Lyla Lindsey
Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, is a politically active campus, with students engaging in referendums and elections. Notably, Rutgers students have voted on issues ranging from divestment from companies with ties to Israeli human rights violations to pro-Palestinian activism. The campus also encourages students to register and participate in local, state, and national elections through non-partisan initiatives like RU Voting.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Student voting on campus | Yes |
| Student government | Rutgers University Student Assembly |
| Student government elections | Twice a year (fall and spring) |
| Student government election positions | President, Vice President, Treasurer, School and Class representatives, Senators, etc. |
| Student government election process | Campaigning, voting, announcement of preliminary results, certification of results |
| Student participation in politics | RU Voting, a non-partisan effort to register, mobilize and engage students to participate in local, state and national elections |
| Student polling locations | First Reformed Church, Lincoln School, Lord Stirling School, Rutgers Labor Education Center, Parsons School, Livingston Student Center, Busch Student Center, etc. |
What You'll Learn
Rutgers University Student Assembly
The Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA) is the official governing body for undergraduate students at the New Brunswick/Piscataway campuses. RUSA is the primary representative body that advocates for student needs and creates tangible change on campus. The Assembly meets every Thursday night at 7:30 pm in the Student Activities Centre on College Avenue, with RUSA Allocations meetings taking place on Monday evenings.
RUSA advocates on behalf of students, legislates, and allocates. This includes working with the Rutgers Administration to be the voice of the undergraduate student body, creating bills and resolutions to enact projects, and distributing over one million dollars of funding to 400+ student organisations.
RUSA holds elections twice a year, in the fall and spring. Students wishing to join the student government must attend at least one Information Session and take a quiz to affirm their understanding of RUSA and the election rules.
In April 2024, RUSA announced that a majority of the Rutgers-New Brunswick student body had voted in favour of two divestment referendums. The first asked whether the university should remove companies that aid in or benefit from the Israeli government's human rights violations from its investment portfolio. The second referendum focused on whether the university should cease relations with Tel Aviv University, a collaboration partner.
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RU Voting
History of RU Voting
For nearly 20 years, RU Voting has been the go-to resource for Rutgers University students, administrators, and faculty members seeking nonpartisan and accurate registration and Election Day information. The initiative is led by the Eagleton Institute's Center for Youth Political Participation, which is dedicated to registering, educating, and mobilizing students to engage in the political process.
Voter Resources
Voter Engagement
In addition to providing resources, RU Voting actively engages students and encourages them to participate in elections. The program offers internships and ambassador roles to students who want to get involved in on-campus voter registration and mobilization efforts. Rutgers University also participates in several democratic participation and engagement challenges, such as the BigTen Voting Challenge, the ALL IN Democracy Challenge, and the New Jersey Ballot Bowl.
Recent Elections at Rutgers University
In the Spring of 2024, Rutgers University at New Brunswick made headlines when its students voted on referendums related to the university's investments and partnerships. The student body voted in favour of divesting from companies involved in the Israeli government's human rights violations and ending a partnership with Tel Aviv University. This vote was part of a larger movement of pro-Palestinian activism on college campuses across the country.
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Student government
Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, has an active and engaged student body, as evidenced by their participation in various campus initiatives and their ability to effect change through their votes. The Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA) is the governing body that represents the interests and voices of the undergraduate population.
In a notable display of student governance, RUSA played a crucial role in the Spring 2024 election, where Rutgers University–New Brunswick students voted on referendums regarding the university's relationship with Israel. The first referendum concerned divestment from companies complicit in the Israeli government's human rights violations, while the second focused on ending the university's partnership with Tel Aviv University.
The student body's overwhelming support for these referendums, with 80% voting "Yes" on the first and 77% on the second, demonstrates their commitment to upholding specific values and effecting change. This decision was further validated by the Assembly's Judicial Council, which finalised the vote after a due process of appeals.
The Rutgers University–New Brunswick campus has a history of encouraging student participation in politics, both on a local and national scale. The RU Voting initiative is a non-partisan effort to register, mobilise, and engage students in local, state, and national elections. The project provides accurate and nonpartisan resources and information to help students navigate the political process and make informed decisions.
In recognition of their efforts, Rutgers University–New Brunswick received the "Greatest Growth in Student Voter Turnout" award in the inaugural BigTen Voting Challenge for 2018. This accolade underscores the campus's dedication to fostering a politically engaged student body and empowering them to use their voices to drive change, both within the university and beyond.
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Polling locations
Rutgers University students can vote on the New Brunswick campus. RU Voting-Rutgers is a non-partisan effort to register, educate, and mobilise Rutgers University students to participate in politics and vote in local, state, and national elections. The project is dedicated to providing students with the resources they need to register and vote, including information on polling locations.
RU Voting-Rutgers has been a resource for Rutgers University students, administrators, and faculty for nearly 20 years. It provides accurate registration and Election Day information. The project is part of the Eagleton Institute's Center for Youth Political Participation.
RU Voting also provides a step-by-step guide on registering to vote in New Jersey and across the country. It covers various voting methods, including voting by mail, early voting, and voting in person on Election Day. The website also provides information on students' rights as voters and answers frequently asked questions.
Students can find their polling location by visiting the RU Voting website. It is important for voters to verify their correct polling location before Election Day. Each voter will receive a notification by mail from their County Clerk office specifying their assigned polling location.
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Divestment referendums
Students at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, have voted in referendums on divestment from companies with ties to Israel and Tel Aviv University. The referendums, which took place in the Spring of 2024, asked students two questions. Firstly, whether the university should divest from companies "that profit from, engage in, or contribute to the government of Israel's human rights violations". Secondly, whether Rutgers should end its partnership with Tel Aviv University, including its involvement in the New Jersey Innovation and Technology Hub.
The referendums were organised by the Rutgers University Student Assembly (RUSA) and were passed by a large majority. 80% of the 8,000 participating students voted in favour of divestment, with 6,538 "Yes" votes and 1,592 "No" votes. 77% voted to end the partnership with Tel Aviv University, a total of 6,298 votes. The Assembly announced the results online, applauding students for "using their voices to vote".
The referendums were part of a wave of pro-Palestinian activism and divestment campaigns at colleges and universities across the United States, fuelled by the war in Gaza. Rutgers is not the only university to have seen such campaigns, with divestment votes also taking place at the University of Virginia, Harvard University, and Clark University.
The divestment referendums at Rutgers were led by the Endowment Justice Collective, a coalition of students, faculty, and community groups. The Collective has campaigned for "ethical divestment from fossil fuels, apartheid, war, and the prison industrial complex" since its founding in 2019. Rutgers has a history of considering divestment requests from its university community. Three years prior to the Israel divestment referendums, the university voted to divest from fossil fuel investments, with 90% of students supporting this decision in a referendum.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, students at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, are encouraged to vote in local, state, and national elections.
Students can vote at the Livingston Student Center, the Busch Student Center, or the Rutgers Labor Education Center, among other locations.
RU Voting is a non-partisan initiative to register, mobilize, and engage Rutgers University students to participate in politics and voting.
Students can join the RUSA by attending Information Sessions, declaring their candidacy, campaigning, and voting in the RUSA elections.
