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STUDENT SERVICES
Academic Advising International Student Services  Senior Services and Commencement 
Educational Opportunity Fund   Learning Center Student Affairs
Admissions Financial Aid Summer Session and Winterim
 

OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ADVISING
Nancy G. Rosoff, Associate Dean

As a result of the budget cuts for fiscal year 2006-2007 that affected the university and the campus, the delivery of academic advising services was reorganized and devolved to the schools. This office had previously been housed within the Division of Student Affairs. After the reorganization, two academic advisors were assigned to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences: Assistant Deans Nancy Gulick and Danyelle Thurman. The Faculty of Arts and Sciences also assumed responsibility for providing services to international students, handled by Assistant Dean Thurman. The Office of Academic Advising reports to Associate Dean Nancy Rosoff.

In addition, we continued the process of improving departmental advising of students with declared majors. A number of faculty participated in training in the use of the Degree Navigator program, which has proven to be an asset in the advising process.

The academic advisors serve as the primary points of contact for students who have not declared a major and are available as a resource for all students. They conducted workshops about Degree Navigator and the course selection process with students in each section of the English composition classes in the fall. In addition, the office continues to certify students for graduation and to be the initial point of contact for the registration of transfer students.

The Office of Academic Advising provides academic, career, financial, and personal advisement/counseling to Camden College of Arts and Sciences, and University College students. Students are referred to the appropriate departments for service when needed. Students are informed of current and revised college and departmental requirements. In addition to individual and group appointments with the academic advisors, students could contact the advising staff online and by telephone. New freshman information sessions were conducted to assist students with the online registration process, general requirements, and selecting a major. New Student Seminars also prepared students for spring registration. Eighty-one students were re-enrolled for the fall 2006 semester, and 118 students were re-enrolled for the spring 2007 semester.

The Office of Academic Advising and its staff played a significant role in the implementation of the Keys to Success Program, the academic orientation for first-year students. Over the course of five dates in June and July, 347 students from CCAS and UC registered for classes under the direct guidance of Assistant Deans Gulick and Thurman. These sessions enabled students to select their own classes for the fall semester in small groups and to learn in depth about college requirements. This component, as well as the remainder of the Keys to Success program, will hopefully contribute to a higher retention rate for our students.


 
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS SERVICES
Danyelle Thurman, Assistant Dean for Academic Advising

New international students were welcomed to the campus by an orientation program held on Friday, October 20th, 2006. During the program, students were introduced to the campus and the services available to them such as Immigration Services, Career Services, Health Services, and Computing Services. The data on the international students at the Camden campus was tracked and maintained through the SEVIS computer software system. Throughout the year there were several Optional Practical Training Workshops (OPT) to assist international students with their employment authorization applications. In addition, Curricular Practical Training Workshops were held to assist students with applications for paid internships. During the year international students received personal and individual assistance with changing their visa status and renewal, traveling, banking, obtaining employment on and off-campus, academic planning, and personal counseling.

There were approximately 62 students engaged in undergraduate and graduate study and research on the Camden campus. These students represent the following countries:

Country Number of Students
Canada 2
China 5
Columbia 1
Cote d’Ivoire 1
Gambia 1
India 11
Japan 1
Jordan 1
Kenya 1
North Korea 1
South Korea 6
Mali 1
Nigeria 3
Norway 1
Pakistan 1
Peru 2
Romania 1
Suriname 1
Switzerland 1
Taiwan 20

There were 13 undergraduate students, 31 graduate students, 7 professional studies students, and 11 students participating in Optional Practical Training off-campus employment. The following consists of the majors represented by international students on the Camden campus:


Undergraduate International Majors / Number of Students

Art 1
Biology 2
Business Management & related studies 7
Undeclared 3

Graduate International Majors / Number of Students

Biology 5
Business Management 22
Criminal Justice 1
Law 7
Mathematics 1
Public Administration 2

 


 

SENIOR SERVICES and COMMENCEMENT
Nancy V. Gulick, Assistant Dean for Academic Advising

An array of services prepares seniors for graduation. Beginning in August, 908 seniors (652 full-time and 256 part-time students) received Senior Reviews to inform them of their progress toward the degree. Degree Navigator, the online degree audit program was used for the first time to review requirements. With assistance from their faculty advisors, students were able to plan their programs for their final semesters. Senior Review Seminars were also conducted in September to explain certification procedures and eighty students attended. The Senior Webpage (http://www.camden.rutgers.edu/seniors/) provided pertinent information from the Office of Academic Advising, Career Services, Bookstore, Financial Aid, Registrar, Teacher Prep and Alumni Relations. Graduation Seminars were held in March to address the myriad of questions that graduates have.

This academic year 670 students graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences and University College, only seven more than last year.

Senior Review Seminars
Year:2006*200520042003
TOTALS 80 168 157 165
*First year for Degree Navigator



Graduation Seminars
Year:200720062005*2004
TOTALS 162 118 113 170
*First year of Senior Webpage



GRADUATES
Year: October JanuaryMayTOTAL
Class of 2007 64 124 482 670
Class of 2006 71136456663
Class of 2005 57 134413604
Class of 2004 61121 417599


COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY 2007

The Commencement Ceremony was held at the Tweeter Center on Thursday, May 17th. Dr. Margaret Marsh, Interim Provost and Dean, presided over the ceremony, at which Dr. Marie Cornelia was the Grand Marshal and Dr. Timothy Martin the reader. Golden Raptors Gloria Ditchey ’53, Catherine Kalis ’57, and Clifford Owens ’57 joined the celebration in honor of the fifty-year anniversary of their graduation.

President Richard McCormick and Dean Marsh greeted the graduates. Maxim Kind, the president of the Student Governing Association, shared his hopes for the Class of 2007 and introduced former Provost Roger G. Dennis, Esq., the Commencement speaker. Mr. Dennis, the founding dean of Drexel University’s College of Law reflected on his ten years as provost of the Camden campus and spoke of the opportunities available to our students.

President McCormick congratulated the Class of 2007 as he conferred the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Dean Marsh praised the outstanding students. Three students received the Dean’s Undergraduate Research Awards: Grace Keene for “Magic and Christianity: A Secret Romance” conducted with Dr. John Wall; Philip Osborne for “Ontological Arguments: the Impasse” with Dr. Charles Jarrett; and Sara Troxel for “Curatorial Practice” with Dr. Roberta Tarbell and Dr. Martin Rosenberg. A total of 788 graduates received degrees from the College of Arts and Sciences/University College (670) and the Graduate School Camden (118). Charles Mannella (CCAS ’70), the director of Rutgers University-Camden Alumni Relations, congratulated the new 2007 graduates. Dr. Julianne Baird and seniors Genise Cox, Katie Downey, Andrew Finnerty, Kristine Gianna, Krista Gorman, Grace Keene, and Melissa Tepperman concluded the ceremony with the singing of Bob Dylan’s Forever Young and were joined by the Madrigal Singers and the audience for the Rutgers Alma Mater, On the Banks of the Old Raritan.


 
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FUND (EOF) PROGRAM
Christopher Dougherty, Director

EOF is a state-funded program that provides outreach, access, and support to students who have traditionally been excluded from access to higher education. As part of the Rutgers-Camden EOF Program, first-time, first-year students receive academic support via a five-week summer program. Throughout their undergraduate program, these students are supported by EOF via the delivery of academic advising, tutoring, skills workshops, and bilingual services. The program also provides referrals to a variety of other student service offices on campus in addition to maintaining expertise in areas such as crisis intervention, graduate school admissions, student learning and assessment, and transition to college from high school. EOF also serves graduate students and transfer students. In academic year 2006-2007 (AY 06-07), over 280 students enrolled in the EOF Program at Rutgers-Camden and received financial support in the form of EOF grants and academic support from a staff of Senior Counselors. Other students benefit from the support of EOF as well, especially those learners who are in need of services to assist in their adaptation to the academic requirements of a research university.

AY 06-07 marked a period of consolidation and stability for the Rutgers-Camden EOF Program. The program remains fully staffed (Director, Assistant Director, four Senior Counselors, and Administrative Assistant). Each staff member also oversees defined areas in addition to their work on behalf of students enrolled in the program. In addition, Stephanie Barthelemy continues to expand her role in overseeing the operations of the program in her capacity as Assistant Director. After admitting 38 first-time, first-year students in fall 2005, the program returned to admitting fifty students for fall 2006, more consistent with past practices at the campus. The lower enrollment number for fall 2005 was in part attributable to campus-wide declines in admissions at the undergraduate level. The program also continued outreach activities with schools in the city of Camden and surrounding districts in order to cultivate awareness of options for college among students in early high school and later middle school. In order to expand services to students, particularly those first-year students experiencing academic difficulties, the Rutgers-Camden EOF Program implemented an intrusive academic support model intended for all EOF students on probation or projecting to be on probation. Conducted by the Learning Specialist in the Rutgers-Camden Learning Center (RCLC), the academic support program conducted multiple group sessions followed by individual consultations with the Learning Specialist and academic coaches or tutors.

Following site visits to the New Brunswick campus EOF Programs, Rutgers-Camden hosted its own site visit in May 2007. Dr. Cheryl Williams, University Assistant Dean for Special Programs at CUNY, conducted the visit in collaboration with the EOF Program Office in Trenton. The visit included the preparation of a detailed report outlining the program’s performance in terms of enrollment and retention and articulating strategic goals for subsequent academic years. The visit included interviews with staff and faculty aligned with the EOF program and students who were both recently enrolled in or nearing completion of their degree programs. The overall response to the visit was positive, and at the present time the program awaits a final report for the site visit.

 


 

RUTGERS-CAMDEN LEARNING CENTER
Robert L. Ciervo, Director

In October 2006, the Rutgers-Camden Learning Center (RCLC) hired a new director to oversee all programming and operations at the learning center. Dr. Robert Ciervo, who previously led the Drexel Learning Center at Drexel University and served as the Director for Academic Support for Student Athletes at Temple University was hired to lead and improve services at the Rutgers-Camden Learning Center. In addition to directing the RCLC, Dr. Ciervo was also responsible for developing processes to alert students who had received mid-semester academic alerts, assisting with the adjudication of appeals for retroactive course withdrawals and readmissions, and refining the standards for placing students on academic probation and dismissal.
In December 2006, a new learning specialist, Christopher Cruz Cullari, was hired to fill the position vacated by Tom Pignone, who was hired by the United States Military Academy Prep School in Fort Monmouth, NJ. The learning specialist developed an improved training program for RCLC tutors, provided academic assistance to all College of Arts and Science students who were on continued probation, and developed a special academic assistance program for EOF students who had under a 2.0 GPA.

The main focus of the RCLC continued to be the provision of individual course content tutoring and writing assistance to undergraduate students. In Spring 2007 there were 957 student visits to the Learning Center for tutoring (722), writing assistance (115), or at one of the supplemental instruction sessions (101). The RCLC provided supplemental instruction sessions for Nursing I, Nursing II, World Masterpieces, and Calculus for Business and Chemical Principles II during the 2006-07 academic year. In Spring 2007, for the first time, students were asked to complete tutor evaluations after each tutoring session. RCLC tutors averaged a score of 4.84 out of 5 on the six evaluation questions and out of the ninety-five comments that were written in the optional additional comments section of the evaluation ninety-four were positive.
In the summer of 2007 the RCLC implemented new computer software that allows students to make appointments for tutoring online. For the first time, students were able to select a specific tutor for a specific course on a particular day and time on their own. The system allows students to make appointments through the RCLC website, after which an automatic email is sent to both the student and the tutor to confirm the date, time, and location of the appointment. Students are also able to cancel appointments online and reschedule their own appointments.
The RCLC will continue to work with other departments on campus to expand the provision of its services for the 2007-08 academic year. Drop-in tutoring at night is planned at the residence hall and tutors will also be on hand at the academic study halls overseen by the Athletic Department to provide academic assistance for student-athletes.


 

STUDENT AFFAIRS
Mary Beth Daisey, Associate Provost for Student Affairs

Student Affairs comprises the following offices which service the students of Rutgers-Camden:
Athletics and Recreational Services Campus Center, Conference Services, Dining/Catering, Starbucks and Impact Booth
Office of Campus Involvement – Student Activities and Residence Life/Housing
Camden Health Center Career Center
Student Services, Judicial Affairs, Disability Services (under the School of Business), International Student Services (under the College of Arts and Sciences), Orientation, Commencement and Student Liaison

The entire division of Student Affairs fosters and promotes services that enhance the successful academic and personal growth and development of a diverse student body within the university and the larger society. In carrying out its mission, Student Affairs delivers high quality programs and services by being responsive to the needs of Rutgers University-Camden.

 
Athletic and Recreational Services
Jeffrey Dean, Director

Athletics and Recreational Services is an administrative unit within the Office of Student Life. Its athletic mission is to conduct intercollegiate sports programs within the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) and the NCAA Division III. Recreational Services is responsible for providing recreational, intramural, and club programs, as well as events for the campus community, which includes students, faculty, staff, and alumni. In addition, Recreational Services extends its facilities and staff to the community at large of Camden and South Jersey.

The Rutgers-Camden Softball team attempted to defend the school’s first-ever National Championship by winning the NJAC tournament and advancing to the NCAA Regional Tournament in Fayetteville, NC. Additionally, the Men’s Soccer team earned a birth in the NJAC Championship tournament. After a second round loss, the team was selected to participate in the ECAC Championship tournament and was victorious. The Women’s Soccer team also earned a birth into the ECAC Championship tournament, but was defeated by one goal in a valiant effort.

Rutgers-Camden student athletes and coaches were the recipient of several prestigious awards bestowed by the NCAA and the NJAC. Two student athletes were named to All-American teams in 2006-2007, an additional athlete was named Athlete of the Year for the NJAC, and one coach was deemed NJAC Coach of the Year.

Collectively, this past year was once again one of the most successful in Rutgers-Camden history.

During the 2006-2007 school year, Recreational Services provided sixteen events and activities that were utilized by over 600 students, faculty, staff and alumni, along with seven club sports that involved more than 140 participants. During each semester, Recreational Services conducted six eight-week, non-credit activity classes. These classes included Yoga, Karate, Aerobics, Kung-fu, Pilates, and Tai Chi and collectively averaged thirty-forty participants throughout the year.

Many at-large community groups availed themselves of the indoor and outdoor facilities managed by Recreational Services. Highlights included hosting the Al Carino All-Star Basketball Game, the South Jersey High School Soccer Championship, and the Camden County-All Star Softball Game sponsored by the Camden County Clerks’ office. More than thirty organizations utilized the indoor and outdoor facilities for events and activity, bringing more than 5,000 visitors to the Camden campus.

Academic Tracking services have been designed to assist our student athletes in their academic pursuit. All first-year student athletes, as well as any student athlete with a GPA of 2.5 or lower, are required to attend two study hall sessions per week.

Additions for the Academic Services offerings include the NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills Program. This program serves as a mentoring program and help development initiatives within our institution to enhance the quality of the student athlete experience. We have also developed a peer-tutoring program that allows student athletes to help each other and share academic experiences.

The Rutgers University Camden Sports Medicine Program continued to grow in 2006-2007. The current Team Physician Group of Dr. Paul Marchetto and Dr. Peter DeLuca are affiliated with the Rothman Institute of Philadelphia. We are now able to provide our student athletes with a more comprehensive Sports Medicine Team. Our student athletes have 24 hour per day access to the Sports Medicine Physicians as well as priority status for needed evaluations or rehabilitation. A Team Nutritionist is available to our athletes on an as needed basis, as well as seminars on nutrition and athletics and the effects on performance. All of these services are coordinated by the Rutgers University-Camden Head Athletic Trainer.

The Office of Athletics and Recreational Services has also extended management services into the surrounding counties. The new Camden County Boathouse at Cooper River is managed by Rutgers University Camden Athletics. Coordinating regattas, banquets, weddings, and many club and community rowing programs are among the management responsibilities.


 
Campus Center, Conference Services and Dining/Catering/Starbucks Operations
Thomas DiValerio, Associate Dean/Director

CAMPUS CENTER RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS

The Campus Center began three renovation projects in 2006 – 07. The $5 million dining hall renovation began in early May at the close of final exams and will reopen before August 31st, 2007.

An area in the lower level of the Campus Center was renovated for use by undergraduate student clubs and organizations and will open in September 2007.

The third floor of the Campus Center was renovated for use by Campus Center staff and Housing and Residence Life staff. This renovation will open in September 2007. This renovation coordinates a significant number of student services in one area: student center operations, reservations, Student Fund, Student Activities, Housing and Residence Life.

Design documents were created for an additional renovation project. The multi-purpose room, student lounge, and lobby will be renovated beginning November 2007. Plans are to complete this renovation in phases to minimize the impact on building services.

CAMPUS CENTER REORGANIZATION AND DINING SERVICES TRANSITION

The Campus Center reorganized departmental staff due to the retirement of two long time university employees and the impending dining transition. The department is organized around an assistant director for operations and the hiring and training of all student staff, an events services assistant manager for coordination of services for events outside the academic classroom, a business specialist, and a senior administrative assistant.

Dining Services-NB will operate the Camden dining facility beginning August 2007. Plans and preparations began in January 2007 in an effort to make the transition as seamless as possible. A new dining manager with catering experience will manage the facility. Dining Services-NB will operate the dining hall, Starbucks, Armitage Snacks, Deliberations Snacks, and campus catering.

The Campus Center will manage the operations of the student center, campus-wide ID services, student activities, student fund, event reservations and planning, information desk services, student ticketing plans and programs and building retail operations including the convenience store and future retail projects that benefit the student population and act as liaison to dining services.

CAMPUS CENTER INITIATIVES

The Campus Center launched two marketing initiatives with the intent of assisting the campus with undergraduate recruitment efforts. The first initiative was a dimensional marketing piece designed as a Rutgers – Camden lunchbox that was mailed to approximately 1000 admitted students. It was a brightly designed piece that included the lunchbox, full color brochure (focusing on student life and activities), and community discount card. Follow up efforts included mailings from the associate provost for student affairs and invitations to special programs and activities.

The second project focused on the spring undergraduate open house program. The Campus Center adopted “You always get the Red Carpet treatment at Rutgers – Camden” as our open house theme. With this theme in mind, student and departmental staff physically rolled out red carpets leading to the primary student life facilities on campus (Campus Center, Residence Hall, Gymnasium and Rec Center) to welcome students and their families and to treat them as stars. Life size cutouts of famous celebrities and stars from Paul Robeson and Albert Einstein to Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie were prominently displayed around the buildings while a larger than life Oscar and huge bag of popcorn greeted our guests as they entered the Campus Center. Student photographers roamed the campus, taking candid shots and family portraits. Student “celebrities” dressed as Mr. T, Elvis, and others mingled, entertained, and posed with our prospective students and guests. Our roving student photographers took their shots, filled their memory cards, and then rushed the cards to awaiting mini – print stations manned by students and staff members. Photos were printed, framed and displayed – and available for all guests to take home as an Open House souvenir and reminder of their welcome at Rutgers – Camden.

CAMPUS CENTER PROGRAMMING

The Campus Center sponsored its second annual Scarlet Sleepover to commemorate Rutgers’ 240th birthday. This night of fun, food, and giveaways was highlighted by the Scarlet Knights come-from-behind victory over Louisville.

The Campus Center also continued to sponsor the “student fan of the game” at undergraduate sporting events. Tickets to local sporting events, concerts, meal cards and gift certificates were provided as well as University clothing and apparel.

The Campus Center designed and produced a campus flag to commemorate the Scarlet Raptors 2006 Division III National Softball Title. Flags were distributed to the Athletic Department, Associate Provost for Student Affairs, and the Campus Center.

CUSTOMER SERVICE INITIATIVE

The Campus Center and all retail areas in the center completed the second full year of secret shops. There were 86 shops in all. Thirty-two shops received a 100% mark. Every area but one had at least one 100% score. Several areas received two or more 100% marks. The eight areas shopped (Food Court, Courtyard Restaurant, Sandellas, Armitage Snacks, Deliberations Snacks, Starbucks, Corner C-Store, and IMPACT Booth) averaged 80.70% during the shop period July 2006 to June 2007. Starbucks, Food Court, and the Impact Booth averaged 90% or above for 2006 - 07

CAMPUS CENTER CONFERENCE SERVICES AND OPERATIONS

Read access to the Campus Center’s EMS event planning software was extended to the Boathouse, Financial Services Office, and the Provost’s Office. Access to EMS allows these departments to see event bookings and activities almost instantaneously as they are entered into the campus wide system.

There were 6,291 bookings processed during 2006 – 2007. Administrative / faculty and department bookings accounted for 52.4% of the total and student bookings accounted for 25.3% of all bookings. Campus Center operations provided service for 56.3% or 3544 events booked within the Campus Center this fiscal year. Campus Center operations fulfilled 1,921 equipment requests for the 3,544 events booked in the facility and an additional 52 requests were made for equipment deliveries outside of the Campus Center. There were 138 requests for use of the Campus Center beyond normal operating hours. Campus Center operations managed a seven days-a-week facility open 102 standard hours with one professional and eight to ten paraprofessional (student) staff members.

Detailed report information for 2006 – 2007 on bookings by customer type, by category, by event type, by building, etc., is on file in the staff offices.

The Campus Center tracked the following patron counts at its retail operations for 2006 – 07.

Patron Counts (July 1st, 2006 to June 30th, 2007)
Food Court 166,376
Courtyard Restaurant 5,354
Sandellas 12,873
Starbucks 129,925
Corner C-Store 56,336
Armitage & Law 125,813
IMPACT Booth 2,246
Total 498,923

The IMPACT Booth (Informational Services and University IDs) continued to be a hub of Campus Center activity. In addition to providing information and ID services, the student staff processed 4,566 transactions that accounted for a multitude of campus programs and local sporting events, concerts, and trips.

CAMPUS CENTER RETAIL OPERATIONS / DINING SERVICES / STARBUCKS / C - STORE

While experiencing a second consecutive year of declining student enrollment, the retail operation reduced labor costs while maintaining retail sales and was able to again post a revenue return to the campus for fiscal year 06/07. The revenue return was somewhat lower than past years, which was expected due to the dining transition and the dining facility renovation that began during the fourth quarter of the year. Catering and retail sales were significantly down in the 4th quarter as dining services was closed on May 8th to accommodate the demolition of the current facility. Even so, revenues (sales and catering) were only down 2% overall from FY 2005 – 06. Profit margins, food, and paper costs were nearly the same as last year while labor was up in some areas but down overall within the entire retail operation.

Late night take-out and delivery service was available during the fall and spring semesters. Overall, campus retail operations returned $65,000.00 to the campus administration for FY 06 / 07.


 

Office of Campus Involvement – Student Activities and Residence Life/Housing
Allison Wisniewski, Assistant Dean of Students

The Office of Campus Involvement & Residence Life promotes educational opportunities and self-expression through various workshops, lectures, films, and concerts for both residents and commuter students. The goal of the office is to provide an enriched collegiate experience through entertainment and recreational opportunities, to develop independent thought through creative means, and assist in providing a safe environment for a diverse community. OCI & RL staff members represent mentors, advisors, counselors, friends, referral agents, and disciplinarians. All of these roles exist for one purpose – the growth and development of each individual. A major task of the staff is to promote development of a community atmosphere in each room, on each floor, within each building and throughout the campus in general. With hopes of staying true to the mission statement of the OCI & RL, the past few years have seen programs as varied as a film series to trips to Broadway plays in New York City to an evening with renowned author/filmmaker Michael Moore, to the first annual Riverfest concert at Wiggins Park in Camden.

After the success of last year’s “Cinema at the Center” film series, the office continued to provide the opportunity for our students, faculty, and staff to view movies before they were released on home video.

The office has also worked closely with the Student Governing Association (SGA) and the Cooper Grant Neighborhood Association (CGNA) to sponsor several “Moonlight Movies,” where the movies are shown on a big screen on the lawn of the Walt Whitman Cultural Arts Center and are open to all University students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community. One of the most successful collaborations was when the OCI, SGA, and CGNA joined together to host a Halloween Festival for the local community. Another very successful “series” of events was the trips to see Broadway plays in New York City, which truly is a unique experience. All plays were “sold out” within minutes of going on sale. Plays included: Avenue Q, Dracula, La Cage Aux Folles, Monty Python’s Spamalot, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Along with sponsoring recreational activities, the OCI is also dedicated to offering an array of educational and diverse activities. Our on-campus lecture series was very successful, covering such varied topics as health and wellness, white privilege, and the United States and its foreign policy affairs. Our most popular lecture this past year brought in the author of Postsecret, Frank Warren, to do a lecture about the thousands of secrets he has received via postcards over the last few years.

Other fun events included a performance by the “Flying Cat Circus,” a “Taste of Philly” day, a trip to a taping of Comedy Central’s Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and a local ghost tour of Old City Philadelphia.

Several leadership training sessions were also held throughout the semester: the annual “Nuts and Bolts” student leadership training program for the fall semester, and the “Mini Nuts and Bolts” refresher course for the spring semester. The “Nut and Bolts” training will be expanded even more next year to include breakout sessions for specific executive board positions.

The new unified student government was working as a unified government for the second year. This is the first time in over a decade that our campus had a centralized voice of student concern, mainly due to the division of the various undergraduate student governments. The new government makes it easier for our student organizations to navigate for questions, budgets, concerns, and finally have the ability to focus on functioning as a student government, where as before, the student government spent a lot of its time as a programming board due to a lack of funding for our Campus Activities Board (CAB).

Specifically, our resident students enjoyed over 60 programs that were coordinated for their enjoyment. We have taken trips to places like museums, movie theatres, and amusement parks. A very successful trip to the Pocono Mountains gave students the opportunity to learn how to ski and snowboard. We have also sponsored students to attend educational and cultural banquets. For example, the MLK and Lunar banquets which allowed students to learn about the cultures of others. The Wellness Program, which consists of many programs in itself, has been a huge success this year. The workshop and activities were educational as well as fun. Some examples of the programs include self defense classes, resume writing, and dance lessons. We also provided students with tutoring. Students loved the wing eating contest that we had during spring week. Students were given the opportunity to be educated, learn about new cultures, and also have fun, which is an important aspect to add to their college experience.


 
Career Center
James Marino, Assistant Dean/Director

Five major events brought to the campus over 300 outside organizations and over 2,000 candidates for employment and graduate school opportunities. These included the Annual Fall Career Day, Graduate/Professional Fair, Fall Internship Fair, Public Service Career Fair and the 1st Annual Spring Day Job Fair. A Mock Interview Program with visiting HR Professionals, and the Annual Dining Etiquette Program with consultant Barbara Pachter, a Speed Networking Program with Rutgers alumni, and International Careers Seminar were just a few of the special programs sponsored by the Career Center.

Through the Arts & Sciences Internship Course, facilitated by the Career Center, a broad spectrum of majors participated in internships in Art, Business, Communications, Criminal Justice, Education, Healthcare, Research, and Social Services. Selected internships took place at the Camden County Prosecutors’ Office, Cooper Hospital Emergency Division., Office of the Public Defender, The Rachael Ray Show, and Marvel Entertainment. A pilot program where students would receive credit in their major for the Arts & Sciences Internship Course was facilitated successfully as two students from Spanish and one from History completed internships for major credit. This program will be continued with the hope that more departments will participate.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) Job Outlook 2007 Report, the job outlook is positive for the fourth consecutive year. Employers expect to hire 17 percent more new college graduates in 2006-2007 than they hired in 2005-06.

Supporting this positive outlook projection, the Career Center for the second year in a row posted over 2000 jobs and over 900 internships during the past school year, an increase of 20% over the previous year. Over 6,000 students and alumni now have active accounts with e-Recruiting, the Career Center’s on-line job system.

Overall results for the College of Arts & Sciences (Class of 2006) showed: 67% were employed and 30% were enrolled in graduate / professional school. The average salary was $33,601. Seventy-five percent were employed in New Jersey, 19% in Philadelphia and 6% in other states (DC, DE, FL, NH, VA). Results showed a slight shift in employment from non-profit sectors of education, social service, and government to business environments and an increase in graduate/professional school matriculations.

On the technology front, the Career added the Perfect Interview web based training module to the website.

EMPLOYMENT SUMMARY
CLASS OF 2006 OUTCOMES REPORT
208 graduates from the College of Arts & Sciences responded to surveys.

Employment Summary
• 67 % are employed (full-time and part-time)
• 75 % are employed in New Jersey
• 19 % in employed in Pennsylvania
• 6% employed in other states (DC, DE, FL, NC, NH, NY)
• Average salary for the class = $33,601
o 10%tile = $24,960; 50%tile = $40,000; 90%tile = $52,000

Graduate /Professional School Summary
• 30 % are enrolled in Graduate / Professional School
• 1 Assistantship, 5 fellowships, 1 grant


 
Camden Health Center
Paul Brown, Director

Rutgers-Camden Health Services remains a comprehensive, collaborative outpatient clinic responding holistically to the health needs of the campus community. Through an extensive team effort we achieved national accreditation from AAAHC, recognizing our professional proficiency and our long-standing dedication to quality college health care. We remain the only health service at Rutgers University to have our entire staff trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. During the past year, our patient surveys show greater than 90% satisfaction with our services. We continue to commit our organization to ongoing quality assurance studies that evaluates the effectiveness of mental health care, medical care, and overall health service staff performance.

Medical Services

Within medical services, we continue to provide comprehensive medical and occupational health care. Also, we remain committed to providing consultation to the mental health staff on medical issues to include the prescribing of appropriate medications. As part of quality assurance, we frequently conduct diagnostic chart reviews to evaluate our treatment guidelines and to keep up with the latest strategies in medical care. In addition our policies and procedures are reviewed with revisions provided to insure effective organizational communication and up-to-date college health care. Campus medical outreach includes consultations with REHS and Facilities to assist with a safe working environment, the coordination with the LEAP Academy and EOF to provide important medical education, and collaboration with the Nursing and Athletic Departments to provide for effective physical exam screening programs. For the first time, our physician acted as preceptor for a UMDNJ medical student during the past year.

Psychological Services

In addition to providing our basic set of mental health and drug/alcohol/nicotine counseling services, we continued our attempts to meet expanding campus demands for services. We expanded a successful psychology predoctoral internship and practicum training programs to include Ancora Psychiatric Hospital, Trenton Psychiatric Hospital, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Psy.D. program, and Immaculatta University. We entered into a formal arrangement with Immaculatta University’s new internship consortium which has been accepted as a member of APIC. Health promotion is provided to students through mental health workshops/presentations conducted for EOF students, Teaching Assistants, Learning Center tutors, and members of the Greek community . This is also done through a viable and ongoing Health Advocate training program. Students are trained to function as teams to provide campus outreach focusing on sexually transmitted infections, nutrition, stress management, mental health issues, and available health resources. Professional consultations and targeted interventions were also performed by mental health staff to 12 departments during the past year including post-student death interventions. We provided extensive orientation outreach to both law and undergraduate incoming student groups as well as to parents and families, in addition to alcohol/drug/nicotine related information to both students and staff. We continued our collaboration with the English Writing Program to: 1) conduct our yearly freshmen health survey to collect data for future student health trends and educational intervention, and 2) train the instructors on mental health issues as well as the referral process.


 

Student Services
Mary Beth Daisey, Associate Provost and Dean of Students

The Division of Student Affairs also provides general and special student services, including coordinating orientation and Judicial Affairs for the campus. These services include but are not limited to life advising, international students, students with disabilities, judicial affairs, campus emergency response and ombudsperson for students.

Orientation for new spring admitted students was in January. Orientations for fall new students took place in August. The objective of orientation is to assist new students to become familiar and comfortable in the campus community. It also provides the opportunity for students to meet and interact with peers while learning about all aspects of college. A variety of concurrent workshops, activities, and social events are designed to enhance the transition of new students to the campus community. The campus-wide orientation committee works collaboratively to create a two-day program for all new students that both introduces them to Rutgers Camden and teaches them about the services and offices that will be able to assist and enrich their college experience.

As an initiative to improve retention on campus, a peer mentoring program was established in October 2006. This program matched new transfer students with an upperclass student who received training in communication, resources, and referral. These peer mentors regularly contacted their new students via email and phone, and met with them for social and educational activities to help students navigate Rutgers-Camden and meet other new students. Initial evaluations for the program were very positive and the program has been extensively expanded in the summer of 2007 to include all new students, more combined programming efforts, as well as online discussion boards and biweekly communication prior to their arrival on campus in the fall.

Disabled Student Services: The Associate Dean of the School of Business, Nathan Levinson, acts as the Campus Disabled Student Advisor. He meets with students with learning, physical, and mental disabilities, assists them with preparing documentation needed to receive accommodations, explains the confidentiality of the services provided, and answers any questions that students may have. The disabled student advisor services between 40 - 50 students with disabilities every semester. He also works with university-wide committees and the University Office of Disabled Student Services to have accommodation requests and documentation evaluated and determine what accommodations the university can provide.

International Student Services: Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences Danyelle Thurman acts as the campus International Student Advisor. New international students were welcomed to the campus by an orientation program held on campus in the early fall. During the program students were introduced to the campus and the services available to them such as Student Affairs, Health Services, Financial Aid, Computing Services, and Student Billing. Dean Thurman also discussed relevant international issues required for F-1 visa holders to maintain their status and adhere to immigration regulations. International student data for the Camden campus was tracked and maintained through the SEVIS and FSA-ATLAS computer software systems. Dean Thurman has also completed the necessary training of the SEVIS Bath Interface System Enhancements through version 5.0. Throughout the year there were several Optional Practical Training Workshops (OPT) to assist international students with their employment authorization applications. In addition, Curricular Practical Training Workshops were held to assist students with applications for paid internships.
During the year international students received personal and individual assistance with changing their visa status and renewal, traveling, banking, academic planning, and personal counseling. There were approximately 69 students engaged in undergraduate and graduate study and research on campus.
Judicial Affairs: The adjudication process for students with academic integrity violations was reorganized in the summer of 2006. The associate deans of Arts and Sciences act as the initial judicial officers to review and handle the majority of academic integrity cases for undergraduate and graduate Arts and Sciences students. All non-academic discipline matters, as well as appeals or cases that involve conflicts of interest were handled by the Associate Provost for Student Affairs. The two offices often consulted on cases and strove for consistency and fairness in the adjudication of cases and the awarding of sanctions. The Office of Judicial Affairs in New Brunswick provided training for new judicial officers as well as a workshop presentation to be used with students and faculty on campus to help to promote academic integrity and an understanding of the code of student conduct.
Dean of Students and Emergency Response: As the campus dean of students, the Division of Student Affairs acts as the Dean on duty to handle emergency concerns with students at all times. The Associate Provost and her Associate and Assistant Dean of Students also act as the liaison for students with emergencies and concerns, explaining how procedures work, advocating on their behalf where appropriate, and referring students to the resources on campus as needed. In addition, the Associate Provost chairs the campus emergency response committee, working on a campus emergency response manual, calling together a committee to handle emergencies as they occur, and works with the campus community to address communication, training and technology issues as they relate to emergency management on campus and at the university.


 
ADMISSIONS
Deborah E. Bowles, Director/Associate Provost for Enrollment Management

During this past year the Office of Admissions continued recruitment efforts, with an increased emphasis on prospective and admitted students from our major demographic markets. We have involved more offices in the enrollment process so that we can connect with students earlier and with greater frequency. We have developed recruitment and enrollment strategies that have resulted in enhanced communication and better service to students. We have also increased our efforts in the areas of student outreach, web enhancement, and the use of new technology tools to reach prospective, admitted, and enrolled students. The offices involved in enrollment management have identified opportunities through which we have redesigned our marketing strategies, enhanced the transparency of process among our offices, and cultivated our relationships with currently enrolled students.

In the registrar’s area we engineered the transition from a paper class and hour schedule to an online version; a change which students said facilitated their registration process. In the area of IT, we designed, created, and implemented a website for enrollment management services, so that students now visit one website and access information and services for our offices at one site.

The admissions office assumed responsibility for placement testing and transfer credit evaluations, and made enhancements for students in both areas.

During the past year we have continued to work closely with the Camden city high schools, and coordinated a summer internship program for five Camden city high school students who were rising seniors.


 
FINANCIAL AID
Richard L. Woodland, Director

The Financial Aid Office provided financial assistance to 2,638 undergraduates in Arts and Sciences and University College in 2006-07. Undergraduate students received over $27 million in assistance from federal, state, and university sources. Undergraduate students financed their education primarily through student loans, accounting for 59% of all aid received, up 3% from last year. Forty percent (40%) of their financial aid was from grants and scholarships while almost 2% was from student employment. The New Jersey Tuition Aid Grant program (TAG) continues to be our largest source of grant funding, providing over $4.8 million in direct tuition assistance. At the federal level, the Pell Grant program provided over $2.7 million in grants to students. Undergraduates received over $2.6 million in scholarships and grants from private and university sources. Our primary scholarship programs continue to be the Academic Excellence Scholarships (208 students), Dean’s Merit Scholarships (74 students), and the Carr Scholars (28 students). This year saw the introduction of the New Jersey Stars II program that offers free tuition and fees to all county college students who participated in the program at their prior school, received an AA degree, and had a 3.0 GPA. Twenty-one students received this new award for 2006-07. At the federal level, two new scholarship programs were enacted, Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) for first- and second-year students who graduated from a rigorous high school program and the National SMART grant program for upper division students in selected majors who had a 3.0 GPA. We had 108 students receive ACG grants and 20 students receive the SMART grant.

In the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, 199 students received over $2.65 million in financial assistance. Student loans accounted for 78% of the aid received, grants and scholarships 20%, and Federal Work Study 2%. Various university and private scholarship programs provided $572,732 to graduate students in 2006-07.


 
SUMMER SESSION 2006 AND WINTERIM 2007
Thomas J. Venables, Director

Once again the Summer Session Office during the 2006-2007 academic year sponsored a series of exciting courses and special events. The academic courses were complemented by extra-curricular activities that peaked continuing students’ interests and encouraged new students to make Rutgers-Camden their academic home. Proportionally, the student summer population has been about 65% Rutgers-Camden students, 21% other Rutgers students and 14% visiting students from other colleges and universities around the country. This unique classroom demographic results in an enthusiastic and creative classroom mix that teachers and students find very rewarding. The Summer Session '06 had 2,716 students in attendance.

We have increased our print-media advertising and find continued success with the transit billboards posted in the commuter stations on the PATCO line between Philadelphia and New Jersey, resulting in an increase of exposure for our campus. A direct mail campaign with colorful mail backs resulted in substantial inquiries for Summer Session and Winterim courses. The cooperative cover theme and expanded catalog website format have increased our advertising exposure statewide.

Our 19th Annual Summer Writers’ Conference and Summer Music Festival provide an artistic dimension for students and faculty alike. Local writers and performers are able to spend quality time with artists visiting with us from across the country and around the world. Battleship New Jersey tours, Riversharks baseball games, trips to New York, local concerts, and lunchtime musical recitals provided broad cultural venues in our summer session. A wide variety of laboratory sciences were held this past summer including biology, chemistry, organic chemistry, and physics, giving science majors and pre-med students a jump ahead of the competition while focusing on the sciences in a concentrated course format.

Summer Session has continued our off-campus offerings at Atlantic Cape Community College, Voorhees, and Mt Laurel corporate facilities in the surrounding counties. Online courses and our off-campus locations attract potential students to our colleges and programs offered in Camden. Teacher workshops enable more service to the broader educational community. The highly regarded Law, M.B.A., and Arts and Sciences graduate courses continue to grow and attract highly qualified students from all over the Delaware Valley.

The Rutgers-Camden Winterim 2007 session has maintained excellent enrollments in its eighth successful year. Selected graduate and undergraduate courses were offered by the Arts and Sciences faculty and the School of Business faculty. This year 805 students were in attendance with an overall revenue generation of $762,712. Our campus gained $245,717 after all related expenses.




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