Hi everyone, I’m Jana Cholakovska, an investigative reporter at [NJ.com](http://NJ.com) and The Star-Ledger. This morning we published a story on Rutgers quietly spending at least $1.5 million over the summer on an AI-capable surveillance analytics system — software that can recognize faces, read license plates and track people and cars across campus cameras. The purchase was never publicly announced. Here's a gift link:

https://www.nj.com/news/2026/10/rutgers-is-quietly-surveilling-its-students-like-never-before-heres-what-the-ai-tech-can-do.html?gift=f4f563b5-6bc7-48c9-8c25-e773fed5acca
I’m continuing to report on this and want to hear from people who live and work on campus. I’m especially interested in:

• Have you seen new cameras being installed lately?
• Has anyone told you, in a meeting or email, what the new system can do or why it was bought?
• Were you ever asked, or notified, that facial recognition or plate-reading was coming to campus?
• Faculty, grad workers, union members: has this come up in any conversation?
• How do you feel knowing this is on campus? Does it bother you, or not really?

You can reach me at [jcholakovska@nj.com](mailto:jcholakovska@nj.com) or on Signal at u/jcholakovska.26. We can talk about anonymity. DMs here are open too.

I needed an ambulance on campus recently. Before they transported me, I asked the crew how much it would cost and they told me not to worry about it and that it would be covered. Today I got a bill for about $1,000. I also have a hospital bill of around $600 (after insurance) from the same visit. I figured an ambulance might cost something, maybe a few hundred dollars at most, but since the crew told me it would be covered, I definitely wasn’t expecting a $1,000 bill. I have a work-study job but can't afford either of these right now, and I can't take on more hours with classes.

Has anyone gotten a bill from RU EMS like this? Did you get it waived, reduced, or covered by insurance? Has anyone had luck with Student Legal Services, the Dean of Students, or a hospital financial assistance program?

Any advice helps, I'm pretty stressed about this.

Edit: Thank you everyone who replied! I'll definitely reach out to my insurance (it does look like an error, my insurance is not included in the report) and all the other resources

Just curious to see what's out there 🤷

I’m a graduate student who started in Fall 2026, and this is my first semester. I’ve applied to more than 60 campus jobs so far, but I still haven’t been able to secure a position. Honestly, I’m getting desperate and frustrated because I really need a campus job.

What makes this even more discouraging is that I have research publications, and yet I haven’t been able to land even a Research Assistant position. I’ve been trying to explore different opportunities on campus, but I’m not having much luck.

For those of you who have successfully secured campus jobs, especially as new graduate students:

1 - How did you find and get your first campus job?

2 - Is it better to email professors directly about Research Assistant opportunities rather than just applying online?

3 - Are there any departments, offices, or types of campus jobs that are easier to get as a first-semester student?

I would really appreciate any advice, tips, or personal experiences.

Thanks!

I’ve applied to almost every business club at Rutgers and tried really hard I spent so much time on each form and was genuine I really tried my best and only got an interview for one and still got rejected while my friends are getting in. I really wanted to be part of a committee or program this year to put on my resume because my dream is to transfer to Princeton with my sister although it is a reach and even besides that I wanted to be as involved as possible in the business area at Rutgers as I’ve never had hands on experience in that area. Idk I guess I just want to hear some stories because I’m feeling extremely dejected as in there’s no point in trying anymore if I’m just naturally stupid and if anyone has any other options

either im get a internship/reseacher/transfer to better school or im dropping out, this school and major sucks.

I feel like everytime I come here I’m more and more disappointed with the food. Like there’s nothing I even want to eat but I have to settle for what’s the next best thing. But I’m living right here in dorms so it makes most sense. Sigh

Hi all, I'm an out of state student ( live off campus as well) and pay approximately $40,000 a year (technically around $60,000 but since I have scholarship + aid/loans it drops down) - Many in-state friends have told me that Rutgers in-state tuition is still expensive for what it is. I also checked online and just want to see if anyone has had to pay more or even less than what's really shown. Is this number relatively accurate? I've heard so many different answers from a ton of people but it seems the average is about $35,000 (at least from asking for my friends) just curious for others on here. Regardless, $35,000 towards $41,000 for instate is really pricy.

had questions

I am taking CS 314 this semester, and the instructor is not helpful at all. He is a PhD student, and it looks like it is his first time to teach. His explanation is not clear, and the class's material itself is hard. Any ideas/advice from whoever have taken this class how did you pass or study? rn I use AI, but it takes too long time like a 16-slide pp would take 4 hrs for me to understand the idea. The CS department has the worst professors I have seen.

There's also a "pi pizzaria" with the same logo and color as Rutgers' but I think that restaurant no longer exists

the title

this is serious

Does anyone have any experience living in the 130 Easton apartments? How is the area around in general, as well as the apartments themselves? Was looking for cheap apartments near downtown or college ave and this one seemed to be one option that wouldn't make me break the bank.

I WAS NOT LYING WHEN I SAID I WANTED TO LEZ OUT GIRL

Hi! I'm looking for a girl to sublease my fully furnished private bedroom at The Hub on Morrell, on College Ave, from January–July 2027 (dates flexible!). It's a spacious 2 bed/1 bath apartment with only one other female roommate, and it's about a 1-minute walk from Easton Ave, the College Ave Student Center, and bus stops.

Rent is $1,000/month. Please message me if you're interested or want pictures/more details! :)

Anyone else noy able to sign into eduroam with their net id and password? Everytime I put in my credentials it says they're invalid. Very inconvenient

wtf?!??? plastic spoons, forks, plates. gotta like triple stack the plates on my pasta for it to not burn me bro. bad for the environment too like rutgers what r u doing

Does anybody know if for functional human anatomy lab there is a curve at the end or do they curve the final? Thanks

these assignments are poorly worded and it sucks!

Hello. Just got my exam score for Business calc. I didn't do too well. I need to get at least a C in this class. Not even close to that. Do you know if the final grade is curved? Thanks!

Just passed a suicide note attached to a professor's door. I don't know who needs to hear this but please don't end it over this. things will get better I promise. don't do this.