Rutgers administrators issue statements on new semester

University President Jonathan Holloway and Chancellor of Rutgers—New Brunswick Christopher J. Molloy both sent out University-wide emails yesterday to welcome students back to Rutgers amid online classes.

Holloway, who took office over the summer, said he was excited to begin the school year and is aiming to build a strong community.

“My sense of the presidency demands of me a commitment to be accessible and accountable, to listen to and support you, to embody and advocate for the values of our community, to challenge you and engage you in striving for excellence and then to amplify that excellence,” he said, according to the email. 

Holloway said he hopes members of the Rutgers community will continue to make the most of this year not only in their classes, but also in extracurricular activities, research, teaching programs and other services, according to the email. 

“This is an unusual and challenging year, to be sure, but I remain steadfast in my belief that it can be exceptional all the same,” he said, according to the email.

Molloy said officials have been working throughout the summer to develop virtual classes that will set students up for success in future semesters, according to his email. 

“We also have been equally committed to developing new programs and remote engagement opportunities so that we can all remain well connected despite our physical distance,” he said, according to the email. 

Molloy said students should stay connected with the rest of the campus community by reaching out to peers, faculty or other mentors within the University as well as student service offices, according to the email.

Holloway also spoke on Aug. 31 at Rutgers—New Brunswick’s New Student Convocation and touched on ongoing societal challenges happening this year, including the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, protests against racial injustice as well as political and economic issues. He said members of the University community have the power to use their education to address these challenges.

“Institutions like Rutgers have an important role to play in a moment like this,” he said. “Our scientists can fashion breakthroughs that lead to better diagnostics related to the virus, our social scientists can guide us on matters of public health that can mitigate festering inequities (and) our humanists can highlight the long histories and complex cultural practices that brought us to this moment and that will lead us out of it.”