Rutgers University in Your Community
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The activities in this section will help you get an overview of Rutgers, its history, majors, and special programs.

University Terminology

There's a whole new set of words used in colleges and universities. Use this vocabulary list to clear up the confusion, get a step up on your friends, and make the transition to college life much easier.

Suggested Activity:

Create a crossword puzzle or word scramble for your troop using the following university terminology.

• Academics
  Scholarly activities that students formally engage in while at a college or university.
• Admission
  The act of being accepted to study at an institution of higher education. Admission is based on grades, activities, test scores, letters of recommendation, interviews, and other information students supply with an application.
• Alumni
  Students who have completed their education and received their diploma or degree from a particular institution.
• Bachelor's degree
  A degree awarded by a college or university to students who have completed all the requirements of their undergraduate studies.
• Course
  A class session or series of sessions that students attend to learn a subject, often as part of a curriculum that leads to a degree or certificate, e.g., English course.
• Credits
  Numerical values assigned to courses. Students must earn a designated number of credits to be eligible to graduate.
• Degree
  A title that a college or university confers upon students who have successfully completed all the requirements of a specific course of study.
• Department
  A unit of a college or university that specializes in educating students in a particular field of knowledge, e.g., math department.
• Major
  The main subject students choose to specialize in when working toward a degree. Students will earn the most credits in this area.
• Minor
  A secondary subject area that students elect to study that requires fewer credits than a major.
• Prerequisite
  A requirement that students must fulfill before registering for a course.
• Scholarship
  Money or other forms of aid granted to students to help pay for college expenses. Usually scholarships are established by individual donors, corporations, or universities, and awarded to students who meet certain criteria.
• Syllabus
  A course outline that a professor gives students at the beginning of a course. A syllabus usually includes test dates, homework assignments, and books that need to be read for the course.
• Undergraduate
  A university or college student who has not yet obtained a bachelor's degree.

Rutgers Then and Now

The History
Would you believe that Rutgers has been around since before the signing of the Declaration of Independence? Rutgers' long tradition in New Jersey began with its founding in 1766. The university's committed faculty and staff build on this rich history to teach, serve, and inspire each new generation of students. Learn more about Rutgers' past:

• A Brief History: http://ruweb.rutgers.edu/aboutru/inbrief.shtml
• Rutgers Through the Years timeline: http://ruweb.rutgers.edu/timeline

Rutgers Today
Today, Rutgers is New Jersey's only comprehensive public research university and has a world-renowned reputation for excellence. Made up of 27 colleges and schools, Rutgers offers classes and degrees in just about every area to get you ready for future success.

• Discover more about the colleges and schools: http://ruweb.rutgers.edu/aboutru/colleges.shtml

Suggested Activities:

• Find out the original name of the university and how it was formed.
• Explain how Rutgers got its name and who Henry Rutgers was.
• Put together a short presentation for your troop about who Paul Robeson was and why he is among the most recognized alumni in Rutgers history.
• Find out what teams played in the first college football game and where it was held. What other events in history happened "first" at Rutgers?
• Look at the Rutgers Through the Years timeline. Select two events in Rutgers history and discuss with your troop.
• Create a chart or poster showing the schools and campuses and where they are located. Share with your troop.
• Select two schools that interest you. For each one, find out the following:
  • Who is the dean of the school?
  • Where is the school located?
  • What types of degree programs does it offer?
  • How many students are enrolled?

What to Study at Rutgers

Majors
Did you know that you could choose your major from more than 100 programs of study at Rutgers? With 4,000 courses, 26 libraries, exciting study abroad opportunities, and engaging student life activities, Rutgers is a place where you'll have the chance to explore your interests and discover your place in the world.

• Visit the Rutgers undergraduate admissions website: http://admissions.rutgers.edu

Scarlet Ambassadors
When you want to learn something about a university, the best place to start is with its students. Scarlet ambassadors are Rutgers students who help potential and incoming students learn everything they need to know about the university.

• Learn more about our student ambassadors: http://ur.rutgers.edu/archive/spotlight-ambassadors

Suggested Activities:

On the undergraduate admissions website, go to the "Academics" section in the left-hand corner.

• Find a major that interests you.
• Find out what courses you would have to take for that major.

Douglass Residential College

Douglass Residential College takes girl power to a whole new level. It is a special living-learning community that focuses on empowering women to be leaders. Students at the residential college have the benefit of meeting and interacting with today's great women thinkers and doers. They also enjoy the best of all worlds, because they live and learn in a small, close-knit, women-centered community, yet are part of a larger coeducational university.

• Visit the Douglass website: http://drc.rutgers.edu

Suggested Activities:

• Under the "Programs" tab, review the Special Interest Programs. Select one that is of interest to you, and tell your troop about it.
• Discuss with your troop the benefits of being a part of a residential college like Douglass.

Arts, Culture, and Student Life

Arts and Culture
Did you know that one of the largest university art museums is at Rutgers? Visiting the Zimmerli Art Museum is just one of many activities that anyone can enjoy at the university. Whether it's the New Jersey Film Festival, or live music, theater, and dance, the cultural offerings at Rutgers are among the most varied in the country.

Learn more:

• Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum: http://www.zimmerlimuseum.rutgers.edu
• Mason Gross Performing Arts Center Calendar: http://www.masongross.rutgers.edu/content/calendar-events
• Paul Robeson Galleries: http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/artgallery
• Rutgers Center for the Arts–Camden: http://rcca.camden.rutgers.edu
• Rutgers Gardens: http://rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu
• Rutgers University Geology Museum: http://geologymuseum.rutgers.edu

Getting Involved on Campus
At Rutgers, learning isn't limited to the classroom. Our students experience some of their most important life lessons when they get involved in campus life. Joining clubs and organizations helps students meet new people and prepares them for the larger world beyond the university.

• Read more about the many clubs and organizations at Rutgers: http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/organizations/

Sports Clubs
Whether you are a seasoned athlete or new to organized sports, participating in Rutgers sports clubs is a great way to make friends and stay in shape.

• Discover more: http://sportclubs.rutgers.edu/MainFrameset.html

Suggested Activities:

• Visit one of the places or attend an art or cultural event listed above. Discuss with your troop.
• Print out information about two places or activities from the arts and culture websites, and share with your troop.
• Search for a student club that interests you. Is there a club you'd like to join? Discuss.
• Why wait for college? Start a special interest club of your own now. For example, if you like to knit, you could start a knitting club at your school.
• Find out why the Rutgers University Student Life department is so important and how it can help you.

Athletics at Rutgers

Women's Team Sports
Rutgers offers many sports for women, including field hockey, gymnastics, softball, and basketball, to name a few. Many of the teams are NCAA Divisions I and III.

• Rutgers–Camden sports: http://athletics.camden.rutgers.edu
• Rutgers–Newark sports: http://www.rutgersnewarkathletics.com
• Rutgers–New Brunswick sports: http://www.scarletknights.com/sports.asp

Rutgers Women's Basketball
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights women's basketball team, led by head coach C. Vivian Stringer, has worked hard to earn many awards and rankings in national college sports. The team is a great source of pride, both athletically and scholastically, for Rutgers and the State of New Jersey.

• Visit the women's basketball webpages: http://www.scarletknights.com/basketball-women

Suggested Activities:

• Attend a women's sporting event on one of the campuses. What sport did you choose and what team did Rutgers play against?
• Get a roster of team players and coaches for your favorite women's team. Gather news articles on your favorite women's team and give a presentation about it to your troop.
• Find information about a women's basketball player and share with your troop. What is her major in college? Where is she from?