What's the purpose of orientation? How does it work?
The entire Orientation runs about a week. It is a great time for you to learn about the excellent resources and opportunities in Wesleyan. The events are arranged to introduce you to a variety of experiences whether academic, inter-cultural, social, or just pure fun.

There seem to be a lot of events planned for me. Will I have free time to move in and adjust?
Some events are required as an essential part of the Orientation. There will also be several optional events, which you'll be able to choose from according to your interests. Orientation programs will help you form a foundation for your college life, and students often find themselves at a disadvantage when they miss an event. We have planned time for you to move in, and there is also free time during the weekend.

Course Registration and Advising

How do I register for my courses?
In the Summer mailing, you will receive information about Summer Registration. You will then select up to four classes, including a First Year Initiative seminar. When you arrive on campus for Orientation, you will meet with your advisor and finalize a list of 4-5 courses for the fall. When you complete the course registration, your advisor must approve your class schedule.

What if I don't get all the courses I want?
Sometimes you will not be able to get into a course you selected and you may choose to put your name on a waitlist. Once classes begin, you may be able to join during Add/Drop period, as students choose to drop a particular class and enroll in a different course.

How often should I meet with my advisor?
Meeting with your advisor is a critical part of designing your academic plan at Wesleyan. Because there is no core curriculum or required courses, it is important you work closely with your advisor in selecting your courses and charting your short and long term goals. We suggest that you meet with your advisor 2-3 times during the semester, especially during the first year. You must meet with your advisor during pre-registration periods during the Fall and Spring semesters. Advisors are available during their regular office hours and by appointment.

What if I have already decided on my career? My major? Should I simply schedule my classes accordingly?
Most people come to Wesleyan without a specific idea about their careers or academic paths. Some students arrive with potential majors or career goals identified, but may change their minds after a few semesters of exploration at Wesleyan. We have many resources to help you decide. Your faculty advisors, your Peer and Resident Assitants and Orientation Leaders are all here to help. So try to experiment with a variety of classes freshman year. Explore your options. After one or two years, you will definitely have a better sense of who you are and what you want.

What are Gen Ed expectations?
The courses encompassed by General Education Expectations are vital to a liberal education. They are divided into three areas: natural sciences and mathematics (NSM), the social and behavioral sciences (SBS), and the humanities and arts (HA). Students are expected to have at least two course credits in the three areas, each from different departments, by the end of their second year. Additionally, they are expected to have at least one more credit in each of the three areas prior to graduation.

Student Life

What should I bring? And what shouldn't I bring?
The residential halls provide you with basic furniture (bed, desk, bureau, shelving, trash can, closet and two chairs). But you will need to bring personal items like lamps, bed linens and phones for your use. There is also a cable hook-up equipped in the room. But what's more important, don't forget your bedding, shampoo, and underwear! There is also an unofficial packing list here.
Certain items are prohibited in residence halls. You will find a list of these items when you receive your housing contract.

What else do I need to know about the Residence Halls?
In mid-May mailings go out to all incoming students containing information about housing at Wesleyan. All first-year students at Wesleyan live on campus, in either the Foss Hill residence halls, the Butterfield residence halls, the all-frosh Clark Hall, 200 Church and West College. Transfer students will also be assigned to residential halls on campus. The preference sheets you fill out will be used by Residential Life staff to match you up as closely as possible with the residence hall and room of your choice. If you have any questions, contact Res Life by email at reslife@wesleyan.edu. More information is online at http://www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/

Resident Advisors (RAs) will play an important part in the first year experience. The RAs are returning students responsible for creating a sense of community in the halls, establishing social and educational programs, and acting as general resources for residents.

Every residence hall has a lounge, which typically have sofas, a TV, and other accessories depending on location. Hewitt, for example, has vending machines, a pool table, a ping pong table, and a microwave. Most lounges are arranged similarly. Bathrooms and hallways are cleaned throughout the week by custodial staff, but students are responsible for their own rooms.

Do I need my own computer? Do I share phone and Internet access with my roommate?
We have many computer labs equipped with high caliber PCs and Macs. Although owning a computer is not required, people do find having a computer very useful. The Wesleyan computer store can also help you choose and set up a new computer. Wesleyan provides Internet access for every resident on campus by Ethernet. There is one phone jack and one Ethernet jack for every student, so you don't have to share them even if you have roommates.

What's there to do in Middletown outside of Wesleyan?
Here is a list of things you can do in Middletown (managed by the Admission Office).
http://www.admiss.wesleyan.edu/middletown.html

Can I get a job on Campus? How do I do that?
It is quite easy to get a job on campus. You can work for libraries, computer labs, departments, administration, etc. Some jobs give preferences to work-study students. You can check for available jobs at http://www.wesleyan.edu/finaid/employment/

Where will I eat the first year? What is the food like?
Wesleyan dining is provided by Bon Appetit, a national food service provider. Bon Appetit is committed to fresh food, made from scratch and issues of sustainability. With the new Usdan University Center will com a state of the art marketplace open seven days a week for breakfast lunch, dinner and late night dining. The marketplace will offer a la carte dining (points) and All you Care to Eat (AYCE) meals depending on the meal plan you choose In addition to a stone pizza oven, a Mongolian grill and international grill, the marketplace will showcase a deli, kosher and vegan offerings. Bon Appetit will also provide food service at a café in the Usdan center, Summerfields (in the Butterfieldss), as well as Pi Café and WEShop.

How safe is it at Wesleyan?
All campuses have some safety concerns. Like most campuses, the most common issues are related to theft when doors are left open or propped. The Office of Public Safety provides a variety of services for the University, including car registration, ID cards, fire drills, lost-and-found, and other miscellaneous tasks. The most important job of Public Safety, however, is solving problems that occur around campus. Officers patrol the campus on a 24 hour basis, and you can always reach the office at either x2345 (non-emergency) or x3333 (emergency). Calls to 911 on campus are automatically routed to Public Safety.
Wesleyan has a system of blue light phones on campus that are always available to summon Public Safety. There is also a variety of escort services: a van shuttle service that runs a prescribed route during the school year, a student walking escort service, and Public Safety officers are always available to escort on an individual basis. Students should never hesitate to call Public Safety if they feel even the slightest bit uncomfortable. For more information: Office of Public Safety, (860) 685-2345

What happens if I get sick at Wesleyan?
The Davison Health Center is located at 327 High Street between Malcolm X House and the Davison Art Center. During the academic year when classes are in session, the Health Center will be open from 9am to 7pm Monday through Thursday, 9am to 5pm Friday, and 12 noon to 4pm Saturday. It will be closed on Sunday. The Health Center is staffed by physicians, a physician's assistant, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and medical/lab assistants and office staff. A nutritionist and and HIV counselor are also available by appointment during the academic year. Students should schedule appointments with the Center by calling x2470. Same-day appointments are scheduled in cases of illness or injury. During orientation, the Center will be open 9 - 5 Tuesday (Arrival Day) through Friday,
12 - 4 Saturday, Closed Sunday, and 9 - 5 Monday/Labor Day. Regular hours will start on the first day of classes. For more information: Davison Health Center, (860) 685-2470

What other services are available on campus?
Check out a list of student services including the Freeman Athletic Center, Health Education, Student Activities, Religious & Spiritual Life, Community Service and much more by clicking Campus Resources link to the left.

Social Life

How do I join clubs/organizations? Can I get involved right away?
Clubs and organizations at Wesleyan are very open. The easiest way to join a club is to attend the meetings, especially near the beginning of the semester. The procedure normally involves no more than signing up your name and leaving your contact information. Many frosh are able to participate actively right away. As long as you have enthusiasm and drive, any organization will love your involvement. It is also possible for you to start your own club through the Wesleyan Student Assembly (WSA).

Do students leave campus on weekends?
Wesleyan is definitely not a "suitcase" school where students travel to bigger cities or go home on the weekends. Since we are not in a big city, students always make sure there is a lot to do on campus. There is so much going on during any given weekend that few students even leave campus, much less Middletown. There are always plays, concerts, comedy shows, the film series, parties, and lots of other fun things to do.

Is social life segregated by class year?
Very little social life on campus is separated by class year. Most of the dorms are mixed by class years, as are most of the classes. Most - if not all - clubs, activities, and social gatherings are open to all. Many of your classmates, neighbors, fellow group members, and friends will be from other class years.

Is there Greek life at Wesleyan?
Greek life is very small at Wes, but it is there for those who seek it. There are a few fraternities on campus, some with fraternity houses and some without. There are also a few sororities at Wes, but none of them have sorority houses. We also have coed societies. The fraternities and coed societies with houses throw parties on the weekends or rent their space out to other organizations to throw parties.

Is there activism on campus?
Wesleyan has been named the most politically active school in the nation year after year by institutions such as the Princeton Review. Activism addresses campus, local, state, national, and global issues. There are Wesleyan chapters of national groups as well as groups individual to Wesleyan. If you have a cause you are interested in, you almost certainly will find many others here who share your passion. You will be able to find a group to join or you could easily start one on your own and find many others who want to help.