issue 2.7 | 01.28.2008 | http://www.wesleyan.edu/deans/fym/
The First Year Matters newsletter is published by the Office of the Dean of the College and features information about academic and community life at Wesleyan; news about events and happenings on campus; and profiles of people and their work.
Academics
The first semester is a part of the past...now it is time for the second semester reality check. Here are some things to keep in mind as you begin your second semester:
- You may experience a minor meltdown in your college experience as the dog-days of winter set in. Ask for help! Many resources are available to you during this time of your life, so if makes sense, and is a good sign of stength to utilize them. SARN Peer Advisors are back and eager to help; your Class Dean is always available to you; Faculty Advisors are here to help you get the schedule you need to succeed; and the Office of Behavioral Health Services is a great place to check out!
- Your first semester grades may be indicative of a need for more library time! Pay attention to your habits... did they support you last semester, or did they let you down? Time management skills are highly desirable traits to develop...and it is never too late. Contact your Peer Advisor and ask for assistance in planning out your semester now, before the workload gets out of hand.
- Spring is only moments away. Before long, Spring Break will be here, the days will be longer and warmer, and activities will move back outdoors. There are still plenty of activities to do outside, some of which are identified in "Get outside and enjoy winter!" below.
This is a fresh semester, and as your Class Dean, I want to take this opportunity to welcome all of you back to campus.
Don't Forget to Confirm your Course Schedule!
All students must confirm their course schedules after the end of the Drop/Add period. To confirm your schedule, login to your e-portfolio and navigate to "Current Classes & Schedule" under "Wesleyan Career." If your schedule is correct, click on "Schedule is Correct." If your schedule is incorrect (e.g. a course is missing or a course you thought you had dropped is still appearing) click on "Schedule is Incorrect" and you will be given further instructions and a link to a petition form so that you can initate the process for correcting the error.
You should confirm your schedule by 5:00 PM on Friday, February 8. If there is an error in your schedule, the sooner you click "Schedule is Incorrect" the sooner your issues can be addressed. If you fail to confirm your schedule, you will not be allowed to participate in April pre-registration for Fall 2008 courses.
Grading mode and cross-listing changes must have been made before the end of the Drop/Add period.
Click here if you have any questions. You can also email the Registrar's Office at registrar@wesleyan.edu or call x2810.
SARN Peer Advisors are available. Email sarnadvisors@wesleyan.edu to make an appointment and tell us where you live. Spring Semester schedules for workshops and drop-in times will be available soon.
Events
Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration - January 29, 2008
On Tuesday January 29, 2008, Wesleyan University will celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Bernice Johnson Reagon, a singer and composer who founded the internationally renowned a cappella ensemble Sweet Honey in the Rock, will join the University for the celebration. Dr. Reagon will participate in a class, facilitate a lunch discussion and be the keynote address at the community-wide celebration to be held at 4:15 PM in Memorial Chapel.
In addition to the day of events, there will be a display of 16 significant Civil Rights Movement events and people in the Zelnick Pavillion from Tuesday January 22, 2008 to Tuesday January 29, 2008. The current 16 displays were created by the MLK planning committee; this year, the committee would like to add at least two more displays and invites Wesleyan University students, faculty and staff to submit ideas of events that they feel are significant to the Civil Rights movement.
If you would like to propose a topic, please e-mail the topic and a brief summary of what the story board would include to Cathy Lechowicz by December 15, 2008. The MLK Planning Committee will then review all topics submitted. Those selected will be asked to submit the content for the story board – up to 600 words – by January 20, 2008.
For more information about the program, our keynote speaker Bernice Johnson Reagon, and the list of the 16 Civil Rights Landmarks represented, please visit http://www.wesleyan.edu/mlk.
Community
The Office of the Dean of the College is seeking five Orientation Interns to assist with the planning and implementation of the Orientation Program for the incoming Class of 2012 and the new transfer, exchange & visiting, and international students. Position responsibilities will vary according to assignment with either New Student Orientation (NSO) or International Student Orientation (ISO), but Interns will have opportunities to assist in both programs.
These semi-professional internships provide students an excellent opportunity to learn about large-scale event management and higher education administration, and to help lead one of the most important events on campus: the welcoming of new students to the University. The positions come with a stipend and housing. To learn more, go to Orientation.
"Where will I live next year?" The answer to this question will be determined through your participation in the General Room Selection (GRS) process. You may apply for Program Housing or sign-up for the Room Selection process. The GRS website will be active on February 15th and will include detailed information about the process.
Key points to understand about the General Room Selection Process:
- If you will be a student at Wesleyan University in the fall of 2008, you MUST participate in the GRS process.
- The process is complex and entails several steps. You must pay close attention to the timeline. You are responsible for meeting all deadlines. No exceptions will be made.
- E-mail updates will be sent periodically throughout the process.
Program House Fair - February 8, 2-5 PM
Living in a program house is a fabulous opportunity to be a part of a community with folks that have similar interests. It offers a location and resources to organize around your passions. Program housing allows students to become active members of their home. Come to the Program House Fair on February 8, from 2-5 PM in Beckham Hall to learn about your different Program House options.
Have you started filling out your FAFSA yet?
Get a head start on applying for federal financial aid! Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) renewal and new applications are available now at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Pre-application worksheets may be downloaded beforehand to assist with completion of the on-line form. The Office of Financial Aid will provide updated links to important information on their website.
Check out the new student-run Career Resource Center blog!
The Career Resource Center, located in Butterfield A, provides students support with career planning, job hunts and internship searches. The counseling staff can help you develop or polish a resume, find an internship, choose a job shadow opportunity during Winter Break and explore careers. Drop-in Hours are Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 11:00 AM - 4:30 PM, and Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM. More information is available at http://www.wesleyan.edu/crc/.
What is a bystander? It is an individual who is concerned about a behavior, prejudicial remark, or other problem, but does not take action to address it. They may want to act, but don’t, perhaps due to fear of the retaliation or feeling they wouldn’t be supported by others. The most famous case of bystander apathy was the case of Kitty Genovese in 1964, where thirty-eight people witnessed her murder but not one did anything to stop it. Yet, bystanders intervening to address problem behaviors can serve as one of the most effective forms of prevention for a variety of issues, including bullying, vandalism, alcohol-fueled problems, sexual and physical violence, and homophobic or racially-motivated hate incidents.
Bystander intervention does not mean making another’s decisions for them or getting in the middle of a dangerous situation. It can simply mean interrupting the situation with a question or comment (”those kinds of jokes make me feel uncomfortable”), or offering someone an “out” from a difficult situation (“do you want to stay at this party? I’ll leave with you.”). You could also call Public Safety or a Residential Life staff member. View this Model of Bystander Intervention from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse to learn more.
Get outside and enjoy the winter!
Whether you love cold weather and snow or are experiencing it for the first time, try to get outdoors and enjoy the New England winter. Consider the outdoors the world’s biggest fitness facility! While winter activity poses some unique challenges that don’t exist in warmer climates or at other times of year, the beauty of nature and the benefits far outweighs the challenges. Use these tips to enjoy the outdoors:
- Check out different winter sports, especially if you’ve never tried them before. Downhill or cross-country skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snowshoeing, snow tubing and even sledding on Foss Hill offer fun and exercise at the same time. Connecticut offers a wide range of outdoor recreation options that are available year-round.
- If your fitness routine usually involves outdoor activities, such as running, walking or even playing Frisbee, change your shoes and clothes to cope with cold, snow and ice. Ensure your shoes have a tread that can help you maintain your balance on slippery surfaces and are waterproof. Wear light layers of clothes that wick perspiration away from your skin, so wet, heavy clothes do not make you feel colder. You may also need to move indoors on days which are especially wet or stormy. Check out this apparel guide for more information.
- If you are prone to seasonal affective disorder, exercise and exposure to natural sunlight, even on an overcast day, can make a difference. Take the time to lift your face towards the sky while outdoors to gain the benefits of sunlight. Avoid looking directly at the sun, however.
- Still lost for things to do? Click here for a list of ideas that might spark your imagination!
People
Tamar Charles, Class of 2011, wasted no time in getting involved on campus. She is currently Black History Month Coordinator and a board member of Ujamaa, Wesleyan’s Black Student Union. She is also a member of a new, alternative dance-group called NoDef, and an employee at Wesleyan’s Career Resource Center. She says her favorite thing about Wes so far is the comfort she’s felt with the students, teachers, and administration that she’s met. “I really believe that Wesleyan is comprised of special people, whose vibrant personalities bring the campus to life.” But it hasn’t all been simple. “As a freshman I think the main challenge is adjusting to a new area and lifestyle. I’ve had to start prioritizing and analyzing the direction I want to go with my life, which were intimidating gears to switch into.” She advises her classmates to resist the instinct to get involved in everything on campus in order to make friends and a smooth transition. She notes, “…it is very important to take time for yourself, and find a balance within the whirlwind of classes, extracurricular activities, and social events.”