<p>Are they mandatory even if you are commuting to rutgers or do all students, regardless if you commute or will live on campus, have to attend?</p>
<p>I went to the parent orientation and I don’t remember them saying it was mandatory. Call the school and ask them.</p>
<p>Summer orientation, the one you pay $200 for, is NOT mandatory.</p>
<p>So do you guys recommend that I go? I thought I read on the enrollment pathway that each enrolling first year student will be charged the $200 or so regardless of their attendance at said event.</p>
<p>needshelp they make it sound as if it is mandatory, but it is not. You can simply not sign up for it.</p>
<p>There is certainly nothing crucial contained in these sessions. It consists of a lot of icebreaker type games and possibly some familiarization with the bus routes. Maybe a recent participant can add to what they experienced. I know that sweating profusely overnight in Lynton Towers is a big part of it. (Don’t hate the messenger, people)</p>
<p>My son did not go. Several of his male friends went, and felt it was just ok. I have seen people post that they enjoyed it, as well. It’s really up to you. If you think it would make you feel more comfortable to get those extra early days in, then go. If you are not interested, save your money.</p>
<p>You will get immersed in the bus system the first few days you are at school. If you will be commuting, I would go and familiarize yourself with the commuter parking lot you will be using and take the busses around, before school starts. Basically follow one of your daily schedules so you know where you’re going. Those first few days are a little chaotic as everyone is learning the bus system so if you know what you’re doing beforehand it helps.</p>
<p>If you are commuting, you will have to make an extra effort to network as you will not have the forced familiarity of dorm mates. Talk to people in your classes and get FB info, email or phone numbers, etc. early on. You will be fine.</p>
<p>Well, my brother attends Rutgers so he is definitely going to help me out with getting around Rutgers via the buses. So, I’ll think about it this week if I should go or not. Thanks for the info!</p>
<p>I didn’t see anywhere where it said it said to pay $200? Is this added to your term bill?</p>
<p>NVM, just saw it on the FAQs. I could have sworn I never saw that when I signed up. They should have at least mentioned about the cost.</p>
<p>gotmilk: "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, but we cannot guarantee space will be available.</p>
<p>Cancellations must be requested directly via email at <a href=“mailto:orientation@echo.rutgers.edu”>orientation@echo.rutgers.edu</a>. Please include the student’s name, RUID number, date of registered session, and reason for cancellation." [Registration</a> Information - Prepare For Orientation - Summer Orientation - Rutgers New Student Orientation](<a href=“http://nso.rutgers.edu/summer-orientation/prepare-for-summer-orientation/registration-information]Registration”>http://nso.rutgers.edu/summer-orientation/prepare-for-summer-orientation/registration-information)</p>
<p>You can cancel and not reschedule. The cost may still be on your term bill, but it will be refunded to you at some point if you pay it.</p>
<p>If you sign up for that direct deposit thing, the money will go back into your account.</p>
<p>I just saw this on the page: “Because orientation and transition programs are essential for a successful first year at Rutgers, it is included in the cost of attending Rutgers for full-time students. All new students will see Orientation on the Term Bill. Cost is $175.00 for first year students and $85.00 for transfer students. This fee also includes outreach to parents and family members, as well as support for various transition programs designed to help new students during the first year at the university.”</p>
<p>That is so annoying. They make it seem like you have to go to it/pay for it (somewhere else, it says it’s ‘capacity-limited’, ‘first-come, first-served’.</p>
<p>My son signed up for it initially, cancelled it, and they refunded his money (we paid the term bill cause it was on it, then it was refunded a couple weeks later). If you cancel, save your email correspondence as a record of cancellation.</p>
<p>Even if you do not go to this ‘pre-orientation’, there will still be another orientation the first couple days of move-in. There will be activities, and your dorm will have things going on as well.</p>
<p>Ok, so I’m still confused. Do we have to pay for it if we don’t attend or will it be deducted from the term bill?</p>
<p>Contact Info
New Student Orientation
Livingston Student Center
84 Joyce Kilmer Avenue
Piscataway, NJ 08854</p>
<p>Email: New Student Orientation: <a href=“mailto:orientation@echo.rutgers.edu”>orientation@echo.rutgers.edu</a> </p>
<p>Office Phone: 732-445-0572
Monday-Friday 9:00AM-4:00PM</p>
<p>I am going to call on Monday morning for clarification.</p>
<p>Here is the FAQ from their website:</p>
<p>Is New Student Orientation mandatory?
All students are expected to register for and attend New Student Orientation.</p>
<p>Note that they do not say ‘yes, it is mandatory’. They only say that you are ‘expected to register’. I don’t see how something like that can be mandatory. </p>
<p>When my son cancelled, he simply emailed his cancellation (he had already signed up) saying that no other sessions were convenient. It had been added to his initial term bill (and we paid it), but it was refunded a few weeks after classes started, second week of Sept.</p>
<p>I spoke with Nina (student worker) at the summer orientation office. She said that this year, orientation IS mandatory. She said all students would be charged the fee on their term bill, as a line item.</p>
<p>I asked what would happen if the student ended up not attending. She said there would be no refunds. She also said that the mandatory aspect was new.</p>
<p>Personally, I don’t see how they can force you to attend orientation, or not refund you if you don’t attend, but that is something you would have to work out with Rutgers. </p>
<p>Welcome to the RU Screw.</p>