you to wander beyond campus borders and explore The Hub City. RU B1G? will get you pumped for our first year in the Big Ten Conference and show you what it means to be a proud Scarlet Knight this fall sports season. Finally, RU Ready? gives you answers to questions that you won’t find in your orientation packets such as “Does Rutgers have its own STD?”, “What is Club Alex?” and “Will I gain the Freshman 15?” For more tips and tidbits, check out our extended edition of RU Connection online at www.dailytargum.com.
Contents RU On Campus? RU B1G? 5 How to Survive Your First Week 20 Ready for Gameday? 6 Navigating the Buses 22 Football 8 Campus Hangouts 25 Soccer 10 Rutgers Events 26 Field Hockey 12 Campus Organizations 27 Volleyball 14 Redefine Studying RU Ready? RU In New Brunswick? 28 RU Lingo 30 Dine by Design 16 RU Hungry 33 Avoid the Freshmen 15 19 Off Campus Hangouts 34 Rumor Has It 37 Dorm Décor 38 RUcket List
How to Survive Your First Day of Classes
RU On Campus? Page 5
Murtuza Hussain / Staff Writer
don’t be afraid to approach people
test out the bus routes
There’s a good chance you’ll be using a bus or two to get to classes, but that’s not all these buses are great for. Check out where some of these buses stop. Maybe you’ll spot a restaurant you like, a really cool study location or a new gym. Use some of your free time to go on an adventure.
Forget what you thought people were like in high school. Students in college are much more mature and asking a question about a bus stop or introducing yourself to the person next to you in class won’t come off as weird. This will help you to socialize and make valuable friends faster than ever.
don’t stress about being late
explore the campuses
Buses will be packed, finding classrooms will take some time, and walking from bus stop to bus stop can be annoying. The most important thing to remember is to not stress about being late. Professors understand that students will be late during the first week and usually end up starting class 5-10 minutes late anyway. Take your time, and stay stress free to enjoy your first day to the fullest.
The Daily Targum
Chances are, you’ll get lost, and that’s totally okay. With 5 different campuses and hundreds of academic buildings, it’s going to take a little exploring to figure out where some of your classes are. If you have extra time, check out the locations of the classes you don’t have that day so that the rest of the week goes by smoothly.
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A
Travels between College Avenue and Busch by going to the classrooms first.
B
Travels between Busch and Livingston.
C
Travels between the football stadium on Busch and Busch’s classrooms and is convenient for commuters.
Travels between College Avenue and Cook/Douglass via George Street and hits several downtown locations.
F
EE
Travels between College Avenue and Cook/ Douglass via Route 18 and is usually the faster route between the two campuses.
Travels between College Avenue and Busch by going to the Busch Campus Center and residence halls first.
LX
NAVIGATE THE BUSES
H
Travels between College Avenue and Livingston, one of the fastest and most frequent buses.
REXB
Travels between Busch and Cook/ Douglass, but only goes to a few stops on each campus.
REXL
Travels between Livingston and Cook/ Douglass, but only goes to a few stops on each campus.
WEEKEND 1 Travels in a loop from College Avenue to Cook/ Douglass to the Student Activities Center to Livingston to Busch.
WEEKEND 2 Travels in a loop from College Avenue to Busch to Livingston to the Student Activities Center on College Avenue to Cook/Douglass.
The weekend buses can get complicated, so refer to NextBus, the Rutgers app or a diagram when attempting to ride them for the first time. While these resources are available at students’ disposal and make
things much easier, incoming students must not forget that Rutgers is a huge place. Students should leave a few minutes early even when relying on the apps and maps because traffic and crowded bus stops are commonplace at Rutgers.
RU On Campus? Page 7
Erin Petenko Associate News Editor The Rutgers bus system has struck terror into the hearts of many incoming first-year students over the years. Not only do the buses have a daunting number of routes, they run on a schedule that can change depending on the traffic, weather and many other reasons. But several important resources — and a little practice — can make bus rides a fast, convenient way to travel around all five campuses. First, install the Rutgers’ official mobile app onto your phone. The “bus” feature helps students keep track of
the different bus routes and their estimated arrival times. Another convenient tool on the Rutgers app is the “places” tab, where users can search for buildings by name. Along with each result is a list of the closest bus stops. NextBus is another useful tool. The technology tracks each bus by using GPS information to calculate their expected times of arrival... It is available as an app and online. NextBus is particularly helpful on the weekends, when buses arrive every 30 minutes rather than every 10. But the best resource is not digital —
a map of the entire New Brunswick campus, available at the help desk of any student center, really comes in handy. While seniors love to mock first-year students for relying on these, most of them probably did the same their first week. Not only does it help find classrooms and their closest bus stops, but it also creates a visual guide of the entire bus system. After these tools are mastered, the most confusing part is recalling which buses travel to which campuses. So here is a handy list: Rip it out, take a photo or just keep it in mind. Happy travels!
WE’RE HIRING! TO GET INVOLVED CONTACT MANAGED@DAILYTARGUM.COM
Page 8 RU On Campus?
CAMPUS HANGOUTS Lin Lan / Staff Writer
Livingston Those who live on Livingston campus can find similar accommodations in Livingston Plaza, located underneath the Livingston apartments. Students can access a variety of stores such as Starbucks, 16 Handles and Henry’s Diner, among others. Kilmer’s Market is a grocery option for those wish to cook, or at least microwave, their own meals. For entertainment, students can enjoy movies at the Rutgers Cinema, where tickets are normally $5 for students, as well as the RutgersZone lounge in the newly-renovated Livingston Student Center. Half arcade and half lounge, RutgersZone is a laid-back atmosphere where students can watch sports games on nine different flat-screen TVs, play arcade games and enjoy ice cream desserts, which are free on Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Photo Credits (clockwise from Rutgers Cinema): Dennis Zuraw, Daphne Alva, Edwin Gano, The Daily Targum, Edwin Gano, Edwin Gano, Daphne Alva.
Cook/Douglass
The Douglass Campus Center is home to many of the University’s women’s organizations. It includes an outdoor eating and study area where all students can enjoy the scenic natural surroundings of Douglass campus. Adjacent to Douglass is Cook campus, center for the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. On a nice day, students can take a nature walk at the Helyar Woods, Rutgers Gardens and the research farm. Often day students can be found drawing and lounging by Passion Puddle, a large pond near the Red Oak Lane bus stop.
Busch
On Busch campus, students can use meal swipes at Woody’s, the medical school cafeteria. The Busch Campus Center house one location for University Career Services, where career specialists are on hand to give advice on resumes and internship applications during walk-in hours or by appointment. The Off-Campus Students’ Association lounge, located at the BCC, offers commuter students a place to hang out and get to know other commuters. Other amenities, like microwaves and lockers, are are available to commuter students on various campuses as well. The BCC also has one of the largest food courts, offering selections from Burger King to Moe’s Southwest Grill and more.
College Avenue
On the College Avenue campus, students can find career fairs and student organizations in the Rutgers Student Center, the largest student center on campus. It offers study spaces on the top floors and a food court on the lower level. The Zimmerli Art Museum, featuring over 60,000 works of art, is a great place to experience arts and culture from a variety of time periods and places. The museum frequently hosts performances, lectures and workshops. Deiner Park can be found on the College Avenue campus behind Campbell Hall, Hardenburgh Hall and Frelinghuysen Hall, which are commonly referred to as the “river dorms.” The park offers a beautiful view of the Raritan River, three tennis courts, two basketball courts, a handball wall and a large picnic area.
(top) Yingjie Hu (right) Tian Li / Photo Editor
Rutgers Events RUTGERS DAY
Every April, the University hosts Rutgers Day, a free campus-wide festival filled with performances, parades, demonstrations, food and fun — last April’s Rutgers Day drew in a record crowd of 84,000. The more than 500 programs that participate allow attendees to learn Jujitsu, build model campuses with Legos, salsa dance and much more. On Douglass campus, the annual New Jersey Folk Festival features live music as well as craft and food vendors. Next door, Cook campus’ annual Ag Field Day lets participants pet farm animals and watch dog shows. On Busch campus, football fans can watch the Scarlet and White spring game at High Point Solutions Stadium.
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY DANCE MARATHON
Rutgers University Dance Marathon is New Jersey’s largest student-run philanthropic event. Over the course of a
year, students and organizations raise funds for the Embrace Kids Foundation, a nonprofit that supports kids with cancer and blood disorders. The fundraising concludes with a spring marathon, in which approximately 800 dancers pledge to stay on their feet for 30 hours of dancing and celebration. This past April, Dance Marathon raised a record-breaking $622,000.
FOOTBALL GAMES
The several home football games at 52,454-seat stadium on Busch campus give students the chance to let their pride show when the Scarlet Knights charge the field. Now that Rutgers has joined the Big Ten Conference, firstyear students shouldn’t shy away from going all-out: Cover your face in war paint and deck yourself out from head to toe in scarlet and black. Keep your eyes peeled and ears open for Rutgers’ game day chants and gestures — participating in the fandom is a great way to feel a sense of inclusion and community.
RUPA EVENTS
The Rutgers University Programing Association organizes events throughout the year to appeal to the diverse Rutgers community. It sells tickets to performances from big-name musicians, comedians and artists such as DJ Snake, Seth Meyers and John Oliver. Students on a tight budget can attend several free movie nights, conferences and festivals. RUPA’s annual Homecoming Charity Bed Races each fall draws a crowd. Various clubs and organizations decorate residence hall beds and race them down College Avenue for charity. Teams can win awards for fastest time, best costume, best-decorated bed and most donations.
Sabrina Restivo Correspondent
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Campus Organizations Lidia De Los Santos / Contributing Writer
RHA
ation is open to all stuThe Residence Hall Associ sing, said Kelly Conover, dents living in Rutgers hou A. executive president of RH rove the residential experiimp to d ate cre s wa RHA and ts through programming ence for on-campus studen ting mo pro ile wh initiatives feedback-based advocacy its dership development of lea and wth gro al the person and l nta me a School of Environ members, said Conover, junior. ng risi es Biological Scienc adgoals are programming, ing ach rre ove ee “Our thr elopment,” she said. vocacy and leadership dev hall governments, four nce ide res RHA consists of 36 resentone executive board, rep residential councils and pus, students who live on cam ing the more than 16,000 she said. involved by running for a First-year students can get RHA General Assembly ing end position in their halls, att ent meetings, or attending hall governm Conover said.
ts gramming Association hos The Rutgers University Pro sic, mu into are you er ts. Wheth events that appeal to studen ck che do, to fun ing eth g for som comedy, art or just lookin to offer. has PA RU nts eve at wh out s te, RUPA serves the Rutger bsi we ir According to the all on ts den stu for nts ious eve community by providing var ws, sho hosted concerts, comedy five campuses. They have ing well as the Annual Homecom as ts, jec lectures and art pro Charity Bed Races. uredian Jay Pharoah from Sat Last year, RUPA invited com w sho hit V’s MT an Nicole Byer of day Night Live and comedi . nts separate eve “Girl Code” to perform at e, we please everyone all the tim ’t can we w kno we “While esom find ere all students can strive to provide events wh the er,” est sem per in at least once thing they are interested m fro ck dba fee e valu e “W website. organization said on their rs.” gestions from our pee others and appreciate sug ome s students. Those who bec ger Rut RUPA is open to all nt and eve ing lud inc ls skil l-world members learn valuable rea ting rke ma and g ldin bui ork mw budget management, tea bsite. skills, according to their we
RUPA
RUSA
The Rutgers University Student Assembly is the student governing association and represen ts approximately 30,000 undergraduate students. The orga nization serves as a direct link for students to the administ ration, said Kristine Baffo, RUSA president. This year, RUSA is looking to reac h more of the student population with information they provide. They work on topics ranging from transportation to dining services, academics and student fee allocation, said Baffo, a School of Arts and Sciences rising senior. “Our central focus for advocacy remains issues of public safety and shared governance,” Baffo said. “RUSA will also continue working on our affordab le open-source textbook and mobile blue light initiative.” If you’re passionate about an issu e at Rutgers and want to join the student assembly, ther e are many ways for you to get involved. RUSA meetings are open to the general public and are held weekly or biw eekly to give students the opportunity to voice their concern s directly to staff, faculty or administration that have the pow er to make a change.
designed and Family Programs are New Student Orientation s, and successfully to life at Rutger to help students transition the es niti ortunities and commu prepare them for the opp tion, a key event is summer orienta Its r. offe University has to cong ldin bui on s use foc t nce tha two-day overnight experie m to the ing students and accustom nections between first-year ily fam and O NS of nald, director the University. Brian MacDo g. azin am n bee 2018 has programs, said the class of lthy their ability to engage in hea by sed res imp n bee e “We hav and ers oth p hel to by their ability discussions on tough topics, Scarlet the values we look for in all to ion trat ons their early dem Knights,” he said. an inforhave to apply and attend To get involved, students ough thr go st mu y accepted, the mation session. After being being ile wh sity ver Uni the at mer training and spend their sum paid a stipend. e in ties for parents to participat NSO also creates opportuni g vin ser n, atio oci Ass s ent gers Par t the community with the Rut cul diffi a in ents when their child is as a sounding board for par . situation, MacDonald said honest t-year students is to … be firs for ice “My best adv imporst mo and , ent item exc [and] with yourself about fears ns,” atio ect exp ns based on others’ tantly, don’t make decisio t your nec con ly tru will based on what he said. “Make decisions get involved.” passions to your future, and
NSO (Clockwise): The Daily Targum, Edwin Gano , Sabrina Szteinbaum, Tian Li.
Redefining Studying with 4 Effective Study Habits
RU On Campus? Page 15
Philip Wythe Columnist
One of the most important tips Rutgers University’s Scarlet Ambassadors give to incoming first-year students is to study hard. Indeed, taking the time to thoroughly study your course work can mean the difference between relishing an A on your transcript and having to explain a D to your parents. That being said, studying is often easier said than done in college. Dedicating an inordinate amount of time to writing, reading and review-
1
ing classwork can become tedious over the course of each semester, when distractions run high and concentration runs low. No matter what event is going on outside your residence hall or how late you stayed up last night with new friends, being able to successfully review and absorb coursework remains a cornerstone for every major and minor at Rutgers. Therefore, it is important to immediately build a strong foundation for studying to carry you through your entire college career. Here are a few quick tips on creating your own study sessions.
habit out of it. By setting time aside each night for study. Studying is time studying your notes, you will have a much easier consuming. time building the motivaRather than being passive tion to continue reviewing your work each day, or mindless, studying requires your full attention. making it a habit. study frugalAmong classes, clubs, holidays and relationly. When you study, time is ships, time has a way of quickly vanishing at Rutyour budgers. It is important to acget. Ideally, tively set aside time each you want to week to look over your make the most of your course work. Whether it’s study session by simul10 minutes of reviewing taneously reviewing old notes or an hour’s worth content and learning of reading, making the new material. One of the time is key for that A. best ways to utilize your make studying free time is to choose your study material a habit. No one wants to frugally. For instance, study. Let’s did the professor assign be honest — supplemental reading that would not come in it’s not fun, handy for your midterm but neither is cramming a semester’s worth of inessay? Consider sacriformation into one night. ficing the extra work in Studying becomes much exchange for annotating easier if students make a your required reading. make time to
2
By cutting optional work, you can gain an extra 15 to 30 minutes per night, which can be valuable during finals season.
4 3
reward
If done right, studying isn’t easy. In fact, studying is a challenging and stressful skill that often takes time away from rest and relaxation, making it even more important to reward yourself. By taking the time to cool down, you can prevent yourself from burning out, which in turn will affect your ability to reach your full potential in the classroom. So after that tedious studying, go ahead and sign into Netflix and marathon the second season of “Orange is the New Black.” Trust me, you deserve it. yourself.
Page 16 RU On Campus?
RU Hungry? great if places besides the dining hall Staying up late is part of the colaccepted meal swipes? But wait — lege experience. Whether you are cramming for an exam, having a they do! We’ve created a list of the most popular off-campus eateries movie marathon or partying later than you should, you are bound to that accept meal swipes. It’s cold and pouring rain so you’ve encounter midnight cravings. Luckibeen avoiding the voyage across ly Rutgers students are surrounded by New Brunswick’s wide selection campus to get dinner from the dining hall for the past hour. But now your of late-night dining options. We’ve compiled a list of restaurants on the stomach’s growling and you don’t College Avenue campus that will sat- think you can cope with starvaisfy those late night cravings. tion any longer. Instead of getting drenched from head to toe and risk The dining hall has a variety of eating options, but you might not always wiping out in the middle of the dining have time for a proper sit down meal hall because of an un-mopped puddle, pick up your phone and call the at the dining hall in between classnumerous restaurants that deliver in es or maybe you’re just tired of the New Brunswick. We’ve even made a same old thing. There’s one problem though, your parents bought you the list to make it easy for you. 285 meal plan for your first semester Jenny Lin / Staff Writer and you’re not even close to making a dent in your swipes. Wouldn’t it be Danielle Gonzalez / Managing Editor
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Explore Beyond Campus
RU On Campus? Page 19
Tony Li / Staff Writer Eventually, the glamour of being on-campus will start to overwhelm a Rutgers student. When that inevitably happens, there are plenty of fantastic off-campus destinations to chill out and wind down from schoolwork and hangover-induced stress.
The Stress Factory Speaking of stress, the Stress Factory Comedy Club is located conveniently in the heart of New Brunswick and features fantastic food and entertainment in the form of standup comedy. No other form of de-stressing compares to desperately trying to suppress your laughter while choking on a burger.
Hidden Grounds Located conveniently on Easton Avenue, the Hidden Grounds coffee shop is a quaint place to get quality coffee. You can also participate in open mic nights, workshops and other events. It’s an all-around great environment, and you can sound all mysterious when you’re talking about the place. “Oh I’m just going to.... the Hidden Grounds...”
Bike Paths along the Raritan For the more athletically inclined, the long walkway that spans the Raritan is a fantastic place to keep in shape while losing your hearing to the highway traffic. You can run or bike, but bring an athletic buddy so someone can carry you back to your dorm when your frail physique fails you.
Rutgers Gardens Away from the hustle and bustle of busier urban areas, Rutgers Gardens offers a romantic and almost therapeutic atmosphere for those who care to check the place out. It’s a free botanical garden, meaning there are plenty of plants for all you vegans out there.
New Jersey State Theatre Don’t worry if you haven’t taken the theatre appreciation course: The State Theatre in New Brunswick offers everything from ventriloquism to illusionists to musical acts, so you can still enjoy yourself even though you haven’t met the course requirements.
Mist Hookah Lounge Off-campus hookah smoking is a great way to relax with your friends, because you sure as hell haven’t been smoking plenty of hookah in your dorms already or anything. Mist Hookah Lounge offers a luxurious hookah experience, featuring over forty different flavors as well as pool tables.
Attendees watch a performance at Hidden Grounds coffee shop, located on Easton Avenue.
READ GAME
A guide to being a Sc
Do you like sports? Enjoy socializing, tailgating and cheering on your favorite teams? Well, you’ve come to the right place. An inaugural member of the Big Ten conference, Rutgers will now be competing against the likes of Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan across all of the varsity sports. Show your school spirit and support our student-athletes in one of the most prestigious leagues in the country. Admittance to all games is free with a valid undergraduate student ID, unless you want a guaranteed spot at every home football game. Students can purchase a season ticket for $99, which includes contests against Howard, Penn State, Tulane, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana. Seats are unassigned in the student section.
I t s i s a M a —
I a t f n a b h R w t
S f o e g
DY FOR MEDAY?
RU B1G? Page 21
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Tian Li / Associate Photo Editor If you choose not to buy a season ticket, you’ll have the chance to claim single-game tickets the week leading up to each home game. Unsold student section tickets will become available online at 12:01 a.m. the Monday before a game and remain available through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday — so don’t wait! If more students claim a ticket than are available, all requests will go into the new Scarlet Lottery system for full-time students, and they will be notified of their result on Wednesday afternoon. The Lottery is processed by how many Scarlet Points students have, or how loyal they’ve been to Rutgers athletics. Everyone starts with one point just for enrolling at the start of the semester. Students can earn up to four points for each football game. You’ll receive one point for requesting a ticket, even if it isn’t granted. Attending the game will earn you another point,
and you can get up to two additional points depending on how early you enter High Point Solutions Stadium. If you scan your ticket at least an hour before kickoff, that’s two bonus points. Arriving at least half an hour will earn one additional point. Anyone who collects the maximum number of points at the end of the regular season will receive free tickets to a potential bowl game that Rutgers plays in. Students will also have opportunities to earn points throughout the year by attending select Olympic sports game. Stay tuned for other activities Rutgers announces. After the first two home football games against Howard and Penn State, the 500 students with the most Scarlet Points will qualify for Scarlet Status. These students will be exempt from the Lottery for that upcoming home game and are guaranteed a ticket upon request.
The rankings will change on a weekly basis, and students can check their point total at any time by logging onto their student ticketing account on scarletknights.com. The ticket policy for the 2014-15 basketball season is coming soon. In addition to enjoying premier Big Ten action with your friends, students also love to tailgate food and drinks outside High Point Solutions Stadium prior to kickoff. Arrive early via shuttle buses that depart from every campus Saturday mornings. You can also use them to head back to your dorm or commuter parking lot after games. All campus centers, as well as several stores surrounding College Avenue, sell a wide variety of Scarlet Knights apparel and merchandise. So stock up, show your school pride and enjoy the most anticipated season of athletics in Rutgers history. Greg Johnson Sports Editor
FOOTBALL
Tian Li / Associate Photo Editor Tyler Karalewich / Associate Sports Editor This season’s Report Day — the first day that the entire Rutgers football team arrives to check in before training camp — had a different atmosphere. It was the first day of training camp before the Scarlet Knights begin their new conference schedule. With their inaugural season in the Big Ten set to commence Aug. 28 in Seattle against Washington State, the Knights sense they have something to prove to critics. “I feel like it’s important for us to play as best as we can. We have to shock the world kind of,” said senior defensive end David Milewski. “My father was telling me earlier that everyone counts us out already. We get to go in there with a chip on our shoulder.” In a preseason poll of 29 Big Ten writers conducted by Cleveland.com, media voted Rutgers to finish last in Eastern division (only Purdue received fewer votes in the conference than the Knights). The Ohio-based survey was not the only one critical of Rutgers.
The low media expectations are nothing head coach Kyle Flood worries about. Flood has found the preseason polls usually underestimate the Knights. “I don’t have any concerns about where we were picked,” Flood said. “I think I saw an article a couple days ago where they showed all the preseason rankings for Rutgers over the last some odd years, and I don’t think any of them are accurate — they are actually wrong in the other direction most of the time.” Rutgers has a Pac-12 team and an FCS school in its way before playing its first Big Ten conference opponent Sept. 13, when Penn State leaves Happy Valley for Piscataway. The Big Ten could offer a dramatic change from the American Athletic Conference and the Big East conference. Athletes in the Knights’ new conference boast potentially different size, speed and talent that Rutgers has not faced in a 12-game schedule. This challenge allows the Knights to play to their strengths, Milewski said. “We try to dominate the speed game. We try to run as fast as we
can to the ball,” Milewski said when asked about going against bigger offensive linemen in the Big Ten. “I think that we pose problems to bigger offensive linemen because we are something that they don’t normally face.” Flood said Rutgers does not view the new Big Ten schedule as a different animal, but acknowledged the team needs a certain identity for success. “I want a smart, physical and fast football team — in that order,” Flood said. “We need to play smart football to make sure you don’t lose a game before you win it. We need to be physical, which is really one of the identities of our program over the last decade, and we want to be fast.” The process has already started, junior defensive lineman Darius Hamilton said. Hamilton added that the new conference was on the team’s mind all summer. “No one comes in here blindfolded,” Hamilton said. “We knew we were coming into the Big Ten and that we had to get bigger, faster and strong. That’s exactly what we did this offseason.”
RU B1G? Page 23
Edwin Gano / Staff Photographer
RU B1G? Page 25
Sean Stewart / Correspondent When Rutgers head men’s soccer coach Dan Donigan guided the program to the NCAA Tournament in 2011 — its first appearance since 2006 — a return to national prominence seemed imminent. But sustaining that success has proven difficult, with untimely injuries to vital players and late game collapses derailing the Scarlet Knights’ postseason hopes the past two seasons. Now entering his fifth year, Donigan leads his squad into a loaded Big Ten conference seeking not only a return to the NCAA Tournament but also a new identity, with leading goal scorer Kene Eze and assist leader Mael Corboz departing the team. “Both [Corboz and Eze] are very talented players,” said sophomore midfielder Erik Sa. “Obviously we saw last year when Kene went out we were missing something up there, but I think the coaching staff did a great job bringing
MEN’S SOCCER
in some young guys and transfers that are definitely going to fill those holes.” The Knights’ biggest offseason need was finding a replacement for Eze up top. Of the seven games Rutgers was shut out of last year, five of them occurred when the 6-foot-2 striker from Sayreville, New Jersey, was out of the lineup. With the additions of freshman forwards Miles Hackett and Jason Wright, as well as junior college transfer Rayon Gibbs, Donigan believes the incoming players provide more pace and athleticism up front. “I wanted to get guys that just have a knack for point production and creating chances, getting assists and scoring goals,” Donigan said. “I think we have a lot of weapons and it’s going to be really interesting to kind of see how preseason unfolds in terms of our personnel going into the first couple of exhibition games.” Junior forward J.P. Correa is among those returning players who must play
Edwin Gano / Staff Photographer
a larger role if Rutgers is to flourish in the attack. “We’re looking at [Correa] right now trying to fill out the attacking mid to play underneath a Jason Wright or alongside a Rayon [Gibbs] or a Miles Hackett,” Donigan said. “…He came back off a very tough offseason surgery last year and I think that’s one of the reasons why he wasn’t as productive and efficient as he could have been.” With so much change offensively, Rutgers’ defense must shoulder more responsibility following an inconsistent season. “It’s just a matter of getting mentally prepared and everyone being clicked with one another moving forward,” said sophomore goalkeeper David Greczek. “I think with the group of guys coming in and the group of guys that are still here, I think we’ll be perfectly fine and actually be a contender to win the conference.”
FIELD HOCKEY
Tian Li / Associate Photo Editor
Ryan Moran / Staff Writer The Rutgers field hockey team begins an exciting time as it enters the competitive and renowned Big Ten conference. All the teams in the league, with the exception of Ohio State, are ranked in the top 25 in the nation. “This is a big step for the program. ... There is no hiding place in the Big Ten and that’s exactly what we want if we want to compete on a national stage,” said head coach Meredith Long. “I think we can be at that level and I think we will be — sooner rather than later. I know the team can’t wait for the first Big Ten game against Iowa.” The Scarlet Knights finished sixth in the Big East in their final season, ending the season 9-9. The Big Ten boasts high-scoring teams with Iowa leading the conference with 69 goals and Ohio State finishing last with 37 goals -- which would have been middle-tier in the Big East. Entering a more potent offensive conference puts pressure on sophomore goalie Shevaun Hayes to elevate her play. Hayes went 4-3 last season splitting time while posting a 2.14 goals allowed per game. The Knights boast multiple leaders going into the upcoming season, with returning senior midfielders Sophie Wright and Jenn Staab. Wright finished last season with 19 points and 9 goals, both of which were team highs. With 15 of 21 Knights being underclassmen, Rutgers has time to grow and gain experience to make for a much better team entering the next two seasons. But Long doesn’t think the high number of underclassmen can hurt them this season. “Our older players are tremendous people, not only great hockey players, and they will help the younger players adapt and prepare for the hockey ahead,” Long said. “But the sophomore class hardly needs any preparation. With players such as Sofia Walia, Shevaun Hayes and Devon Freshnock continuing to anchor our backfield they are more than prepared to help us succeed.”
RU B1G? Page 27
VOLLEYBALL
The Daily Targum / October 2013 Conor Nordland / Staff Writer With the transition to the Big Ten Conference completed, the Rutgers volleyball team believes it carries the competitiveness and patience necessary to navigate through a difficult schedule. No conference possesses more high-level volleyball programs and talent than the Big Ten. Seven of the nation’s top-25 teams last season were in the league, including national champion Penn State, which won its fifth title in seven years in 2013. The AAC — Rutgers’ previous conference affiliation — went 0-7 against Big Ten teams this season, highlighting the talent gap between the two conferences. The Knights face an uphill battle once their season starts Aug. 29 at the Air Force Invitational. “We’re extremely excited [for] the challenge of testing ourselves and seeing what we’re made of,” said head coach CJ Werneke. “Everybody that is involved in our program is looking forward to the opportunity.” The Knights, who finished last season with a disappointing 5-27 record, have their work cut out for them in the Big Ten. Despite the glaring losing record, Rutgers returns a wealth of players with game experience from last year, an
asset that will be invaluable once the conference season begins. Rutgers’ three captains, junior defensive specialist Ali Schroeter, senior middle blocker Rachel Andreassian and senior setter Nicole Bayer will be relied on to lead the team on the court throughout the year. Overall, Werneke is pleased with the way the roster has developed over the past few seasons.
“We’re extremely excited [for] the challenge of testing ourselves and seeing what we’re made of.” CJ WERNEKE Head Coach “I think our team is pretty well balanced,” Werneke said. “Ten of our 16 players are upperclassmen, and it’s a group that has been playing together for the last two to three years, so our chemistry will be key in navigating our first year in the Big Ten.” Rutgers also added three transfers during the summer months to improve their roster.
Junior Eden Frazier, redshirt freshman Lauren Howard-Chavez and junior Lea Williams transferred from Utah, Miami, and VCU, respectively. All three bring Division 1 experience to the Knights. Of all the challenges facing the Knights this season, Werneke pointed out that the most glaring one is the level of unfamiliarity Rutgers has with Big Ten teams. “Dealing with the unknown will be a difficult challenge,” Werneke said. “It is our third different conference in as many years, and playing in these new venues against higher level teams that are new to us will be our biggest challenge. We don’t know what were heading into. We know what the conference is like on paper, but it will be a different story once we go through the season.” Some of the Scarlet Knights’ more difficult road tests this season feature trips to Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Penn State, Purdue and Michigan State. All six Big Ten schools were ranked within the top 25 at the end of last year. “If we can maintain our intensity, competitive drive and turn the learning and knowledge into positive development from match to match, then that will be a successful season for us,” Werneke said.
RU Lingo
(n.) The only vocabulary words actually worth studying.
Brenda Stolyar / Staff Writer
RU Screw
Whenever things are going a little too well for you, cue the RU Screw. Need that last requirement to graduate but the entire class is full, and you can’t get a special permission number? RU Screw. High lottery ticket number for the third year in a row? RU Screw. Does RU Wireless decide to run as slow as possible during that online assignment that only allows you one try? RU Screw.
WebReg
This may take up to 4 minutes. Please wait... “Your request is being processed. This may take up to 4 minutes. Please Wait...” You’ll never look at the number 4 the same way again. WebReg is the one system where students have the freedom to create their own schedules for the upcoming semester and pray to the RU Gods above that they get more than two out of the five classes chosen when they hit that ‘register’ button.
SC&I
(Pronounced “sky”) because, who really wants to take precious time out of their day to fully say “School of Communication and Information”?
Can we get Hansel tonight? Hansel
Most frequently asked question on campus: “Can we get Hansel tonight?”A.K.A. Hansel ’n Griddle. Buffalo popcorn chicken crisps, cheese potato wedges, Banana Flips, the list goes on. Hansel, with its new location on Easton Avenue, is basically everyone’s go-to late night spot.
Club Alex
The only club you’ll go to that doesn’t come equipped with a DJ and a dance floor. A.K.A. Alexander Library, Club Alex is one of the more popular study spots at Rutgers. Especially during midterm and finals week, it becomes known as “Club Alex” because it’s where all of your friends basically live for the week in an “attempt” to get some studying and work done.
The Towers
Population = freshmen. Whether you’re
in North or South, the Lynton Towers on Livingston are home to primarily firstyear students, which basically means, no, you can’t lie about your age. However, it does make for a great way to easily make friends.
The SAC
Clearly abbreviation is a necessity at Rutgers. Not to be confused with the Rutgers Student Center, the SAC simply stands for Student Activities Center. Located on George Street, it’s where anything that has to do with extra curricular activities is handled.
Can’t live with it, can’t live without it. Brow Chow
Can’t live with it, can’t live without it. Right on College Avenue, Brower has never been at the top of everyone’s list in comparison to the other campus dining halls. But at the end of the day, no one really wants to spend an extra 20 minutes on a bus to go to top notch Livi. Nine times out of 10, after a long day of classes and studying, Brower will feel like a five-star restaurant. Just use your “imagination.”
RU On Campus? Page 29
DID YOU KNOW? Every year for Homecoming Weekend, Rutgers closes down College Avenue to host the Annual Homecoming Charity Bed Races. Dozens of student organizations participate, clad in creative costumes.
Dine By Design Sabrina Szteinbaum Associate News Editor Looking to make the most out of your meal swipes? Although Dining Services offers an array of options on the daily for students to choose from, we are sometimes left looking for something more. I visited Brower Commons over the course of last semester to add a creative touch to the food. My goal was to work with the food offered to create new ways to enjoy traditional dining hall fare.
ICE CREAM SANDWICHES Grab any two (or six) cookies off the line and scoop your favorite ice cream in between, pressing the cookies down to flatten the sandwich slightly. Roll the ice cream sandwich in any topping of your choice. I went with mint chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate chips, chocolate chip cookie dough with rainbow sprinkles and strawberry with coconut shavings. Don’t hesitate to get wild and try out some crazy combinations — I would suggest anything chocolate with Reese’s pieces. Not to get too crazy, but you could also warm up the cookies in the microwave for 10 seconds for the warm cookie/cold ice cream effect.
Sabrina Szteinbaum / Associate News Editor
PERFECTA BRUSCHETTA Brower Commons offers all of the ingredients to make the classic Italian antipasto. This classy dish is made using bread, olive oil, tomatoes and the perfect combination of spices: garlic powder, salt, pepper, red pepper and thyme topped with mozzarella cheese. First, mix all of the spices mentioned above with some olive oil and spread it over French bread — which they luckily had, but I planned on using a bagel or roll if they did not. Put the French bread in the panini press until crispy, but watch carefully so it does not burn. The more spices, the more flavor, so don’t hesitate to go a little heavy! Next, chop up plum tomatoes, onions, peppers and olives from the salad bar and add them onto the bread. Top generously with mozzarella cheese and drizzle some extra olive oil for added flavor.
RU Ready? Page 31
A bruschetta prepared using bread, olive oil, tomatoes, spices and cheese. Sabrina Szteinbaum / Associate News Editor
1
walk around campus.
We here at Rutgers are lucky enough to have a bus system that helps us travel from campus to campus, but what’s the fun in constantly falling on the guy sitting in front of you or getting accidentally groped by the random girl in your Expos class? Go to all of your classes, but take the buses as infrequently as possible. And don’t be that guy who pigs out at Busch Dining Hall and gets on at the Busch Campus Center bus stop to get dropped off at Davidson.
2
don’t hibernate in the winter.
A warning (especially to the out-of-state and international students): The winters here in New Jersey get quite cold. However, that’s not a valid excuse to hide out in your room with a growing pile of Styrofoam containers from the take-out you preemptively double swiped for on your way back from class. Bundle up and call someone out for a romantic walk to the bus stop, and perhaps you’ll end up somewhere more romantic than Livingston.
3
resist late night snacking.
“You go to Rutgers? Do you eat fat sandwiches every night?” will soon become a familiar phrase. While there are many restaurants open late around College Avenue and delivery menus find their way into your room, resist the temptation as much as you can. To make matters worse, most residence halls have dangerously tempting vending machines in their lobbies. So go crazy and eat those brownies your friends lovingly made you while you wait for your ramen to cook at 2:30 a.m., but don’t get on that munchie high too often.
RU Ready? Page 33
15 HOW TO AVOID THE FRESHMEN
4
KATE KIM / STAFF WRTER
you can totally go to the gym.
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Take full advantage of your automatic membership at the many awesome gyms around campus. Make working out a habit. Feeling self-conscious? Bring your friends. Who knows, you might end up meeting your cool new college crew there. Probably not, but you never know.
Page 34 RU Ready?
RUMOR HAS IT
Jill Herb Staff Writer When a university has been around for longer than this country, rumors are inevitable. So, it is time for someone to take initiative. Whether you are hoping your summer never ends or had the move-in checklist since graduation, you probably are nervously anticipating the upcoming year. You may have questions based on what you’ve heard, what you believe and what you’ll experience. Here are some answers.
“ “
Bro, I think I’m going to rush a fraternity. I’m not sure which one though, I’m just going to walk down frat row and find the coolest looking house.
” ”
Rutgers greek life has created a big name for itself, but not a big line of fraternities. Plenty of fraternities find their home in off-campus housing, but there is no designated area for chartered fraternities. Very few fraternities have houses with their symbolic letters, but those that do are extremely spread out. If you’re hoping to find the right fraternity to rush, you’ll have to do your research.
Oh dude, you’re going to Rutgers? You better be careful, I heard they have their own type of STD that only Rutgers students can catch.
I assure you, it is not possible for only people registered for classes at Rutgers to catch a certain disease. It’s kind of funny how this nonexistent disease stresses people out, even if they don’t go here — possibly because all those people are aware that STDs can spread to anyone. With that being said, make sure to use protection. It will save you from way more trouble than just a silly made up disease.
“
Livingston is all freshman, Busch has all the nerds, Cook/Douglass is a mix of hipsters and tree huggers, and College Ave is full of drunks.
”
Rutgers is known for its diversity, but no association can be applied to any campus. Each campus offers different opportunities, from club events to sporting games. Livingston has a brand new business building, as well as various restaurants and shops located beneath the Livingston Apartments. Busch houses the football stadium. Cook/Douglass has fields for playing soccer and Frisbee, as well as a home for the various animals the live on Cook’s farm. Lastly, College Avenue is where the history of the University lives on. Among the four, there are over 2,600 acres to explore. Sticking to one campus for four years would be foolish. Jump onto a bus and discover something new on every campus.
“
I can’t believe you have to take Expos. It is literally the hardest class you’ll have to take.
”
“Expository Writing” is one big annoyance, but what class isn’t? However, it is the most commonly shared class among first-year students, leading to plenty of complaints as they adjust to a college course load. Most people fail their first paper, but the trick behind passing “Expos” is to keep trying. If it requires getting a tutor, register at one of the writing centers. It is not impossible to do well — it just requires some effort.
DORM
DECOR
RU Ready? Page 37
Niharika Deopare / Staff Writer When it comes time to start packing for college, you’ll already be thinking about how you want to customize your room to reflect yourself. For those of you who are artistically challenged or just can’t think of how to decorate your side of the room, don’t fret! Here are some easy ideas and tips to liven it up so you won’t be staring at a blank wall for the next few months.
Wall Clock
Recycled Household Items
To do this, you will either have to buy a clock making kit, available online for roughly $15, or dismantle another clock and keep the hands and dial. After that, it’s up to you to make the numbers.
Use wrapping paper to cover shoeboxes and add hooks to make a cool mini display for your jewelry or keys. Paint sample strips can be compiled to make a wall calendar. You can use board game cards to create a garland by connecting them with string and hanging them across your wall.
Posters Whether it displays your favorite band, movie or sports team, posters are great for your wall. They are also perfect conversation starters when inviting your new friends over. But don’t go too crazy: Residence Hall Policy only allows up to 30 percent of your wall to be covered with posters. Be on the lookout for a poster sale during the first week of the semester.
Magazine Silhouttes Draw/print out a large version of a shape. Outline and attach it to cardboard or thick paper. Use old magazines to cut strips and overlap them piece-by-piece onto the shape with a glue stick. The possibilities are endless — you can get really creative with this by making multiple shapes to create a picture, using a certain color scheme or making words and phrases with letters. Top: Michelle Klejmont / Photo Editor, Bottom: Niharika Deopare / Staff Writer
Page 38 RU Ready?
R U C K E T
Sta
L I S T
. iver R n all nig Rarita ht and wa tch the sun rise over the Use . your Ave e g le m ea l s wipe to eat at Rutgers Club on Col Run t ston. hrough t he water fountains on Living Stea ing. l (or b d d e l s orrow) a dinin g hall tray and go Take an unconventional class. Attend a n underground music show. Kiss s . omeone glass u o D n o on the Kissing Bridge Take ens. a nature d r a G s r walk through the Rutge Pet the farm animals on Cook. Walk, uses. run or bike through all five camp
y up
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