Welcome to campus!
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Getting
involved: Opening doors to new opportunities
By Alena Bitonti Arts & Entertainment Editor
Leaving home, adjusting to a new environment and meeting new people are big changes that can bring both excitement and uncertainty. It’s normal to feel lost as you navigate college life, but it’s important to remember that everyone around you is feeling the same way.
While academics are the backbone of your experience, getting involved on campus is a great way to connect with others and find a sense of belonging at the College.
Welcome Week may feel like you are just going through the motions, but it is important to participate in the events that the College has to offer. Attending these events is more than just following a schedule, it’s a great way to start building connections.
For example, meetings and bonding activities with your floormates are a valuable opportunity to get to know the people you will be surrounded by every day. These interactions can lead to lasting friendships with those that will only be a few steps down the hall. However, don’t worry if you’re not bonding with your floormates right away. Friendships take time to develop, and Welcome Week provides a variety of other opportunities for you to get to know the campus community. Look out for social events with games, karaoke, trivia and more. Bring your
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roommate or go alone — either way, each event is a chance for you to branch out.
As for extracurriculars, the College has over 230 recognized student organizations, so it might feel overwhelming trying to find the right fit for you. Attending the student involvement fair is the best way to explore all the College has to offer. Here you’ll find hundreds of tables representing the diverse groups available to join, including Greek life, service organizations, honor societies and clubs dedicated to various interests and hobbies. It’s more than likely that you will find several that interest you.
Speaking from personal experience, I was hesitant to attend the student involvement fair. After an exhausting week, it sounded more desirable to stay in for the night. Howev-
er, I decided to bring a friend and explore the fair. I visited several tables, asked questions and wrote my name on a few sign up sheets. It was at this event that I discovered and joined The Signal and eventually met some of my closest friends.
While it’s important to put yourself out there during your freshman year, don’t feel pressured to have everything figured out right away. Take the time to explore different activities and find what interests you.
By the end of my freshman year, I was able to find two organizations that opened the door to new opportunities and introduced me to friends who have played an important role in my college journey. Ultimately, finding your place is a gradual process, and it’s perfectly fine to take your time discovering where you feel most at home.
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A letter from the Editor
By Matthew Kaufman Editor-in-Chief
Welcome to TCNJ! You’re probably feeling a whole range of emotions right now: excitement, nervousness, exhaustion, etc. However, rest assured that once Welcome Week concludes and you settle into a routine, everything will feel much calmer.
While a big part of college is preparing for whatever career you may begin after graduation, it’s also about growing as an overall individual.
What kind of person do you want to be? Think about this question, and then decide the kinds of activities in college you can participate in or the people you want to spend time with to figure out how to get there.
In this paper, you’ll find advice from students who have all walked in your shoes before. As a senior, my time at the College is near its end. Now my priority is making sure that I’ve gotten everything I can out of this place.
So as you navigate Welcome Week, and then the rest of your first year, remember to take it all in. Take a deep breath and step forward. You’ve got this.
See you around campus!
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Everything you need to know about dining on campus
By Aidan Mastandrea Sports Editor
There are a lot of important aspects of adjusting to college life, but developing healthy eating habits in a new place is vital. The College has a multitude of food options, but maneuvering the meal plan can be overwhelming. Below is a guide that will help guarantee that you don’t feel completely lost when you’re hungry the first few weeks on campus.
The Atrium at Eickhoff
The only true dining hall on campus, Eickhoff Hall, better known as Eick, is buffet-style, with many options like a grill, deli and pizza stations, along with new options everyday, so your palate will never get bored.
The Brower Student Center
Unlike Eick, the food at the student center is not all-you-caneat. Known for their sushi and deli sandwiches, the food at the student center is tremendous.
Cafés around campus
There are cafés located in the Library and Education Building, which are great options for madeto-order coffee and breakfast sandwiches. The STEM Building also has a café offering premade
sandwiches and snacks.
TDubs
Open late and found in the basement of Travers-Wolfe Halls, TDubs is the ideal way to satisfy your late night cravings, serving greasy fried foods.
Traditions
Just like the name, this is more of a traditional sit down dining option. It can be a nice break from the classic college options, as the menu includes tacos, wings and pirogies.
The 1855 Room
Open weekdays for staff and students, the 1855 is a sit-down, buffet-style lunch spot on campus. Make sure you check the weekly menu to make sure they have what you are looking for!
C-Store
A classic convenience store right outside Eickhoff Hall, the C-store is stocked with grab-andgo snacks and other day-to-day necessities.
Meal Plan Overview
Even with all of the dining options that the College provides, it can be difficult to decipher your meal plan and figure out how and where you can eat on a daily basis. Depending on your plan, the number of meals per week varies. Swipes count as one meal and are used only at the Atrium at Eick -
Dorm room essentials
By Ally Uhlendorf Managing Editor
1. Fans, fans, fans
One thing about most of the College’s freshman dorms is they do not have air conditioning, so make sure to pack multiple fans. I highly recommend at least two tower fans per room, one on each roommate’s side, as well as a personal fan on each side.
2. Mattress topper
Aside from fans, a mattress topper is my biggest recommendation for living in a dorm. Without the topper, you will find yourself tossing and turning trying to find a comfortable spot each night. (Pro tip: get a memory foam one).
3.
Shower caddy and shower shoes
It is no surprise that communal bathrooms may not be the cleanest place to take a shower in. To make the experience a little bit better, don’t forget to wear shower shoes at all times in the bathroom. Along with this, to easily keep track of all of your toiletries, bring a shower caddy to store all of your necessities.
4. Laundry bag with straps or wheels
Doing your laundry in a residence hall may be a struggle sometimes, but having a laundry bag with either straps or wheels can make it more accessible
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hoff Hall. These swipes get you into the dining hall where you can eat as much as your heart desires.
Where things can get confusing is meal equivalency. Recently brought back by the College, “meal equiv” is great for students on a meal plan, as it expands their ability to eat without breaking the bank. Students can use their meal equiv once every meal period on weekdays at the select places around campus, including the Student Center. One meal equivalency swipe is equal to a maximum of $9.38
Flex Points are another aspect of your meal plan. One flex point is equal to one dollar, and these
can be used at places like the C-Store, TDubs and more.
Flex points carry over from the fall to spring semester, but they are relinquished at the end of the spring semester, so make sure you use them up!
Lastly, every student with a meal plan receives 100 Campus Town dollars, which are accepted at the many dining options in Campus Town like Jersey Mikes, Mexican Mariachi and more.
The dining situation at the College can seem overwhelming, but ultimately once you settle in it becomes second nature. It is important to find places you like and stay healthy even during a busy semester.
to lug your laundry down the hall.
5. Air purifier
The dorms tend to get pretty stuffy, especially without any air conditioning. Having an air purifier in your room gets some air circulating and helps avoid the year-long cold.
6. Power strips
It is actually shocking how many things in your room you will need to plug in, so having multiple power strips in your room is essential. I recommend keeping one by your bed and by your desk for optimal use.
7. Command hooks and strips
Once again, you will need a shocking amount of these in your dorm. Between decor and practical use, these will be your best friends.
8. Water purifier and ice tray
In the heat of the dorms, fresh water will be your savior. As long as you clean your water purifier regularly, that is.
9. Lots of storage
Grab a bunch of bins to store under your bed and in your closet to keep everything organized and out of the way. To make things even more organized, get bins that come with a lid to cover so you are able to stack them.
10. A good pair of slippers
Slippers will be your go-to shoe for living in a dorm. Easy to slip on, you will be wearing slippers basically anywhere you go.
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President Bernstein looks toward the semester ahead
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By Tristan Weisenbach Managing Editor
Hard at work throughout the summer, President Michael Bernstein has been preparing for the arrival of the incoming class of students for many weeks.
The president has continued to follow up on projects that began last academic year and plan for new initiatives this coming semester.
In an interview with The Signal at the end of July, Bernstein outlined what he is most looking forward to this fall and shared some advice for new students to the College.
An updated convocation
New students will attend a new convocation experience this year. The event, formerly held at Lions Stadium, will now take place in Quimby’s Prairie.
In addition to the location
change, Bernstein said the event will be “a little less formal and a little more interactive.”
The redesign comes after last year’s new students provided feedback about the ceremony, suggesting what worked well and what could be different. According to Bernstein, one element that students enjoyed most that will remain a key component of this year’s event is an explanation of the class’s composition, such as the number of students, the most common names in the class and other statistics.
Getting involved on campus
With over 230 recognized student clubs and organizations, there are plenty of opportunities for new students to get involved on campus. Doing so, Bernstein said, is one of the most important things for new students to do.
The College’s student organizations range from Student Government to the arts to sports — there is something for everyone. Bernstein stressed that students should not be afraid to reach out and try something new.
“There’s a lot going on, go sample it,” the president said. “Don’t be intimidated by that. Try it out, and if you don’t like it, try something else.”
Exploring beyond the borders of campus
“We are in the center, I think, here in Ewing, of the pizza universe, as far as I know,” Bernstein said. “There’s some unbelievable pizza around here, and I’m sort of on a mission to try it all. So I would encourage students to do that, whatever their culinary tastes are.”
While pizza is just one example, there are many unique food options in and around the Ewing area, Ber-
nstein said. Situated about halfway between Philadelphia and New York, with many smaller towns scattered throughout, students can find just about any type of food they want without having to go too far.
In addition to food, there are many nearby destinations like the Jersey Shore and the Delaware Water Gap that Bernstein suggests students should visit in their free time.
An ‘exciting’ election season
Today’s political environment is ever-changing, with new developments occurring almost daily. Bernstein described the upcoming election as “historic” because of this, and encourages students to get involved in organizations on campus like TCNJ Votes! and vote this November.
“I think all of us would agree, whatever our particular opinions are right now, this is going to be a really interesting election cycle,” he said. “Certainly three weeks ago, we would be thinking differently, maybe, about it.”
An overarching goal
While the College has many goals that it sets forth each year, Bernstein said it is always important for the College to be “an educational institution of value.” This means ensuring student success both in and out of the classroom, supporting extra-curricular activities and building a strong community around campus.
“We have our challenges,” he said, “but we do a pretty good job around here, and that’s why the College is a wonderful place.”
The do’s and don’ts of freshman year
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By Lake DiStefano Arts & Entertainment Editor
Freshman year of college is a time in a young person’s life that is often as exciting as it is confusing. For most, it’s their first real time living away from home, and that sudden increase in agency can be both freeing and overwhelming. Between that and having to contend with all the other stressors of college, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. It’s a difficult adjustment, even for those most prepared for this drastic shift. So to aid with
this, here is some advice to help better navigate your first year of college.
Do get involved in campus happenings.
This goes without saying, but you’ll get about as much out of college as you put in. You have to chart your own path, and while that can seem daunting, being able to tailor your experiences is a truly invaluable thing. Try and sample the different things to get involved in here, like clubs, sports and other organizations. Not everything has to stick, but you should cast your net wide — it’s better to have an abundance of options than potentially missing out on something that could make your year.
Don’t forget to pace yourself.
On the other hand, try not to overly commit to things. Between figuring out life on your own, classes and extracurricu -
lars, it can be easy to get in over your head. Burnout is a very real possibility and is often a pitfall that slips most people’s minds through all the hectic buzz of freshman year. Try and reflect every so often on how much of your stress is unnecessary, and if you’re feasibly able to maintain the amount of things you’re involved in at any given time. Do figure out your routine.
The fastest way to feel more confident in your new life is to establish a routine. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but figure out the little things and use them as benchmarks to reach throughout your week. Maybe figure out where you like to eat most, or when you like to do laundry. It’s these little goalposts that help make college feel more real and grounded. Having a routine also makes things like time management way easier. So consider planning out your weekly
routine over the course of this year.
Don’t skip class.
Or if and when you inevitably do, try not to make it a habit. Once you allow yourself the ability to deem classes unnecessary, it becomes really easy to talk yourself out of basically anything academic. This can become a slippery slope that is harder to stop than it is to start. Just try to be mindful of how much class you’re missing and how hard making that up could be when it counts.
Do put yourself out there. Freshman year, while certainly exciting, will have its moments of loneliness too. So try to be open to new connections. It’s important to let yourself meet new people and take advantage of the unique social settings a campus has to offer. College can go very fast at times, so it really helps to have some people to be that consistency for you.
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10 things to cross off your TCNJ bucket list
1. Sneak a swim into the fountain
It is a long-standing tradition that each student must jump into the science complex fountain at least once.
2. Have a picnic by the lakes
The area behind ABE is perfect for a nice spring picnic with friends, overlooking the lake.
3. Go to Rosa’s Pizza in the middle of the night
Open until 3 a.m., Rosa’s is the perfect late-night snack.
4. Attempt the Eick challenge
Try to eat at least one item from every station at Eick. Best of luck.
5. Ride the Roscoe statue Show your lion pride.
6. Go to the observatory
Get comfy and do some stargazing in the science complex.
7. Collect CUB giveaways Attend CUB events for a good time and free giveaways!
8. Watch TCNJ’s Musical Theater
Get that Broadway-like feeling right here at the College!
9. Take the Loop Bus
Whether you have your car or not, every student should experience the Loop Bus journey at least once.
10. Join The Signal! Self explanatory.
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Campus Map
As our gift to you, we’re providing this handy-dandy map. Feel free to cut it out, mark it up or crumple it up and throw it out. See below for descriptions of locations on campus that all freshmen should know.
Travers/Wolfe Halls: These are the main freshmen dorms on campus. Though they’re a bit out of date, residents here will make many lasting memories. Also home to TDubs, a mini dining hall full of delicious fried foods.
Brower Student Center: AKA “The Stud.” Home to the Lions Den, Traditions and important club and administrative offices. Eickhoff Hall: The main dining hall on campus. Also contains Student Health Servcies, the C-Store, the 1855 Room and dorms on the upper floors! Check out our dining guide on page 2. The R. Barbara Gitenstein Library: Four floors filled with books and plenty of room to study. There is also a small café that serves Starbucks coffee and other treats.
Green Hall: The main administrative building on campus, containing the Center for Global Engagement, President’s Office, Records and Registration, and more. They call it Green Hall because that’s where they hand out the money from the Financial Aid Office (get it?).
Academic Buildings: Not all buildings are for fun and games. Students take classes in the Social Sciences Building (SSB), STEM Building, Science Complex, Business Building, Education Building, Bliss Hall, Armstrong Hall and sometimes in Forcina Hall. Students like some buildings (like the Ed Building) more than others (like Forcina).
Welcome Week Crossword
Across
3. Scenic lake with a bridge, can be seen from ABE and Norsworthy Halls
6. Former College president and incoming professor
8. One of the main freshmen dorms, right
10. Current interim president of the College
11. Oldest and most central building on campus with admin offices
12. Your favorite campus news outlet
13. Easy spot to get coffee while studying, shortened
Down
1. Friendly feline at sport events
2. "Off campus" housing that also acts as a commercial area
4. Nickname for student hangout spot and dining spot
5. One of the main freshmen dorms, left 6. End of year event with carnival rides and games
7. The best college town in the country
9. Students' (and professors') least favorite academic building
You are not alone: Worries freshmen have but rarely admit
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By Kate Zydor News Editor
It is no secret that the transition from high school to college is a time of uncertainty, and with this uncertainty comes a series of never-ending questions surrounding the future. As incoming first-year students, the changes that college brings often feel insurmountable and just plain scary.
It is so easy to get caught up in your thoughts and convince yourself that you are the only person experiencing this anxiety. However, I’m here to tell you that what you are feeling is completely normal — just ask any upperclassman who has made it out the other side of their freshman year.
Throughout high school, there is a safety net in place to ensure your success: parents who support you and make sure you get out of
bed in the morning, teachers who encourage you to turn in your assignments and childhood friends who make the long days just a little bit more entertaining.
Leaving the “bubble” that is your hometown forces you to be entirely self-sufficient. Now it’s your job to micromanage your personal, social and academic endeavors. But, I would argue that this is what renders college so exciting — the complete freedom it provides.
You may be thinking, “I can’t do this” or “I’m not ready.” The truth is, you will never feel entirely ready for change, but sometimes it is the best possible thing that could ever happen to you.
Of course, with these major changes comes homesickness, a feeling that many of you will work to hide because you don’t want to appear unhappy with your college experience. Nevertheless, it is okay to embrace your longing for home. After all, you’ve lived there for 18 years of your life.
Take it one step, one day at a time. Eventually, you’ll wake up one morning and realize that the College has become your new normal. Just make sure that you call home! Hearing the voice of someone you love can work wonders.
Another worry that many of you face has to do with your roommate — likely the first person, outside
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of your family members, who you will share a space with. Before starting college, I asked myself at least 100 times, “What if my roommate and I don’t get along?”
When this thought spiral creeps up on you, you have to remember that both you and your roommate are in the same boat. You are two people trying their best to navigate life in a new environment.
Conflict will arise, but more often than not, healthy communication will lend to a resolution. However, if you and your roommate are simply incompatible, you wouldn’t be the first person in history to undergo a room change. Whatever environment will help you thrive and maximize your full potential is the environment best suited for you.
Now, let’s tackle the scary concept of eating alone in the dining hall. It’s okay! In fact, this is what a majority of students will be doing. You’re no longer in high school where it is taboo to sit alone.
You’ll grab meals in between classes, eat late at night after a long study session and crave some personal time once in a while. If you’re struggling to go out by yourself, just do it. Once you conquer the initial anxiety, it’s all smooth sailing from there. I promise, no one is staring at you or judging you.
Last but not least, how will you
find the people who are right for you?
Friends, even best friends, will come from the most unexpected places: your classes, student organizations, residence halls or even in passing on your way to grab a meal.
College is not like it is portrayed in movies. You may not meet your forever friends on your first day. But rest assured, they will come. All you have to do is put yourself out there as much as possible, even if it scares you.
There are thousands of people on our campus, all with unique backgrounds and interests. You don’t have to force yourself to fit into a mold of what you think will make you more likable.
With all that being said, college is an exciting new chapter in your life. It’s a time to discover who you are and what you hope to become.
A valuable piece of advice to any incoming freshman is to take everything that you have learned about college through social media with a grain of salt. Social media is not reality and the college experience will look different for each individual.
Breathe and tell yourself that this will all work out how it is supposed to. There is no right or wrong way to do college. What you make of this experience is all up to you.
Mental health in academic success
By Parisa Burton Opinions Editor
Academic excellence is the target most college students aim to achieve during their time in school. Whether it’s self-driven or motivated by external factors like familial pressure, we all want to make our investment in education worthwhile by trying our best in our classes and extracurriculars.
Cramming study marathons, especially during midterms and finals, is ingrained in college culture, with students running on caffeine instead of sleep. What some students fail to acknowledge during the academic hustle, however, is their mental state. This can lead to burnout and can be detrimental to their quality of life.
A 2019 study by the American Council on Education found that students struggling with mental health are at risk of a lower GPA and dropping out. The College understands the correlation between academics and mental health, which is why there are a variety of resources for students to take advantage of to feel supported during high-stress periods.
Counseling and Prevention Services is a solution offered by the College that caters to students’ unique mental health needs. They offer a wide array of services including individual counseling, themed group
workshops and off-campus referrals.
The College has a partnership with Uwill, the leading mental health and wellness solution for students. Its easy-to-use online platform grants students immediate appointments with licensed therapists. This solution also offers a direct crisis connection and wellness programming to complement therapy including yoga, meditation and mindfulness exercises.
TalkCampus is an online application whose approach is focused on peer support from students around the world. It is free to sign up using a college email address. The platform is anonymous and fitting for students who prefer to seek support from young people going through similar struggles.
Unfortunately, a lot of students struggle in silence due to the stigma surrounding mental health and not being educated on its importance, which can lead to long-term effects on their quality of life in areas like employment, relationships and overall health. This is why prioritizing mental health in college is crucial, and efforts have been made by the College to do so.
Navigating the pressures of college alone can feel like a maze with no end in sight, but support and resources are available to guide you toward clearer paths.
Is our campus transfer friendly?
By Liz Ciocher Former News Editor
As a young student graduating high school in 2020, the beginning year of a worldwide pandemic, I did not give much thought into where I would be going to college. I figured that with everything that was changing due to health mandates, I would save my money and spend my first two years of college at home, taking courses at Ocean County College. Suddenly, the two years it took to get an Associate’s Degree had passed, and I had to begin searching for someplace to further my education. I spent hours researching and visiting colleges, trying to decide where I would be headed for my junior year.
After reading a serious and compelling letter from Kathleen Webber, the head of the Journalism and Professional Writing department here at the College, I was sold. I would transfer all my credits from OCC here and get my bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
Now I’ve finished my first year as a transfer student, but I do look back and wonder, was this the best school for me to transfer to?
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In this case, it does not necessarily matter. There would be no point in transferring again for just one year before graduation, but for others considering making the same choice, it might be an important thing to consider. In the sense of education, I have absolutely no regrets with what the College has provided me with. I feel like in every classroom I walk into, there lies a good reason for me to be there. I was never left questioning if the class was worth my time, if the professor was up to date with what they were teaching or if the course made sense for my major.
TCNJ’s five best study spots
By Rebecca Heath Features Editor
1.
R. Barbara Gitenstein Library
There’s no question the library is the College’s most frequented study spot. The first floor, which contains a cafe that sells Starbucks, is the perfect spot to collaborate with classmates on projects or to hold a study group session with an iced caramel macchiato in hand. While you are encouraged to chat away on the ground floor, the noise level gets progressively lower the higher up you go. Luckily, the study rooms scattered on each level allow for collaboration, though they tend to fill up early on weekdays.
2. Social Sciences Building
If you’ve ever stepped foot into the atrium of SSB, chances are you’ve spent a few moments staring at the glass ceiling in sheer awe. With sunshine beaming in at every angle, the atrium fosters warmth and generates a positive energy that seems to drive productivity. While the seats are somewhat limited and tend to get crowded during the week, it’s a perfect place to work with friends or study solo, if you’re lucky enough to nab a spot.
3. The Science Complex
After the library, the science complex contains the most study area seats of any building on campus, which means you typically won’t have to compete for a spot. The Chemistry, Physics and Math buildings house a number of common areas and collaborative study lounges, many of which conveniently contain whiteboards or chalkboards.
4. The Education Building
Regardless of major, the Ed Café serves as a hub for studying with friends while fueled by coffee. If you’re looking for a quieter place to complete your assignments, though, just head to the second and third floors. There, you’ll find spacious lobbies and lounges perfect for sprawling out all your textbooks.
5. Brower Student Center
What’s better than prepping for a final exam while simultaneously munching on a burger and fries?
The BSC is filled with scrumptious eateries to keep you energized as you work through your to-do list, from. Arguably, the best study spot in the building is the Student Org Lounge located on the second floor. Packed with tables and comfortable chairs, it’s an ideal, centralized spot for snacking, chatting and studying any time of the day.
I have heard of these things happening to other students at different colleges, so this was a problem I was happy to avoid. When it comes to other areas of the college experience, there were definitely certain faults that disappointed me.
For instance, I was surprised to find out about how limited social activities were. Outside of greek life, the College has a pretty quiet campus. As a transfer student, it was hard to join in on these kinds of things in my junior year. I suppose the importance of this fact really depends on the person, but it was something I didn’t know
about.
The staff outside of professors were another quality of the school that swayed my opinion on a more positive note. Advisors, deans and offices all also served me well in my experience, walking me through the transition smoothly. Any questions I had about courses, finances, or anything similar were happily answered.
But the transition of credits would be another thing for me to add to the negatives. One community college credit transferred in as 0.75 of the College’s credits, which led to some complications. Nothing the faculty and I couldn’t handle, of course.
Looking back at all the experiences I’ve had, I don’t think the troubles I was up against had anything to do with the College specifically. Any of the struggles I faced were the result of me being a transfer student just in general, and had nothing to do with where I transferred to.
That being said, based on the faculty and staff at the College, it is a great place to transfer to. Especially in the circumstance those who are transferring are bookworms with a tendency to keep to themselves. Go Lions!
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What does that mean? Campus lingo decoded
By Isabella Darcy News Editor
Transitioning into life as a student at the College involves getting familiar with abbreviations and terminology commonly used around campus. Learning these terms can help you avoid confusion and ensure that you understand what people are saying when they use campus lingo.
Campo (Campus Police)
This one is super important. Campo is the College’s police department. When there is an emergency on campus, Campo can be reached through one of College’s blue lights around campus, or at 609-771-2345.
The Lib (The Library)
A vast building with four stories and a basement that’s equipped with plenty of resources and spaces to study. Go alone, or bring your friends along. Just don’t wait until the last minute if you want to secure a study room!
Lib Caf (Library Café)
Live, Love, Lib Caf. This Café, located inside of the Lib, is one of the most popular spots on campus. Students, faculty and visitors go to Lib Caf for its Starbucks beverages and stay for its vibrant atmosphere.
Do NOT go to Lib Caf if you need to lock in. You will end up yapping. The Stud (Brower Student Center)
The campus’s epicenter for student activities. Food, games and offices can all be found in the Stud. You may hear people over the age of 30 refer to The Stud as Brower.
Trads (Traditions)
A restaurant located in The Stud.
As long as you are not in any rush, Trads is a great place to eat. You can order-in or take-out what is arguably the most edible food on campus.
Eick (Eickhoff dining hall)
The College’s main dining location, and the only one that takes meal swipes. Eick is a great place to mingle with other underclassmen, since on-campus freshmen and sophomores are required to have meal plans with swipes.
Ed Caf (Education Café)
Home of some of the sweetest baristas you will ever meet. This is a great place to grab a coffee or a snack before studying with friends.
Meal Equiv (Meal Equivalency)
The dining option that can be used once a day, Monday through Friday, in place of a meal swipe. You can use Meal Equiv to get $8.93 worth
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of food for free at most dining locations, as long as you have not already used a swipe during that meal period.
CA (Community Advisor)
The College’s name for what is more commonly known as an RA (Residential Advisor). Each residence hall has its own CA’s who are there to support you, while making sure the College’s policies for residential living are followed.
ABE (Allen, Brewster and Ely Halls)
Three 93-year-old freshmen residence halls that are connected by
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lounges. Based on their physical location, they spell out EAB, but ABE rolls off the tongue much better.
Rho (Cooper’s Riverview)
A bar in Trenton that upperclassmen frequent. Though the name changed to Cooper’s a few years back, the nostalgic title of Rho has stuck around.
Mubu (Mayo Concert Hall)
Short for Music Building, the name Mubu is mostly used by performing arts students. Mubu is one of the two main buildings on campus where performances are held, so it is important to note that Mubu is different from Kendall Hall.
https://www.tcnjsignalnews.com/
Editorial Staff
Matthew Kaufman Editor-in-Chief
Tristan Weisenbach Ally Uhlendorf Managing Editors
Isabella Darcy Kate Zydor News Editors
Alena Bitonti Lake DiStefano Arts & Entertainment Editors
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Parisa Burton Opinions Editor
Aidan Mastandrea Sports Editor
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Ela Kirimca Social Media Editor
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Kathleen Webber Faculty Advisor