Dear Honors College Community,
We hope you are all doing well and having a restful and productive summer.
Earlier today, President Holloway and Chancellor Molloy shared the University’s operating plans for this fall due to COVID-19. We all wish that we could start the academic year in normal fashion, welcoming our new class to the Honors College facility and our returning students back to campus, but that will not be possible—no students will be residing in the Honors College this fall, and only Honors College students who fall under the special categories outlined by the President and the Chancellor will have access to University housing this fall.
We want to assure you of our continued commitment to supporting you remotely in a variety of ways and to highlight some of the new and ongoing resources that will be available as we deal with the COVID-19 situation. We will continue to provide a deep network of support for all of our students (and alumni), modified, as needed, to serve you both remotely and, as conditions allow in the future, in person.
We know you probably have a number of questions. Please see the Rutgers–New Brunswick R-connection webpage for more insight and FAQs. While many of your questions will be addressed in the FAQs and by your academic schools and our campus partners, you should always feel free to reach out to us for help.
In the coming weeks, you will be hearing from us about continued, expanded, and new opportunities to engage and draw on Honors College resources this summer and into the fall, including
- Academic Advising—Continuing students may schedule telephone and Zoom appointments this summer using the on-line scheduler. HC Advising will be offering appointments and drop-in advising hours by phone and Zoom in the fall for all HC students, as well as programs and workshops on advising and capstone preparation. If you have questions, please email HC Advising directly.
- Changemaking Communities Program—Work together across HC class years virtually and individually on community service, civic engagement, and social justice through a shared experience that connects with the Honors College mission. Among the Changemaking Communities are Community-Based Scholars: Service in Academia, Exploring Interdisciplinary & Global Perspectives, Active Allyship for Social & Racial Justice, Career with Purpose: Living & Working Meaningfully; and other opportunities.
- Summer Reading for first-year students—Meet your peers virtually, hear their thoughts and experiences, and engage in discussions on timely issues as they relate to our community.
- Professional Development—Take advantage of expanded virtual office hours; learn from HC Alumni panel discussions around the medical and graduate school application process; prepare for virtual recruiting season; connect with C-suite level executives; network with HC upperclass students and alumni for research, internships, and other professional opportunities; and more.
- Honors College Forum and Innovation Lab—Experience these essential Honors College offerings, newly reframed to address the world and its problems in the era of COVID-19 through remote individual and team work, and engagement in your local communities.
We appreciate you recognizing that this was a difficult decision for the University. As President Holloway stated in his letter, the University will make determinations later this year regarding winter session and spring semester.
The Honors College depends on the strength of our community; the depth of support we offer one another; and the rich interaction among our diverse students, faculty, and staff. Our hope is that such support and programs as we’ve outlined above will give you a sense of how we are planning for the coming months.
Like you, we are looking forward to returning to a reality where we can gather face-to-face as soon as feasible. Please email either of us with questions, concerns, problems, or suggestions (Dean Matsuda, Dean Gilmore).
We continue to be here for you.
Your Deans,
Matt Matsuda Paul Gilmore
Academic Dean Administrative Dean