<p>Okay, so I read online they put $175 on term bill, regardless if you went or not. But some people who were freshmen before are telling me they don't because they did not see Orientation listed on term bill and they didnt go.</p>
<p>This year, rualum mentioned it was mandatory and they are pushing everyone to go (regardless if you go or not).</p>
<p>Yes, someone on the phone told me that it ‘changed’ this year to mandatory because Rutgers ‘feels that it’s really important’. I think they just want to make more money. They aren’t going to tell you anything that’s crucial that you won’t find out otherwise.</p>
<p>I don’t see how they can keep your money if you don’t go. </p>
<p>It’s funny that Rutgers says you are an adult, but not enough of an adult to be able to make a yes or no choice about playing ice-breaker games and figuring out the bus routes.</p>
<p>Why should this be ‘mandatory’? :</p>
<p>“Fifty spirited and talented student Orientation Leaders will serve as hosts and share their experiences with new students. Administrators and faculty will also be present throughout the sessions to answer questions and give advice about your educational future. Students can expect to develop a sense of community with other new students and make friends.”</p>
<p>Rutgers students need to pay for orientation to make friends? Really?</p>
<p>btw I only talked to one person, Nina, who said she was a student worker. My son didn’t go 2 years ago, and it was a similar situation in that they were insisting that orientation was ‘mandatory’. Yet they had a cancellation policy, and they do this year as well.</p>
<p>"Cancellation Policy
If for some reason your plans change after you register, you may change your session on the Enrollment Pathway up to 1 week (5 business days) prior to your scheduled Orientation session. Within 1 week of your scheduled session, changes may not be made on the Enrollment Pathway. You may notify us at <a href=“mailto:orientation@echo.rutgers.edu”>orientation@echo.rutgers.edu</a> and we will do our best to reschedule your session. Registrations must be cancelled directly via email at <a href=“mailto:orientation@echo.rutgers.edu”>orientation@echo.rutgers.edu</a> .</p>
<p>Feel free to email us with any questions. To cancel a registration, please email <a href=“mailto:orientation@echo.rutgers.edu”>orientation@echo.rutgers.edu</a> and include the following information:</p>
<p>Student name and RUID
Date of Session registered</p>
<p>This info is from:
<a href=“http://nso.rutgers.edu/summer-orientation/prepare-for-summer-orientation/policies-and-standards[/url]”>http://nso.rutgers.edu/summer-orientation/prepare-for-summer-orientation/policies-and-standards</a></p>
<p>Here is the email I got from Nina @ RU Orientation. Notice how they say ‘expected’ and not ‘required’. But she said ‘required’ on the phone to me:</p>
<p>"Thank you for your e-mail. All new students are expected to register for and attend New Student Orientation. The cost is automatically included on the Term Bill, even if students do not register. This being said, I honestly believe that you will have a great experience and come out of Orientation better prepared for your first semester here at Rutgers. :)</p>
<p>Let me know if you have any more questions or concerns. You can register for orientation via the Enrollment Pathway, which can be found at <a href=“https://www.ugadmissions.rutgers.edu/pathway/[/url]”>myRutgers Portal. Otherwise, I hope you have a great week!</p>
<p>Nina</p>
<p>New Student Orientation</p>
<p>Rutgers University</p>
<p>(732)445-0572"</p>
<p>My commentary: These students are now considered independent adults. Let them decide if they want to spend nearly 200 bucks on games and tips. Freshmen move in first, with a dedicated move-in team to help assist, there will be a freshman orientation at the beginning of the year anyway, and then your residence hall will have ice breaker games and activities as well.</p>
<p>Why do they want to force people to sweat in Lynton towers overnight for $175? Because it makes them money.</p>
<p>Rutgers is trying to make it seem like they are mandatory, but in reality, they only say you are expected to attend. But, I still think you will be charged the 200 dollars or whatever the cost is regardless of attendance at orientation.</p>
<p>Nina did say that the orientation fee would be a line item on the bill. So it’s not bundled into the mandatory student fees portion. That makes me think that you would be able to request a refund if you didn’t go. This was just a student worker who answered my call. I asked for a supervisor and she would not transfer me, saying that they would say the same thing.</p>
<p>Don’t go. I heard it was crap. I didn’t go. If you have that kind of money, spend it on textbooks.</p>
<p>you should go. Free buffet at the livingston dining hall lol</p>
<p>The Livingston dining hall food costs are included in that $175 you paid for the orientation. So basically $32 of that payment is for food, some on the dorming, and the rest for the events. It’s really not a rip-off if you think about it; the money doesn’t go to waste or profit. It’s a good way to see the type of students at RU</p>
<p>rwhitefangs that’s fine but they should not make it appear to be mandatory. A lot of kids going to Rutgers don’t need to spend $175 on something that really isn’t necessary.</p>