Day-To-Day Living
On Campus
Generally, students prefer to live on campus or within walking distance of the university, along George Street and Easton Avenue, on Livingston Avenue, or in Highland Park. Because municipal bus service is unavailable after 6:00 p.m., those who do not own cars find living near the university necessary for participation in programs and activities offered during the evening hours. Housing units are supervised by graduate and undergraduate staff who help organize social, cultural, informational, athletic, and service programs for their residents.
On-campus choices include double and single rooms in dormitories and apartments. Housing is also available for students with families, but only after a 9-12 month wait. To get on the waiting list for family housing, submit proof of marriage and children's birth certificates to the Busch Housing Office at 581 Taylor Road. It is usually less expensive to live in university housing than to rent an apartment near the university; living on campus also provides opportunities for the development of friendships with other married couples and the easy exchange of child care services.
For detailed information on university housing contact the housing office in your college or the Graduate and Family Housing
Office on Taylor Road, Busch Campus, 445-2215. For information on the many student life programs offered in the residence
halls contact the office of residence life in your college or the Graduate and Family Housing Office.
Off Campus
The Off-Campus Housing Office, located at 542 George Street at Seminary Place, provides information and guidance to students looking for apartments in the community. The office maintains lists of available apartments, houses, sublets, and rooms. Current listings are also published in the student newspaper, The Daily Targum, and the local newspaper, The Home News and Tribune, and notices of units available and roommates wanted are posted on bulletin boards in kiosks, student centers, libraries, and classroom and office buildings throughout the campus.
The Off-Campus Housing Office--the best resource of all those listed above-- can be reached easily by calling 732-932-7766, or via e-mail at ochs@communications.rutgers.edu The service is available year round from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. During off-hours callers may record their questions and have them answered promptly when the staff returns.
The Off-Campus Housing Service also oversees the university's on-line rental listing system and off-campus housing website. It can be accessed via the Internet at http://oc.rutgers.edu/campus/ochs/ochs.html and is a great resource of detailed information including a large database of available rentals, apartment complex information, landlord-tenant rights information, tips for finding housing and preventing problems, helpful forms for a variety of renting purposes, and much more. The Off-Campus Housing also conducts a free legal clinic that meets weekly throughout the year; students and staff may make appointments in person or by phone to speak to a volunteer lawyer. These attorneys specialize in landlord-tenant matters and provide free advice on any housing-related problem or question.
If you rent an apartment off-campus, you must arrange for your own telephone (call New Jersey Bell, 1-800-427-9966) and you may have to order electric or gas service (call Public Service Electric and Gas Company, 247-7000). Most landlords require that you pay a deposit and sign a lease, a contract between renter and tenant which defines the rights and responsibilities of each party. If you cause no damage to the apartment and pay your rent, the deposit is returned to you with interest when you move out. Before signing a lease make sure you read and understand all of the terms; based on this contract, you will be held responsible for certain problems and repairs. If conflicts arise between you and your landlord, you should consult your international student adviser or the Off Campus Housing office before taking any action. A booklet on tenant rights and responsibilities is available at the Off-Campus Housing office.
Ask yourself the following questions when you're deciding whether or not to rent an apartment:
What are the conditions of the lease?
If there is no lease, what are the conditions of tenancy?
How much is the security deposit? How and when is it returned?
How do you arrange for repairs?
How is the building secured? Are the locks and doors secure?
Is the apartment insured?
Are interior alterations permitted?
Are the kitchen and bathroom facilities complete and in acceptable condition?
Are the electrical outlets safely installed?
Where is the fuse box or circuit breaker?
What provisions are made for fire safety?
What kind of heat is provided? Is the heat cost included in the rent? If not, how much will the monthly cost be?
What utilities are included in the rent?
Where are the nearest laundry facilities? stores? restaurants?
Fire Safety
Fire ranks third among the causes of accidental death, but it is usually smoke and gases that are real killers. A smoldering wastebasket or frayed electrical cord can result in loss of life long before any actual flames appear. You can lessen the danger by attending to the following:
To prevent fires
Be a good housekeeper: do not let flammable material accumulate and do not block exits. Make sure windows are easy to open.
Plan an escape route. By law, there must be two exits from the living unit.
Ask your landlord to provide smoke detectors or purchase them yourself. (Smoke detectors are available in hardware and department stores for approximately $25.00.)
Check electrical appliance cords for breaks in the insulation or exposed wires. Items plugged into electrical outlets behind beds or other furniture can become "crushed" and short out from frayed wires.
Keep stoves, frying pans, and vents free of grease.
Avoid using candles.
Learn locations of the fire alarms and fire extinguishers in the building. Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.
Post the telephone number of the fire department and police on or near your telephone.
In the event of a fire
Sound the alarm to alert other residents; call the fire department.
Shut all doors and windows.
Leave the building promptly by the nearest available exit.
Pull the street fire alarm box and wait to direct fire department personnel to the fire.
If you hear a fire alarm sound
Put on shoes and a coat.
Turn on lights.
Raise the window shades all the way.
Close all windows.
Evacuate the building.
Leave the hallway door unlocked.
If the corridor and/or exit passages are blocked by fire or smoke
Stay in your room with the door tightly closed.
Open windows for fresh air -- only after the door to the hallway is closed.
Remain at your window until help arrives.
Do not attempt to fight fires that are not strictly confined to a contained or a limited area. If you feel your living unit is not
reasonably safe from fire, advise your landlord, the fire department, or the city building inspector. It is your life: do not wait for
someone else to do something about the hazard.
Installation
For students living on campus, the university supplies telephones which are hooked up to both local and long-distance services from the moment you move in.
If you live off-campus, you may rent a telephone from the local phone company, but most people choose to purchase their
own telephones; inexpensive models are available in drug and department stores and even supermarkets. To arrange for
telephone service, call Bell Atlantic at 1-800-427-9977. During the first year of a new account, you are required to put down
a deposit; if there are no billing problems, this is returned with interest after 12 months. Once you obtain telephone service you
will receive a directory, which includes local listings, special services of the telephone company, instructions for making
long-distance calls and a list of overseas code numbers. In the back of the directory are the Yellow Pages, where businesses
and professional services are listed.
Public Telephones
Pay telephones are located in or near public buildings. Local calls cost thirty-five cents. To call long distance, deposit twenty cents and dial the number; a taped voice will instruct you on how much money you must deposit to complete the call.
Campus telephones, located in public areas of many campus buildings, enable you to call university offices at no charge; dial 2
for numbers beginning with 932 or 5 for numbers beginning with 445, then dial the last four digits of the number. Telephone
numbers of campus offices are listed in the Rutgers Faculty/Staff Directory and are available from the campus operator; dial
2-9090 from on-campus telephones, 932-1766 from off campus.
Students who have just arrived and not yet established a mailing address may receive mail at the Center for International Faculty and Student Services until they find a place to live. As soon as you find an apartment, you should inform the Post Office on Bayard Street in New Brunswick and all of your correspondents of your correct mailing address. Mail received at the center after the fourth week of classes is returned to the sender.
Undergraduate students are assigned a post office box after registration; unless otherwise specified, graduate students receive
mail in their academic departments. It is important to check mail boxes regularly to avoid missing important university
information and announcements.
There are several companies in the central New Jersey area which ship large items overseas. Look in the Yellow Pages under
"Shipping." Additional information on special rates for companies operating out of large U.S. cities is posted frequently at the
Center for International Faculty and Student Services.
Buses
The university provides free transportation between all New Brunswick campuses (red and white buses). Schedules are available at the student centers on each campus. For information call 932-7817.
There is a fare for use of municipal service (blue and white buses), which run during the day until only 6:00 p.m.
Buses run between Princeton, New Brunswick, and New York. Buses going to Princeton stop next to the railroad station on
Albany Street; buses going to New York stop in front of the Rutgers University Bookstore. Tickets and information are
available at B & M Bagels near the Bookstore. Buses to New York City go to the Port Authority terminal at 34th Street.
Trains
New Brunswick is served by New Jersey Transit which provides regular transportation to New York City, Trenton,
Princeton, and other cities within New Jersey and by Amtrak, which provides service to cities nationwide, generally via a
connection in New York City. The train station is located on Albany Street directly across the street from the Rutgers
University Bookstore.
Automobiles...
Renting or Purchasing a Car
Car rental companies can be found in the Yellow Pages under "Automobile Rentals." You may find it convenient to rent a car for a few days or weeks after you arrive, in order to apartment-hunt and shop for household essentials. Cars can be rented by the day or week, and prices vary greatly depending on the type of car you rent. Call at least three rental companies and get their prices before you make a decision.
You may find it necessary or useful to purchase a car, either new or used. Before purchasing a used car, it is best to have a
reliable and independent mechanic check it for any major problems. Local newspapers have advertisements for new and used
cars, and it is advisable to see, test-drive and know basic information about a few different cars -- new and used -- before
you buy.
Obtaining a Driver's License
You will need to obtain a New Jersey driver's license in order to purchase your car insurance and to get the car inspected. In order to get the license, you must first take a written test and, if you do not possess a currently valid driver's license from another state or country, you will need to take a road test as well. The Center for International Faculty and Student Services has New Jersey driver's manuals which give complete instructions on how to obtain a license and get a car registered in the state. The manual also prepares you for the written test. For further information on driver's licenses and automobile registration, contact the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles at 609-292-6500.
The Division of Motor Vehicles requires a Social Security number to obtain a Driver's License. If you are not eligible to obtain a Social Security number, get a letter from the Social Security office stating you are not eligible. (Some Motor Vehicle offices might accept an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number [ITIN] instead. See page 58 for details on obtaining an ITIN.)
To drive a car at all in New Jersey, whether it belongs to you or to someone else, you must have a valid driver's license. New
Jersey requires individuals to obtain a New Jersey driver's license within 60 days of taking up residence in the state.
Hitch-Hiking
Although it seems to be a free, convenient way to travel, hitch-hiking is very dangerous. Every year people are injured or
killed accepting rides from strangers.
During the Christmas holidays, you can apply for Friendship International House or Christmas International House, programs which offer foreign students the opportunity to share the vacation period with people in various communities around the United States. The only cost to you is a non-refundable registration fee and transportation to and from your host's community. Applications are available in November at the Center for International Faculty and Student Services.
Throughout the year student organizations sponsor trips to Washington, Boston, the New Jersey shore, and other spots of
interest. Rutgers has several clubs for those interested in outdoor recreation, including sailing, skiing, bicycling. The Outdoor
Club posts advertisements of such trips every two weeks. Other tours are advertised on bulletin boards and in The Daily
Targum. University Travel, located on the Livingston campus, makes hotel, airline, rental car and other travel arrangements
for students, faculty, and staff. The number is 932-4000.
Many students have remarked on the temptation to buy in the United States. Advertising pressure may seem irresistible at first, but you will soon find that the cost of living in this country is high, especially when you convert the value of the U.S. dollars into your own country's currency. It is important to manage your budget carefully in deciding what, why, and where to buy.
Americans do not generally haggle over prices of items in stores; rather, they shop around to compare prices at different stores until they find the item and quality they want at the lowest price. Prices vary according to manufacturer, retail store, time of the year, and even state and local taxes.
Discount stores sell clothing, drugs, cosmetics, photographic equipment, housewares, bedding, appliances, carpets, luggage, books, records, and furniture at lower prices than quality department stores or small shops. Factory outlets and wholesale houses, which sell merchandise directly from the manufacturer, offer lower prices than retail merchants.
Most places of business run periodic sales. Large chain stores have weekly specials; smaller establishments have less frequent, seasonal sales. You can achieve savings of as much as 50 percent on everything from winter coats to frozen foods by watching for advertisements in local newspapers, particularly the Sunday edition. Americans enjoy shopping for "bargains" and often boast of how little they paid for quality items.
With the exception of certain articles of clothing, most unused and all defective items may be returned for a cash refund or
exchange if you have a sales receipt as proof of purchase. Stores post their refund policies; check for time limits on returns
and for notices which read "All Sales Final."
Buying Used Goods
Americans frequently buy second-hand goods. Thrift shops, "flea markets," rummage and garage sales are common sources of used furniture, clothing, appliances, and household utensils. Some of these sales are run by charities trying to raise money by selling donated items; others are held by individuals who are moving out of the area or who are simply disposing of things they no longer use. Many young people furnish apartments by buying second-hand furniture, and many well-to-do people look to second-hand sales as source of antiques and novelty items.
Second-hand goods may be top quality and only slightly used; children's clothing, which is outgrown before it is worn out, is
an excellent second-hand buy. On the other hand, buying used appliances can be very risky; if an appliance is not in good
working order, you may pay more for repairs than you would have paid for the same item brand new. Always check prices
on new items before buying second-hand; you should be saving a considerable amount of money to make the purchase
worthwhile. Second-hand stores are listed in the Yellow Pages of the telephone book; garage sales and flea markets are
advertised in the classified section of daily newspapers, usually on Fridays and Saturdays.
Buying Clothes
Because of the variation in sizes around the world, buying clothing in a foreign country can be very confusing. Although the
conversion chart in the appendix of this book will give you a means to translate sizes, you should always try on an article of
clothing before purchasing it. The quality and the cost of clothing vary tremendously from store to store. A good guide to
potential durability is fabric content, which by law must be listed on the label inside the garment. Cleaning instructions are also
printed on the label.
Buying Food
"Supermarkets" are the least expensive stores in which to buy most foods. Usually part of a chain of stores owned by one company, they offer fresh, frozen, and processed foods and a wide variety of household items. Customers serve themselves then pay for their purchases when they leave. Some supermarkets accept personal checks; others require cash payment. A "deli" is a small shop which carries specialty foods. Small, independently owned groceries often have superior cuts of meats, but generally charge more than supermarkets for standard food and household items.
Each week, most stores advertise specials, food items reduced in price for that week. Unlike people in many other countries who are in the habit of going to the market every day, Americans tend to shop infrequently and "stock up," especially on sale items. Newspapers also publish coupons which may be used to reduce the cost of food and consumer items.
During the summer, farmers sell their own fruits and vegetables along the roadside or at large farmers' markets. Prices are low on the freshly harvested produce.
Shopping without a car can be difficult. There is an Edwards supermarket in Highland Park and an Edwards supermarket on Easton Avenue in Somerset. Neither supermarket is within walking distance of university bus stops, but both are on city bus routes. Both the George Street Co-op and C-Town supermarket are within walking distance of the Livingston Avenue stop on the E and F bus routes. The coop is located on Morris Street. To get there walk two blocks up Livingston Avenue from George Street. Morris Street will be on your left. The coop offers "organically grown" fruits and vegetables, as well as a variety of other natural foods and personal products. Prices at this store can be expensive, especially for nonmembers. The C-Town supermarket is located on George Street, approximately two blocks from Livingston Avenue toward Douglass Campus.
Meat is cut differently in different parts of the world. In the U.S., it is unboned, i.e., sliced across the muscle, bone, and fat. Because many cuts have more than one muscle in them, a single piece of meat may have varying degrees of tenderness.
Meats, poultry, eggs, butter, fruits, and vegetables may be graded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to certify a standard of quality. Although the USDA seal is not required, and its absence on these items does not signify diminished quality, it is used so frequently that familiarity with the grading system helps shoppers tell what they are buying. Beef, veal, and lamb are graded U.S. prime, choice, good or standard. Poultry carries U.S. grades A and B. Eggs and butter carry U.S. grades AA, A, and B. Apples are graded extra fancy, fancy, U.S. No.1 (which is actually the third level!), or utility, good for applesauce but not for eating raw. The grading system applies to appearance, or occasionally flavor, but not nutritional value. Most people cannot taste the difference between grades A and AA butter, but grade A is cheaper and its food value identical to that of Grade AA. When buying poultry it is more important to look for the words young or broiler or fryer, all of which tell you the bird is tender; the meat of mature birds is likely to be tougher and therefore will need boiling or steaming to tenderize it. Eggs are sold according to size: jumbo (the largest), extra large, large, medium, and small.
To get the best nutritional value for your money when buying processed or prepackaged food items, read the list of ingredients on the label. They are listed in order of amount contained; be wary of food products whose first ingredient is water, sugar or fat. Remember, too, that you do not always "get what you pay for." Higher prices do not necessarily mean higher quality. Well-known brand names are more expensive than the store's own brands, but often you are paying for advertising and slick packaging rather than for greater nutritional value or better taste. For help with dietary planning, call the Department of Health Education, 932-7710.
Restaurants and ready-to-eat food stores are located on and near the New Brunswick campuses.
Public Schools
Every city and town in the U.S. is required by law to provide free public education through grade 12 to its resident children. As an apartment renter or homeowner, you pay taxes indirectly or directly and thus earn the right of access to your town or city public school system. Look in the white pages of your phone book under the name of your town, and then find the phone number for the Board of Education or Schools Superintendent. Inquire which school your children should attend and what procedures must be followed to enroll them.
The quality of public schools varies from town to town. Ask your colleagues and friends which school systems have the best
reputations.
Child Care Centers
Day care centers and private nursery schools (for preschool children) can be expensive and, in some cases, limited in the number of children they will take. Plan ahead as much as possible and be certain to compare costs by calling several places; it is also advisable to consult with colleagues and neighbors to gain general knowledge about preschool programs in your area.
There are at least six different kinds of child care:
Day care centers offer full- and part-time care suitable for parents who work. Day care centers are licensed by the State and, while unlicensed day care centers may not necessarily be of poor quality, you should check to see if the center is licensed.
Nursery schools are also licensed, but may meet different needs. Some may offer flexible schedules or some may offer child care on a limited hour basis only.
Family day care is child care provided in a home other than the child's own home. Usually there is one adult caring for up to six children.
Play groups are informal arrangements made by a group of families. They usually operate in the families' homes, with the parents taking turns caring for the children, or hiring a teacher and sharing the costs.
Babysitting offers the advantage of taking place in the child's own home, but can be costly. Legal minimum wage requirements stipulate that if you plan to employ a sitter for more than 20 hours per week, you must pay at least "minimum wage," the lowest hourly rate of pay permitted under the law, and FICA (Social Security tax).
After-school (or extended-day) programs are provided by some public schools and day care centers. These are offered to provide child care during late afternoons when parents are still at work.
A partial list of area day care centers is available at the Center for International Faculty and Student Services.
The university also offers child care for preschoolers; contact the following programs for information:
The Livingston Day Care Center (445-3645) offers full day-care services for children aged 2 to 6 years. Reduced rates are available for qualifying single parents.
The Department of Psychology (932-8881) has flexible day care for children aged 2 ½ to 6 years.
The Department of Nutritional Sciences (932-8895) runs a pre-school for children 3 and 4 years old.
The CAC Evening Childcare Center, Inc. (545-0118, day and evenings) provides child care for children 2 ½ to 10 years old
from 4:15 - 9:15 p.m. when school is in session.
Visa dependents of F-1s (F-2s) are not eligible for employment in the U.S. Visa dependents of J-1 students (J-2s) are eligible to apply for employment authorization. See page 65 for further information on J-2 employment.
For those visa dependent spouses ineligible to work in this country, there is no shortage of activities or meaningful ways to fill time.
In addition to the programs for spouses described in the first chapter of this handbook, there exist several options for wives or
husbands. Many volunteer organizations in your community will gladly let your spouse do volunteer work. This work must be
designated as volunteer, i.e., it cannot be a position which would normally be paid if filled by an individual with work
authorization. Most hospitals, for example, welcome volunteer workers. Information on other volunteer opportunities can be
obtained through the Volunteer Action Center of Middlesex County (100 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick; 249-8910).
Volunteer work can be extremely fulfilling and can provide spouses with valuable exposure to, and experience with, U.S. life.
The university provides nonsectarian services of worship preaching, and music each Sunday morning in Kirkpatrick and Voorhees chapels. Many faiths are represented through student organizations on the various campuses.
There are two centers at Rutgers for Jewish students. The B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundation, under the direction of two full-time rabbis, serves the needs of Jewish students from its center at 93 College Avenue. The Chabad House Jewish Student Center at 170 College Ave with three full-time rabbis, offers traditional Friday night dinner and services, a kosher cafeteria, dorms for college women, and many other services.
A ministry to Roman Catholic students is provided by four resident chaplains from their offices and residences at 17 and 29 Mine Street. Religious services are held regularly on all campuses.
Worship among Protestant students reflects the variety of concerns and methods characteristic of the major denominations. Full-time campus pastors serving the Methodist and Lutheran churches and the United Campus Ministry (Baptist, Presbyterian, Reformed, United Church of Christ) carry on many of their activities from the Christos House at 194 College Avenue. Services for Episcopal students are centered at Canterbury House (5 Mine Street) and at St. Michael's Chapel on Davidson Road, adjacent to the Busch campus, under the direction of a full-time Episcopal chaplain. Christian Science, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Campus Crusade for Christ, and The Navigators meet regularly throughout the year.
Local pastors from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Assembly of God Church, Religious Society of Friends,
Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and the Unitarian Universalist Association come to campus to serve students. The Islamic and
Buddhist faiths and Integral Yoga Institute also provide chaplains. As their numbers and interests warrant, students coming
from other religious traditions, foreign and domestic, are assisted in organizing and carrying on their activities. For further
information, call Campus Information Service at 932-INFO.
Campus Centers
The Busch Campus Center, Cook Campus Center, Douglass College Center, Livingston College Center, and Rutgers Student Center are the five campus centers serving the New Brunswick/Piscataway university community. The campus centers provide the services, conveniences, and amenities students need in their daily life on the campus. They also provide a place for getting to know and understand one another through informal association outside the classroom. Through their governing boards, committees, and staff, the campus centers provide cultural, social, and recreational programs aimed at making free-time activity a learning experience and an extension of the classroom experience.
Facilities available in the centers include offices and/or work space for major student organizations; lounges for relaxing
between classes; game rooms with bowling lanes, and billiard and table tennis tables; arts and crafts centers; multipurpose
rooms for concerts, lectures, and theatrical productions; an array of meeting rooms; and small restaurants ("snack bars") with
a variety of menus.
Music, Drama, Lectures
With New York City within an hour's travel time, Rutgers is ideally located for access to this country's best and most diverse cultural and entertainment activities.
Closer to home, campus and local community theaters, museums, restaurants, parks and cultural centers also offer a wide selection of activities.
Concerts by world-famous musicians, bands, dancers, and musical organizations are presented on campus each year by the Office of Arts Services, the departments of Music and Dance of the Mason Gross School of the Arts (MGSA), the New Brunswick Programming Committee, the student center programming boards, and the concert organizations of the different campuses. Many events are free.
The Department of Theater Arts of the Mason Gross School of the Arts presents as many as 45 productions a year at the Philip J. Levin Theater, the Little Theater, the Jameson and Levin Studio Theaters, and the Livingston Theater.
University and local activities are listed in the Thursday edition of The Daily Targum and the Friday edition of the local
newspaper, The Home News and Tribune. The Rutgers Focus publishes a calendar of events, and a student calendar of
events is available in the Rutgers College Center Student Activities Office. The Sunday New York Times includes separate
sections on the arts and life in New Jersey. The Student Information and Assistance Center maintains conference and program
information for events occurring both on the campus and in the local community. For information call 932-9090.
The Daily Targum
It is a good idea to read The Daily Targum, the student newspaper published daily and distributed throughout the campus
each morning. Not only does the paper contain many important announcements for which students are held accountable (the
Tuesday issues' "Official Notices" is required reading of all students), but it also provides insights and an orientation to
university life.
Student Information Services
It is easy to be confused by the vast array of programs, services, resources, opportunities and offices available to you at the
university and in the local community; you may be uncertain of who does what, how much it costs, when it is open, where it is
located, and especially whether or not you need assistance at all. Rutgers Information is the central information and referral
center for Rutgers University and can be reached by calling 932-INFO or e-mail at colhenry@communications.rutgers.edu.
Trained student information assistants offer help and answers to questions about any area of campus or community life. The
service is available year round with hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During off-hours, callers may
record their questions and have them answered promptly when the staff returns. A TDD device for the hearing impaired is
also available at 932-INFO.
You can contact Student Information to find out
where advisers are located, the final exam schedule, how to drop/add a course
where to go for help with a personal problem, a health issue, a career question
building hours
locations of copying machines
recreation programs available on or off campus
the location of a classroom building, how to use the transportation system
what movies are playing on campus
how to get football or theater tickets
where to get low-cost legal advice (NOT immigration advice, however)
how to pay a parking ticket
and much more!
Rutgers INFO and Rutgers INFO Radio
Campus Information Services oversees Rutgers INFO, the university's on-line information system. It can be accessed via the Internet at http://info.rutgers.edu and is a great resource of detailed university information including library connections; directories for people, colleges, and departments; campus maps and directions; and special sections devoted to student and faculty/staff matters. Rutgers INFO also operates a radio station on the radio dial at 530 AM. This station broadcasts timely information on transportation, parking, traffic, special events, and weather emergency updates.