October 16, 2023

Another layer of support has been added to the We Care Program. This fall, Ramapo College distributed computer tablets equipped with a free Wi-Fi hotspot for enrolled students with demonstrated need and financial hardship.

Thanks to a partnership developed by Ramapo College Foundation Board of Governor Robert Ceberio with Emerald Coast Wireless, opportunities to increase the economic and social mobility of students continue to grow. Ramapo College Foundation Executive Director Christopher Romano provided insight to the program’s inception, “The impetus for this partnership emerged while discussing the changing demographic and needs of our student body.  With the growth in both Pell-Eligible students plus the growth in first-generation students, the Foundation and all of our Governors know the importance of being thoughtful in carrying out the mission of securing the resources necessary to support Ramapo College and its students.”  The tablet initiative is a testament to the Foundation’s continued focus on finding resources and establishing partnerships, bringing them to fulfillment, and then using those successes to secure more resources to benefit Ramapo students.

One of the first students to benefit from this initiative is Jules Bernard ’24, a visual arts major with a concentration in electronic arts and animation who is also minoring in creative writing. “Having the tablet and stable internet through this program allows me to remain organized with courses and have readily-available connections to my classes and schools,” said Bernard. It is not uncommon for colleges and universities to share course information and materials wholly online through course management platforms such as Ramapo’s use of Canvas.  There is an assumption in doing so, and that is accessibility. The tablet initiative allows students who do not have steady and reliable access to Wi-Fi or a computer the ability to stay connected to their coursework and submit assignments, contributing to their overall success as students.

The new tablet initiative is one of several resources in Ramapo’s We Care Program, which provides support for students in need with programs like the Food Pantry, Emergency Student Relief Fund, Clothing Closet, and Laptop Upcycle @ Ramapo. “Helping to connect students to a resource like the tablet and Wi-Fi made We Care natural fit and connection point for the students,” shared Eddie Seavers, associate director of the Center for Student Involvement, which houses the We Care Program.

Bernard is also grateful for the services offered by the We Care Program. “The We Care program especially has been a great resource I’ve utilized as a student. It allows other students and myself to have a resource for food including fresh produce, a professional clothing, and additional financial support. As someone who rents off-campus while attending college, having these resources has allowed me to not have to worry about resources and comfort nearly as much as I would have otherwise,” said Bernard, who hails from Ocean Township, NJ and is a graduate of Southern Regional High School. In 2023 alone, the We Care Program has received $77,000 in funding from New Jersey Hunger-Free Campus Grant offered by the State of New Jersey and Office of the Secretary of Higher Education, Dr. Brian K. Bridges, which allows for Ramapo to provide not only pantry food items, but fresh produce and meals in dining halls on campus.

Jules Bernard ’24 working on their tablet

Students who receive tablets are able to keep them and do not need to reapply annually for this benefit. The tablets not only provide access to course materials, but enable students to connect socially and explore the more than 100 clubs and activities on campus and the hundreds of internships available in the Cahill Career Development Center. Having technology readily available helps students thrive and succeed both in and out of the classroom and immerse themselves in the tight-knit community for which Ramapo is known. These are just some of the reasons students like Bernard choose to attend Ramapo College. “The community environment was amazing from my first visit,” shared Bernard. “Staff and faculty have a genuine, noticeable care for Ramapo students and want to see us succeed both on a professional and individual level. That level of support and mentorship was impactful from the start.”