Every September for the past 25 years, students of Rutgers Camden have undergone a pilgrimage that could be counted on as regularly as the leaves turning orange for the fall. This was the trek to the bookstore, wherein students gathered the required materials for the semester – and as of this summer, it will never happen again. The campus bookstore, previously located three blocks to the east of campus in the bottom floor of the Camden County College parking garage, has moved to a more centralized location within the campus center, where the old Corner Lounge used to be. The move was announced via an email to all students over the summer, and completed before the first day of classes for the fall 2025 semester. 

The move was announced as a result of an expiring contract with the CCC bookstore that was chosen not to be renewed this June, after almost 25 years in service. Kristin Walker, the Executive Director of Special Initiatives, Events, and Dining for Rutgers Camden was able to elaborate on the contract and the decision not to renew: “Following thoughtful discussions, all parties mutually agreed not to renew the agreement. While Barnes & Noble continues to serve Camden County College students from its Blackwood location, recent years have brought a wave of consistent feedback from students, faculty, parents, and alumni across our institutions. The message was clear: an on-campus bookstore is not just a convenience—it’s a vital part of the college experience. We listened.”

With change can sometimes come uncertainty. In this case, some students were curious as to whether or not the new location would offer all of the same services as the old one. Some students lamented the loss of space to be used for study and relaxation, like Olivia the Fine Arts and Criminal Justice major: “I don’t know if the Freshman Class is bigger this semester, but it’s, there’s so many people, it’s so crowded here, and it’s hard to find spots to work and [the former Corner Lounge] was usually pretty quiet, so it was nice to work in. Aside from that, the location is pretty convenient.”

The walk to the former location every semester will not be missed by many students: “I find it pretty convenient, I could walk in essentially any time. They got clothes, they got most of the books that I need for class. And I appreciate the fact that… you could walk in through the Campus Center, so it’s pretty easy to navigate all right,” said Oliver, a Finance and Accounting major.

Another student added: “For the new bookstore location, I find it to be more comfortable and safer, considering it’s not a way where we have to go, like, in a back road to go to the bookstore that was away from campus… I genuinely like how it’s actually campus centered this time.”

 Kristin Walker assures the student body that they won’t be missing any vital services from the old bookstore like book rental, school supplies, regalia, or even scrubs for nursing students. The new location will offer almost all of the same services that were offered at the previous location, except for books aimed at non-academic general reading. Instead, the plan is to offer more RUC branded merchandise. “The only difference between the previous location and our new location is that we are now on campus and solely focused on servicing Rutgers—Camden,” Walker said.

Walker, who proudly hails from a household full of fellow Rutgers alumni, also understood concerns about the Student Works Gallery that used to occupy the same space. With the bookstore now in this location, efforts are underway to find a new and appropriate location to display the work of Rutgers student artists: “We recognize the importance of showcasing student creativity, and we’re working closely with the Department of Visual, Media, and Performing Arts to identify a new space within the Campus Center that will better highlight student art in a dynamic and accessible way.”

Additionally, to accommodate the location of the new bookstore, the Kite & Key electronics store was moved to a more centralized location in the main lobby of the Campus Center, overlooking the “fishbowl” seating and lounge area. This means that students in need of electronics and tech support will not have their needs displaced by the new bookstore location.

For her part, Kirstin Walker and the crew at the bookstore want the new space to be positive and useful for students: “Students should have confidence that our bookstore staff will have the correct course material based on the information provided by faculty members.  As far as merchandise goes, all members of the campus community are encouraged to give feedback about the types of merchandise they’d like to see in the store!”

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Lilly Zhang

“For every 6 women in STEM, there are 10 men. The gender gap persists.” 

–National Science Foundation

STEM continues to be a male-dominated industry. Recognizing the need for a supportive community, the new student-led organization, Women in Stem (WIS), provides a space to support and connect women pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is also the first WIS organization across all three Rutgers campuses. 

The club was founded by current Rutgers-Camden student, Hoda Niaz. Niaz, a member of the class of 2025 and double majoring in computer science and psychology, saw the lack of representation firsthand. Niaz explained that despite the number of women pursuing STEM majors, there was no organization on campus dedicated to bringing them together–so she decided to create one. 

Turning the idea into a fully established organization was not without its challenges. “[The] biggest challenge up to date–[was] turning something from just a simple idea to something that’s actual executable and something that actually exists…there’s a lot more that it takes than what people can see.” 

From left to right: Hoda Niaz ‘25 (President, CS & Psych), Leyna Nguyen ’26 (PR, Biology), Emma Bogdan ‘26 (Event Coordinator, Biology), Diya Kithani ‘25 (CS & Mathematics). Not pictured: Krupa Patel ‘26 (Treasurer, CS & Applied Mathematics) 

She credits the clubs success to her dedicated Executive Board members, describing them as “an EBoard that was full of women who are just so organized and so problem solving.” 

Rutgers–Camden Career Management Specialist Jamie Flagg also played a key role in getting the club on the right track. “We told Jamie Flagg about this idea of starting this club, and she was just very helpful when it came to actually turning it—again—no, turning an idea into something that existed. Whenever we have a problem, Jamie’s always there for us, and she’s really like the backbone of the club”

While Jamie recognized that “there [were] already STEM- and tech-focused organizations on campus”, she believed that women, in particular, sought a community where their unique experiences and challenges—whether related to gender, race, or economic factors—were acknowledged. 

Recently, WIS hosted a Masquerade Ball with guest speakers Snez Gatto and Tooba Hussain, marking one of its first major events on campus. The event not only provided a space for networking but also served as an academic opportunity for students.“A lot of our events on campus actually count as extra credit in STEM classes—in STEM fields. So a lot of times, professors would send a flyer for our events and circulate it to students, and they would get extra credit for attending.” The club plans to continue hosting networking opportunities, and mentorship programs and other events to build a strong community for women in STEM at Rutgers-Camden.  

Advice for Women Pursuing STEM Career : 

For women considering a career in STEM, Niaz emphasizes the importance of confidence and curiosity. “Of course, I think my biggest advice would be to ask questions and to never be afraid to ask questions. I feel like there’s something that I noticed growing up as a woman, and that’s that women sometimes apologize too much—much more than they need to sometimes—and you should never feel like you’re being a burden for asking questions or asking for help.”

Niaz also highlights that success comes from being proactive. “I’ve worked a lot of different positions work-wise and career-related, and the people who I see succeed in these roles are people who are never afraid to ask questions.”

Jamie Flagg, the club’s advisor, reinforces this message, emphasizing that projecting confidence is key to success in STEM. Flagg’s advice to women entering the field is to trust their abilities and present themselves with assurance, even in challenging situations.

Emma Bogdan encourages students to find a path that, 20 years from now, will leave them without regrets. 

Be on the lookout for the next WIS event! WIS is collaborating with Mujeres Collab for a General Body meeting for a talk about being women of color in STEM fields. Join them on Wednesday, March 12th, 11:20 am – 12:20 pm–food will be provided. 

You can find WIS on Instagram at: @wisruc 

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This holiday season, there’s a sweet way to give back to the Rutgers-Camden community. The Pre-Law Society and the Honors College have teamed up for a fundraiser with Krispy Kreme to benefit the Scarlet Raptors Nest, the food pantry on campus that supports students facing food insecurity. The fundraiser is ongoing until December 21st, and 50% of the proceeds from every dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts sold will go directly to the Scarlet Raptors Nest.

The Scarlet Raptors Nest is a vital resource for students at Rutgers-Camden who may struggle to afford enough food. The food pantry provides free, non-perishable items and fresh produce to help students in need. However, like any organization, it relies on the generosity of the campus community and its supporters to continue its work.

The Pre-Law Society, in collaboration with the Honors College, initiated this fundraiser as part of an Honors College project. The goal is to raise both awareness and funds to support the Scarlet Raptors Nest in its mission to ensure that no student at Rutgers-Camden goes hungry. The idea is simple: buy a dozen delicious Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and half of your purchase price will go toward supporting students who rely on the pantry for food assistance.

How It Works

The fundraiser is hosted through an online platform, allowing anyone to purchase Krispy Kreme doughnuts digitally. Simply visit the campaign’s website and select how many dozens of doughnuts you’d like to order. You can buy digital dozen certificates, which are redeemable at any participating Krispy Kreme location. These digital certificates can be used for regular Krispy Kreme doughnuts, or you can choose to give them to someone else as a treat this holiday season.

The primary goal of this fundraiser is to sell 100 dozens of Krispy Kreme doughnuts. If that goal is met, it will result in $750 being donated to the Scarlet Raptors Nest. This money will go a long way in helping the pantry purchase more food, provide better services to students in need, and ensure that no one in the Rutgers-Camden community has to choose between buying textbooks and buying groceries. Gloria Campos is the Rutgers student behind this project, and as both an Honors College student and president of the Pre-Law Society, she saw it as a way to combine both interests for a common goal. 

There are a number of ways students can get involved with this project. The easiest way to contribute is by purchasing doughnuts! Every dozen sold is another score for the food pantry. Sick of eating doughnuts? Help sell them instead. Spread word about the campaign to friends,  family, and other students on campus. Or post about it on social media. Every mention counts. You can also donate directly to the campaign through their website. 

In times like these, every act of kindness counts. By purchasing a dozen doughnuts or helping us sell, you’re making a real impact on students’ lives and providing them with the support they need to succeed at Rutgers-Camden. This is a great opportunity to give back to the community, especially as we approach the holiday season.

Help make the goal of 100 dozens of Krispy Kreme doughnuts and raise $750 for the Scarlet Raptors Nest before December 21st. It’s a sweet way to support a meaningful cause. See their website here for more details: https://www.groupraise.com/offer-campaigns/52351-ruc-pre-law-society-rutgers-camden-honors-college-krispy-kreme-digital-dozens/5T8L96#cta-form

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“The Student Government Association (SGA) isn’t just about politics—it’s about advocating for students, addressing concerns, building connections, and getting involved in ways that truly make a difference,” says Kimberly Lugo, the new Rutgers–Camden student body president. The start of a new semester means a lot of changes on campus, but one major change that most students may not notice is the change in leadership for the Student Governing Association. While most students aren’t aware of this change as it happens, they most certainly will feel the effects as the semester progresses. 

Last year’s student body president, Matthew Brodsky, played an active role within the campus community, welcoming in new students, sharing important news, and bridging the gap between students and university leadership. Now that role has been passed on to Kimberly Lugo, the new student body president. Lugo was the SGA’s Vice President last year and won the presidential election at the end of the 2024 spring semester. To help students get to know her, Lugo talked with The Gleaner about her transition from vice president to student body president. 

“I initially joined the SGA out of a genuine interest in connecting with more people and becoming more engaged in the campus community,” explains Lugo. “Before serving as Vice President last year (2023-2024), I wasn’t very involved on campus, but I wanted to change that and make the most of my college experience.” 

Being a part of SGA is not Lugo’s only accomplishment on campus. She is a Bonner Civic Scholar, a member of the Tri-Alpha Honor Society, the Student Nursing Association, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society, and President Holloway Student Advisory Committee, as well as being on the Centennial Steering Committee and Student Wellness Advisory Committee. Lugo also has conducted research on Alzheimer’s Disease and birthing conditions for Hispanic women in New Jersey. 

Taking over for Brodsky has been a smooth transition, according to Lugo, even as a woman in the role. “I feel honored to serve as student body president, especially as a female in this role… I believe it’s a very empowering journey for me, as while there may be unique challenges and expectations placed on women in leadership, I see these not as obstacles but opportunities to demonstrate myself as an effective leader and the importance of diverse voices in positions of influence.” 

Lugo is the very first Nursing student to be SGA president, begging the question why is it important for students outside of political majors to get involved in SGA? In response, Lugo said, “As nursing students, we’re often taught the importance of advocacy, especially for our patients. I see a strong parallel between that and my role in student government, where I get to advocate for the student body and work with the administration to address their needs. It’s a privilege and an honor to serve in this capacity, and I believe that both nursing and student leadership emphasize the importance of advocacy, connection, and service. Currently, I love being president, and I can’t wait to make an even greater impact.”

But what exactly is that impact? A lot of the work SGA does goes unnoticed by the majority of the student body, even though that is their main job: to connect with the student body and address their concerns. “During my term, I am prioritizing several key initiatives to enhance the student experience at Rutgers-Camden,” states Lugo. “Our three main goals in the SGA this year are transparency, advocacy, and effectively addressing student concerns. This involves making information about campus policies, budget allocations, and decision-making processes more accessible to all students. Additionally, we are actively exploring ways to improve campus resources, including expanding mental health services, enhancing campus safety, and promoting diversity and inclusion initiatives. By concentrating on these areas, I aim to foster a more engaged and well-informed student community.”

The most important aspect of SGA is student involvement. The organization cannot run without continued interest in campus government. So, Lugo gave some tips on the best ways for students to get involved. “​​It’s so important for students to know who their representatives are and to actively engage with student government. One of the easiest and most impactful ways to get involved is by attending our weekly general body meetings. These meetings are not only a chance to learn about the exciting projects SGA is working on, but also to hear from guest speakers across different Rutgers-Camden departments. Most importantly, they provide a platform for you to raise any concerns or ideas you have—we take every student’s voice seriously and work hard to make sure you’re represented.” 

“Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, there are plenty of ways to get involved. We have various committees you can join right away, and every spring, we host elections for representatives, senators, and e-board members. It’s an incredible way to have a real impact on campus, advocate for your peers, and help shape the Rutgers-Camden community for the better!” Lugo also notes that the easiest way to stay up to date about the ongoing events of student government is through their newsletters and their Instagram (@rucsga). “If there’s an issue on campus, SGA has the power to advocate for students and work toward real solutions. No matter your major, getting involved in SGA allows you to make a tangible impact and be the voice for students.”

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The first Student Governing Association (SGA) General Body Meeting of the semester took place on Thursday, September 19th, from 5:15 to 6:15 PM, led by SGA board members President Kimberly Lugo, Vice President Shaan Mody, Secretary Jenna Ahmed, and Treasurer Jessica Toft. The meeting featured a raffle with prizes of an iPad, AirPods, and an Apple Watch. Clubs were also encouraged to boost funding with a $100 prize and reminded that attending 9 out of 11 SGA meetings makes them eligible for $150 in their revenue accounts.

Chancellor Antonio Tillis opened the meeting by asking, “What does it mean to be a chancellor?”, comparing his role to that of a ship’s captain and emphasizing the collaborative nature of university leadership, with vice-chancellors in areas like Academic Affairs and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Tillis also highlighted his responsibilities to create scholarships and shared his experience as a first-generation student. He stressed the importance of student engagement with SGA, noting its reliance on active participation, and encouraged students to think in five-year increments. He announced an additional $10,000 for SGA’s budget to support student organizations, stating, “now you have the opportunity to not wish, but to do.”

Rutgers Camden Office of Marketing and Communications

SGA had the opportunity to pose direct questions to Chancellor Tillis, addressing a variety of pressing issues that have been on the minds of the student body. The first question, posed by Senator Joseph Lescht, referenced significant changes made in the Division of Student Academic Success and Student Affairs over the summer, which included layoffs and realignments that, according to the SGA, have impacted student life.

“Could you please share a little bit more information on the determination of these changes, of these reorganizations, what their purpose was, and if and when the Rutgers Camden community can expect some documentation?” Lescht asked.

Chancellor Tillis explained that the personnel changes aimed to maximize efficiency, not reduce student services, acknowledging that duplication had caused financial strain. He noted that Senior Vice Chancellor Jimmy John would return to provide more details on the restructuring.

Moving on to financial concerns, SGA Treasurer Jessica Toft raised an important follow-up question about the recent tuition increase. Over the summer, students saw a rise in both tuition and dining fees, with an 11% increase in dining costs being especially notable.

“I was just wondering where our tuition increases are going, and going forward, I would appreciate more transparency regarding decisions to increase costs on campus and how it will affect things and improve their experience,” Toft said.

Chancellor Tillis explained that the tuition and dining fee increases were decisions made by the Board of Governors, with input from leadership. He acknowledged the burden on students but noted that financial aid, including increased Pell Grants, was adjusted to help ease the impact.

The discussion then shifted to commuter students, with SGA Secretary Jenna Ahmed highlighting the challenges faced by Rutgers-Camden’s large commuter population. On noted that despite over 87% of students being commuters, fewer than 9% had purchased parking permits. Instead, most students chose to use parking meters or avoid parking fees altogether.

“I would like to formally invite all administrators to immerse themselves in the average Rutgers Camden commuter student experience by parking at lot 16 and either walk to campus or take the shuttle service,” Ahmed stated.

Chancellor Tillis acknowledged the suggestion and sought clarification on the core issues, asking if the problem was the long walk, lack of shuttles, or something else. A student from the crowd responded, saying it was “long, expensive, and unnecessary.” The Chancellor repeated the points and asked for more clarification on why it was considered unnecessary. 

Before the student could continue, the President kindly apologized and reassured everyone that these concerns would be addressed during an upcoming open forum where students could fully express their views. Due to the formal nature of the meeting and the need to maintain decorum, it seems like comments from the crowd couldn’t be allowed at the moment. However, the meeting concluded without holding an open forum. The next day, President Lugo issued an apology, taking responsibility for the oversight and emphasizing the importance of discussing tuition, commuter issues, and other changes. She reassured students that all voices will be heard. An E-board member later clarified that the meeting was fast-paced and stressful, with no intent to silence anyone. 

Rutgers Camden Office of Marketing and Communications

Throughout the meeting, the QR code for the Student Concern Form was projected and remains accessible via SGA’s Engage page. Additionally, the SGA maintains an open-door policy in the Leaders Lounge, though access is limited, as students must notify SGA members beforehand. The SGA is actively involved in various advisory boards, including the Campus Advisory Board, Pre-Med Committee, Centennial Committee, and Executive Board. They are also coordinating a meeting with the provost and deans to address student concerns. On October 22nd, they will launch their academic plan.

Looking ahead, on October 22nd, from 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM, SGA will host a town hall where they will launch their academic plan for the year. The event will feature speeches from an administrator and student leaders and an open forum for students to express their concerns.

To wrap up the meeting, Brandon QUines announced that RUC Homecoming will return on October 3rd. They also reminded clubs and organizations that they must attend 9 out of 11 SGA meetings to be eligible for $150 to be added to their revenue accounts. 

The SGA continues to demonstrate its commitment to addressing student concerns and fostering a more connected campus community. Be sure to stay tuned for future editions, where we’ll provide updates on upcoming initiatives and events, including the much-anticipated town hall and academic plan launch.

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The Stedman Gallery, located in the Fine Arts building, is part of the Rutgers–Camden Center for the Arts (RCCA), which was formed in 1997. The gallery serves as a public service unit and works to provide museum-quality art exhibitions with guided tours,  making art education accessible to all K-12 students in the Camden area, as well as residents of the South Jersey and Rutgers–Camden communities. Since the opening of the current exhibition, the gallery’s K-12 outreach program has been successful in providing nine tours, each for about twenty students from local schools. During these tours, the students got the chance to participate in workshops which taught them how to create self-portraits. The gallery also works to provide accessibility to everyone, including creating catalogs in various different languages. They have recently been working with the Office of Disability Services to create a catalog in braille.

The current exhibition on display at the Stedman Gallery, curated by Gallery and Public Programs Coordinator Jake Foster, opened September 3, 2024 and is titled Alonzo Adams: These Eyes Have Seen. This exhibition showcases the latest works by Rutgers alumnus Alonzo Adams, a contemporary realist figurative painter, and depicts an exploration of Black identity and racial justice. Adams’ purpose for this exhibition is to let the world see what he has seen in his lifetime, taking inspiration from local subjects and what he saw during his travels to the Caribbean and Africa. 

The opening reception for this exhibition will be held on Thursday, September 26th, from 4:30-7:30p.m. A talk by Alonzo Adams and author Mercy Romero will be held on Thursday, October 10th from 5-6p.m., and the closing reception is scheduled for Friday, November 15th, from 5-6p.m. Admission, tours, and events are free and the Gallery is open to members of the University community and the public until the exhibit closes on November 26th.

Make sure to keep an eye out for the Stedman Gallery’s 50th anniversary exhibition that will be opening in the spring of 2025!

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Words by Gretchen Purvis, Image courtesy of Rutgers–Camden SGA

The Rutgers Camden Student Government Association (SGA) opened its
elections for voting on April 8th until the 12th. Rutgers students voted through Engage to
elect candidates to the SGA’s positions; some candidates ran in uncontested contests.
Students had the opportunity to write in a candidate of their choice for each position on
their ballot.

Candidates elected to the SGA’s Executive Board’s positions are as follows:
Kimberly Lugo, the former vice president, was elected to become the new SGA
president. Shaan Mody was elected to become the new SGA vice president. Jenna
Ahmed is the new SGA secretary. Jessica Toft, the incumbent SGA treasurer, has
previously served as treasurer. Christine Do is the SGA’s new General Assembly of
Organizations (GAO) Chairperson.

Candidates elections to the SGA University Senators positions are as follows: Eva
Chen and incumbent Joseph Lescht were elected to represent the College of Arts and
Sciences. The School of Business will be represented by Nyla Boswell. The School of
Nursing will be represented by Tiera Williams. The Graduate School of Arts and
Sciences will be represented by Assa John. There will be no representative for University
College, as the seat is vacant.

Candidates elected as the SGA’s at-large representatives for each school within
the campus are as follows: the College of Arts and Sciences will be represented by Justin
Bamgboye, Abhinav Kotapati, and Alexander Simone. The School of Business will be
represented by LaRodge Johnson, Taaha Malik, and a vacant seat. The School of
Nursing will be represented by Zaneta Kwapong. The Graduate School of Arts and
Sciences will be represented by Ojobo Agbo Eje. As with the SGA University Senators
election, the University College seat is left vacant.

Voters also approved the ballot’s referendum by a 70% majority (366 voters). The
referendum asked students whether they wanted the university’s endowment funds to
be divested from companies that were either currently receiving profit from, engaged
with, or contributing to governments committing human rights violations (read more
about the referendum here at the SGA’s official statement on Engage:
https://engage.camden.rutgers.edu/news/299929). The referendum was first proposed
during a closed SGA meeting Thursday, April 1st, as part of a university-wide
divestment effort by all campuses’ student governing associations prompted by worries over the conflict in Gaza. The referendum required a simple majority of affirmative votes, as
well as more total student voters than in the previous election, to pass. The SGA will
now be advocating for Rutgers University to divest from the five companies named in
the referendum—Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Motorola Solutions, General Electric Co.,
and PGIM-Quantitative Solutions Fund.

In an email to the student body, former SGA President Matthew Brodsky
thanked students for their votes, and congratulated the student body for a high
turnout (this election’s total voter count was 516 students, of the nearly 6,000 students at Rutgers Camden; numbers from enrollment statistics on Rutgers’ official website: https://www.rutgers.edu/about/by-the-numbers).

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Photos and Story by Julio Dagand

These days the presence of education and educators in the news is a regular and expected factor, with workers from across the educational sector ranging from primary school to accredited universities regularly pitted against politicians, parental groups, and the very institutions of learning they work for on local and national levels. 

Rutgers Camden has not been spared from this upheaval. The adjunct faculty union, a longtime fixture on campus, had their demands escalate into a fully fledged strike in the spring of last year. Now, on the one year anniversary of these events, students and faculty alike have had the chance to ponder the role of labor in their daily lives on and off campus. A handful of Rutgers Camden Students were able to offer their opinions on the matter of the strike, how it affected their studies in 2023, and how they look back on it now in 2024.

Erica Nebrich, a Business Management major from the class of 2024, spoke mainly in support of the union and their efforts: “I think it was nice to see them sticking up for themselves… Wasn’t it for better benefits[…]They could probably listen better, negotiate with the union better.”

Angie, a health sciences major in the class of 2026, agreed that many adjuncts had helped teach them and expressed shock at the conditions under which the adjuncts and part time faculty were expected to teach at our university: “It was really sad, you know: to find out that these people are just trying to live day to day just like us…” she remarked, mentioning the fact that some part time faculty at Rutgers Camden can and often do find themselves spread teaching between multiple part time positions at multiple universities just to make a living. 

Her friend Reese, a Psychology major in the class of 2025, added: “It was an informative experience for sure, to hear about how professors are in positions where they don’t know if they have a job next semester…. These professors are trying their best in the situations that they have and what they’re going through, especially not to get benefits for all the work they do.”

Rumors around campus had tipped students off that a strike would have been happening, and worries about the school year being disrupted appeared, according to students speaking on the matter now, like Nebrich, who added, “I had heard some classes were getting canceled but honestly only one of my classes got canceled I think. It didn’t disrupt me.”

A few students even had taken it upon themselves to interact with and talk with the affected faculty during the strike, like Angie, and are even now keeping their eyes and ears open for any more word from the unions: “I’ve been a little too busy to talk one on one with them, but I still like to pay attention, and follow them on Instagram and stuff,” Angie says. 

For those unaware or those who might not have been present, the strike was founded upon a common list of demands, the origins of which union Vice-President, and member of the Philosophy and Religion Department, Austin Rooney was able to shed some light on:

“We surveyed our members. We started a year before the contract expired at the end of spring ‘22, and we had surveyed our members prior to that so that we knew what was important to them. Three main demands were the top priorities for our members across the board: wages, job security, and healthcare.”

The prospect of a strike isn’t only a thing of the past at this campus. In response to the issues covered in part by the Gleaner in its March 27th feature G.I. Blues, there have now been statements from the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs stating that they could potentially begin a formal protest which would include a strike. On April 2nd emails were sent from a source at the OMVA to select individuals, which read among other things: 

“The Chancellor’s Spring address was held on March 26th and we went out to distribute information regarding what was happening on campus. We had some folks come up and talk to us about what we are trying to accomplish, the dialogue was great. Since I had told Chancellor Tillis a formal protest was likely the next course of action, he had a representative from his office reach out to Mr. Davis (Director of the Veterans Office) and informed him that those of us that participated in any formal protest would not be paid while we are protesting. I don’t have a problem with that. If I’m not working I shouldn’t be paid during that time. This “threat” just shows more of their character. During my time overseas I met much more determined men than Chancellor Tillis. My easiest days in the military were much harder than negotiating with a politically motivated bureaucrat. 

I wanted to take the time to provide an update for you all and hopefully keep our efforts in your mind. Your continued pressure on Chancellor Tillis is what will help bring him to the table. If Mr. Mellitz is met with resistance by Chancellor Tillis and a meeting can not be brokered then we will be moving forward with getting media attention. Chancellor Tillis will recognize that without the men and women of the United States Armed Forces that he would not have the luxury of being overpaid at a college university that was saved from bankruptcy by Revolutionary War Veteran Henry Rutgers.”

When asked to elaborate on some of its points and to comment on the recent history of strikes on campus, OMVA Student Worker Jake Kopach responded: 

“I had been made aware early on of the possibility of a strike through others in the Social Work program. Camden and Newark sometimes get, you know, the short end of the stick or a raw deal in terms of funding… I would say that obviously they accomplished a good turnout for what they wanted, I’m sure not all of their [demands] were met, but I’m also not exactly sure of the ins and outs were at this point in time. The basic premise is still there for both of us, though. Both groups want the university to be held accountable for the negligence that has been happening on both sides.”

For his part, on hearing the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs could be pursuing a strike, Mr. Rooney wished the OMVA well from one faculty member to another:  “I’m saddened but not shocked, it’s sort of the age that we live in, the exploitation of those who have sacrificed. We see it with educators, nurses, and the military of course. I’m just hearing about this now and unfortunately can’t comment at length, but I’d love to get in contact with them and maybe as part of the coalition building of labor unionizing we can get in touch.”

The aforementioned coalition building was a recurring topic of discussion with Mr. Rooney, who also emphasized the importance of solidarity and teamwork in labor organizations: “Well, [we learned] the importance of working together this past semester with our strike. Solidarity is the slogan of unions, so we really had to learn the importance of forming coalitions and working together with your coworkers in those unions. We’re extremely proud of the contract gains that were made, but we recognize that they could not have been made if we were working in isolation… We were very successful but it was also exhausting. A lot of people worked in unison, with different needs and perspectives on what could and should be accomplished. Regarding the lecturer unit, our morale remains pretty high and we’re ready to press on and ensure that our contract is honored. We weren’t able to get subsidized healthcare, but we are moving forward at the legislative level to get that moving as opposed to just the level of working with rutgers. Whenever any big wage gains are made like what we got, the common response of management is usually to slash jobs. We’ve seen at NB the announcement that they’re going to slash the writing department staffed mostly by adjuncts, so we made sure to include the writing department in our demands, that’s the nature of labor that all forms of labor need to work together. Our energy is good and it will only continue to get stronger over the course of this long fight.”

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Photo and Story by Kateri Tyrrell

On Wednesday April 10th, the School of Business here at Rutgers Camden held their fifth
annual business symposium. This year’s symposium discussed a topic that, though may seem
tired to some, begs to be further discussed as its influence in our daily lives continues to expand:
artificial intelligence.

This year’s symposium welcomed panelists Sean Boyce, founder of Nxtsetp consulting
which specializes in AI; Gil Kaminski, co-founder of Humelan, an AI-based hearing aid
company; Michael Kirchhoff, who shared insights on AI in healthcare; and Ojobo Agbo Eje, a
data specialist and author of A Layman’s Guide to Understanding Artificial Intelligence. Each
speaker brought their unique expertise, whether in content creation, healthcare, or data analysis.
Given its context within the School of Business, the panelists offered their perspectives
on AI through the lenses of marketing, healthcare, and data. However, as it is widely
acknowledged, artificial intelligence has permeated nearly every facet of our lives, not just the
realm of business. This new landscape is leaving many college-aged individuals, on the precipice
of graduation, and about to enter the workfield, wondering how to navigate this seemingly ever
evolving territory. Does one fight against the rising tide of artificial intelligence, or ride the wave
and learn how to work smarter not harder?

How AI works is, the creator feeds the AI tons of training data, the AI then analyzes the
data, recognizes patterns in the data, and makes predictions based on said patterns. There is
no doubt AI is helpful for many businesses; each panelist was quick to describe how AI has
helped make their business more efficient. However, as artificial intelligence is a young concept,
it has its flaws and needs some refining still. Gil Kaminski gave an example of the errors of AI. She
described this phenomenon as “biased data”.

In Kamiski’s example, she used Midjourney, an artificial intelligence that generates images.
She uploaded a picture of herself, and prompted Midjourney to generate an image of herself as a
CEO. All the photos that Midjourney conjured were of Kaminski as a man. She then prompted
the AI to make her into a nurse. Midjourney created a photo of her dressed in a tacky, old school
nurse’s uniform. These examples exemplify biased data. The AI was likely fed limited data based
on traditional gender roles, and thus created biased images. If not corrected, this sort of biased
data can be harmful as AI moves forward.

Speaker Ojobo Agbo Eje is a major proponent of creating ‘ethical artificial intelligence’. Eje
describes ethical AI as, “the development and deployment of artificial intelligence in a safe,
secure, humane and environmentally friendly approach”. In his presentation, Eje pointed out
common ethical issues within AI. One being biased data, just as Kaminiski touched on. Another
being copyright infringements, which may be all too common on AI channels such as ChatGPT,
that can write complete, compelling essays within a matter of seconds. As Kaminski touched on gender bias in AI, Eje brought race bias into the AI conversation. A study done by Joy Buolamwini, an African American graduate researcher at MIT, discovered that AI facial recognition programs had an easier time recognizing her face when she wore a white mask. This once again exemplifies biased data in growing artificial intelligence.

With the ethical errors of artificial intelligence in mind, Eje presented the “Five Pillars of
Ethical AI”. They are as follows: Fairness, where race and gender must be fairly represented;
Explainability, where the data that AI is trained on must be easily explainable; Robustness,
meaning the AI must be resistant to hackers; Transparency, where there needs to be easy access
to the AI’s data. Finally, data privacy, which is an ongoing concern in the modern technological
era; individuals must be able to consent to having their data shared.

In less than a decade, artificial intelligence has substantially impacted almost all areas of
our lives. However, it still has a long way to go. For college students, the looming prospect of
working in cooperation AI can seem daunting. Some college students may be familiar with using
AI for homework help. Others may worry about what it will look like competing with, or
working alongside AI. There is much to learn, and the climate of AI is ever evolving.
For college students and graduates entering the workforce, the presence of Artificial
Intelligence creates both opportunity and challenge. AI’s integration into every industry has
reshaped the workforce, demanding adaptability. While some fear AI’s encroachment on
traditional roles, it also offers efficiency and innovation.

College students must navigate this new and evolving environment, considering whether
to embrace AI as a tool to enhance one’s capabilities, or view it as a threat to job security.
Understanding AI’s potential and its errors are necessary when it comes to learning how to use AI
ethically and responsibly. Integrating AI fluency into one’s skill set will be essential for success
in the modern workforce. By mastering the ethical use of AI, college students can find
meaningful roles and contribute to the unavoidable synergistic future of artificial and human
intelligence.

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Image credit: Rutgers University–Camden Athletics

By Kendall Lafferty and Sadie Fiore

This month the Scarlet Raptors softball team got deep into NJAC play currently holding a 5-11 NJAC record and a 14-22 overall record. The team split in their conference opener against New Jersey City University. On Saturday, April 6th, the Raptors split with Montclair State University and quickly had to prepare to play Ramapo College the next day. Unfortunately, the Raptors lost both games against Ramapo. On Tuesday, April 9th, the Raptors split with The College of New Jersey, and then again split with Kean University on Saturday, April 13th, where they also celebrated their senior day. This was the first time the Raptors took a win from Kean University since 2016. On Tuesday, April 16, the Raptors lost both games to Stockton University. The Raptors then had two non-conference games against Catholic University, losing both. On Saturday, April 20th, the Scarlet Raptors split with William Patterson University. On April 23, the Raptors played nationally ranked Rowan University and lost both games. The Raptors play another non-conference game against Neuman University on Thursday, April 25th, and have their last regular season game against Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, April 27th. 

The Scarlet Raptors Baseball team also got deep into their NJAC season with a 7-6 NJAC record and a 23-12 overall record. On April 5th and 7th the Raptors played The College of New Jersey, winning one, and losing one. On Saturday, April 6th, the Raptors had a doubleheader against Kean University winning both. On April 9th, the Raptors lost an out-of-conference game against Keystone College. On April 11th and 12th, the Raptors played Rowan University losing both days. On April 13th, the Raptors took both games from Rutgers-Newark. Then on Tuesday, they played Alvernia University and celebrated their senior night with a win. On April 18th and 19th, the baseball team played Stockton University, losing both games. On Saturday, April 20th the Raptors took a win in their first game against Ramapo College, but unfortunately lost their second game. On Monday, April 22 the team played another out-of-conference game against Wilson College in which they won. The Raptors have their last NJAC games on April 25th and 26th against Montclair State University and a doubleheader against William Patterson University on April 27th.

Women’s tennis went to the NJAC semi-finals for the fourth year. The team, however, lost to top ranked TCNJ 5-0. However, sophomore co-captain Katie Moore received All-NJAC honors in women singles, making this the second year that she has been honored by the NJAC.

The golf team performed well at the RCSJ Roadrunner Invitational, coming in second with 315 to Stockton University’s 313. On Saturday, April 27, the team will compete in the United East Conference Championships, at the Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.

Track and Field athlete Alexis Marini has been having herself a month! The senior competed in the hammer throw at the Penn Relays, making her the only Division III athlete to do so, and she finished 13th with a distance of 49.65 meters. Earlier in the month, she competed at the Paul Donahue Invitationals, where she finished third of twenty-five, while also throwing her longest distance of the season. The mens 4×100 team will also be competing at the Penn Relays later today.

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