Best Practices for Developing a Successful Rutgers Day Program

1. Best Practices for Developing a Successful Rutgers Day Program The most successful programs are simple, informative, interactive, and fun! Keep the following information and tips in mind as you collaborate with colleagues to come up with ideas. You can always contact us at rutgersday@ucm.rutgers.edu for help.

2. Rutgers Day Goals • Instill pride in New Jersey residents and the Rutgers community by showcasing the exciting things happening at their state university through an enjoyable experience • Give a human face to the university by showcasing engaged students, faculty, and staff • Provide new ways for alumni to connect with their alma mater • Engage local communities by inviting their participation • Demonstrate Rutgers’ value to the state

3. What does Rutgers Day look like? More than 500 programs are clustered into high visibility areas on the Busch, College Avenue, and Cook/Douglass campuses. Some programs are indoors, but most are under white-peaked tents and at tables. Each campus has at least one performance stage. Food vendors are strategically placed around campuses. Directional and “factoid” signs lead visitors to program areas. Information tents are placed in key locations.

4. Types of programs • Performances: music, dance, theater • Mini-lectures; Demonstrations; Experiments; Info sessions • Hands-on activities • Exhibits • Information / display tables

5. Where do you fit in? • Schools & Departments • Tell your story with a game or interesting display. Engage the audience. Make it kid-friendly, and parents will learn too. Get faculty involved. Professors make a great impression on prospective students, parents of current students, and alumni. • Student Organizations • Visitors love interacting with students. You can ask for donations, but DO NOT CHARGE MONEY to participate in an activity. Rutgers Day is FREE. • Performers • Students, faculty, and staff are invited to perform solo or with their group on a mainstage (Big R or Scarlet). Dancers, singers, musical groups, and theater groups are encouraged to submit

6. Tips For Rutgers Day Success! • Be friendly and welcoming. Engage • visitors as they pass by. • Find a creative way to show the • mission of your school, department, • or organization. Know your audience. They are mostly alumni with young families, but senior citizens, and local residents enjoy the day too. Keep your program ‘G’ rated There’s a lot to do at Rutgers Day. People won’t hang around for long, so keep your activity short.

7. More Tips • Focus on ‘friend-raising’ not fundraising. • Plan for inclement weather. • Consider load-in and load-out plans. • Go ‘green’ by limiting handouts. • Build in time and coverage for lunch breaks; check out our food vendors and student run BBQs. • Schedule time to enjoy Rutgers Day with your family and friends; work in shifts. • Use social media during the day to get people to campus and to your program. • Bring a camera; post photos on the Rutgers Day Facebook page or other social media. • Survey your visitors for feedback.

8. Marketing Tips • Start marketing your program NOW. • Use materials found on the Rutgers Day website (flyers; signs; templates; Save-the-Date card). • Include Rutgers Day and your program information in newsletters and general emails. • Add a Rutgers Day link to your email signature, Facebook page, or YouTube channel. • Become a fan on Facebook, and encourage friends to become fans as well. RSVP to our event. • Share our flyers, ads, and bookmarks with others. • Encourage your friends and family to attend! Spread the word about Rutgers Day!

9. Give-Aways & Sponsors • You don’t need to give something away to attract people to your program. If your activity is fun…they will come. • If you do give out items, be sure they come from approved vendors (check with Trademark Licensing). • No corporate logos or names should appear on giveaways. This day is about Rutgers, not corporations or businesses. • If someone wants exposure to our visitors, direct them to our sponsor page.

10. What does Rutgers Day Provide for You? • Promotion in ads, billboards, radio announcements, mailings, Targum wrap, etc. • Program listings on website, booklet handout, and mobile ap • Free parking and special Rutgers Day bus route • Information tents and campus greeters • Signage on roads; around campuses; at program locations • Staff assistants in program areas • Tables, chairs, and tents where appropriate • Rutgers Day t-shirts • Public safety and facilities management

11. What to Expect Leading up to Rutgers Day • Notification emails about submitting your program • Responses to your phone calls and emails for help planning your program • Information updates on our Facebook page and website • Mid-March: Confirmation email with information about your program requirements, location, and t-shirts • April 1: Downloadable program listings on our website • Weather alerts/rain plan if necessary

12. Need help? Web: rutgersday.rutgers.edu Email: rutgersday@ucm.rutgers.edu Phone: 732-932-7823 Programming questions: ext. 672 Logistical questions: ext. 649 Student organizations or performance questions: ext. 675