The university community is gearing up for its third annual Rutgers Day, to be held Saturday, April 30. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, thousands of people will take part in what has become one of the state’s premier events. Linda Bassett, senior director of Community Affairs, shares some thoughts on the day’s content and significance.
Bassett: Rutgers Day is our opportunity to open the doors to our campus and give visitors a taste of what we do best. It’s also a great way for prospective students and their parents to sample campus life, and for alumni to see how Rutgers has grown. Faculty and staff can take this opportunity to see what other departments are doing. The range of activity at Rutgers is so expansive that there is something for everyone on Rutgers Day. The day is also a chance for visitors and the campus community to learn something new and have fun exploring the university.
Rutgers Today: Tell us a little about the scope of the programs this year. What’s new on the agenda?
Bassett: Our faculty, students, and staff have created an astonishing array of programs – more than 500 in total. Academic departments are hosting open houses, workshops, lectures, and demonstrations. Student groups are stepping up to host games and activities showcasing their contributions to the campus. Visitors can even tour buildings normally closed to the public like the Floriculture Greenhouse and the Rutgers Cell and DNA Repository to get a sense of the research taking place here at Rutgers. The scope of events, each representing what different members of the campus community bring to the table, is impressive.
Rutgers Today: What’s the best way to plan your day if you’re bringing children? What about the adults?
Bassett: I’d suggest visiting our website – rutgersday.rutgers.edu – ahead of time to browse the different programs. Decide which campus offers programming that would most appeal to your family and plan to spend your whole day there; each campus offers a full experience. Families with young children might want to check out the Athletics Kids’ Zone on Busch, for example, where children can test out athletic gear and musical equipment. On College Avenue, the Center for Latino Arts and Culture Kids’ Corner offers face painting and kite decorating, and the Zimmerli Art Museum is also hosting a full day of family events. Young visitors to the Cook/Douglass Campus can create a comic strip with themselves as the starring superhero at the Loree Computer Center. Adults will be equally well served by programs that focus on job-seeking and resume building, genetic counseling and health screenings, in addition to historical tours, cooking demonstrations, and more. Most of our programs are suitable for all ages. Everyone can enjoy performances on each campus, science demonstrations, and the Scarlet-White Football game at 3 p.m., just to name a few that span the generations.
Rutgers Today: Is there buy-in from high school and junior high school groups? Who sponsors Rutgers Day?
Bassett: Community Affairs receives phone calls and e-mails from people across the state and locally who want to bring junior high classes, athletic teams, and various groups to Rutgers Day. On our end, we also reach out to many local schools and encourage their students to come explore Rutgers with their friends and families.
Our media and corporate sponsorship has been extremely gratifying. This year, our sponsors include Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Saint Peter's Healthcare System, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and our media partners, The Star-Ledger/NJ.com and Magic 98.3/WCTC.
Rutgers Today: What’s the most important message the university wants to convey through Rutgers Day?
Bassett: That Rutgers is a community of creative and intellectual people who love to share their talents and experiences with the rest of the state. That the quality of our research, teaching, and service is second to none. That as comprehensive and exciting a day as Rutgers Day always is, it’s just a small sample of what we do here every day.
Media Contact: Fredda Sacharow
732-932-7084 Ext. 610