Access Week Begins February 20

February 14, 2023

Dear Rutgers–New Brunswick Community,

Rutgers–New Brunswick is a national leader in ensuring that all qualified students, including those from under-represented, first-generation, and limited-income backgrounds, have the support they need to thrive and succeed.

That’s why I am pleased to remind you that Access Week 2023 begins Monday, February 20. This annual commemoration, led by the Division of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, features public lectures, programming, and workshops that highlight pathways to success for our students.

Please click on the below image to see my video message for Access Week:

Student success is at the heart of all that we do at Rutgers–New Brunswick. It is embedded in our university mission of elevating the state of New Jersey through excellence in education, research, and service. It is central to President Holloway’s vision of Access to Academic Excellence, Beloved Community, and Common Good.

And it is one of the four Pillars of Excellence—Scholarly Leadership, Innovative Research, Student Success, and Community Engagement—that support our Academic Master Plan and its strategic initiatives.

Rutgers–New Brunswick’s newest student success initiatives include:

Scarlet Guarantee, launched in Fall 2022 as a sweeping new financial aid program for qualified first- and second-year undergraduate students who are New Jersey residents and whose families’ adjusted gross income is $100,000 or less. For those in families with incomes of $65,000 or less, the Scarlet Guarantee means attending Rutgers–New Brunswick tuition-free. When combined with the State of New Jersey’s Garden State Guarantee program, it can significantly reduce all four years of tuition and mandatory fees for full-time New Jersey students who qualify.

15+ To Finish, which encourages students to graduate on time and reduce their educational costs by completing 15 or more credits per semester. Our Student Success website helps students achieve this goal by connecting them with academic, wellness, and career support services, and opportunities for experiential learning and involvement.

Discovery Advantage, an ambitious reimagining of the student experience—from enrollment to retention and ultimately graduation—to ensure students are supported in their well-being and sense of belonging, and are prepared to succeed in their academic and co-curricular pursuits as well as in the real world.

These initiatives join the many ways we support the success of students from underrepresented backgrounds, including Rutgers Future Scholars, Pre-College Initiatives, Scarlet Promise Grants, the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund, Thrive Student Support Services, and more.

I know how important it is to support our students through the many potential obstacles to their success. Like many members of our community, I myself was the first in my family to attend college and am committed to ensuring we respond to the needs of all students.

I hope you will participate in the many Access Week activities, and use them as an opportunity for reflection.

Sincerely,

Francine Conway, Ph.D.
Chancellor-Provost, Rutgers University–New Brunswick